info needed

[pastorp]

Hi guys, I'm not new to guns but seldom use a single shot except a muzzleloader. Levers have always been my favorite. One of my friends got hooked on the Browning single shots but boy are they expensive. He has about 6-7 of them but I don't want to invest my retirement in SS rifles. So to my questions:

Whats the atraction for you with the handi rifles, and what do they really cost? Thanks for your opinions,

I guess the closest I ever owned in a firearm to a handi was a New England arms turkey gun in 10ga. It was heavy but balanced really well. I liked it. How would it compare to a handi. Regards

[LaOtto222]

The attraction is low cost - compared to other rifles (this is the rifle section); very good hunting accuracy; reliable; simple; you can get interchangeable barrels (if you get a SB 2 frame) and easy to swap out. It is a single shot (which I am partial to). There have been a lot of folks that bought one and ended up getting several more. You can get them in varmint calibers, you can get them in big game calibers starting with a 7mm and going up to a 45-70. You can get them in pistol cases too 357 mag or 44 mag. There are different variants you can get from plain Jane wood through synthetic and even thumb hole laminated - even stainless steel - what ever suits your fancy. You can get a 45-70 Buffalo Classic that has iron sights and a long barrel if you want to duplicate the look and feel of the old west buffalo hunter. Parts are easy to get, be it a new hammer/trigger or a new butt stock. The trigger pull is not too bad from the factory, but you can get it down to a very nice 2 pound pull if you want. I can go on and on - you just need to get one and find out yourself. There are many that shoot well right out of the box. there are some that need a little tweaking. Look through the FAQ for solutions to problems you may have. The cost is some where between $250 - $300 (including tax) for a plain gun and goes up from there - depending on what you want. I personally am partial to checker laminated stocks and fore ends. It started with a 223 that came with a 24" barrel and laminated stock/fore end. I think an all stainless steel 45-70 or 444 Marlin with laminated thumb hole stocks set at the top as far as cost. Hang around a while and you will find a bunch of guys that really know their stuff when it come to a Handi rifle. Good Luck and Good Shooting

[Sourdough]

Accuracy, Reliability, Virtually Indestructible.  I use a 30-06 to hunt dangerous game, also some not so dangerous game, and love it.

[Hammerspur]

Some of us become 'converted' to favoring single shots, some (ME) have always been partial.
Most range from rather pricey to $OMG! Not these arms.

With the broad interchangeability of parts from one model to another and tinker-friendliness of the design you can build outstanding examples of your idea of what an ideal might be in any of several different sub-categories or what you feel is the best general purpose rifle, a jack of all trades or all of the above!

Spend some time reading the FAQ's for a good tutoring:

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,26264.0.html

[kitchawan kid]

I think a lot of us would love to have a new Sharps,$1500+ with Soule sights $450+,but some of us are addicted to food,so H&R is the way to go.

[jim36]

  IN MY LATE YEARS 70+, I HAVE FOUND OUT A FEW THINGS ON MY OWN. NO 1. STUPIDITY. THERE IS NOT A PILL OR ANY KIND OF DRUG THAT WILL CURE THIS CURSE. NO. 2. HANDI-HOLICS DISEASE. THERE IS NOT A PILL OR DRUG THAT YOU CAN TAKE TO RELIEVE THIS ADDICTION. HOWEVER THERE ARE A FEW THINGS THAT ONE CAN DO TO EASE THE PAIN. YOU CAN GET A NEW BARREL.--A NEW STOCK--A NEW SCOPE AND MOUNTS--A TRIGGER JOB--ACCURACY IMPROVEMENTS, AND THE LIST GOES ON AND ON. THESE ITEMS MENTIONED WILL ONLY GIVE SHORT RELIEF. LIKE STUPIDITY, THERE IS NO CURE FOR A HANDI-HOLIC. TRUST ME ON THIS.       ENJOY THAT HANDI AND THANK GOD THAT WE LIVE IN A LAND WHERE WE CAN ENJOY THIS ADDICTION. SHOOT STRAIGHT.  JIM36

[dpe.ahoy]

And you get to talk to a great group of guys who all have this dreaded Handi illness.   DP

[gstewart44]

I started my addiction with the idea of getting an "extra rifle" for the hunting camp just in case of a guest or member neeeding an extra long gun for the weekend.  What I found was this little well built simple design has outstanding accuracy too.....in my case 45-70.   

Others in this forum can recount the excellent performance of the 30-30 barrels and 30-06.    There are numerous others that are great right out of the box.   The FAQ's in this section can clearly answer just about any question you may have on HR/NEF rifles and shotguns.  Many of the Handi rifles in my neck of the woods go for $200 used to $350 or better NIB depending on the caliber and accessories. 

I have learned through my years of KeepItSimple.....the Handi does just that .......;and it is plain fun!