I went to Remington yesterday!

[woodchukhntr]

I called up a friend in management at Remington and made arrangements for a private tour of the H&R facilities and to drop off my Handi for fitting an existing barrel and a new .308 barrel since I live less than 20 miles away.  I met Brian Johnson, the gunsmith who came from Gardner and who does most of the H&R fitting/repair work.  I saw a lot of Handi's in the racks for various reasons.  The assembly area is still working with "old" parts since the machinery to make new parts hasn't been set up.  It was impressive.  It looks like Remington is going to do a good job with the line, but I think that we can expect a price hike in at least the accessory barrel program.

I did suggest that the engineers tighten up the tolerances to make the barrels truely interchangable.  If they would do that, they would give T/C a run for their money.

One observation, pallet wood stocks come from China (surprise, surprise).

[RWK]

How far is the plant from Buffalo.

[quickdtoo]

Thanks for the report, keeping the price line has always been a worry for everyone, it's inevitable that it will increase some, just hope they can improve fit and tolerances commensurate with the cost.

Tim

[woodchukhntr]

How far is the plant from Buffalo.

The plant is about 15 miles east of Utica, easily accessible from the Herkimer Thruway exit.  They have been holding summer plant tours for the public, but they are about finished for the year.

[jdwolf]

Will Remington keep manufactoring the Handi's under both the H&R and NEF names or will they go with one or the other?

[Chas.]

I've seen the term "pallet wood" several times.  What exactly is "pallet wood"?

[quickdtoo]

The plain walnut stained hardwood stocks that are common to Handis.

Tim

[PartsMan]

I've seen the term "pallet wood" several times.  What exactly is "pallet wood"?

I think it started as a cut down to describe the "quality" of wood they use on the base Handi.
It has evolved into almost a term of endearment for some though.
Example - Not to bad for pallet wood.
Some of it is accually very nice grain.

[Chas.]

The plain walnut stained hardwood stocks that are common to Handis.

Tim

I'm assuming that it's not real walnut, but other hardwood stainded  to look like walnut.  Am I reading that right?

[quickdtoo]

Yes, the general opinion is the wood is birch or beech and likely has been one or the other over the years. H&R also offers American walnut stocks, the stocks that come on the Topper Deluxe Classic and the Buffalo Classic are checkered walnut, they're also available as retail products as are all stocks when they have them in stock, see the Retail Parts page in the FAQs.

Tim

[Chas.]

Good info.  Thank-you.  The reason that I'm so curious is that I bought a new BC today and I thought it looked like walnut.  Good to know it's real.

[Singleshotsam]

So we can agree that at least one person has toured the new facility in person and isn't crapping gloom and doom about NEF's future lol... I think that once the production lines get up and running fully quality will be better than it was before.  As w/ any new setup, it'll take some time to work out the kinks. 

[woodchukhntr]

I think that Remington will do a good job with the H&R lineup.  Afterall, they put up the money to buy and relocate it, and are hiring the necessary people to replace those who did not move.  They wouldn't have made the investment to let it fall flat on it's face.  The downside is that they will reevaluate the financial end and will make whatever adjustments are necessary to make the profit that they want.

After they get things worked out, I wouldn't be suprised to see something new on the basic frame.