i my opinion, it comes down to the cost. why spend more money on a handi and all it's potential quirks when you could spend less money on a bolt action, that more than likely will shoot good right out of the box? if you could buy a shiloh sharps for $300 why would anybody buy a buffalo classic? i like the buffalo classic, but if i could get a sharps for less money, it's a no brainer. i feel the same way about a bolt action.
Hate to tell you this,but I can introduce to to about 5 or 6 guys that have had terrible luck with Stevens rifles. Would that cause me never to buy 1,of course not,I have my own reasons namely because I just don't like the way they feel and if I were going to buy a bolt gun it would most likely be a Model 700 or a Winchester model 70...but it goes to show you that there can be issues with any make of rifle.
You asked if I could buy a Sharps for $300 would I buy a Handi Rifle.Yes,if that was the going price for that ungainly overweight single shot 45-70 that the Sharps actually is because I can get a switch barrel platform that balances better,gives me a much wider range of calibers,is easier to work on and get parts easier and cheaper for in a Handi than I can for the Sharps.
This is what I choose and why. I like what I can do with a Handi and the ease I can do it. Are bolt guns more accurate..some are,but there isn't many that I can switch calibers on from a long action to a short action as easy..can you name any ?
There isn't 1 bolt action that will actually give you 100% accuracy guarantee out of the box..none will unless you spend a whole boat load of money on them. I've been shooting rifles for 50 years+ and I can tell you this is a fact. Do you stand a good chance on getting a tack driver with any bolt rifle..
NOPE..you will have the same Luck of the Draw as a person buying a Handi-Rifle. Out of the 30+ Handi's I have owned and shot so far...I have had 27 of them give sub-MOA groups. Of that I have had 10 give that right out of the box with factory ammunition.The other 17 I have either had to do hand load to get sub moa groups,or done some minor bedding jobs to achieve this. I've owed several I never fired and traded off or sold outright,so I can't speak on how accurate they were. So I would say IMHO..that is a pretty damn good track record.That doesn't mean I am turned off by bolt guns,no not at all..I love a good bolt gun,always have,but they don't feel as good to me as what my Handi rifle does for the cost.Same for all of the Ruger #1's and #3's I've owned in my life.All of them were built like a tank and could shoot really good,but several of them were just 1-1/2" grouping rifles at their best.My CVA Optima Elite were great rifles,but I don't own any of them anymore either..
See..I learned a long time ago what it takes to have a tack driving Handi,and since I like how they feel to me,I'll recommend them to to any one who wants a good dependable break action switch caliber rifle.
Spanky
If a person wants a dedicated rifle and isn't interested in changing calibers,by switching barrels,then I have no qualms about recommending many of the other fine rifles that is on the market.Same if a person is wanting a Magnum caliber..These Handi's can be just as accurate as many bolt guns in capable hands my friend..This isn't just bragging..but just the facts.BTW...
more for less is just a matter of perspective. Especially when one factors
all of the benefits(cost of ownership.ease of caliber changing,availability of parts,cost of parts total caliber choices) of a Handi against a Stevens..When done objectively,then the better value is still the Handi-Rifle.
I just get a little agitated when folks arbitrarily try to get folks to buy a different platform without actually helping the OP out. The price he quoted was high,but there are places that sell the rifle cheaper,and you know it.If you had followed the link to his first post,you could see what he wanted to use it for.Even then he was questioning the cost of these against a Stevens..so I think he either has never had one before or didn't really know of it's capabilities.Being a switch barrel appeals to some,but not others..that is for sure,but in the grand scheme of things, it does add to the cost,and is one of the best advantages going for it.
Mac
