Author Topic: Any Handi users that aren't tinker-ers? (Read 1389 times)

buckslayer · « **on:** February 09, 2011, 12:46:38 PM »

I love my NEF and H&R's and much as anyone, but I've never really gotten into the tinkering thing. I get one, pop an o ring under the forend, shoot it till I find something that works, and thats it. They may need a thing or two done to get rid of possible quirks, but I've never been the kind to tinker with em just for fun. I like one barrel per frame, so that eliminates home brew fitting for me.
They are a super simple, usually more accurate-than-me hunting tool, and I leave it at that.
Anyone else like that or are all of you chronic tinker-ers?

Spanky · « **Reply #1 on:** February 09, 2011, 12:50:00 PM »

Chronic tinkerer here.

Spanky

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #2 on:** February 09, 2011, 12:58:40 PM »

I'm one of them fella's that can measure somethin' 3 times and still cut it wrong. Cheaper for me to just pay someone to fix it than buy new parts and then pay someone to fix my mess.

$:-\$ I did manage to ream a 357 mag to 357 max without screwing it up.

Kinda one of them lifetime highlights for me.

DP

spikehorn · « **Reply #3 on:** February 09, 2011, 01:03:51 PM »

I'm not a chronic tinkerer I do the jb bore paste thing on new ones, I switch out stocks and refinish stocks. I have only fit 1 barrel. I've gotten lucky and had a couple lock right up. I have never done a trigger job, and they all shoot to my satisfaction.

trotterlg · « **Reply #4 on:** February 09, 2011, 01:09:11 PM »

I would say that 99.99% of all Handi owners barely know which end the bullet comes out. I think that most are purchased by someone who is going hunting for the first time and just needs a gun to do it with. Larry

bigbird09 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 09, 2011, 01:11:40 PM »

Quote from: trotterlg on February 09, 2011, 01:09:11 PM

I would say that 99.99% of all Handi owners barely know which end the bullet comes out. I think that most are purchased by someone who is going hunting for the first time and just needs a gun to do it with. Larry

It comes out the lock thingy, right?

Anyways, I like to tinker quite a bit, usaully just don't have the time or the $$ to do the tinkering that I want to do.

spruce · « **Reply #6 on:** February 09, 2011, 01:14:38 PM »

I usually limit my "tinkering" to mounting scopes, slings, an occasional stock refinish, etc.

I view them as a simple, effective hunting tool that most anyone can afford.

Slowhanddd · « **Reply #7 on:** February 09, 2011, 01:34:01 PM »

If they ain't broke,I tinker with them till they are.I'm that way with any thing though.Major tinkerituser.Just finished up cutting a handi stock to a straight grip.First coat of stain on it too.Great after snow day project.Now what to tear up,I mean tinker with tomorrow?Slow

carbineman · « **Reply #8 on:** February 09, 2011, 01:34:34 PM »

I have always tinkered with scope mounting, some stock changing along with different bedding procedures, a few barrels fitted, and one trigger job I struggled thru, but did manage.

I would rather hunt, shoot and reload. To that extent my last purchase was a CVA Scout Stainless. This rifle was flawless out of the box. Don't know if they are all that way though. I haven't done a thing to it except handload for it and it is my most accurate single shot. Strongly considering another.

I do love my NEF's/H&R's especially the Topper rifles, as they work well for a lefty.

cnctech · « **Reply #9 on:** February 09, 2011, 02:46:01 PM »

My 2006 made NEF 30/06 was perfect out of the box. Locks up tight, crisp trigger, nice groups with 180's. No need to tinker here!

Flynmoose · « **Reply #10 on:** February 09, 2011, 03:57:43 PM »

I did the o-ring thing and play musical scopes once in a while.
FM

Sourdough · « **Reply #11 on:** February 09, 2011, 09:59:29 PM »

I do the O-ring thing and change scopes. Then I shoot them, period.

mikejmarine · « **Reply #12 on:** February 10, 2011, 01:28:10 AM »

I only own one, and had to send her back for repairs…. But If I still had her I would have moded the snot out that thing by now. I’ve got big plans for her when she comes back from Remington.

petemi · « **Reply #13 on:** February 10, 2011, 01:53:04 AM »

I had to shim a pivot on a .357 one time, but then I got a couple more frames and swapped barrels around, and nothing is tinkered. End of shim. I hope my luck holds out since a new .500 barrel should arrive today.

Pete

cwlongshot · « **Reply #14 on:** February 10, 2011, 02:02:59 AM »

Quote from: trotterlg on February 09, 2011, 01:09:11 PM

I would say that 99.99% of all Handi owners barely know which end the bullet comes out. I think that most are purchased by someone who is going hunting for the first time and just needs a gun to do it with. Larry

I gotta say Larry your numbers must be off, cause if they are right... That one thenth of one percent is represented here the corresponding numbers on the other side must be beyond our national debt!!!!

BTW in case you haven't surmised, I'm part of that one tenth on one percent! Now if that's a good or bad thing needs to be clarified.

CW

45-70.gov · « **Reply #15 on:** February 10, 2011, 02:05:07 AM »

swap scopes....got to have a sling

paid to get a 45-70 chopped to 16 inches and sight re-installed

if i have another chopped....it will be scoped

i do like the shorties.....12ga will be next....probly do it myself

got a 20 ga barrel that doesn't seem to fit any frame i have...got it for $10

gcrank1 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 10, 2011, 04:08:30 AM »

I generally subscribe to the school of,"If aint broke dont mess with it". For a heavy trigger I tend to use it with the thought that 'when and if' I get into the innerds I'll adress it; they all have become better over time.
I dont consider the stock swapping, scope/sight changing, etc. as 'tinkering', that term is reserved for mechanical and accuracy work. Mine work pretty well for offhand shooting as is.
The thing I like is that they are 'tinkerable' and easy to change character on. What other CF or RF gun , if you want a 'custom look', can you change so cheaply and easily.
So, even though I am a tinkerer, and they can be tinkered upon, I dont really tinker them.
Now, as for reloading.........

336SC · « **Reply #17 on:** February 10, 2011, 05:55:04 AM »

Bought mine in 7mm-08 and left it as is. I don't tinker much either. In fact, the wife calls 911 everytime I pick up
a power tool. Local emergency rooms all know me by my first name. Real nice folks too. Only thing I wish I would have done is bought it in the Youth model with the shorter length of pull. When I get all my cold weather hunting stuff on, it's just a tad longish. I'm new here so don't bash me for asking, but what is the "O ring" thing I see mentioned here?
336SC

yukondog · « **Reply #18 on:** February 10, 2011, 06:11:35 AM »

Like slow handdd said tiker till is broke, fix it and start on another one. If it aint broke, I can brake it.

petemi · « **Reply #19 on:** February 10, 2011, 06:13:26 AM »

Nobody here will bash you for anything. Welcome. The "O" ring goes over the forearm mounting stud to float it away from the barrel and improve accuracy by eliminating contact with barrel and forend. It works.

Glad to have you here.

Pete

quickdtoo · « **Reply #20 on:** February 10, 2011, 06:40:53 AM »

Quote from: 336SC on February 10, 2011, 05:55:04 AM

Bought mine in 7mm-08 and left it as is. Only thing I wish I would have done is bought it in the Youth model with the shorter length of pull. When I get all my cold weather hunting stuff on, it's just a tad longish.

Don't let that bother you, all H&R single shot stocks are interchangeable, trade your stock for a youth stock in the H&R WTT classified forum, or buy one to swap when you need the shorter stock, no power tools required!

Everything you need to know can be found in the FAQs sticky including the O-ring info, lots in there you should know that you don't know you need to know too!!

Tim

336SC · « **Reply #21 on:** February 10, 2011, 06:53:37 AM »

Guys,
Thanks for the wecome and the quick response!! I have some small o-rings lying about and I'll have to give it a
try. My 7mm-08 is certainly accurate enough for deer hunting, but nothing to write home about. The o-ring trick
might help! I'll see what I can do about buying a Youth model butt stock for it. I'm short and stout (that's fat said nicely) so shorter rifles always fit me better. My Win Mod 70 Classic Compact in .308 Win and my Rem Mod
7SS in 7mm-08 both fit me great. I have a Ruger 77 MKII in 7x57 that I put a Boyd's laminated stock on. I had
it cut real short but with my hunting clothing on it fits superb. You guys have already made me feel at home here
and I want to say Thanks!!
336SC

Ranger J · « **Reply #22 on:** February 10, 2011, 08:56:23 AM »

I really expect things I pay for to work right the first time. I always seem to have pieces loft over when I tinker. I have had 6 barrels on my Handi and have only kept the 'new 44' and the 45/70. I can slip an O ring on and mount a scope and such but I really expect the gun to work as advertised when I get it.

RJ

gcrank1 · « **Reply #23 on:** February 10, 2011, 11:11:55 AM »

Yep, 'implied warrantee' means that an item built for a specific use is supposed to actually do it out of the box. Reality check is that not everything made by man does. On a forum such as this one can get the impression that they mostly all need tweaking, but that isnt so. But if you want to mess about with one it wont break the bank, unlike most everything else I have messed with.

DaGris · « **Reply #24 on:** February 10, 2011, 03:33:37 PM »

I've owned several, and have a couple right now...just scope them and shoot them....no need to mess with them. They can shoot fine just the way they are. The only thing I've ever done is change stocks on my .243

Jimbo47 · « **Reply #25 on:** February 10, 2011, 03:57:22 PM »

I frequent other hunting forums and people ask about the Handi Rifles, and most of the replies are always favorable but usually you'll get one guy every now and then that causes me to cringe when I read their statement like......"I used to own a Handi Rifle that was a piece of junk, and sold it because it wouldn't group and would pop open so I got rid of it as fast as I could!"

Probably finding this forum and asking a few questions, and a little bit of tinkering 101 he might have had a really good shooter, or as a last resort, maybe a new barrel had he called H&R customer service.

Tinkering is a good thing, and if you don't want to tinker at all, then you really don't want to put less than $800 down on the counter when buying a new gun!

rdlange · « **Reply #26 on:** February 10, 2011, 04:35:53 PM »

I got into Handi rifles specifically because I could play with them. I do the same with Crosman airguns. Lots of ways to customize them. Personalizing my stuff is just something I do. I may not have alot, but what I do have is unique, even if it takes me awhile to get it that way. The journey is at least half the fun. Handi rifles are great.

Be Well...

Kiwi Hunter · « **Reply #27 on:** February 10, 2011, 08:32:49 PM »

I first brought a handi about 15 years ago as a back up for a bolt gun but soon found it became a favorite so sold the bolt. I'm pretty average when it comes to engineering and only once have I needed a gunsmith to repair a slipped transfer bar ,so got the trigger lightened at the same time.Heres the thing I just recently brought my son a preloved .243 handi and before we had even shot it, the transferbar slipped out . Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

. Rang around the gun shops Downunder here in New Zealand and yep, new importing agent and guess what no spare parts or back up service more grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

.So I guess I am about to become a tinker

, and without this site and all the imput you fellars store in the FAQ'S I'd be deep in da cactus. I have often felt that I should contribute more in posting on here, but put usually don't because, I really can't help the threads in a positive way ,so instead just enjoy reading and learning new stuff about my favorite shootin Iron . Thanks Folks For all the effort ! from a handiholic whos addition is gettin worst

gcrank1 · « **Reply #28 on:** February 11, 2011, 03:13:59 AM »

I really enjoy hearing from our 'lost brothers' down under! Tell us some tales, at least

.
Once you get into the inner workings you will find that they arent all that bad.