Author Topic: Handi...really a stellar price point? (Read 1811 times)

kfh10c · « **on:** January 11, 2012, 07:15:44 AM »

I have always had this view of handi rifles being a great bang for your buck, but lately I have been scrutinizing this point.
For an example, a .308 handi rifle can be had new for $230-50 However I have been looking around and for $250-$300 you could obtain a new remington 770 or savage axis 110.

It seems odd to me, it seems in reality the single-shots would be marketed at a lower price point than they already are.

I do like the barrel exchange available for handi's allowing you to have "another" rifle for ~$100, but case in point, they have to be cheaper upon initial manufactur than one of these bolt action rifles.

I am not denoucing my love for the handi, just an observation.

how do you guys feel about this?

Deerhunter#1 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 11, 2012, 08:41:07 AM »

I have noticed the same and have even been bad to the handi gods and went and bought one of the axis and marlin xl7 rifles. Both at $300 new. Both shoot as well as my various handis. That being said I get more enjoyment grabbing my handi out of the safe than my bolt guns. Yes i have put some time and work into these guns but at the end of the day I feel like I have something just as good if not better than the bolt guns when it comes to accuracy. And I had something to do with it. So for me the handi is my friend sort of like the red solo cup. It's time to party!!!!

quickdtoo · « **Reply #2 on:** January 11, 2012, 08:50:35 AM »

Welcome kfh10c! This has been discussed many times, just what ever rows your boat, I've used lots of rifles in over 50yrs of shooting and hunting, my preference is for single shots, owning ~50 H&Rs at this time kinda proves that point, still working on more, bought two new ones last year.

As for accessory barrels costing just $100, by the time you pay shipping both ways, fitting and tax, that $96 rifle barrel will cost closer to $170, makes a good argument to own complete rifles.

Tim

OldSchoolRanger · « **Reply #3 on:** January 11, 2012, 09:21:43 AM »

I guess you missed the posts by Busta:

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,248363.0.html

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,248528.0.html

I would say this is a pretty good deal. I understand what your saying but, where else could you buy a rifle and if you don't like the look of the furniture, just go to the classifieds and purchase new one. Also if you don't like the length of the rifle just cut it. Do you think you would even think about doing that with a more expensive rifle? You can, unlike with bolt actions, with a little mechanical know how, do your own trigger work, and repairs, . Don't feel like taking your rifle out today, how about taking your shotgun? Just change the barrel. As you pointed out, the ability to easily change calibers at a fairly inexpensive price (sure beats the T/C's), is another reason for owning Handis.

Back to your OP, I think that H&R is trying it's best to produce a quality product and at the same time make a profit. If they wanted to produce Handi's at a lower price point, I think they would have to move most if not all of their production overseas for that to happen. If you shop around you can usually pick up a Handi at a price of around $200.

You also have to consider that the Rem. 770 & Axis 110 are the base line rifles for Remington and Savage, comeonly in a limited number of chamberings. The Rem770 comes in seven calibers (243, 270, 7-08, 7mm, 30-06, 300WinMag and 308). The Savage Axis 110 comes in eight calibers (22-250, 223, 243, 25-06, 270, 30-06, 308, 7-08). Not a bad selection, but if I wanted a bolt action, I would buy either the Rem 700 or the Savage 110 (which I did).

I just like playing with Handis.

kfh10c · « **Reply #4 on:** January 11, 2012, 12:37:32 PM »

Thanks for the replies and very good points from all,
I personally like the essence a single shot carries with it, and I will continue to collect these things!

gendoc · « **Reply #5 on:** January 11, 2012, 12:49:05 PM »

ifin yur shoot'n irons right and u feel up to its expectations.... then one shots
all ya need anaway

i have handled them shooters u mentioned and they are ok... but not as handi asa handi............... jus my .02

trotterlg · « **Reply #6 on:** January 11, 2012, 01:10:52 PM »

If you want a gun that shoots out of the box then buy a Savage, if you want a project buy a Handi. If you want a cheap project buy a Rossi. Larry

Jimbo47 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 11, 2012, 01:12:27 PM »

Nothing wrong with bolt guns and I've got my share, but when I started hunting at a young age it was with a single shot rifle and shotgun, and my dad taught my brother and I not to waste ammo since he grew up during the great depression, and you made that one shot count or you didn't eat.

I just never had any problem with followup shots in my 50+ years of hunting, using a bolt action or a single shot rifle, and I'm sure it came from all those years of shooting doves with those old single shot shotguns.

I know this last season my nephew was on his stand about a 1/4 mile away from me and he heard me shoot twice. Later he told me he wasn't so sure it was me that shot because the two shots were really close together and he knew I was hunting with the single shot Handi Rifle.

That comment of his put a big smile on this old mans face!

gendoc · « **Reply #8 on:** January 11, 2012, 01:16:35 PM »

larry, have you really sat down witha axis.... ora 770 ??

twoshooter · « **Reply #9 on:** January 11, 2012, 01:19:08 PM »

Another point in favor of our "Rimmed afficianados"! I agree that if I were to buy a standard 308, I would probably buy one of those. I did not see one offered in 45/70, 500 S&W, or even 22 Hornet. I would say trying to stub a 32/20 in one using an old 303 barrel would be kinda dubious..........not downing the rimless guys a bit, but I am still hoping that some big house will get a run going of 25/20 or something.

Just had a thought! I live pretty close to Midway here, buy most of my reloading stuff etc from there. Next survey I get from Midway on how to improve service, I am going to lobby for them to maybe act as a clearing house for orders. Once they had enough to start a special run we could get some additional chamberings.

Sorry, no thread hijacking here. BUT, I would never have thought of doing that with a Remington 770...........

trotterlg · « **Reply #10 on:** January 11, 2012, 04:22:58 PM »

What really needs to happen is for H&R to sell unchambered barrels, that would satisfy a lot of customers. Don't know how thread drift got me here though? Larry

OldSchoolRanger · « **Reply #11 on:** January 11, 2012, 04:29:35 PM »

trotterlg - two shooters suggestion has some merit. The unfortunate part about it is that getting GBO members to agree on one specific chambering would be IMO a hard thing to accomplish.

OldSchoolRanger · « **Reply #12 on:** January 11, 2012, 05:09:02 PM »

But you can immediately sign me up for two 7x57mm barrels if twoshooter manages to get Midway to order them.

demented · « **Reply #13 on:** January 11, 2012, 08:45:12 PM »

Price would be the last motivator causing me to pick a Handi-rifle over a bolt gun. I like that HR's are much shorter overall, seem to just plain work better for me within certain parameters. Were I to be guaranteed a Handi Rifle that would do MOA from the box, I'd be willing to pay a premium and would probably never buy another bolt action.

drbooth · « **Reply #14 on:** January 11, 2012, 10:02:42 PM »

Compairing prices of Handis to bolt guns is compairing apples to oranges. Handis cost a lot less than other single shot rifles. The real choice is, do you want a single shot or a repeater?

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 12, 2012, 12:10:04 AM »

Quote from: kfh10c on January 11, 2012, 07:15:44 AM

I have always had this view of handi rifles being a great bang for your buck, but lately I have been scrutinizing this point.
For an example, a .308 handi rifle can be had new for $230-50 However I have been looking around and for $250-$300 you could obtain a new remington 770 or savage axis 110.

It seems odd to me, it seems in reality the single-shots would be marketed at a lower price point than they already are.

I do like the barrel exchange available for handi's allowing you to have "another" rifle for ~$100, but case in point, they have to be cheaper upon initial manufactur than one of these bolt action rifles.

I am not denouncing my love for the handi, just an observation.

how do you guys feel about this?

I got pretty much the same reaction from members of this forum as you have and feel about the same way. I was told that shipping costs are up, labor costs are up, etc. Seems that the Handi has went up a lot in the last 4 years or so in comparison to bolt guns. Not bashing the Handi rifle, just it is not as great a bargin as you might belief. Can you get a Handi to shoot well, yes; Can you get a bolt gun to shoot well, yes. The going price of a Handi in these parts $299.00 - the going price for the value line of bolt actions; under $300.00. I really like single shot rifles, the one shot, one kill idea really appeals to me. I can and have converted most of my bolt actions to single shots, any bolt can be a single shot if you so choose, or a repeater. I like the clean lines of the Handi, a very hansom rifle indeed (mine all carry the Cinnamon Lams), but the bolt guns are good looking too. Buy a Handi, if that is what you want, but do not think you are getting a bargin. A Ruger #1 can be a bargin, depends on how you look at it, money wise not so much. Of course this is my opinion.

Good Luck and Good Shooting

twoshooter · « **Reply #16 on:** January 12, 2012, 02:46:36 AM »

Amen Trotter, that is the real solution, sell an unchambered barrel, fit to an SB2 action.With the lesser expense, they should be able to sell one a little cheaper. If we could get a 284 bore barrel reasonable, we could have a 7x57, a 7x30 waters, a 7mmTCU, just for the cost of cutting a chambering.

Hope springs eternal.

Jimbo47 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 12, 2012, 04:30:55 AM »

Quote from: twoshooter on January 12, 2012, 02:46:36 AM

Amen Trotter, that is the real solution, sell an unchambered barrel, fit to an SB2 action.With the lesser expense, they should be able to sell one a little cheaper. If we could get a 284 bore barrel reasonable, we could have a 7x57, a 7x30 waters, a 7mmTCU, just for the cost of cutting a chambering. Hope springs eternal.

I don't see this ever happening!

It's a nice dream, but no company in their right mind would sell a barrel unchambered, especially mounted to a frame, knowing that someone, somewhere would then possibly attempt to chamber it to some Magnum round that would turn that barrel into a pipe bomb.

The lawyers would be lined up waiting for that to happen!

gendoc · « **Reply #18 on:** January 12, 2012, 12:49:52 PM »

Quote from: Jimbo47 on January 12, 2012, 04:30:55 AM

I don't see this ever happening!

It's a nice dream, but no company in their right mind would sell a barrel unchambered, especially mounted to a frame, knowing that someone, somewhere would then possibly attempt to chamber it to some Magnum round that would turn that barrel into a pipe bomb.

The lawyers would be lined up waiting for that to happen!

jimbo, great ta know that yur in touch with reality...........

twoshooter · « **Reply #19 on:** January 12, 2012, 02:25:35 PM »

I really dont see that as a real vunerable point, they now make high pressure rifle barrels barrels that will fit unmodified on old shotgun actions. It could even happen completely by accident. If they are not liable for changing the action/ barrel setup to where they CANNOT be transferred, they should not e liable here. I can see where there might be a problem with selling a whole firearm because it would have to have a serial number, and it could not be identified as some particular chambering at that point.
I will continue to lobby for a regional broker to make some buys until then, and hope for the best.

tacklebury · « **Reply #20 on:** January 12, 2012, 03:29:23 PM »

Quote from: OldSchoolRanger on January 11, 2012, 05:09:02 PM

But you can immediately sign me up for two 7x57mm barrels if twoshooter manages to get Midway to order them.

+1 been sayin for a long time!

I will say this too. There's a lotta plastic in them there new fangled bolts... My bro bought one and I about barfed when I held it.. Tried to be kind. I'd take a handi ANY day over a 770 at least. I hate all the new trigger safety gadgets hanging off them... Give me a Hammer.. If it's cocked it's ready if it's not it's safe!

trotterlg · « **Reply #21 on:** January 12, 2012, 03:46:59 PM »

Then they need to offer a barrel that is chambered in the shortest smallest cartridge for the cal, like a .32 barrel chambered in 32 H&R Short, or a 30 cal barrel in 30 Carbine, then you could cut any chamber you want in them. As far as a lawyer problem, you can buy a 30-30 barrel now and chamber it in 300 Win Mag or a 500 S&W and cut a 50 BMG chamber in it. Larry

OldSchoolRanger · « **Reply #22 on:** January 12, 2012, 04:27:19 PM »

Quote from: trotterlg on January 12, 2012, 03:46:59 PM

Then they need to offer a barrel that is chambered in the shortest smallest cartridge for the cal, like a .32 barrel chambered in 32 H&R Short, or a 30 cal barrel in 30 Carbine, then you could cut any chamber you want in them. As far as a lawyer problem, you can buy a 30-30 barrel now and chamber it in 300 Win Mag or a 500 S&W and cut a 50 BMG chamber in it. Larry

trotterlg - Don't think one that would work. I can just imagine the results! Ka-boom!

trotterlg · « **Reply #23 on:** January 12, 2012, 04:36:03 PM »

Yes, exactly right, but it would blow up just the same if it started as a blank unchambered barrel as it would if it started life as a 500 S&W. Lots of major players sell blank actions, Savage and Remington and a lot of others, you put any barrel you want on it, If Remington sells a 700 Action only they could also sell a Handi frame only. They just don't do it because they want to make more money selling a $300 700 action and not a $42.00 H&R. Larry

rdlange · « **Reply #24 on:** January 12, 2012, 06:45:24 PM »

All of the above reasons in favor of these guns, and I'm a lefty so ambi rifles get my preference. I sold off or traded all my bolt guns even the LH Savage.

Got alot of Handi rifles in many calibers. I'll be downsizing some, to the ones I use/use the most. Never could have afforded to try this many calibers in more expensive guns. Now I know what I like and have fun shooting.

And I like to personalize stuff. These are easy to do.

Always liked single shots too. Hard to scope a Sharps though. Just me...

jeneks84k10 · « **Reply #25 on:** January 13, 2012, 05:50:58 AM »

Quote from: tacklebury on January 12, 2012, 03:29:23 PM

Give me a Hammer.. If it's cocked it's ready if it's not it's safe!

This is one of my favorite things about the handi. If there is a round in the chamber of a handi its not going to go off and unless you cock the hammer and pull the trigger.
I have a friend with a .308 mossberg (another value line gun) that wore down a pin inside the action and would release the firing pin whenever it wanted to

For me I just prefer single shots, even if they do cost the same as a bolt gun and realized this when I would walk into a gun store I would have to hold every handi rifle in the store before I even noticed that there were other guns, not that I dont like some bolt guns, I just prefer the handi rifle. The only gun I own that is not a nef/h&r is a mossberg pump 12ga my dad gave me on my birthday. Everthing else has been sold or traded in favor of a handi rifle

Spanky · « **Reply #26 on:** January 13, 2012, 07:34:16 AM »

They're simple, dependable and they carry well, especially with open sights and no scope. That alone makes 'em worth more to some people. That being said... a bolt gun in the same price range would probably be a little better shooter. I guess it all boils down to what the individual wants.

Spanky

eskimo36 · « **Reply #27 on:** January 13, 2012, 08:16:37 AM »

A blue and wood Handi is so much better looking than a tupperware bolt....

gendoc · « **Reply #28 on:** January 13, 2012, 12:26:20 PM »

Quote from: eskimo36 on January 13, 2012, 08:16:37 AM

A blue and wood Handi is so much better looking than a tupperware bolt....

NOW THATSA WHAT I'MA TALK'N BOUT CURTIS......................

an i'll put my .02 on toppa that.

i can make these handi's out perform them tupperware's with tears in them eye's !!!!

JB White · « **Reply #29 on:** January 14, 2012, 06:37:55 PM »

Once this thread started and took shape I began looking at the reviews concerning the bargain basement bolt guns. As far as I can tell you either get a good one or a bad one. Or, a good one which will probably get bad over time. I don't care for those odds at all.

Since I'm the type who often drops benchrest followers into bolt actions anyway, I still see the Handi as the better practical approach in the price range.