My new rifle has a Pardner barrell. Can't find any info on Pardner rifles.

[wchsbulldog1]

I just purchased a 223 caliber laminated stock SB-2 with a 22" barrell.  The barrell says Pardner 223 on it.  When I tried to find some info on the NEF website, all I found was Pardner shotguns.  Does anyone know anything about a Pardner rifle barrell? 

I bought the gun from an ad on the web.  The ad said, "New in Box" rifle. However, I discovered that  the serial number of the rifle indicates it was manufactured in 2002.  Is this common or could the seller have had the gun in his shop all this time?  It looks new and everything seems alright, I was just surprised to find that it was that old.

Thanks.
Jimmy     

[petemi]

I'd go to the FAQs.  The serial number will tell you what barrels you can fit on it.  I guess it is possible that it sat on a distributors shelf for some time and then went to the dealer who had it for a while.  Perhaps the dealer ordered it for someone and he never came for it and he just never sold it.  Check the numbers on the frame with the one etched in the underlug at the pivot, and see if they're the same.  If they don't match, it was a non-factory add on barrel, and a used rifle.

Pete

[quickdtoo]

Welcome aboard Jimmy!  Yeah, what Pete said, sometimes they just don't sell quick, the Pardner name has been used on Handi barrel markings before, it's hard telling what H&R put on them at different times, there's not much rhyme or reason, there are lots of combinations of markings. If it's got a serial number prefix that starts with N or H, you're good to go for accessory barrels tho, 2002 makes it good for all barrels except 10ga platforms and rimfire.  BTW, there is no NEF for all practical intents and purposes, it's barely mentioned on the website, Remington has all but done away with it, it's just H&R now, NEF has come and gone, I wouldn't be surprised if they drop it from the imported shotguns and starter pistol as that's the only place they mention it now.

Tim

[wchsbulldog1]

Thanks for the quick replies, Pete and Tim.

Pete, I am going to show my ignorance here, but I can't locate the underlug.  I'm not sure what it is.  I broke open the rifle and looked everywhere I could, but found no numbers etched in it.  Would this require me to take the rifle apart? 

The rifle's serial # begins with NS, so I agree with Tim in that I should be good to go if I want to take advantage of the accessory barrells.  Also, the stock has a gold emblem embedded in it.  The emblem says "Limited Edition NEF New England Firearms".  Does anyone recognize this?

Thanks again for the responses.  I really enjoyed finding this site.  It is good to find a place where there is so much information about these rifles.

Jimmy

[quickdtoo]

The underlug engraving which will be on the left side usually can't be seen without removing the barrel, do that by removing the forend screw and the forend, pull the forend away from the barrel, break the action open and the barrel will separate from the frame, so hang on to the barrel when you hit the release button. 

Limited Edition models were made quite frequently, I have at least three of them them that I can think of right now, you likely will too if you catch the sickness these things can cause, they're kinda like tater chips, you can't have just one!!! 

Tim

[PHATINJUN]

I think this is something that may be common place at least for this yr after the move. I was at a rather large Gander Mountain today in Kenosha Wisconsin I have been there 2 or 3 times in the last yr . But what I found today was wierd. They had maybe 6 44 mags some said SB2 some were were marked just 44mag some Drilled and tapped with sights some with out sights and some sights only all with 2007 and 2008 #'s. They had differant Plastic stocks appeared to be the new ones both checkered and not. Then there was a 22-250 that was a 24" fluted with the varmint stocks on them but the forearm was wider and longer with bipod adaptor that is differant than any I have seen before and it also had vents near the bbl that I had not seen on the choate varmint stock before. Also the bbl had only 22-250 stamped on it no Ultra no Handi no SB2.That was the only one I had any intrest in till I looked at the price when I looked at the $379.00 I set it down. There was a 204 that looked like the bbl was choked with rust. A Thumb Hole 22" standard contour 223 that had a Marlin butt pad. And none of the other guns had any of the butt pads on them that they have had in the past with the criss cross pattern they were all solid rubber. There were several of the guns that had 2005#'s Kind of looks like they may have been piecing stuff togeather while emptying Gardner out. Kurt

[wchsbulldog1]

Good news, guys (for me anyway).  I took off the forend and found the etching on the bbl.  It was not the whole number, but it was the last 3 digits and they agreed with the last 3 of the serial number.  So, it appears that I do have a legit H&R 223. 

I was just curious about the Pardner lable on the bbl.  I know I will be very satisfied with my purchase.

Just out of curiosity, what would be a reasonable price range for this gun?  I will go ahead and tell you that I ended up with $275 in it as it stands now.

Jimmy

[Badnews Bob]

That not bad but its a little steep for around here, I can get a handi for 239 to 249, But I think that 275 in some parts of the country is more normal.  I am wondering that if that might not have been a combo and should have a shotgun barrel with it, Thus the pardner name on it?

[wchsbulldog1]

Hey Bob,
That is a possibility.  I will see what I can find out on the H&R website about combos that are currently offered.  It does make sense that it could have been a combo deal.

I called H&R's offices to see what they could tell me.  The only thing I got was that according to the serial number, it was manufactured in 2002.  They could tell me absolutely nothing about the name Pardner being written on the barrell.  I was a litte disappointed.

Thanks.

Jimmy

[PHATINJUN]

Now that you said that about the combo .I stopped by a small shop coming home from Kenosha and the only H&R he had in there was a 2005 combo 223 with a 28ga and as hard as it is to believe I did not even fondle it as I already got a 28 and a couple of 223's and I am learning it's easier to walk away from the puppy in the window if ya don't pick them up and let them lick ya in the face Kurt

PS he wanted $225 for the combo had a cheap Barska on it with Schnable forearm.

[OR-E-Gun Bill]

Here's a copy of a Handi-Rifle/Pardner Combo from the 2006 H&R Catalog.
Sadly, no help on the afore mentioned Pardner as this is yet another one time deal from H&R.
The model number listed for the 20 Gauge/.223 in the catalog is SC2-S23



Sorry for the poor quality on the photo. My hostedpics hasn't been working well for me lately and pics are coming out distorted a bit.

Bill

[mrloring]

I guess it is possible that it sat on a distributors shelf for some time and then went to the dealer who had it for a while. 

Pete

I found a NEF 357 Survivor last year that sat New In Box since 1996!   
So it is definately possible to have one sit around for a few years. 

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,137132.msg1098578534.html#msg1098578534

[quickdtoo]

I called H&R's offices to see what they could tell me.  The only thing I got was that according to the serial number, it was manufactured in 2002.  They could tell me absolutely nothing about the name Pardner being written on the barrell.  I was a litte disappointed.

That's because all of the knowledge of past production was lost when they closed the Gardner plant, very few if any of those employees moved to Madison or Ilion, I know of one gunsmith that moved to Ilion, there might have been others that moved later, but they may not have been long time employees that had that kind of knowledge. 

Tim

[PHATINJUN]

The new H&R would be very well served if the would look at our FAQ's and turn them into a booklet for the new customer service personel to study and have handi for them to answer any questions as there are not very many you can ask that have not been addressed in our FAQ'S. We also probly have the most comprehensive history in one place now since the employees of Gardener have been let go . Kurt

[wchsbulldog1]

From these past few posts is seems that it is possible my rifle could have been part of a combo situation.  It also seems that I paid a little too much.  Oh well, I guess I can live with both of those. 

I am really excited about getting this gun.  Looking forward to taking it to the range. 

Thanks for all the info guys.  It appears y'all have more knowledge than the company.  Keep this website going, it is definitely a help. 

Jimmy

[OR-E-Gun Bill]

Where'd my manners go?


Welcome to the world of Handiholics Jimmy.

As mentioned, be sure to check out the FAQ section.
I wouldn't fret too much about the price you paid for the rifle. There are many on this site that prefer the 1:12 twist your rifle has (newer models are 1:9) and the fact that it has the ejector as opposed to the extractor, that the newer rifles have. If given the chance I'm sure some here would pay a similar price.

Enjoy the new Handi.

Bill