Author Topic: Aftermarket NEF barrels (Read 1971 times)

grouper sandwich · « **on:** March 11, 2006, 07:29:17 AM »

Is there any such thing? If so, who and where?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #1 on:** March 11, 2006, 07:35:09 AM »

Use to be, but that company is out of business. Next best choice is to have an NEF/H&R barrel rechamber and/or rebored to your favorite. I've had a 26" .25-06 barrrel rebored to .338.06, a .38-55 Target R&Rd to .405 Winchester, and a .357 mag R&Rd to .35 Remington by Wayne York of Oregunsmithing, costs are on his web site...

Tim

http://home.earthlink.net/%7Eoregunsmithing/index.html

JPH45 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 11, 2006, 01:13:26 PM »

If you are ging to pour $500+ into a rifle Why not something better than an NEF, like a TC Contender or Encore or a Ruger #1?

Mac11700 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 11, 2006, 01:35:26 PM »

Quote from: JPH45

If you are ging to pour $500+ into a rifle Why not something better than an NEF, like a TC Contender or Encore or a Ruger #1?

I'll answer on this for myself..others folks have their own reasons...Why you ask.. ...Because it's my money...and I want to.....and besides..I would rather have a Handi over a TC anyday of the week.... the TC's aren't really any better than the Handi's in my opinion and cost a-lot more..I can put my sweat equity into it..and my outlay of cash is less..and the Rugers aren't switch barrels...if they were...they would probably sell a ton more of them than they do already..

Mac

Datil · « **Reply #4 on:** March 11, 2006, 02:48:26 PM »

I have already had a TC barrel in my choice and it did not shoot as good as H&R and NEF barrels that I have.I want a a custum barrel.
My money I'll spend as I like.. :-D :-D :-D
Just my 2 cents Marv.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #5 on:** March 11, 2006, 02:54:20 PM »

Quote from: JPH45

If you are ging to pour $500+ into a rifle Why not something better than an NEF, like a TC Contender or Encore or a Ruger #1?

Why would I spend $500-$600 for a rifle as ugly as the the Encore that doesn't shoot any better than an H&R/NEF?

I'm extremely happy with the custom calibers I have, no need to look else where. :wink:

Tim

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 12, 2006, 01:48:52 AM »

For me it is a case of wanting a one of a kind that no one else has . Sure i could get a TC and just pick up the phone and call to get a barrel , but so could a hundred other people .

Ranger J · « **Reply #7 on:** March 12, 2006, 06:21:54 AM »

"Why would I spend $500-$600 for a rifle as ugly as the the Encore that doesn't shoot any better than an H&R/NEF? "

Thank you! For a long time I felt that I was the only one that felt those swayback stocks were ugly!
RJ

rifleman61 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 12, 2006, 03:08:12 PM »

The answer was asked about after market barrels for the H/R Handi/Ultra series. I think that, that was the substance of the question. It was not asked in Punjabi or Martian so I think that it was really not misinterpreted or not understood. Answering the question with a broadside about T/C Encore was to miss the point of the question entirely. You are comparing apples to Maserattis. If I wanted an apple I would go to the grocery store I wouldn't go to Italy to the Maseratti factory. The question was not asked about T/C Encore; it was asked about aftermarket options for H/R and to answer it in any other manner is to display a predisposition not to answer the questioner in the beginning, regrettable. I've seen T/C Encores they're nice but that's about all I can say for them. Seems like someone took a really big pistol and called it a rifle; the geometry of the stock, the grip and the foreend, as an organic whole, are all wrong for a rifle. I can tell you as a rifleman that the drop is all wrong for prone shooting. the drop on an H/R is commensurate with that of an M1A/M14 and makes it a very comfortable and easily used weapon in the prone position; and, it is an absolutely super off hand rifle. The ejection of a spent round makes it very quickly and easily reloaded from the prone position. I mean no disrespect here but it really does seem as if someone took a very big sewer pipe and married it to a really bad piece of modern art.

Anchor's Away/Semper Fi
CPO Bull

MSP Ret · « **Reply #9 on:** March 13, 2006, 03:05:51 AM »

:agree: :agree:!!!!....<><.... :grin:

Haywire Haywood · « **Reply #10 on:** March 13, 2006, 04:00:06 AM »

RM61, you complain about folks posting off topic, and then you go ahead and do the very same thing. Did you mention any sources for aftermarket barrels in your lengthy post?

Of course, neither did I, so I'm just as guilty in that respect.

Ian

myarmor · « **Reply #11 on:** March 13, 2006, 07:35:25 AM »

Well I for one would love to see other Manufactures offer barrels for the Handi. Though I'm not so sure they could keep the prices as low as NEF/H&R does, do to mass producing.
-Aaron

quickdtoo · « **Reply #12 on:** March 13, 2006, 07:43:46 AM »

Me too, I was disappointed when Marts Custom fell by the wayside.

Tim

rifleman61 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 13, 2006, 10:22:43 AM »

"RM61" that's cool I like it. I understand what you have said. I personally don't know where there are "AM" sources other than H/R. If some one knows where they are please "info" me as I am really interested. As for going off topic I really don't think that I did; but, if someone chooses to think so. I can't correct that. What I do know though is that a simple question was asked and an insult was given. The questioner did not ask about T/C after market barrels because they don't care about T/C aftermarket barrels so the respondent wound up trying to impress somebody with a supposed "plethora" of knowledge about supposedly quality firearms. Put it this way, if I ask you what color your car is don't tell me that you have a Cadillac Escalade because they cost "$X00000" dollars , "...Oh and by the way it's platinum..." That wasn't the question asked. Confine your answer to specifics:
"...My car is green..." or some such color.
I ran Engineering Inspection teams in the Navy and I absolutely creamed any NCO who attemtped to answer a question in that manner. Old habits die hard.
We can agree to disagree on this; I don't particularly care. My reply was right on the money and if somebody disagrees wih it, well that's fine too.
Hey, do you work for Lyman??? Really seriously! I have the latest Lyman reloading manual and an older one I think and I could swear that, that's you by your "picture" in your posting, with the print in the manual.

Anchor's Away/Semper Fi
CPO Bull

Cement Man · « **Reply #14 on:** March 15, 2006, 08:07:37 AM »

I have 8 NEF/H&R firearms - I don't know how many barrels, stocks, and accessories anymore. I think they are outstanding values, and I like the different components one can acquire. I intend to continue building my Handi collection. I also have 2 Encores and 2 Contenders, all of which I have had great success with. I like them too, and I like the way they look. After over 50 years of rifle shooting and hunting, I know what I like in a rifle and I very much like the Encore stocks, and I shoot very well with them. The success of these models would indicate that there are quite a few shooters who would agree. I like 'em all. I am a happy camper who feels no need to disparage either breed.
The only after market barrels I am aware of for NEF/H&R are muzzleloader barrels. I would guess that the aftermarket barrel issue for Handis might be inhibited by the need to fit them and the fact that the most common cartridges are covered by the factory at an extremely reasonable price - and price point is important to most. If there were other sources for Handi barrels, and they were reaonably priced, I'd like a 6.5 Swede.

Norseman112 · « **Reply #15 on:** March 15, 2006, 12:05:45 PM »

Yeah it sure would be nice to be able to just order barrels from a custom place. I would think even if they cost more a custom shop would have plenty orders comming in although I could be wrong.

John

9x19 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 15, 2006, 05:36:52 PM »

Recently at my local dealer, there were two single shot .243s in the used rack, a TC Encore at $519, and a NEF Handi at $159... both had synthetic stocks. I got the Handi for $140+tax = $150 out the door... :eek:

I too wish someone would buy blanks from H&R and custom ream them!

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 16, 2006, 12:03:14 AM »

9x19

Welcome to the forum buddy , and very good snag on the 243 at that price .

warf73 · « **Reply #18 on:** March 16, 2006, 12:42:54 AM »

I just finished my 22 Cheetah MKI, the machine shop I was at used to do custom chambering mostly bench rest stuff but they had to stop for liability reasons. (I did all the work myself machinist by trait helps, but using his lathe made short work of the job)

The owner said if I could get barrel blanks with the lug already on them chambering isnt anything.

If we could get blanks (lugs already welded on) we could do about anything ourselves, and I think that would really slow down H&R's barrel accessory program. Especially if we could get blanks in 26" or 28" lengths.

Warf

darat100 · « **Reply #19 on:** March 16, 2006, 02:29:00 AM »

Warf

No offense, but for those of us who aren't machinists, I kinda like the barrel accessory program. It allows me to have a few options at least. For every guy on this forum who is comfortable doing a conversion, there are hundreds like myself who wouldn't think of doing something that could have such a bad outcome if done incorrectly. I just wish they had a few more options.

Cement Man · « **Reply #20 on:** March 16, 2006, 03:00:03 AM »

I agree with darat100. The barrel accessory program is a real value and benefit to Handi owners. Like everything else though, it has to be profitable, so I like to see it successful for NEF. Given today's costs, in general, I think the barrels are a real bargain. I have no real knowledge of market statistics regarding Handis, but my sense is that it is strong and growing - somewhat of a rarity in the firearms business nowadays. This forum certainly helps. I would think that some shop will pick up on it, and we may have a source someday.

warf73 · « **Reply #21 on:** March 16, 2006, 04:32:25 AM »

I'm sorry you guys didn't get the just of the post.

If we could get barrel blanks with lug welded on already, the sky would be the limit to what you can have.

Lots of folks want calibers that arent offered by the program and if the blanks were available that would close that gap.

Get a 26" .224 caliber blank with your choice of 1:9" or 1:12" twists now what could u make with that blank? Or any caliber and run with it thats all I was saying or trying to get at.

Not to go away from the current program.

If NEF/H&R would offer barrel blanks I would buy a few of them for sure, but they wouldnt do that.

Sorry for the misunderstanding.

Warf

Mac11700 · « **Reply #22 on:** March 16, 2006, 04:51:36 AM »

Wayne York at Oregunsmithing can help those who choose not to do any rechambering themselves utilizing the current Handi barrels as they come from the factory.The selection would be better if NEF released some un- chambered barrels..but I don't ever see that happening due to the liabilites involved..and warrenties on the frames.Wayne does excellent work..and his cut rifled barrels are a joy to shoot.....I don't think it would take a-lot for NEF to open some type of custom shop..for they already do have some very talented staff working there...I also know this..if enough phone calls are made..they do sometimes listen...The problem lies with the upper management..not the good folks in C/S.. It will take a-lot of convincing on our parts to make them see it would be profitable to do this..because if they did it with the Handi...they would also have to do it with the Marlins as well...and I know the Marlin fans could and most likely would go hog wild as well..myself included....So-far I don't believe enough people have bothered to call them and specifically ask for a custom shop....namely because of the cost factor..it isn't a cheap process for a large company to hire many additional staff and have true custom type of work done..but..if enough people are asking for better looking stocks and accessories..it would be as easy as getting the parts made...
Mac

nomosendero · « **Reply #23 on:** March 16, 2006, 06:34:17 AM »

Mac, we know that the squeeky wheel gets the grease, at least many times if the right person is listening. I will do my part & give them a call.
We are missing many opportunities to buy various chamberings & THEY
are missing sales opportunities as well!!

Uncle Ji · « **Reply #24 on:** March 16, 2006, 10:05:41 PM »

I'd buy a higher than NEF priced aftermarket barrel if it came with a higher polish blue in chamberings that NEF did not offer. I'd LOVE a Handi barrel in 9.3x74R, and 50-110.

EVOC ONE · « **Reply #25 on:** March 17, 2006, 12:24:22 AM »

A little while back, I responded to a survey sent to me by H&R 1871 with a rather lengthy and detailed letter explaining my "wish list" and offering some suggestions. One suggestion I made was for the development of a custom shop and offered my views on why it would be a nice service to the customers.

Given the topic of this thread, I think I will forward an update.

Coincidently, I recently recieved another survey questionnaire.

EVOC ONE

Hammerspur · « **Reply #26 on:** March 17, 2006, 02:25:23 AM »

"Why would I spend $500-$600 for a rifle as ugly as the the Encore that doesn't shoot any better than an H&R/NEF?"

"I'd buy a higher than NEF priced aftermarket barrel if it came with a higher polish blue in chamberings that NEF did not offer."

Add to that:
1) The option of a nice, straight combed classic buttstock.
2) Steel forend spacer and trigger guard.
3) Low spur hammer, drilled for simple extension post.
4) Options in terms of bbl. length in multiple calibers.
5) Fit the wrist of the buttstock to the profile of the receiver.

Another small detail I think would lend quality to the overall finish pertains to the barrel release lever. Instead of fashioning it from flat stock bent over 90 degrees, make it from angle stock, with a semi-circular thumb pad, then checker or at least fine line inscribe it like the hammer spur.

mitchell · « **Reply #27 on:** March 17, 2006, 03:29:09 AM »

Quote from: Mac11700

The selection would be better if NEF released some un- chambered barrels

as you know it wont ever happen.

if they did any bubba gunsmith could chamber one in whatever he wanted. i can see it now a 338 win mag in a handi, can you say grenade!!!! if some company just made blanks and released them to the pubilc they wouldn't be around very long, I see lots of law suits in my crystal ball

Mac11700 · « **Reply #28 on:** March 17, 2006, 05:16:30 AM »

Quote

The selection would be better if NEF released some un- chambered barrels..but I don't ever see that happening due to the liabilites involved..and warrenties on the frames

Quote

OK, I was looking in my reloading manual and I see that the 338 Win Mag is reloaded to the 52k-53k CUP range and my 270 is at 51k CUP. I realize that the bullet face is larger but how dangerous is this really?? I know a guy who custom made a handi in 300 wsm and those loads come from the factory at over 60k psi and has plans to make a 300 ultra mag, 338 ultra mag and such. He's fired approx 20-30 rounds through his 18.5" 300 wsm with no problems (yet). Any thoughts??

Here are his words: " THE SHOTGUN BARRELS ARE DONERS. I CUT THE LUGS OFF THE BOTTOM, MACHINE THEM FOR AN EXTRACTOR DETENT, AND WELD THEM ON A BARREL BLANK THAT HAS BEEN TURNED TO 1.120" THEN I ADD A 450 MARLIN EXTRACTOR WHICH FITS THE SAME CASE AS ALL THE ULTRA MAG CASES. YES MINE ARE TRUE BULL BARRELS THE SAME DIAMETER ALL THE WAY TO THE MUZZEL. THEN I ADD A FORTH SCREW TO THE SCOPE RAIL. THIS MAKES THEM VERY ACCURATE. MY 300WSM IS ONLY 18 IN. LONG AND STILL SHOOTS A 165 GR. BULLET AT 2800 FPS. I AM CURRENTLY WORKING ON A 300 ULTRA MAG., 338 ULTRA MAG., 357 HERRETT, AND A 22 K-HORNET"

sorry for the all caps...

Yup...this is the very reason why they won't ever release unchamberd barrels..

Mac

Awf Hand · « **Reply #29 on:** March 17, 2006, 10:31:38 AM »

Why would I spend $500-$600 for a rifle as ugly as the the Encore that doesn't shoot any better than an H&R/NEF?"

Maybe because you can search the NEF board and find topics related to all of these:

Chamber needs polishing because cartridges don't eject.

NEF doesn't offer the caliber that I want (anymore, or ever).

The buttstock pad screws are stripped out.

Somebody doesn't like the bluing.

The pallet-wood stock is ugly.

AND the barrels are not easily interchangeable, often requiring filing or shims.

These don't seem to be common topics on the Thompson board.

I own both TC's and NEF's. I like the NEF and have shot it a lot more, but it almost always requires tinkering to get desireable results. If you're a tinkerer, you'll love these rifles.

To answer the original posted question, you may have to search a bit, or find a 'smith who will create what you want. You can easily put a lot of work and $ into one of these rifles, but it is a labor of love. I put a Shilen 32 cal bbl into a cut stub from a 30-30 Handi and built a 32-40 Winchester, just because nobody else had one, and I wanted one. You can cut and stub just about any caliber that you can imagine within the limits of the steel.

Some here have welded a new lug onto a bbl and cut the bbl. If you have the equipment (or access to) to weld the chromoly steel properly, this would open up another window for chambering.