How long have you had a Handi ? And Why ?

[GeorgiaDave]

Greetings,

   How long have you guys had a Handi in one form or another. Also, why in the world would you choose to use a gun that has no repeating option ? I mean hey, there are autoloaders, bolt actions, lever actions, pump guns and even double rifles. Yet so many CHOOSE to rely on these lowly old fashioned exposed hammer one shot rifles. In the modern days we live in, it is just not neccessary to have only one shot. There has to be an explanation...................

   As for myself, I got my first Handi, a 30/30 about 25 years ago and it is still as accurate as it was when I got it(used). Never had a scope and has been used as a swamp hunting gun with great success. I have even loaned it to a few who wanted to hunt but had no rifle. After a few practice shots I would give them a few " meat seeking bullets" and have them convinced that if they put the sights on the deer's shoulder and fired, the "bullets would hunt down the deer" and it has worked more than a few times. These rifles, while never in the running at a beauty contest , are an effective tool. I like to keep it simple and it does not get much more simple than any one of my dozen or so Handis !! God Bless You All.
Dave

[pitman_mm]

 Just bought my first, haven't even picked it up yet. To tell the truth this site is what got me wanting a handi. I got a custom 45-70 at a great price and can't wait to hammer a hog with it. Already thinking about another handi, maybe a 223 'yote gun.

[kitchawan kid]

Got my first about 8 yrs. ago,used in 45/70 and latter got the factory to install the .50 MZ barrel,that MZ has had many rounds and I really enjoy it Have about 30 other long guns and 18 handguns. the last gun I bought was a new buffalo classic in 45/70.I guess as I got older I don't get so worked up about laying down 100 rounds in seconds anymore

[Datil]

  GOT MY FIRST HANDI IN 72OR 73 410 SHOTGUN';
 Got My son 20 ga about same time, thence got a 30-30 and 22 Hornet for him.
 Marv.

[canon6]

I got my first in '73, a 45-70.It was the only 45-70 I could afford on a street cop's salary.I have had, at least, one ever since.      Doug

[mcwoodduck]

I have had a single shot shotgun since I started hunting in 1979.  But I bought a handi 8 or 9 years ago when I was living out in the desert and we has Coyote that would stalk our yard.  I bought the Handi in 22 mag and mounted a cheap red dot for night.
The coyote problem went away and I ended up mounting a Weaver 6X on the rifle and really like it.
I have a friend that has a horse ranch and she was over run with rabbits and asked me to get rid of them.  I took a friend out there to exterminate them.  I took the little single with me.  There were hundreds of rabbits on the 40 acers in Southern CA.
We took a position on some rocks and there were so many out on the field that it was faster for me to use the single.  than my buddy with his 7 shot bolt in 17HMR.  He also had 3 of my mags and as three or four would pop out I could consistantly keep one in the gun while he had problems after 7 getting the gun reloaded with a new mag or reloading the mag.  We shot over 170 rabbits that day.  Also I took my time where he would rush a shot on one or see if he could get his little bullet through a bush.

[Spanky]

I bought my 1st Handi (44mag) in 1996.
I've had or have bolt actions, levers, semi's, pumps and of course the singles.
Anymore all I use is the singles or one of my mil surps.

I know alot of guys my age (35) are into the super duper magnums or carbon fiber and huge scopes blah blah blah.

I'm just not into that stuff.

I like having one shot and having to make it count.
I think the singles carry and point better.

I like the wood stocks.
I like shooting the old timers... 45-70, 30-30, 32-20 etc.

Maybe I just think simpler is better



Spanky

[Badnews Bob]

I used a shoygun when I was a kid thirty+ years ago but never liked it becuase it wasn't as sexy as my buddies repeater. Jump forward To about 8 years ago and I bought my first centerfire handi I have 7 recievers and 10 barrels I want at least 3 more recievers maybe more and that poor old boreing shotgun I want at least a 12 and a 20 maybe more.

I like them because they work and are easy to work on, I can afford them and afford to modify them, and they do what I want them to. They also make me take a better shot which is good (or maybe not so good ) for the critter I am shooting at.

[mechanic]

I began by wanting a Sharps in 45-70.  After finding out what they cost, I "settled" on a Buffalo Classic instead.  Now I'm glad I bought the BC.  I have fired a friends Sharps, and do not believe it to be as good a gun as the BC.  Then came the 243, now the 357, and I gotta have a shotgun barrel.  One of those hornets would be nice.  I really need a 223.  A 270 or '06 would be good too in case I get to go Elk hunting.  I also realized I need a standard length 45-70 as a carry round gun.  Wouldn't mind having a venerable old 30-30....................................

[LaOtto222]

I got my first Handi, well it was a H&R 158 (I believe), some 30 years ago in 22 Hornet. Unfortunately, I only had it about a year and traded that thing off. I was new to reloading and I just could not get it to shoot worth a poop and got discouraged. I traded it for a used  Remington 788 in 222 Remington. I got my first "new" Handi about three years ago or so. I have added a second frame and four extra barrels since then.

What is wrong with a single shot rifle? I have four varmint caliber bolt action rifles and they are all single shots. I have removed the ejector from three of them, so I "pick" the case out. I feel the only time I would want a "repeater" is for dangerous game; for obvious reasons.

[quickdtoo]

About 50 years, my first H&R was a 1920’s era 12ga side lever that my dad gave me when I was about 8-10yrs old in the mid 1950’s. It killed a lot of ducks, grouse, rabbits and pheasant in my hands. It was also the first one I ever worked on. It eventually loosened up and I did a brass shim job to tighten it up!!
 
My Dad killed a turkey with in '95, so it's still on duty!! I didn't get another until I bought a 20ga Pardner for my son in '91. That's when I was introduced to the barrel program in pamphlet that came with it. But rifle barrels couldn't be fitted to the SB1 frame, but I was intrigued.
 
I didn't buy a rifle until '04 and I found my way to the Graybeard Outdoors NEF/H&R Forums. In May ’04 I bought a .223 Ultra Varmint, then added a .25-06, and a .243 barrel to that frame.  Bought a used frame and sent it in for a 45-70 barrel. That got me totally hooked and I went a bit crazy adding new frames, barrels and complete rifles to my fast growing collection which totals 45 complete firearms now, 4 rimfires, 4 shotguns and 31 rifles...... and I just bought a 221 Rem Fireball barrel from Booyah!! Why is simple, they're fun to shoot, inexpensive to buy, they shoot good and they're easy to work on, why not!! 

Tim

[cwlongshot]

I have had one since I can remember having guns.. sometime in the early '70's.

 Like Tim, I didn't get a rifle until I found that 357 maxi in the early 1990's. It was down hill from there!!!

I really got hooked on them when I made a short barreled slug gun. Customers seemed to love it!! SO, I started buying all the used H&R shotguns I could find. Then chopping down and adding sites. Then selling them in our store. It was really popular I must have done a dozen before calling it quits. I kept one 12, one 16 and one 410 for myself. FUN GUNS!!!!

CW

[Troyboy]

My first shotgun was about '89 a 12ga. That gun was the most fun i ever had with a shotgun. '97 got a 45-70 at a show.'00 got a .410 and a 20ga then i discovered the barrel program then GBO now i got a few more. I buy them cause i can.

[jdwolf]

About 15 months ago I decided to buy a 223 rifle for varmint hunting.  I didn't have a lot of money to spend at the time.  I had owned a few H&R 22 revolvers over the years and liked them.  In fact,  I had an H&R Sportsmans 22,  9 shot,  break front revolver back in the mid 80's that I wish I still had.  It had a very stiff double action trigger pull but it was a super accurate revolver when you fired it in the single action mode.  

I knew of the H&R/NEF handi rifles but had never owned one.  I checked out H&R'S website to see what was available and did a google search for H&R/NEF forums for some info and decided to give a handi rifle a try.  I went to a local gun shop and asked about a 223 handi with a black synthetic stock.  They didn't have one in stock but said,  they could order me a new one for $270.00 OTD.  I ordered it and I'm glad I did.  It's one of the most accurate rifles I now own.  I now also own a Stag Arms AR 15 which I dearly love but my 223 handi still gets a lot of use as well.    

[Tunaman]

I got a 20 gauge for Christmas in 1976. It was my first shotgun and it killed a lot of ducks and quite a few Turkeys. My oldest Daughter and a Nephew both killed there first 100 ducks with it as well. It is sitting in the safe waiting for daughter number two if she decides to hunt. I sure do remember that shotgun kicking something bad.

[Singleshotsam]

My dad asked me what i wanted for christmas about 13 years ago.  I told him a shotgun.  Christmas day I opened up a brand new 12 ga. pardner.  I can't fathom how many shells have been fired through that thing.  From dove hunts, to squirrels, to turkey, coyote hunts, that gun has been everywhere.  I turned down the opprotunity to use a SBE2 on a dove hunt in Kansas to use my beloved NEF 12ga.  Loved every second of it.  Now I own a .223, and plan on at least buying a BC 45/70 and a .22 hornet accessory bbl for it before i'm finished

[Doublebass73]

First H&R/NEF that I bought was a 12 gauge Pardner Turkey about 4 years ago when I decided to get into turkey hunting. Killed my first ever turkey with it and was hooked on single shots from that point on. Ended up selling my repeating rifles and going with exclusively single shots.

Now I have a .357 Mag Handi with 28 gauge barrel. 20 Gauge Pardner with screw in choke, 22LR Sportster with Williams FP sight and a .410/.22LR Versapack for the kids to shoot. I like to keep it simple, the only repeating guns I have now are self defense revolvers.

[mccleese]

I bought my first 2 weeks ago.  I now own 4 and am trying to trade for another as we speak.  I'm addicted already.  I got it from this forum.  I have all kinds of repeaters and fancy expensive stuff but I like simple too.

[dpe.ahoy]

First one I had was a 22 Hornet in 91 or 92.  Thought I needed something "better" and traded it for a another gun, don't know what it was.  Got another, 223, in 2003 and added 3 barrels to that frame.  Now have most bases covered from 22LR to 45-70 and have a 12g rifled and 20g rifled.  I just enjoy the single shot aspect and am content to go out with the kids and shoot them while they use the repeaters.  I have to admit, I shoot all types, and enjoy the levers as much as the Handi's.  I have a few I haven't shoot yet, need some warm weather and dry ground.  Looking forward to the 7-30 Waters and gettin at least 2 of the 357's taken out to the max.  They are just nice and friendly and inexpensive, great to teach newbies on and dare I say it, HANDI!  Besides, where else would you get to talk to such a great bunch of guys?  DP

[BC Steve]

I began looking for my first Handi Rifle 3 years ago when Mississippi changed the primitive weapon deer season to allow pre-1900 designed single shot cartidge rifles .38 larger.  I ended up buying this 45-70 from a member on this website.  I guess it's a project rifle.  It has a NEF Commemorative action,  Ultra cinnamon stocks, factory mounted BC barrel and a trigger job 2 1/2 i think.  I fell in love with it the first time I took it to the range and I've been hunting with it exclusively for the past 3 seasons.  I bagged three deer with it this year.  I just bought the 45-70 stainless for next season, so now I have two.

[bigvarmnt]

My first was around when the 17 HMR started on fire. I didn't like the idea of the HMR and decided I would never have one. Eveytime I talked to someone about guns, strangers in the ammo isle, guy with his wife in a gunshop rolling her eyes as he went on and on about the17HMR, everyone said it was the most fun, most accurate cartridge they had ever shot. Well the shop I was in one day had a Sportster 17 heavy barrel for less than $200. What was I to do. I bought it and put money down on a Ruger 77/17. I can't shoot either one of those very good. Wish I would have stayed home that day except I might not have caught Handi fever. I sent it in and got a 22 RF and 22 Mag barrel fitted. The rimfire shoots squirrels pretty good. I bought a superlight 223 syn. and fell in love. It shoots good. I plan to get 22 Hornet, 221 Fireball somehow, 44 mag and 357 if still possible and one to ream to 357 max. I've heard they stopped making the 357. I really hope this is not true. I have to try to call them. I found a 44 Mag but I can't see sights anymore and need the M.C stock. I was going to buy a Hornet and get barrels for it but it comes the same way. I know they can't offer all configurations people might want but I would have at least 5-6 more guns and barrels by now. I just plain like the little bugger....that's why!  Mister Mac BV

[quickdtoo]

I've heard they stopped making the 357. I really hope this is not true.

It's true they don't make it as a complete fiream on an SB2 rifle frame, but it's still available as an SB1, jury's still out on whether it would be a good platform for reaming to Max, but they still fit SB2 frames with 357mag accessory barrels...at least they will when they get them back in stock. 

Tim

[whitetailmaniac]

I got my first in the mid 80's a 410 for christmas from the parents. The wife bought me a sidekick christmas before last and it sat in the closet about a year. I got on the computer trying to find info on it and found GBO i beleve it was one of busta's threads. I bought a 96 model 44 mag handi with laminated straight stock 2 weeks ago. There will be plenty more. Im hooked!!

[cjclemens]

My first NEF was a Pardner .410 I picked up probably 6 years ago.  Its easy and cheap (only because I reload) to shoot, and it's seen to the demise of many rabbits and clay targets.  Since then, Ive picked up a BC in 45-70 and a Handi in .223.  I havent had a chance to take the BC hunting, but it's a real shooter on paper.  The .223 has been hard on coyotes and the occasional crow since I figured out how to make it shoot.

[Victor3]

 My 1st was a 12 ga Topper 158. Dad and I found it in the woods in ~1975. Seems someone had tried to toss it into a canyon but didn't make it over the edge. It had a broken firing pin. Dad made a new one, cut the bbl to ~20", installed a poly choke, reshaped the stock and put a recoil pad on it for me. I used it for ~25 years. Couple of years ago I gave it to a friend (I still have a similar Topper though).

 I now have one each Huntsman, Topper, SB2 and Rimfire frames and various barrels/stocks.

I like them for their simplicity; I'm not into the bulky stocks, scopes or long barrels....



 Since I was a kid, I've always loved the way I can hold the rifle with one hand, push the lever and have the bbl drop and pop the shell out over my shoulder. The way the action works and sounds brings back good memories.

[whiteoper]

My first was/is a 45 cal Huntsman given to me as my first rifle by my grandfather out of his collection in the early 80's.  The second a 45 carbine was adopted by my sons so I purchased an experienced 45-70 (came with a 223 barrel which the sons now claim). 

Personally I like all firearms but find the Handi to be handy around camping and quading where loaded firearms are against the law but a single shot with an exposed hammer is quick, reliable, safer and simple to use.

Roscoe

[petemi]

About 2 1/2 years ago, I had a bunch of duplicate, unused guns sitting around collecting dust.  I made a deal with a local gun shop to put them on consignment and put the money in an account for me.  Sitting in his used rack was a Handi .45-70, scoped with a 3-9x50 all in like new condition.  I picked it up and loved it immediately.  I brought it home and shot it, and really loved it!  It shoots tight cloverleafs at 100 yards and was sighted dead on for me.  I was sold.  I sent the frame into Gardner for .357, .30-06, and Huntsman barrels.  Then I was addicted!  I since bought more and put them all on their own frames.  I had a Topper 12 ga. I gave to my 14 year old grandson.  He shoots all my Handis, and I think he's become addicted too.

Pete

[gstewart44]

Got my first Handi in 1991 - a 243 standard barrel.   Shot ok but wasn't real tight groups.  I sent the frame back to Gardner for an additional 45-70 barrel.   When the rig came back and I tried out that 100+ year old caliber I was hooked!.

The 45-70 is superbly accurate to the point that my 243 barrel sat in the safe for 14 years.   When I finally got it back out for my 10 yr old son to try I had a devil of a time trying to get a consistent zero and decent groups.   

I did a Google search for info on 243 Handis and it led me to one of Tim's (Quick) threads and the rest they say is history.    Got my 243 shootin' like it should.   Thanks to FAQ's, and all the GBO brothers and sisters who have shared their knowledge and experience. 

[bajabill]

I started 5 1/2 years ago with a cool looking gun I saw used.  It is a 22" 243, with the camo laminated stock.  I was completely unfamiliar with these guns and immediately started an internet search to find out they were not a bad risk for the money.  I ended up on the marlin forum and spent quite a lot of time there before it was shut down.

The first feature that drew me to these guns is the ambidextrous nature of a single shot - Im a left haded shooter.  As a tinkerer reloader, I want to load for many different cartridges, and this was an easy way to add dies to my collection beyond the handful of offerings usually offered in bolt guns. 

Next, I saw the BC as a much cheaper means to get a "old school' 45-70 compared to the sharps.  I bought one of these new 4 years ago.

In the mean time, marlin shut their forum down and I somehow found everyone over here.  A lot of talk took place about the accessory barrel program and I decided to add to my reloading die stack and got the 357 and 223 (I never thought it was worth the trouble to send in for just 1 barrel).   I haven't loaded any for the 223 but the 357 had an added treat with this platform.  These guns are really easy to so simple chamber reams and my 357 became a 357max.  My next order brought a 35whelen and a 44mag (for conversion to 445sm) and the whelen was a bump in the road for me.  That barrel went back to HR and they allowed a replacement so I got a 25-06.  Remember my rule about 2 barrels, this was an opportunity to get a 24" 243 and sell my original 22" version.

I think this is where I stand now, 2 stocked frames, one with monte carlo and one straight, and 6 barrels.  Fortunately, all my barrels will fit on both of my frames.

In answer to the question, I like these because they are cheap, easy to add barrels, easy to modify chamberings,  and work for left handed shooters.  I don't hunt with them, nor they are not tools.  They are toys to allow me to enjoy my hobby - guns, reloading and shooting.

[Rawbone]

I just bought a 223 last week. I got interested in this gun when my father in law bought a 223 and a 22 mag about 10 years ago. The first time I shot the 223 was when a ground hog was tearing up the horse pasture and needed to be shot. I shot the hog from just over 200 yards with no problem. From that point on I was hooked. I really like the 223 I just bought and I will soon add black powder barrel. I like the one shot one kill program...

Bob