Handi .243 breaks open on shot

[meltdown]

I have a NEF handi rifle that I bought new. I've used it very little. I took it out the other day and noticed that the action breaks open when the shot is fired!  :eek:

Does anyone know what might cause this?

[Mitch in MI]

the action breaks open when the shot is fired!
Does anyone know what might cause this?

It's popping open with factory ammo?
If you're lucky, the gun needs cleaning (take off the barrel and clean the latch) or you aren't closing it firmly. Otherwise, it sounds like something the factory needs to look at.
Mitch.

[WNY_Whitetailer]

Follow Mitch's advice and clean that latch area thoroughly with whatever you use to clean your guns.  This area has been a problem with some people's H&Rs.  Also, check for metal flakes in the receiver as there are sometimes some left over from the machinging process.  They would be down in the bottom of the receiver.  Clean those out of there too so that they don't work themselves up into the latch area.

[10ga.]

I had the same problem with my 10ga. When I got my 30-06, I cleaned it before shooting it to make sure this wouldn't happen.
You may want to read this post about opening when shooting and how to clean it:

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=27911

[meltdown]

Thanks guys. I'll clean that area and try some factory ammo.

[Winter Hawk]

And if cleaning doesn't work, contact NEF/H&R.  My .30-06 developed that problem and they had me send it in for repair.  It wasn't even their fault, I had a Teflon finish applied to the gun and the gunsmith got something messed up.  The ejector quit working right also, if I recall.

-WH-

[ccy465]

It may be the action latches.  One catching and the other not.  Still NEF would need to fix that.

[josebd]

when i got my handi back it wouldnt eject the cases,put some oil down it,helped some.

[Tom W.]

Thanks guys. I'll clean that area and try some factory ammo.

If you're not using factory ammo, but handloads, make sure that the cases are trimmed properly.
 I had the same thing happen with my .270 until I realized what the problem was. I had forgotten to trim my cases, and I would get the "auto - ejection" that you described. A session of bullet pulling and case trimming cured it!