Author Topic: TC G2 versus Handi-rifle (Read 1320 times)

Canuck Bob · « **on:** November 05, 2009, 04:59:54 AM »

I've been shopping for a Handi rifle in .223. My research is extensive from the H&R/NEF forum.

As luck has it I stumbled on a good deal for a TC 204 Ruger.

I have no doubt operationally that either riflewould suit my needs operationally. I also realize that the 204 will cost more to shoot and require me to handload.

One issue is that extra barrels are not as easy to arrange in Canada for the H&R Handi. However TC barrels cost more than Handi rifles!!!

Opinions and wise commentary greatly appreciated. Please note I have placed a similar post on the Handi forum. Figured I would hear from the most loyal TC folks here.

southernutah · « **Reply #1 on:** November 05, 2009, 06:37:00 AM »

Have both and each has a few features I like better than the other.
G2- I like the stainless frame and barrels -better quality
   Easier to diasemble frame and do trigger work.
   Easier to float the forearm, more acceccories available
Barrels can be switched form any other T/C without going back to factory
   Doesn't eject empty brass.

Handi- Ejects the empty brass
   Half of less price of T/C
   Triggers usually have heavy pull
   Doesn't like relaods using used brass from range or other rifles.

there are alway some NEF and H&Rs for sale in the 223 and 243 priced 200-350 with cheap rings and scope.
I have bought a 223 for $150 w/scope and a 243 for $250 w/ scope. Sold the NEF 223 , 2 T/Cs cover the 223 need and use the NEF 243 as back up or loaner.

skb2706 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 05, 2009, 09:25:49 AM »

Not being a fan of Handi rifles or NEFs or whatever they call themselves today. I am bias and would always lean toward the TC. One is a $200 gun, the other is a $500 gun. In my opinion even a blind sole can see the difference in the fit and finish in the two. If you shop and peruse the classifieds you can find TC barrels for under $200 depending on chambering and maker. As far as I know you have to return a Handi/NEF to the manufacturer to be fit for other barrels making the multi barreled frame idea mute for me.
My other bias is that I have three Contender carbines in .204 Ruger...they are the bomb.

Encore28 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 05, 2009, 01:49:38 PM »

You can actually get a NEW Encore barrel from T/C for under $200 with the current $50 rebate that runs until Dec 31st 2009. It is only for stock calibers NO CUSTOM CALIBERS!!

T/C is my choice hands down!!!!!!!

Encore28

Davemuzz · « **Reply #4 on:** November 05, 2009, 01:58:20 PM »

Quote from: Encore28 on November 05, 2009, 01:49:38 PM

You can actually get a NEW Encore barrel from T/C for under $200 with the current $50 rebate that runs until Dec 31st 2009. It is only for stock calibers NO CUSTOM CALIBERS!!

Ya know, for as much reading 'n posting on my laptop as I do, you think sumpin like this wouldn't get by me. But.....I didn't know this! Ha! Looks like a new barrel of some kind will have to show up from the BBT!!!

Funny......I knew I had that Nikon scope just sittin on the workbench lookin for a barrel or a gun to go on. That scope has been weeping for almost 6 months now waiting for a gun\barrel.

Dave

teamnelson · « **Reply #5 on:** November 05, 2009, 02:18:37 PM »

Quote

My other bias is that I have three Contender carbines in .204 Ruger...they are the bomb.

That's where all the carbine barrels went !!!

SD Handgunner · « **Reply #6 on:** November 05, 2009, 03:05:44 PM »

Having had both I would say T/C hands down. As far as the obvious quality of the two there is no comparison in my opinion, with that going to the T/C. Even if you are not contemplating adding additional barrels at this point in time, that will pass once you get to shooting a T/C and you find how easily it is to swap back and forth to add more calibers / cartridges to you battery.

Larry

Encore28 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 05, 2009, 03:28:24 PM »

Quote from: Davemuzz on November 05, 2009, 01:58:20 PM

Quote from: Encore28 on November 05, 2009, 01:49:38 PM
You can actually get a NEW Encore barrel from T/C for under $200 with the current $50 rebate that runs until Dec 31st 2009. It is only for stock calibers NO CUSTOM CALIBERS!!

Ya know, for as much reading 'n posting on my laptop as I do, you think sumpin like this wouldn't get by me. But.....I didn't know this! Ha! Looks like a new barrel of some kind will have to show up from the BBT!!!

Funny......I knew I had that Nikon scope just sittin on the workbench lookin for a barrel or a gun to go on. That scope has been weeping for almost 6 months now waiting for a gun\barrel.

Dave

Dave
Go feed your addiction!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL

securitysix · « **Reply #8 on:** November 05, 2009, 06:18:37 PM »

Quote from: SD Handgunner on November 05, 2009, 03:05:44 PM

Having had both I would say T/C hands down. As far as the obvious quality of the two there is no comparison in my opinion, with that going to the T/C. Even if you are not contemplating adding additional barrels at this point in time, that will pass once you get to shooting a T/C and you find how easily it is to swap back and forth to add more calibers / cartridges to you battery.

Larry

Hrm...let's see...

TC: Spend almost $300 for a new barrel, add base, rings and scope, use a flat blade screwdriver to remove forearm and hangar bar (if you have a hangar bar on your barrel), drive out the hinge pin, put new barrel on, install hinge pin, put on hangar bar, put on forearm, have a new caliber.

Handi: Spend almost $300 for a new gun, add base, rings and scope. Have a new caliber.

I think the Handi is probably the easier caliber switch. The T/C gives more options and is easier to find in exotic chamberings without necessarily having to contact a gunsmith.

Dezynco · « **Reply #9 on:** November 06, 2009, 01:38:58 AM »

I know some folks that keep some of both around, but mostly TC's. Seems like the Handy Rifle ends up being the knockaround gun, with the TC ends up being babied a little more. As far as accuracy, they're both outstanding.

In my opinion, the TC's are enough better in quality to make them worth the extra money. Plus you never hear of anyone wishing for a new barrel to add to their Handy Rifle collection, while TC owners are ALWAYS looking for deals on new barrels or big sales on custom barrels. Go figure!

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #10 on:** November 06, 2009, 06:10:09 AM »

Yep, I like both mighty well, along with a whole bunch of others, but the one they pry out of my cold stiff fingers will be a TC Contender.

southernutah · « **Reply #11 on:** November 06, 2009, 06:25:59 PM »

Quote from: Dezynco on November 06, 2009, 01:38:58 AM

I know some folks that keep some of both around, but mostly TC's. Seems like the Handy Rifle ends up being the knockaround gun, with the TC ends up being babied a little more. As far as accuracy, they're both outstanding.

In my opinion, the TC's are enough better in quality to make them worth the extra money. Plus you never hear of anyone wishing for a new barrel to add to their Handy Rifle collection, while TC owners are ALWAYS looking for deals on new barrels or big sales on custom barrels. Go figure!

[/color]

this isnt true there is a large group here on the NEF forum buying and sellling barrels. some appear to think they can mix and match like the T/Cs . There is some gunsmithing need to match barrels to frames. extra barrels from the factory have to be factory fitted and will be the same price as a complete used rifle. Why H&R hasn't jumped in the pistol making business is a mystery.

Canuck Bob · « **Reply #12 on:** November 07, 2009, 12:06:20 AM »

Thanks to everyone. Please keep the info coming.

I posted a looong winded post on the Handi forum regarding my education so far. Please have a read and shoot some holes in it.

Canadian input would be appreciated regarding availability of custom stuff and such.

This is a rather nice forum of decent friendly folk, thanks again.

Davemuzz · « **Reply #13 on:** November 07, 2009, 08:04:29 AM »

Quote from: southernutah on November 06, 2009, 06:25:59 PM

Why H&R hasn't jumped in the pistol making business is a mystery.

Let me solve your mystery.

It's because once a frame has a rifle barrel attached to it, the ONLY way (yes, the one and only way...with one exception...yes ONE exception) that that frame can legally be converted into a handgun (ie: have a shorter handgun barrel attached along with a handgun stock) is if the owner of the frame makes application to BAFT and pays BAFT a $200 fee to have said frame OK-ed for conversion. Now....once said frame is OK-ed for handgun conversion....IF the owner would re-attach a longbarrel to it again, the owner would AGAIN have to go back to BAFT and pay another $200 fee to have said frame RE-OK-ed to be a legal handgun. (Yes....this is all true...I am not making any of it up)

The ONLY exception to this is at one point, T\C sold what was known as a "KIT GUN" which consisted of one frame, and a long-gun barrel and long-gun stock, and a handgun barrel and handgun stock. Since the ultimate buyer was considered the final "assembler" of the firearm, the court determined that T\C was not responsible for being in violation of any noncompliance laws, and the court also determined that this KIT GUN was ONE exception that they would let "fly" past the $200 conversion fee. But....it HAD to be a KIT GUN from T\C.

Check out this http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,184325.msg1098905572.html#new GB post.

Dave

teamnelson · « **Reply #14 on:** November 07, 2009, 11:13:45 AM »

That doesn't mean they couldn't make a single shot pistol; that just means they can't make conversion barrels for the rifles, is all. An inexpensive centerfire single shot hunting pistol would be pretty nice on like an SB2 frame, keep it under $300. The advantage NEF has over TC is that they've established the precedent of fitting barrels at the factory, so they can legally state they forbid fitting sub 16" barrels to rifle frames.

Davemuzz · « **Reply #15 on:** November 07, 2009, 01:06:57 PM »

TeamNelson,

Your point is very valid. I don't have the measurements of the Handi frame on hand, so I don't know how "Handi" it would be as a handgun frame.

Of course, if they would have to re-tool to re-invent a handgun frame, then the risk of success goes way up.

Dave

quickdtoo · « **Reply #16 on:** November 07, 2009, 01:25:20 PM »

Dave, imagine a pistol grip on your Sportster.

I've never felt the original Handygun was a good handgun because of the long tang, but I've never handled one either.

Tim

Davemuzz · « **Reply #17 on:** November 08, 2009, 03:04:00 AM »

Tim,

Thanks for the pic and the post. You were "reading my mind" and my post. That's what I was thinking of when I made my post. The Handi frame just seems a bit too long to make a nice handgun. I'm sure it would handle most heavy calibers 'n such, but I don't picture it as being "comfy" to hold 'n shoot.

I like my T\C in what I call "hand-rifle" calibers. (BTW-I have 2 Contender frames. One is devoted to handgun and the other to long-gun barrels) But for 44 Magnum, 357 Magnum, and 22LR handguns, I own handguns (revolvers) built just for those calibers. They are comfortable and accurate, and fit in my hip holster just fine.

Dave

southernutah · « **Reply #18 on:** November 08, 2009, 11:01:50 AM »

Quote from: Davemuzz on November 07, 2009, 08:04:29 AM

Quote from: southernutah on November 06, 2009, 06:25:59 PM
Why H&R hasn't jumped in the pistol making business is a mystery.

Let me solve your mystery.

It's because once a frame has a rifle barrel attached to it, the ONLY way (yes, the one and only way...with one exception...yes ONE exception) that that frame can legally be converted into a handgun (ie: have a shorter handgun barrel attached along with a handgun stock) is if the owner of the frame makes application to BAFT and pays BAFT a $200 fee to have said frame OK-ed for conversion. Now....once said frame is OK-ed for handgun conversion....IF the owner would re-attach a longbarrel to it again, the owner would AGAIN have to go back to BAFT and pay another $200 fee to have said frame RE-OK-ed to be a legal handgun. (Yes....this is all true...I am not making any of it up)

The ONLY exception to this is at one point, T\C sold what was known as a "KIT GUN" which consisted of one frame, and a long-gun barrel and long-gun stock, and a handgun barrel and handgun stock. Since the ultimate buyer was considered the final "assembler" of the firearm, the court determined that T\C was not responsible for being in violation of any noncompliance laws, and the court also determined that this KIT GUN was ONE exception that they would let "fly" past the $200 conversion fee. But....it HAD to be a KIT GUN from T\C.

Check out this http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,184325.msg1098905572.html#new GB post.

Dave

I don't care about doing a conversion to rifle and back to pistol. If it came from the factory as a pistol then it would be a pistol. Pretty simple.I just stated it was a mystery they didn't get into making pistols.. I don't think you answered the mystery.

Davemuzz · « **Reply #19 on:** November 08, 2009, 12:45:23 PM »

Quote from: southernutah on November 08, 2009, 11:01:50 AM

Pretty simple.I just stated it was a mystery they didn't get into making pistols.. I don't think you answered the mystery.

Well, if you read my response to TeamNelson's post, I stated: Of course, if they would have to re-tool to re-invent a handgun frame, then the risk of success goes way up.

I think that solves "the mystery." If in fact there is any "mystery" involved in the analysis of the risk\reward models of business plans.

However, I'm pretty sure if you went to H&R with a few hundred million of risk capital to launch such a venture, you could find out how such a mystery could unfold. It's called capitalism. And those who risk, get the reward. But those who get the reward take their well thought plan, and do more than just a due diligence investigation of does it pass the smell test and will it make me a better return than sticking my money in bank CD's.

Dave