Author Topic: A handier handi? (Read 1578 times)

Victor3 · « **on:** May 08, 2006, 08:14:09 PM »

I recently bought a 1 in 9 .223 bull bbl handi, thinking that I would do it up like some here have done and make it into a nice scoped bench or hunting rifle with custom stock, big scope, etc. Actually, I didn't know what I would do with it - I just wanted one to play with since I love my old Topper 12 ga shotguns. I already have a boatload of bench and hunting rifles. More than I can use. I do however have 1000's of rounds of .223 and had no gun to shoot them in anymore.

After playing around with different scope and ring combinations and getting a feel for the gun in stock form, I found that, well, it wasn't so "handy" for me. In fact, the clunky stock, heavy bbl and hardware required for the scope made it look and feel like a box of rocks compared to most of my bolt rifles. I didn't think that I could do anything with it that would make me happy with it as a scoped rifle.

So.... another direction for this gun. I slimmed down the stock, bought a williams peep for it and will cut the bbl to 18". I don't have any 22 cal CF carbines, so now I will.

Here is a mock-up I put together with my old Topper 12 ga just to see how it will look and feel. I should have the rifle done within two weeks or so...

Anyone else have pics of their "Handier Handies"? Gotta love the "Lego factor" that these rifles provide the tinkerer!

Cookiemann · « **Reply #1 on:** May 08, 2006, 11:55:05 PM »

Victor3,
I like the way you think! I have not done any of the mods to any of my shotguns, but you really got me thinkin'. I really like that 'carbine' look, too. Do you have any experience with the 'One Ragged Hole' sights? They are made to replace the blade on the stock rear sight on the 'open factory sights' like the ones used on the Tracker and 45/70 barrels. I have thought of cutting down a 12ga Tracker I barrel to do the same as your pick. Did you shave that butt stock down from a standard pistol grip stock? Thanks
Cookiemann

myarmor · « **Reply #2 on:** May 09, 2006, 08:07:34 AM »

Humm..a Bull Barrel 223 cut down to 18"...then open sights mounted....and stock redone to actually fit the hands.
My pet pev with the Handi is the club like feel of some, well, most of their stocks. Like 1/8 to 1/4" off each side of the grip :x I hate that.
But with your stock, it's an easy fix.
This should prove to be interesting, and I look forward to seeing how it turns out for you.
-Aaron

MSP Ret · « **Reply #3 on:** May 09, 2006, 08:53:58 AM »

a handy(er) Handi, it sounds like it will be a great .223. I have a .280 cut to 19", my previously mentioned "Thunderboomer" (Thanks lik2unt!!!), that is a great truck gun and wonderful thick woods gun that is capable of reching out when needed. I feel you are enroute to a wonderfully compact and easily handled rifle, carry on!!!....<><.... :grin:

A.J. · « **Reply #4 on:** May 09, 2006, 09:49:39 AM »

That is a great idea. Since you're wanting to trim the weight, had you considered putting a choate varmint stock on it? It's naturally lighter, cheap, and the pistol grip makes it easier to shoot more accurately.

MSP Ret · « **Reply #5 on:** May 09, 2006, 11:55:53 AM »

but butt ugly!!!!!....<><.... :-D

a much cheaper and far better alternative for a woods rifle or truck gun in my book is the Survivor buttstock. I did not like their appearence at first, however after trying one I now use it on my dedicated coyote gun, and it works great!!!

Victor3 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 09, 2006, 05:15:26 PM »

Quote from: myarmor

Humm..a Bull Barrel 223 cut down to 18"...then open sights mounted....and stock redone to actually fit the hands.
My pet pev with the Handi is the club like feel of some, well, most of their stocks. Like 1/8 to 1/4" off each side of the grip :x I hate that.
But with your stock, it's an easy fix.
This should prove to be interesting, and I look forward to seeing how it turns out for you.
-Aaron

Yeah, the factory Monte Carlo (Like this one was) just seems too darn big for the action to me. The receiver is only 1.25" wide, but the stock at the wrist is 1.5" wide (Overhangs the metal by .125" on both sides). It's actually bulged in the center below the comb to 1.75"! I plan to take it down close to the metal and taper it back to ~ 1.62" at the butt end.

I looked at the Choate and Survivor stocks, and although they look very (Ahem...) ergonomic (Or is that Orthopedic :-D ) they just didn't do it for me personally. I have "Plastiphobia" when it comes to rifle stocks. Maybe I'm more of a traditionalist than some. I think the Handi action just looks better as a 19th rather than a 21st century gun...

mt3030 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 09, 2006, 05:36:01 PM »

Quote/Anyone else have pics of their "Handier Handies"? Gotta love the "Lego factor" that these rifles provide the tinkerer!/Unquote.

Here are two of my Carbines. The first one in 45-70 and the other in 30-30. I like short rifles.
Wally

Victor3 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 09, 2006, 05:50:10 PM »

Quote from: Cookieman

Victor3,
I like the way you think! I have not done any of the mods to any of my shotguns, but you really got me thinkin'. I really like that 'carbine' look, too. Do you have any experience with the 'One Ragged Hole' sights? They are made to replace the blade on the stock rear sight on the 'open factory sights' like the ones used on the Tracker and 45/70 barrels. I have thought of cutting down a 12ga Tracker I barrel to do the same as your pick. Did you shave that butt stock down from a standard pistol grip stock? Thanks
Cookiemann

Cookieman - I have never seen the sight you speak of. I think it may be better though, for the sake of sight radius on a short bbl, to go with a sight mounted near the breech.

The stock in the pic was the one that came with the .223 - A Monte Carlo pistol grip. I got the idea to slim it down from MSP Ret....

Victor3 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 09, 2006, 05:57:08 PM »

Quote from: mt3030

Quote/Anyone else have pics of their "Handier Handies"? Gotta love the "Lego factor" that these rifles provide the tinkerer!/Unquote.

Here are two of my Carbines. The first one in 45-70 and the other in 30-30. I like short rifles.
Wally

mt3030 - Nice job on those. The top one is a Topper? I notice the low hammer there....

A.J. · « **Reply #10 on:** May 10, 2006, 02:55:51 AM »

IS the Survivor stock cheaper than the Choate stock, MSP? To me, the top 2 priorities of a Handier Handi is weight reduction and price. I can love an ugly child. If the Survivor stock is cheaper than the Choate, that's the route I'll go. Do you get them from NEF?

mt3030 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 10, 2006, 04:06:11 AM »

Quote/I think it may be better though, for the sake of sight radius on a short bbl, to go with a sight mounted near the breech./Unquote

For the maxumum sight radius on a short barrel mount a receiver sight on the action. Not only do you get the longer sight radius, but the sight doesn't have to take as much "jarring" when the action is closed.

Wally

DutchV · « **Reply #12 on:** May 10, 2006, 03:07:41 PM »

My .308 Survivor is at the gunsmith right now getting the same treatment. Chop to 18", add a WGRS peep, and a Firesight front. Should be loads of fun. This way both halves will fit into an 18" space. I'll post a range report in a couple of weeks.

trotterlg · « **Reply #13 on:** May 10, 2006, 05:13:05 PM »

This is a .22 Mag with a bull barrel, a weaver type rail for a Thompson Contender has the right raidus to mount forward on the barrel. This is a 2.5X illuminated pistol scope for night use, but they have nice 4 to 7X pistol scopes also. The barrel is 19.5 inches long. Larry

myarmor · « **Reply #14 on:** May 10, 2006, 07:01:15 PM »

The Survivor stock is cheaper and lighter.
But it's not nearly as sturdy as the Varmint model:
http://www.riflestock.com/catalog_page_category.cfm?queries_index=Gallery&ProductCode=33

A.J. · « **Reply #15 on:** May 10, 2006, 09:40:01 PM »

Thanks...no more expensive than the varmint model is, I think I'll go that route.

Busta · « **Reply #16 on:** May 11, 2006, 07:57:21 PM »

Quote from: MSP Ret

but butt ugly!!!!!....<><.... :-D

a much cheaper and far better alternative for a woods rifle or truck gun in my book is the Survivor buttstock. I did not like their appearence at first, however after trying one I now use it on my dedicated coyote gun, and it works great!!!

MSP Ret,

I guess beauty is in the eye of the buttholder!

I just purchased a complete Choate Ultra Varmint stock and forend and although it has a huge hole for the thumb it is very functional and I like it the best of the 3 pistol gripped versions for the H&R/NEF. It comes with 3 1/2 inch spacers for adjusting your LOP and a very nice recoil pad. Just takes a hex wrench (Allen Wrench) to take the stock off. You are stuck with too short of a LOP with the survivor stock IMHO and no recoil pad.

MSP Ret · « **Reply #17 on:** May 12, 2006, 05:57:54 AM »

Yes, the survivor stock is much cheaper and I disagree that is is any more "flimsy". I use my coyote gun mostly during the winter in Maine and since the temperature has run from about +20 to -27 degrees Farenhiet while we hunt we always have thick jackets on, therfore the shorter LOP is an asset. I am 6'1" with long arms (35" or 36" sleeves in a dress shirt) and still find the Survivor stock very comfortable to use on my .22 Mag coyote gun with a Red Dot sight even when shooting from the bench or in short sleeves, since there is no appreciable recoil to worry about and I use a Red Dot sight LOP is less critical for me, I feel my set-up is about as good as it gets for my needs, that why I use it. The stock is very strudy and I am unsure if it could be bent or broken even if one tried....<><.... :grin: