Author Topic: ultra vs handi vs survivor (Read 830 times)

Lurch · « **on:** February 24, 2005, 06:32:55 AM »

Hello everyone

I'm hoping next week to order a new rifle in .308. Can any give me the pro's and con's between the handi rifle, the ultra rifle, and the survivor? I get easily confused with 3 choices.

I think the survivor just looks cool, but how does it shoot?

Other than wood, what is the difference between the handi and the ultra, and how do they shoot?

Later I will be ordering other barrels. I have heard a rumor that .357's and 7.62 x 39 will be offered. Can anyone confirm or deny this?

v8r · « **Reply #1 on:** February 24, 2005, 07:14:43 AM »

Welcome Lurch. Really the only difference I Have ever seen between the Ultra,Handi,and survivor are finishes and stock configuration.The Ultra is The ''Caddilac" model.It has a little nicer finish on the reciever and barrel.It also has the nicer finished Laminated stock with Checkering.The regular Handi is the workhorse "Chevrolet" model.The finish on the barrel is more of a matte finish,and the reciever is also.I will say that alot of the newer Handi rifles have about the same finish on the reciever as the ultra.The standard handi has a more plain looking stock.The Survivor of course has the thumbhole stock and the store arm forearm.The barrel and reciever finish is matte finish on reciver and barrel.The only real difference I have ever seen is mostly cosmetic,and sometimes barrel length.The Handi and Survivor are marketed under the NEW ENGLAND FIREARMS name,and the Ultra rifles are marketed under the H&R name.Hope this helps the confusion.I will say that they will probably shoot very well.Some you have to work on sometimes,but most shoot great out of the box.Come back often.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 24, 2005, 07:15:06 AM »

It all boils down to what you want to spend...and what your taste in rifles is...

The Survivors have heavy bull barrels...plactic stocks and forearms...the regular Handi's can also be had in their regular synthetic stocks and forearms...and some can be had with the heavier barrels on them...and the ultra's have the fancy checkerd laminated stocks...some of their rifles you can only get one way...others you have a choice..

Each rifle will behave differently...some of the thin barrels shoot as well as the heavy barrels and vis-versa...but gennerally the bull barrels shoot a-little better because they don't heat up as fast...but on the flip side of that...they don't cool off as fast either...

As to the up coming availability of the 7.62 and the 357...give them a call...and see what they tell you...we got several different stories so-far on when to expect them out...

Mac

Lurch · « **Reply #3 on:** February 24, 2005, 07:34:23 AM »

Just spoke to John in C/S.

RE: .357 barrels, they just received 100 of them, so if you want one, better get on the stick (his words, not mine).
RE: 7.62 x 39 barrels 1-2 months they should be available.

Dirty Tiger · « **Reply #4 on:** February 24, 2005, 04:05:54 PM »

I find the survivor stock awkward is several areas:

It rubs on my wrist, especialy when shooting from a bench.

It has no "recoil-reduction"

The "secret compartment" is clumsy to open.

It is akward to open the chamber or cock the hammer with your trigger hand.

When my NEF Pardner arrived I realized I prefer a "traditional" stock and promptly ordered a replacement for my .308

stiff neck · « **Reply #5 on:** February 24, 2005, 05:31:31 PM »

The stocks are all interchangable. So are the barrels (every barrel needs fitting to the reciever).

The real question is: Are the recievers the same? Besides the finish? Are all the parts the same stuff? If they are, then why do they limit what type of barrel can go on the different models?

For example, why can't I get an "Ultra" 24" bull 223 Rem barrel on my Handi Rifle SB2? According to the web site I can only get a 22" bull barrel. There must be a difference in the strength of the recievers. If there's not, then they're loosing sales by limiting our purchases. And if not, then buying a use barrel of the wrong caliber and using it could be dangerous?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #6 on:** February 24, 2005, 05:54:22 PM »

SB1 frames come on shotguns and rimfires and a couple specialty guns, SB2 frames which are heat treated, come on the centerfire rifles. Late model SB2 frames are made to handle high pressure centerfire calibers, those made before 1997/98 are not and H&R won't fit the asterisk marked calibers to those pre 97/98 frames.

stiff neck · « **Reply #7 on:** February 24, 2005, 08:14:30 PM »

So why does H&R limit which barrels can be ordered for the Ulra Rifle, or Survival Rifle? Doesn't make any sense at all. Maybe that's the way they sell each class of rifles, but why does the barrel accessory offer limit the options according to your rifle?

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #8 on:** February 24, 2005, 09:33:37 PM »

As far as I've seen they don't limit what barrel you can put on what. What they limit you to is the age and make up of your reciver as to what barrel you can put on it, You can have an ultra barrel fitted to a handi and vice versa, you can have a BC barrel fitted to a handi frameand shotgun barrels also, but you can't have it done if you don't have one of the newer S/Ns. Thats the way I've been led to believe anyhow.

stiff neck · « **Reply #9 on:** February 25, 2005, 10:15:38 AM »

Not according to the web site showing the barrel exchange program. It appears they have the web site set up assuming that you have an old reciever, which limits your barrel options. They list specific barrels available for the Handi, then specific barrels available for the Ultra, etc.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #10 on:** February 25, 2005, 10:27:56 AM »

Their criteria is pretty simply stated at the web site...

Quote

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.
We do not sell barrel blanks or do custom calibers.
In order to obtain an additional barrel(s), the stock, forend and frame (receiver) must be sent to us so they may be properly hand-fitted to the barrel, to be sure they are correctly head-spaced and proof-tested.

The only exception is the asterisked barrels that can only be fitted to certain frames and the only way to know that is call or email em.

stiff neck · « **Reply #11 on:** February 25, 2005, 10:28:22 AM »

Ok, I was wrong. I was thrown off by how the web site was set up since they list specific barrels for each model.

I called H&R, and they told me I can order any rifle barrel for my new centerfire reciever.

I sent my rifle in last week for a 22" 223 bull barrel. I had them change it to a 24" 223 bull barrel. Hope that doesn't delay my order. They hadn't started working on it yet.