Quality Issues with New H&R 20 Gauge

[BIGDAVE54]

  I recently bought a new 20 gauge Pardner model with a youth stock and a 22 in. barrel. I wanted this particular one because I already own a .410 Pardner and it is fantastic for light plinking and the occaisional snake that gets too close to my wifes garden.(My lil 5'2" 110 lb. wife grabs it and dispatches all snakes)..hehehehe shakes head...Anyway when I got it home I noticed the new address instead of Gardner,Mass. it was made in Ilion,New York. The stock  has a place near the shoulder pad that is rough looking. It is like they missed it with the buffing wheel or it is a low spot in the wood. I was a lil worried about firing it now because I know the factory in Gardner closed and was wondering if it was all new people building them now. I will be shooting some traps with my friend this week and will get back to you on firing it new. I usully run about 20 rds. of no. 8 shot through them and clean it  then 20 more and clean it again when they are new.

[Jimbo47]

You do clean it first before you fire it, and not vise versa, as the way I read your post, right?

Can't speak for the cosmetics, but I'd inspect it, and clean it very well, and make sure the latch area and chamber are clean from oil or grease, but especially make sure to run a few cleaning patches down the tube before you fire it.

It's just a good practice to get into!

Good luck, and let us know how it did at the range!

[PHATINJUN]

Did you buy it from a gun shop where you were able to inspect it first? What I would do is take some good pictures of the bad area and get ahold of Illion and explain to them. I would think they would take care of you by sending a good set of stocks make sure you get a call tag to get them to pay the shipping if they want you to return the stock to them. Let us know how CS takes care of you. Kurt

[guvnor]

My 410 was made in Ilion and its been good to me so far, I put about 50 rounds through it since buying it about a month ago.  Only complaint I have is the bluing work on the barrel isnt the greatest, but thats splitting hairs for a $119 gun. 

Probably a good idea to run a few patches down the barrel before shooting it.  Mine had a fair amount of oil still left in the barrel.   

[BIGDAVE54]

I reread my post and ...hehehe ...yes ....I do clean them before I ever fire them. I was worried about this gun because when I got my .410 it would eject the spent shell vigorously. It would fling the empty casing at least 2 or 3 feet behind me. I had not fired the 20 gauge yet and It would not click when I opened the action. It acted like the extractor was stuck or a spring was broke. There were also some very very sharp edges along the sides of the lower receiever. When I say sharp...I mean almost shaving razor sharp. This afternoon I went to my friends house where we shoot clays.  I put a round of 8 shot in and fired it(being careful to wear safety glasses and kept everyone back a little). It fired fine. When I opened the breech ...nothing. The empty shell was stuck....my heart sank a little...I took a wooden dowel rod and gently tapped the empty out. I looked everything over and it looked fine. I put another no. 8 round in and fired. No problems firing,but when I opened the breech the shell was dislodged about a sixteenth of an inch from the breech. I loaded another no. eight and fired. This time it fired fine and when I opened the breech the shell almost fell out.I kept firing and about ten shells later it was ejecting the empty shell cases as good or better than my .410. I stopped and cleaned the barrel and the action real quick. I use Breakfree CLP and bore mops followed by a light coating of Mobile One synthetic motor oil applied with a couple of large patches with  a plastic loop on my aluminum cleaning rod. I know synthetic motor oil might erk some people,but I don't let WD40 nor REM OIL in my house. This combo has worked fine for me for the last few years.
     We loaded up a stack or two of pigeons and started shooting. The lil shotgun worked flawlessly. At the end of the little session some of the guys wanted to look at my new gun. It made light work out of the clay pigeons and put me on par with my other buds firing their Winchesters and Remingtons. I actually think I probably shot a little better than the other 3 guys there. I loaded up a couple of slugs and fired them. It is unbelievable how accurate it fired slugs from a smooth bore 22 in. barrel. I'm definately going to keep it. Tonight I took a little Arkansas stone and took down the sharp edges. I can live with the light spot on the stock. It appears that the weapon is solidly built. I have never had to break one in like that,but having been through the experience I feel it is probably as tightly measured and built as any firearm I have owned.My wife is pretty religious and she pointed out a tiny knot that looks like a cross by the handgrip area of the stock...That and she has about fully latched on to my .410 now so I guess it has a new home. I bought it at Wal Mart for $117. The one I looked at today at Sportsmans Warehouse had a real thick recoil pad mounted on it. It was new and retailed for $138. It is the PARDNER Youth Model in 20  gauge with mod. choke.

[TxGun]

Ilion, N.Y. was the home of Remington Arms for generations. And, as you know, Remington owns H&R via their ownership of Marlin. Pretty sure they are going to have some well-trained people up in the Ilion area.

[Jimbo47]

Great report, and glad to see it shot so well for you!

It probably would be a good idea to call CS anyway and voice your concerns, just to let them know about the quality control issue, and tell them your story.

It just might help someone else who buys one, and ends up having the same concerns and having to do the touch up job to knock off those sharp edges that could cut somone!

[snakeman]

Glad to hear that it is going to work out for you. I have the full size 20 ga with a mod choke and it is my favorite shotgun. If I am going out to bum around in the woods or something it is the gun that I take.Be sure to shoot it alot and enjoy it.


snakeman

[PHATINJUN]

Here's my take on the fit and finish on these guns for what it is worth. These guns are utilitaran work horses not thurbreds. I like the fine finish and bright blueing as much as the next guy but they are what they are. Now if Reminington can make the blueing better without increasing price I'm all for it if not leave it be. I think the sharpe edges you speak of are just very poor workmanship on thier part and probly has more to do with some kid standing at a belt sander wishing he was some where else and thinking if I don't get this pan of parts done my boss is gonna chew my ass so instead of cleaning the edges up he just slips a few over to the done pan and catches up with his piece work quota. Personally I would get ahold of Remington on workmanship like this because they can correct this flaw in the line. This kind of workmanship should be reported and I would think Remington would want to know about it. Glad you got yours to shoot for you. Kurt

[kf4ocv]

Just a point to ponder,  according to my local gun shop,  walmart and similar dime stores buy second quality guns that is why they are CHEAPER than a gun shop.  If a minor defect is not important to you then shop at walmart.  Personally it is according to where the defect is whether it is important to me.  A cosmetic defect in stock or forearm in a gun I will be hunting with is no biggie.  A defect in the action or barrel is another story.  I would suggest look the gun over carefully before you buy.  Walmart kinda ticks me because they will not take a trigger lock off long enough to even see if the action is smooth (lever action rifle) like I am going to produce a handful of shells and start killing people.   I was wondering why do you feel so strong about WD40 and Rem oil,  I use Hoppes myself with no complaints.

[wreckhog]

Walmart and Dick's and some other folks have guns made for them only. Sometimes they are worse (no Savage accutrigger) sometimes they are better (camo handi rifle and long barrel 10/22). They are generally cheaper than a local gun store though.

[quickdtoo]

Just a point to ponder,  according to my local gun shop,  walmart and similar dime stores buy second quality guns that is why they are CHEAPER than a gun shop.

That's a myth perpetuated by ignorance that the small shop owners love to spread, Walmart's distributors are the same distributors that any other retailer uses, small shops included, depends on the firearm brand,  Sports South for H&Rs, but they use Lipseys and others too.

Tim

[spooked]

Just a point to ponder,  according to my local gun shop,  walmart and similar dime stores buy second quality guns that is why they are CHEAPER than a gun shop.

That's a myth perpetuated by ignorance that the small shop owners love to spread, Walmart's distributors are the same distributors that any other retailer uses, small shops included, depends on the firearm brand,  Sports South for H&Rs, but they use Lipseys and others too.

Tim

This is so true, I bought a 20ga. nef @ walmart fer 58$ awhile back the reason it was Sooocheap was it had a little blem in the finish on the stock if the manager hadn't pointed it out to me I wouldn't have even noticed.  I've heard this walmart seconds bull for years , didn't need it but at that price i couldn't pass it up. I no longer have it but it is still in the family.

[PHATINJUN]

"Just a point to ponder,  according to my local gun shop,  walmart and similar dime stores buy second quality guns that is why they are CHEAPER than a gun shop. "

You wern't inhaling while he was blowing smoke up yer keaster were you. I have bought several H&R guns from Walmart and they are no better and no worse than what ya buy from your local guy as said they are bought from distributors just like all the others do. There cheaper price probly comes from a better discount for quanity and maybe a little lower on the profit margin. If you walk out the door with a bad one from Walmart that's your own fault and you will have to deal with the factory but if it gets there and it's beat up don't take posession send it back I've done it a couple of times. I have never seen a special run of Walmart guns but Dicks and other have sold them mostly I think as promotional items to get you in the door in which case they are not looking for the high profit from the gun but from whatever else they can sell ya once you are there . Be careful about spending to much time in those gun shops you can get an earful of great stories sometimes ;)Kurt

[wreckhog]

You can return a dfective gun to Walmart. Most other places require you to go through the warranty process.

[hunt-m-up]

Yup, I'm sure manufacturers would jeopardize multi-million $$ contracts by sending their seconds to Wal-Mart, because retailers love defective product returns.

To the OP, I'm glad it worked out for you, sounds like the tolerances must be pretty good/tight if it took a little to loosen up.

[PHATINJUN]

I know the Walmart I buy mine at won't return any guns for warranty work they got 2 big bold letter signs stating so they been up about 2yrs. Now whether thats just the local store or nation wide I do not know that is why the 2 I had them send back I would not take pocession of now if they would of knocked dollars off that would of been a differant story but why pay full price for something you know you will have to fix. Beloit WI store. Kurt

[spooked]

I know the Walmart I buy mine at won't return any guns for warranty work they got 2 big bold letter signs stating so they been up about 2yrs. Now whether thats just the local store or nation wide I do not know that is why the 2 I had them send back I would not take pocession of now if they would of knocked dollars off that would of been a differant story but why pay full price for something you know you will have to fix. Beloit WI store. Kurt

They knocked off almost 50$ on that 20ga. I posted about above. Over a little blem on the stock finish. My brother is still a hunting with it and tickled to death with his bargain..:-)

[oldfart]

i live in kentucky and have went to 5 different wal-marts here, all have a sign at the sporting goods counter that says. (ALL GUN AND AMMO SALES ARE FINAL, NO RETURNS FOR ANY REASON, MUST RETURN TO MANUFACTURER) THAT BEING SAID I'VE HAD GOOD LUCK OUT OF MY GUNS AT WAL-MART. i own two new england 12ga. pardner with screw in choke and syn. stock, two new england surviver's in 308, two savage mark11 22lr bolt guns and two cva optima muzzleloaders. the wal-mart i shop the most at is at tompkinsville, the man that works at the sporting goods area in that store will remove the lock to let you check the gun out if it their only one. if they have more in stock, he will if your interested go in the back and get one for you to check before you buy. i love my pardner's they have a recoil pad so the 12ga. doesn't beat you up. they special ordered them from sport south, and the quality is just as good as the ones my local gun store had at a $25.00 a gun savings.

[PHATINJUN]

sounds like the same sign to me they went up about 2yrs ago. The prices used to be right at 25% less but that gap has close considerably this yr. I can now order from online stores and pay shipping and transfer fee for about $10 more than what Walmart is doing right now so it just kind of depends on how much I want to wait was only lookin at 1 new gun (22-250) til this AK got in the way. What was I thinkin seein how I'm about a 99%er single shots I made my wife buy the AK what was I thinkin she don't reload Kurt

[BIGDAVE54]

Well just to touch base again on my new 20 gauge Pardner. It still functions flawlessly. I have put about 350-400 rounds of no. 8 shotshells and a few slugs through it with no problems at all. My little group of guys stand around and shoot the breeze and play a game where we shoot until we miss. I loaned my Pardner to a guy that is a broke USC student and he shot 16 clay pigeons before he missed. It was the first time he had ever shot it. A little while later I shot 14 in a row. The fella that owns the little farm where we shoot will keep moving the launch on the pigeons each time we shoot when we get past about 5 or 6.He shoots a Winchester and that is all he talks about is how great the Winchester shoots. Well for the last 2-3 weeks he must be holding back for dove season because my new H&R has been racking up. Usually the 2 or 3 lowest shooters has to buy a brick of shells and pigeons for the next round. I've had a little extra gas money the last few weeks....Took my wife out to lunch on her birthday...hehehe.  I might just save enough to pay for the H&R if this keeps up. I put a LIMBSAVER recoil pad on it. I have short arms so a 14-14.5 in. LOP is a little long for me. When I get the youth stock and put a recoil pad like the Limbsaver on it it comes in around 13.5 in. and that is just right for me. They advertise it supposed to cut recoil up to 70% ...It does cut it a lot.WalMart has this years model for about $20,but if you look around(Mine was on a lower shelf),they will have last years at about $5 cheaper and they all are the same...just a little bit different package colors.  BTW I bought my .410 from WalMart(rather my wife did in May for my birthday) and it is flawless.It has a little speck or two in the blueing,but my brand new Browning Hi Power I bought from a gunshop has worse specks. The only signs here at WalMart(SC) say they won't take back ammo.

[BIGDAVE54]

Sorry to double post but I wanted to answer kf4ocv...First of all was wondering if that is a ham radio call. If so I am AG4EH...small world I guess....I don't use WD 40 because of the polymer like bands it will cake up into in an action. Here locally a gunsmith will charge $50-$100 extra if you have used it on your weapon. Once you put it in an action it is had to clean out when it gets old and gummy. I don't like RemOil because my experience with it has led me to believe you are just as well off putting peanut oil or vegtable oil on a piece of metal. It has very little staying power compared to just about any other oils I have used. If you put your firearm is a case or scabbard,put it in your car trunk in the sun down south here,when you take that firearm out of the case it will be almost dry. I do use Hoppes products for cleaning. The best all around system for me where I might have a shotgun ,rifle ,or pistol down here in the sun on thursday then up in West Virginia or Pa. on saturday out in the woods with snow ,rain or a combo of both....is to clean it with BREAKFREE Winchester initially unless I need to clean the copper fouling out then I use a HOPPES product....but I start out with a pile of loose WalMart patches and use WINCHESTER BREAKFREE then BREAKFREE CLP then coat everything with MOBILE One synthetic motor oil.I put a lil dab of a special TEFLON grease used on racing bycycles on the pins and lockup points on the H&R shotguns. I use a lil dab of Loctite blue threadlocker on the screw in the handguard if I have removed it for takedown. I don't take it down real often unless I have fired them a lot.

[kf4ocv]

Yes that is an amateur callsign.   Look me up on QRZ.com

[jjas]

bigdave54

WalMart has this years model for about $20,but if you look around(Mine was on a lower shelf),they will have last years at about $5 cheaper and they all are the same...just a little bit different package colors.

Funny you should mention that.  My local Walmart had some of the exact slip on recoil pads (in both small and medium) for $10.00.  While I was there, the store announced that all closeout items in this particular section were 50% off!  I bought Limbsaver slip on recoil pads for $5.00 per.  Great deal and one I'm sure I'll never get again.

Jim

[PHATINJUN]

you only bought one for $5    Kurt

[jjas]

you only bought one for $5    Kurt

jjas

I bought Limbsaver slip on recoil pads for $5.00 per.  Great deal and one I'm sure I'll never get again.

They had three, I bought three.  Like I said, that was a great deal and one I'm sure I'll never get again.