Quickdtoo,
I must be confused and do not want to mislead/or confuse others with my lack of knowledge. I copied the info below from H&R's websight.
Barrel Accessory Program
Additional barrels may be added to firearms of our manufacture since 1987 only, with a serial number that begins with N or H. We do not install additional barrels on any other manufacturers firearms.
Additional barrels are available as additional barrels only. We will not exchange barrels for existing barrels on shotguns and rifles, as it will change the model.
Rifle frames may be fitted with additional rifle, shotgun, and muzzleloader barrels.
Shotgun frames may be fitted with additional shotgun and muzzleloader barrels only.
We do not sell additional barrels outright. All barrels must be factory fitted.
now if I read this right the serial numbers that begin with N or H are good to go for most of the barrels in the program including the ones with the * The reason they want you to call is if you have an older model "before 1987" that you want to rebarrel. and maybe for a bull barrel going onto a regular forarm that you would have to incure more expense to buy the larger forarm.
I am not trying to start confusion just trying to end mine. Thanks dan'l