Author Topic: Never owned a Handi: What's the big deal? (Read 3417 times)

AtlLaw · « **Reply #30 on:** January 13, 2011, 03:08:50 AM »

Quote from: petemi on January 12, 2011, 02:25:55 PM

Yeah, I don't like Handis either....that's why I'm only gonna build two more.

YEH PETE!!!

Welcome to the club! We got this Handi thing beat!

Now, whenever you get the urge to get another Handi, call me! I'm there for you! But DO NOT! UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES! have any contact with Tim "The Pusher" Quickdtoo!

Oh, BTW, I just bought a new stock for my 223.

Gonna turn it into my dedicated coyote gun! Got more plans too! Like that 500! I tell ya I'm... $:-\$ Uh,

Oh crud!

Pete! Call me quick!

jeepmann1948 · « **Reply #31 on:** January 13, 2011, 03:13:10 AM »

Pete aint seein double , he is outright tell a fib! We all know he isn't going to quit

SlimPigguns · « **Reply #32 on:** January 13, 2011, 03:43:08 AM »

Out here in Oz, You can get a Savage bolt action rifle&scope package in any of the standard calibers for less than a Handi. But you can't get a.22H, 30/30, .357Mag, 35 Whelan, .44 mag, .444, .45lLC, 45/70 - all the interesting cartridges in budget bolt actions. That's why I like Handis. Pete

tcencore3006 · « **Reply #33 on:** January 13, 2011, 03:44:30 AM »

What do you guys consider to be a good price on a Handi? (now that you have me wanting to buy one)

gcrank1 · « **Reply #34 on:** January 13, 2011, 04:02:08 AM »

Here in southern WI anything $250 or less is a good buy in CF, $200/less in RF.

petemi · « **Reply #35 on:** January 13, 2011, 04:44:13 AM »

You can buy them for as low as 229 if ya shop it around. If you're serious about trying a Handi, buy a .357, rent the reamer and make it a Maximum. It's the most Handi and versatile rifle you can own.

I still have a problem with my eyes....my right eye sees a .444 and my left a .500. I gotta talk to the doc about that.
Seriously, at day 3 just about all of the fuzzys are gone, and I can see better than I have in a long while. If anyone here needs cataract surgery, don't be afraid of it. It's a piece of cake...about two hours from prep to recovery and absolutely no pain. They even gave me a great lunch afterward.

Quote from: AtlLaw on January 13, 2011, 03:08:50 AM

Quote from: petemi on January 12, 2011, 02:25:55 PM
Oh crud! Pete! Call me quick!

I can't help ya Richard, AtlLaw aint listed in the Atlanta book I can fly down and hold yer hand if needed......no, I'd better let Patty do that.

Quote from: SlimPigguns on January 13, 2011, 03:43:08 AM
Out here in Oz, You can get a Savage bolt action rifle&scope package in any of the standard calibers for less than a Handi. But you can't get a.22H, 30/30, .357Mag, 35 Whelan, .44 mag, .444, .45lLC, 45/70 - all the interesting cartridges in budget bolt actions. That's why I like Handis. Pete

I was browsing usedguns.com.au this morning, and thought the best value for Aussies there were the 94 Winchesters. Since they were discontinued, they sell for about the same price here in the States. I haven't a clue as to why Winchester discontinued such a fine old rifle model.

Pete

Jimbo47 · « **Reply #36 on:** January 13, 2011, 01:02:54 PM »

Handi's are probably the least expensive and best shooting slug guns around if you want to go that route.

A twelve or twenty gauge ultra slug hunter can't be beat for accuracy and looks when you add one of those laminated stocks.

They come in just about any flavor you want, and yes it all comes down to price, and the fact that you feel you are getting your monies worth and then some!

That said, you'll have little problem with the thought of taking a saw to a shot gun barrel and making a nice little shorty for the truck or a walk around gun! Try that with your $800 or 1K gun and not get sick to your stomach thinking about it!

blind ear · « **Reply #37 on:** January 13, 2011, 01:57:06 PM »

Well tcencore3006

As you can see, we are having just TOO MUCH FUN! That is the big deal. Be careful, it is truely addicting.

blind ear

bagdadjoe · « **Reply #38 on:** January 13, 2011, 02:53:36 PM »

Handis don't have status....HAH! Even better, they have anti-status!!!! On another forum where "accuracy" is the word..hint, hint, a fellow told me he had spent a "lot" of money on two Ruger 10-77's (whatever they are..the little bolt gun) in .22 Hornet and he couldn't get them to shoot as good as the target I posted. I didn't want to hurt him too bad, but the target I posted was just a thrown together combo that came from the load manual with no special sizing, trimming, case sorting...no load developement... All I did to the gun was polish the barrel, like I was told and put a little rubber washer in the forearm, just like I was told (mind good, don't I?

) I sold the gun awhile back, by mistake, I'm getting it back tomorrow. I'm going to see how much accuracy I can wring out of it with a little effort.
I've had a bunch of Contenders, love 'em, but as you said...for the price of a barrel, I can get a gun. I'm already planning my next one.....or two.

rdlange · « **Reply #39 on:** January 13, 2011, 03:05:50 PM »

OK, I'm a lefty, and new at Handis but... got 4 already... made one into a 20ga shorty for my daughter (purple stock), there's a 20ga youth with lam stock in my wife's dressing closet; cost $75 @, a .243 youth I got for $185 local (still had the tags on it) and a 30-30AI barrel/action off this forum, I'm working up as my go to 'stalking' rifle.

As a lefty my bolt choices are limited and autos are out, so it's lever guns or single shot. Have a 336 in 35Rem for Hogzillas, but single shots seem sophisticated. (OK, I'm a redneck gun snob). Anyway, do a web search comparing Rugers to NEF and you'll fine Handis equally accurate, easier to fix and WAY cheaper. JMHO

Be Well...

tcencore3006 · « **Reply #40 on:** January 13, 2011, 04:43:42 PM »

Correct me if I am wrong, but did I open up a can of worms here?

PigBoy Crabshaw · « **Reply #41 on:** January 13, 2011, 08:22:11 PM »

Quote from: tcencore3006 on January 13, 2011, 04:43:42 PM

Correct me if I am wrong, but did I open up a can of worms here?

Nope

not with this crowd! Like Petemi said get A 357 and ream it to Max. It's the most fun you can have with your clothes on.
Or was that a Handi in 30-30 or 45-70 or 22Hornet....You'll get the picture after you have one. I bought a 308 last year and it's had several offspring already.
Check out Bud's online. -gary

quickdtoo · « **Reply #42 on:** January 13, 2011, 08:29:37 PM »

No cans opened, we LIKE our Handis and anyone that likes em, keep at it and you'll have a whole room full of em before you know it!

Tim

tcencore3006 · « **Reply #43 on:** January 14, 2011, 01:55:06 AM »

Tim are those all Handi's? Wow, quite the collection

av-doctor · « **Reply #44 on:** January 14, 2011, 04:06:17 AM »

yeah, Tim's a handi breeder, but on a serious note he's the go to guy here.

as far as whats the big deal, where else in the firearms industry can you get a rifle (that looks and feels like something your great grandpappy might have used) for the kind of money were talking here. thats not to mention just as customizable as anything that has an ar in its name,can start the day as a classic like a bc in 45/70 come in for lunch and leave as a modern synthetic stocked hunting tool in 30-06,270,308,etc,and finish the day as a coyote stopping machine with its heavy barrel and laminate stock in 223,204,22-250.all this is possible with a call and a trip to the post office.sure its not as convenient as a tc, I admit it you have to be a real mans man to buy a handi (sort of like that guy in high school that drove his moms pink chevette) you need to be able to spend countless hours playing with them,feeding them their favorite handload(no factory just won't do, not for my baby)massaging it,oops sorry got me thinking about the old lady! back on track here people will turn their noses up at you for allowing one in your house because THEY ARE CHEAP GUNS and can no way compare to that new super whiz bang magnum they just dropped a months salary on,but you can have the last laugh knowing that cheap rifle that you built yourself will shoot as good or better.

P.S. you'll gladly prove it anytime they challenge.
are you getting the point yet because i could go on. prepare your excuses now the woman in your life will ask why you need another.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #45 on:** January 14, 2011, 05:14:30 AM »

Quote from: tcencore3006 on January 14, 2011, 01:55:06 AM

Tim are those all Handi's? Wow, quite the collection

Yes they're all H&Rs, 4 shotguns, 3 rimfires, the rest centerfires, I'll pick up number 48 next week.

Just want to warn ya that the addiction can get quite serious, ya can't just eat....er....have just one! $:-\$

Thanks,

Tim

tcencore3006 · « **Reply #46 on:** January 14, 2011, 10:45:53 AM »

AV,
She actually asked me last week why I had so many guns. My response: "two of them are my brothers." I followed up with I don't have that many and they all have a purpose. I must admit the first line was lame

blind ear · « **Reply #47 on:** January 14, 2011, 04:24:32 PM »

tcencore3006

You were already done, we just didn't know it. No one here will try to talk you out of it. (Unless they can talk you out of your guns in the process

) ear

rsl · « **Reply #48 on:** January 14, 2011, 04:51:35 PM »

Fun, light weight, choice of calibers.. inexpensive.. Deadly accurate..

AtlLaw · « **Reply #49 on:** January 14, 2011, 05:24:46 PM »

Aside from the fact that I have found it to be a very serviceable, and fun, cartridge platform, The fact that you can play with virtually any cartridge you want to has been the clincher for me. It's what I like to do!

Right now I have 2 Handi's chambered in cartridges I've always wanted to try, 25-06 and 280, that I haven't even shot yet! 'course, I have others I haven't shot also,

but that's not the point!

If it weren't for Handi's I would never have a 45-120, or a 38-55, or a 7x57, or be dreaming of a 9.3x74R! Well, not without winning the lottery anyway.

You can leave them as is or dress them up any way you want! What you can do with Handi's is limited only by your imagination. And one look at the classifieds will tell you you'll never be stuck with a rifle you can't sell!

av-doctor · « **Reply #50 on:** January 15, 2011, 03:18:09 AM »

TC, i've used the same line.i have 3 gun lockers full of other peoples guns.

tcencore3006 · « **Reply #51 on:** January 15, 2011, 04:40:51 AM »

AV,
If I keep listening to all of you, I "fear" I might end up with a locker full of Handi's. I'll be honest it doesn't take a whole lot to convince me to go gun shopping. So 50 comments later to say I am interested is an understatement.

gcrank1 · « **Reply #52 on:** January 15, 2011, 05:18:11 AM »

Just do it, you know you have to........
Now, which caliber(s) is calling your name?

tcencore3006 · « **Reply #53 on:** January 15, 2011, 07:04:03 AM »

Gcrank,
A .243 is calling my name. I have looked at many different options. I thought about getting one for my encore but this time of year I really do not want to take my 22-250 barrel off of it. So I am starting to think maybe I should buy an entire gun. It will cost me less than a new barrel for my encore anyway. I also would love to get some more big bore guns. I have 45-70 and love it. I love the caliber selection that H&R offers.
Geez, you say I know I have to. Reminds me of Jr. High

Yeah, your probably right too!

blind ear · « **Reply #54 on:** January 15, 2011, 07:47:21 AM »

+1 TC,

ear

OldSchoolRanger · « **Reply #55 on:** January 27, 2011, 06:01:46 PM »

If the fifty plus replies aren't enough, here's one more reason to buy a Handi-Rifle.
Handi's are one rifle you don't have to baby in the woods.
Whenever I take out my Rem 700 Mountain Rifle in 7x57 Mauser, which has gorgeous wood, I try darn hard not to ding it up. My hunting partner laughs at me, but I won't take it out hunting when it's raining. He carries a Ruger M77 stainless with a synthetic stock. I love the Rem 700 in 7x57, but the Handi is the way to go when you don't want to worry about the gun. It just performs.

Sourdough · « **Reply #56 on:** January 27, 2011, 07:20:05 PM »

tcencore3006: Ha, I am a TC man myself. I have two Contenders, one Encore(I hate to say), and two TCRs. I love my contenders and the TCRs. I have many many barrels for each. I used to carry a TCR as a spare gun for Moose camp. I would put the shotgun barrel on it and put it in a rack in the track rig. We used it to shoot grouse on the way in to camp. When someone broke, lost, or forgot his gun. Or they lost or forgot their shells, I would put the 30-06 or .35 Whelen barrel on it and they could at least go out and get a Moose. One year a fellow got a little rough with my TCR, so I decided I needed something else to carry as a spare gun.

I was in Wal-Mart and saw a Handi. I checked into them and found out I could order a 30-06, so I did. When it came in I sent it back for a 20ga and a .223 barrel. I started taking it out shooting and found out I liked the way it shot. I carried it all spring and summer. By the time winter came along, it was the gun I was carrying all the time. That fall I found out I could hit animals out at longer distances than some of my other 30-06s.

Today the Handi 30-06 is my goto gun. I always have it with me. I may take another gun to use as my main gun for that trip, but the handi is always along as a backup. The Caribou in my avitar was taken with the Handi 30-06, at 250 yards.

michstew · « **Reply #57 on:** January 27, 2011, 07:44:45 PM »

My ol' Handi .223 bull barrel, cheap scope combo would shoot like a laser beam. Would outshoot my friends Weatherby, German scope mega buck combo, every time!! Best weapon made for the price. michstew

cwlongshot · « **Reply #58 on:** January 28, 2011, 02:25:09 AM »

Quote from: manatee1947 on January 11, 2011, 01:58:36 PM

Buy one. Play with it. Very shortly you will either understand, or explanations will not help. They are like having always bought cakes at the bakery and then suddenly discovering that 89 cents on sale for a Betty Crocker cake mix and 45 minutes wait will give you a really good cake, not as fancy, or as perfectly decorated, but darned good.

I have to say, IMHO this is the best analogy as to why buy a "Handi" I have ever read!!

CW

petemi · « **Reply #59 on:** January 28, 2011, 04:07:42 AM »

Price is certainly an advantage, but really has no bearing in my mind. I like the handling, simplicity and accuracy of the Handi single shot. When I was a kid, (quite a few weeks ago), I thought lever guns and semi-autos were the way to sling lead around the woods. I now take just one carefully aimed shot,,,,,or none at all......and if I choose the shot, put the game in the freezer.

I had a long conversation with my citified sister over in Nu Joisey this morning. She was all upset about the Tucson shootings. Didn't know why anyone needed semi-autos and 30 round magazines. Frankly, I don't either, but I'll defend your right to own them to my last breath. She went on about people just being able to walk into Wal-Mart and buy ammo......she was somewhat taken back when I told her I didn't have to do that.....I made my own. My sister and brother-in-law have never owned a gun or had one in their house. They are ignorant of the facts and are our greatest threat. If one person was carrying in Tucson, the mayhem would have been over instantly.

Sorry for the rant,

Pete