New Handi Questions

[mgunslinger]

OK I am looking to build a Handi System and I have a couple of questions.. The first one is I am looking for it to be a .223 and I was wondering about doing it with a Bull Barrel and then having it threaded to take an M16 style flash suppresser so that I can have a silencer fitted for it. So am I up in the night?? Obviously this will also double as a "can" for my AR.  My second question then is so,,,, I am thinking that I want to either buy a gun with an Bull or just a receiver and then get a barrel through the Barrel program. In your best opinion what would you recommend? I would hope that this gun would be a real "tack driver" is that possible? I am hoping to use this to dispatch Prairie dogs in CO?? Thanks in advance for your replys.

[Jones]

If you plan on silenced you will need subsonic rounds ( I think is like 1020fps) or you will still have a very loud pop (from braking speed of sound) .  Can't help about a "tack driver" but haven't heard it changing any thing (might be able to use it like a BOSS)  Please correct me if I'm wrong.

  GJ

[LaOtto222]

I just looked at your profile. Since you are in the USA, silencers are possible, but you have to get a permit. It is a real hassle and expensive too. Not worth it in my mind to go through all of the hoops. You could add a flash suppressor, but being a single shot, not sure if that is worth it or not. That is just my opinion, so take it for what it is worth. We are individuals and look for different things. As far as accuracy is concerned, the heavy barreled 223 can be one of the most accurate Handi's out there. There are some members that report less than .5" groups at 100 yards on a regular basis. Some can do it right out of the box, some need a little tweaking. You can buy a receiver and send it in for extra barrels, but I think you would be better off just buying the whole rifle. You can get the 223 in several flavors, it is one of the most popular chambers they have. You can get a bull barrel (24") in Ultra Varmint or Ultra Varmint thumb hole stock, a Survivor with 22" bull barrel. I think the 22" Ultra Hunter is a 22" bull barrel also. Those are all the bull barrel variations that are available. There are a few other variations too. The regular barrel is almost as heavy as the bull barrel. Some people mistake the regular barrel for a bull barrel. The Super Light's will not be mistaken for a bull barrel, they are rather thin, but are much lighter in weight. My avatar is a 223 24" bull barrel - 223 Ultra Varmint

IMHO, the Handi is not a bench rest gun and you will not get as much accuracy out of them as a good bolt gun. However the Handi is a premier field gun and usually has all of the accuracy you need for hunting and varmint shooting out to 300 yards. Some members use their Handi's beyond 300 yards on a regular basis for hunting. Sourdough comes to mind right away. He uses a 30-06 out to 500 yards for hunting big game ( bear, Caribou, Moose, etc) and wolves. Good Luck and Good Shooting

[Rustyinfla]

  Sounds like it would be best for you to start out with a 223 ultra varmint right from the box.

  Here's a question you sort of brought up that I'd like to know the answer to... You didn't say if you live in Co. or not, but if you don't can one take a suppressor from state to state even though you own it legally for hunting purposes?

[quickdtoo]

It's illegal to own a class 3 weapon in some states, so it would be wise to learn the state laws before spending the money on a suppressor. 

Tim

http://www.westernfirearms.com/wfc/default?set=06

[mgunslinger]

Class 3 here in AZ is not an issue I already have a FULL AUTO sub-gun and 2 cans so I am totally on board for  the class 3 stuff. I guess I was really more interested to see if anyone had ever put a flash suppressor on one of there handis. I have really come to enjoy shooting them. I shot a little cowboy action and part of what I do involves shooting a 45/70 handi in BP 10+ rounds a stage. So I have gotten pretty good at shooting multiple rounds in a string. It is a very smooth operation.  Thanks for your input.

[trotterlg]

Here is a Handi barrel threaded 1/2 by 20 for a custom break, sort of what you were looking for.  Larry

[Rustyinfla]

 I was thinking it would be nice t o have a Handi in .22 LR to shoot in the back yard with a suppressor on it. I really CAN shoot here all I want to I just don't like drawing attention to my self. The low noise level would be the key.

[Jimbo47]

If you can shoot in your backyard without a problem of hitting someone and are only worried about noise from a .22 then just use .22 caliber CB longs by CCI...

They shoot no louder than a pellet gun, and you won't have the neighbors complaining about the noise, and best of all you won't have to worry about spending the money and hassle of a can...

[jlwilliams]

  I haven't seen a .223 Handi set up that way, but I have seen a .308 in a Survivor stock that was cut to 16 1/2" then threaded and suppressed.  As already pointed out, there is the sonic crack issue and all the hoops to jump through for class 3 stuff, but you can deal with all that.  Suppressing the AR can be kind of dissapointing because of all the noise coming from the action.  Having a nice handi that takes the same can is a good idea.  You may find that it gets shot more than the AR.  You can get subsonic .223 from Engel (sp?) Ballistic Research, but for subsonic shooting in .223 you can save a bunch of money by sending your Handi in for a .22lr barrel and getting that threaded too.  223 standard loads suppressed sound kind of like a .22lr unsuppressed, but they hit much harder.  If you get a .223 Handi, get a complete gun to start with.  No point in buying it in pieces when you will save time and money buying a varminter or a survivor with the barrel you want.  If you already have subguns and suppressors for them, you may consider getting accessory barrels and having them threaded for the subgun cans.  You can likely put .38spl through a can made for full auto 9mm or a 45lc through a 45acp can.  Check with the silencer manufacturer first, but it will probably be OK.

[quickdtoo]

..... but for subsonic shooting in .223 you can save a bunch of money by sending your Handi in for a .22lr barrel ..... 

Rimfire barrels won't work on any centerfire frame, nor will they fit one to it. The discontinued Versa Pack with it's offset bore was the only rimfire barrel made to work with a centerfire frame, but they wouldn't fit it even when it was made.

Tim

[jlwilliams]

  OK, scratch the rimfire accessory barrel.  Still whole heartedly reccomend the .223 Handi for the OP's intended purpose.