Author Topic: Conflicted (Read 1232 times)

abba11002 · « **on:** December 16, 2008, 03:33:43 AM »

Hey all,

I just came across a brand new H&R1871 Handi in .308 yesterday at a local gun store and instantly fell in love with it. While checking it out, it shouldered real fast and natural, the break action felt nice and solid, with a crisp trigger pull and hammer drop. I asked the sales clerk how much down to hold it until saturday (Dec. 21, 2008) and he told me no layaways

The reason for the confliction is because I just came across another forum thread just 30 minutes ago where a guy who only had 9 previous posts to the forum tried saying that Handi's have accuracy problems because the factory does not stress relieve barrels before leaving the facilities other than owners not properly breaking in the barrels when new.

I want this rifle because I have felt like I have seen the most beautiful piece of art in the firearms world other than a Trapdoor Springfield or marlin 336. However, I don't want to plop down $289.00 plus background fees and sales tax just to end up with a piece of junk. Can somebody help me with this?

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #1 on:** December 16, 2008, 03:41:37 AM »

I have seven handies, I never break in barrels, I take them out of the box clean them real good then shoot them. All of my handies have taken game most of them one shot one kill. They are not all tack drivers, Some are, but they will all shoot well.

I do not mind if they need tinkering with, To me thats half the fun of owning them, Its my hobby I like it.

Rustyinfla · « **Reply #2 on:** December 16, 2008, 04:18:19 AM »

You can buy a lemon made by any manufacturer. I don't think NEF puts out more of them than anyone else. They are good dependable rifles at a great price. I think you'll be pleased. They have their quirks but it's nothing you can't get used to.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #3 on:** December 16, 2008, 04:34:45 AM »

I have 29 handis (IIRC) I have had minor issues with a couple, ALL repairable with the help of our own FAQ's right here on this web site!!

As for the stress relief, the handi swappable barrel is TAYLOR made to cryogenically stabilization, Last one I sent out was less than 50$ and two week turn around, and it worked GREAT!!

I say just buy it and go shooting, we will be GLAD to help with advice and suggestions in the off event you have a problem.

OH and tell that clerk its NOT A LAY-A-WAY its a freaking DEPOSIT, get over it!!! Done offer a PU date, just that you don't have the entire cost on you and offer to make a NON REFUNDABLE deposit. No problem as you KNOW you will be back to pay balance, right? If they are not willing to at least do this, they do NOT WANT your business!! I HATE bad, unprofessional business practices. and I for one am never afraid to tell someone so when I find it. After all, its YOUR hard earned money your spending right? YOUR the customer and the customer is always right. If they still will not work with you, ask for the owner/manager. Show him/her the green backs, and tell them to pound sand there small minded business practices have lost them a customer and go to another dealer.

CW

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 16, 2008, 04:38:57 AM »

Welcome to GBO - the Handi experts here

I like the Handis for some of same reasons you described. Look at my avatar - that is a Ultra Varmint in 223

Some find their Handis shoot well right out of the box, with nothing done, except load and shoot. Some have found they have to tinker a little with them. Most of the tinkering does not take a gunsmith and just about any problem you may have is covered in the FAQ section. If it isn't you can ask here, usually there are plenty of folks willing to help. With that said, the Handi rifle is a hunting/working rifle IMHO. You are not going to get bench rest accuracy out of them. You can get hunting accuracy out of them; good enough to take most game out to 300 yards or so. Good Luck and Good Shooting

petemi · « **Reply #5 on:** December 16, 2008, 07:33:05 AM »

All of my Handis shoot better than I can. The .357 and .45-70 make even me look good. I have accuracy issues with my .22-250 shooting 55 gr. bullets. I think that will cure itself with a lighter pellet. I'll know for sure when the snow gets out of here. It's a little hard right now to put targets out at 300 yards.

Pete

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #6 on:** December 16, 2008, 07:37:37 AM »

I agree with CW, although I wish he would stop pussy-footing around the issue and tell it straight.

Really, if they don't want your business, take your money else where.

petemi · « **Reply #7 on:** December 16, 2008, 07:43:43 AM »

Quote from: dpe.ahoy on December 16, 2008, 07:37:37 AM

I agree with CW, although I wish he would stop pussy-footing around the issue and tell it straight. Really, if they don't want your business, take your money else where.

Really, I don't know of anyone who wouldn't hold something till payday for a 20 dollar bill.

Pete

abba11002 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 16, 2008, 09:28:53 AM »

I want to thank you all for your swift replies

I first came across this forum yesterday when I was researching the H&R1871 Handi and knew I could get a straight answer

I thought about posting a link to that thread where the guy was dis-respecting Handi's, but thought it might not be prudent, or allowed. I am glad I joined and looking foward to a good relationship with you all with our mutual interest.

Take care

Soon to be owner H&R1871 Handi .308

abba11002 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 16, 2008, 09:35:18 AM »

BTW thank you all for the welcome

MSP Ret · « **Reply #10 on:** December 16, 2008, 10:00:34 AM »

come often and stay late, you are among friends and are always welcome here!!!...and, Merry CHRISTmas....<><....

Default · « **Reply #11 on:** December 16, 2008, 10:16:41 AM »

Well while i have had some spotted results with the handi's accuarcy from some hand loads i have worked up ... I would say they are capable of some great accuracy , Just like with any arm dont judge them after throwing the cheapest fodder you can get at wal-mart down range and getting less then desired results ... I have a 357 mag handi that with a 140 gr hornady XTP over a charge of imr 4227 powder that religouly hit the same spot 3/8" over the X ring at 50 and is dead money at 100 with a sickly small group ( amolst one hole consistently)But wouldnt hold anything below 1" with factory loads
The 223 barrel leaves groups at 100 with the hornady TAP 75 gr factory ammo that can be covered by a dime on a regular basis .. My 243 super light youth holds 3/4 to and 1" at 100 with light hand loads for the nephew and the same results with winchester and federal 100 gr cheapy ammo from wal-mart .. The 357 mag = No tinkering at all , 223 is a barrel non factory fitted i use on the 357 mags reciever and the 243 is a bone stock factory rifle that shoots as i said very well even with budget ammo ..

In short .. Buy your 308 and break the barrel in right ( its worth taking the time to do) and anything beyond that we will dang near bend over backwards to help you remedy here ..

As for ammo for it i hear the boys here have good luck with 150 factory and some dont ..Those thatdont , theirs lean to liking the 168 grain 308s ..
My 308 while not a handi , Loves the 150 gr Hornady custom Interbond loads

Good luck with your decision and let us know what you decide, hope this helps you out some..

Default

Troyboy · « **Reply #12 on:** December 16, 2008, 11:13:06 AM »

Don't be afraid of the handi be very afraid of the disease. Buy it and shoot it. Let us know. welcome aboard

OR-E-Gun Bill · « **Reply #13 on:** December 16, 2008, 11:31:08 AM »

Quote from: abba11002 on December 16, 2008, 03:33:43 AM

I just came across a brand new H&R1871 Handi in .308 yesterday at a local gun store and instantly fell in love with it. While checking it out, it shouldered real fast and natural, the break action felt nice and solid, with a crisp trigger pull and hammer drop.
I want this rifle because I have felt like I have seen the most beautiful piece of art in the firearms world.

Well on your way to the addiction. Welcome to our world!

Bill

krod47nw · « **Reply #14 on:** December 16, 2008, 11:45:24 AM »

Find a better place to buy it, because you're going to want more of them.

Welcome!!!

Kevin

jw83 · « **Reply #15 on:** December 16, 2008, 02:08:41 PM »

Welcome to the forum and the world of handi's. I was in the same boat you are in not long ago and stumbled onto this forum. Handi's are great and should you have any problems, the guys here are very helpful and knowledgeable about anything to do with handi's. But beware: If you get one you will want to get many more.

LONGTOM · « **Reply #16 on:** December 16, 2008, 05:07:15 PM »

Like so many others have said WELCOME!

I think we should quit calling it Handiholics and start calling it TLS The LAYS SYNDROM because YOU CAN'T HAVE JUST ONE!!!

Oh by the way I am now up to 35 of them.

LONGTOM

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #17 on:** December 16, 2008, 05:36:57 PM »

Well, I'm glad to see you're not affected LongTom

It really is hard not to pick up another one when I go in to talk to the guys at my favorite gun store. And talk about pushers! Always handing over another one to caress. I resisted the Stainless TH 45-70, I put back the 243 Lam stocked beauty.

But, just as I was going to walk out the door with my head held high, Jim said " I'll knock 20% off this 20 guage H&R pump."

So I walked out a fallen man

. OK, not really, at $160 I don't think I'm out much. Darn pushers.

DP

abba11002 · « **Reply #18 on:** December 16, 2008, 10:42:40 PM »

Oh wow, this is the first forum I ever joined where I ever got such a warm welcome, I already feel at home

I went to several other stores yesterday to see if they had any Handis, and the clerk at the Bass Pro Shop had no idea what a Handi was, I asked for both an H&R1871 AND an NEF, and he was the head clerk on duty, and tried steering me towards a T/C, I checked it out and it felt odd and off balance, just to be polite I guess $:-\$ So I told him thanks but no thanks and went over to the clearance area where lo and behold, there were about 10 or 12 Handi's ranging from .223 to .45-70

but no .308 which is what I want my first Handi to be, then I will get others

I high tailed it out of there knowing that if the head clerk on duty had no idea what he had, I didn't want to do any business there.

I went around to a few other stores around Las Vegas, and didn't see any Handi's, so I will be getting it where I first seen that beautiful work of art called the Handi

abba11002 · « **Reply #19 on:** December 16, 2008, 10:45:49 PM »

BTW Bill, Portland is my hometown

FW Conch · « **Reply #20 on:** December 17, 2008, 04:53:53 AM »

abba, the only way we can understand the "goings on in a retail store" is to work in one for a while. The fact that the guy was the "head clerk on duty" just means he's the low paid guy there @ the time trying
to boost his measly income by earning a "sales incentive", but he couldn't because he didn't bother to train himself in the product or the stores inventory, & the management put him on the floor(unprepared) in that
position anyway. Heck, give him another month & he'll "be the the management"! Six weeks ago I was in
another of those big name stores trying to buy a 7mm-08. The "head clerk on duty" checked the computer
& said he had 2 in stock. Two hours later he told me he couldn't find eather of them & wanted to know if I
could come back later. His excuse was "their gun safe is really big & they must have gotten misplaced" ! ??
ATF, are you hearing this ? I'm getting to know my local FFL pretty well so for my next firearms purchase
I'm going just pay him the 35 bucks & have him order it in for me. Heck, it worked just fine last week when
me & the Misses bought a new microwave !

Good Luck - Jim

petemi · « **Reply #21 on:** December 17, 2008, 05:48:07 AM »

I go to my FFL where I'm known and they are knowledgeable. I may pay a buck more, but I'm dealing with people who know what they're doing and can make positive suggestions and can change, modify or fix anything I bring to them. The last time I was in Wal-Mart I asked a peach fuzzed kid in sporting goods for a box of 17 gr. 17HMR. He was working in sporting goods and hadn't a clue what I was talking about. I had to take him to the counter and point behind it where they were.

abba11002 · « **Reply #22 on:** December 19, 2008, 03:21:34 AM »

Well, I just found out this morning that I have to wait a couple more weeks before buying my handi, my fiancee told me we got an unexpected bill in the mail yesterday, and she just now told me about it

I asked her what it was, it was a medical bill from about 2 years ago, due upon receipt

Who all here remembers when a doctor's visit cost less than 5 dollars, without needing health insurance, and you got your medicine right there, or when ER visits were pretty much free, when the county paid for all services?