Is the normal???????????

[Nightstalker6117]

OK I fianlly got to go shoot the 25-06. Went out to the farm and set up a target close to 50 yards. I will of course site in at 100 yards after I finish the breakin. Love the gun so far. Recoil is minimal. Seems to shoot good i had bullets touching of course it was at 50 not 100. But here is the question. Do all the handi's break open after the shot without haveing to push the release button??    If they do than that is ok. I made sure that the gun was closed I would shut it and then try to open it without pushing the release. Your info will help alot i am sure because that kinda freaked me out since i dont remember my friends 243 doing that.

[PartsMan]

NO!

Your gun is not supposed to pop open untile you push the release lever.
This is not safe!
However this problem has come up before.
Sometimes you have to really "snap" new guns shut untile they get broken in.
I am sure some of the more expereinced members will help you fugure out the problem.
If all else fails call H&R they should fix it for you, but you will have to send it in.

Good luck
Josh

[Dillohide]

As PartsMan said on new guns you need to snap the action closed good until they break in. My .223 and 30-06 did that some when they were new so it is normal if you don't snap it shut good. When in doubt open and close it again if you feel you didn't get it good the first time. Also wipe down the latch, extractor etc. when it starts doing that. Oil, solvent and residue can cause it not to lock down properly when the gun is new ... even when it's not new if not cleaned every now and then. When I clean my barrel I do it with the action to the side or on top to minimize what gets down into the latch. It can affect accuracy as well.

[burntmuch]

When you close the action make sure the release lever wiggles alittle. that lets you know its locked up