Handi Handguns

[Farrier Matt]

Why no Handis in a pistol version, like a Contender? Just curious if anyone has ever tried this, or if their ia a reason why its not done? Seems a simple conversion, provided a FFL license of course, and would make a little more affordable version of TCs Contender and Encore.

[cwlongshot]

Frankly, It would require special, COSTLY licencing and that alone makes it prohibitive.

CW

[45-70.gov]

what  if a distributor  just sold  frames
if  he could get h&r to sell just the frame
that were never classified as  long gun  or hand gun
then  they can be made a handgun

like  a t/c  or an  AR  frame

also  just spend your $200...and you can have a shoulder stock
and what ever barrel length you want.....including  shot guns

[Farrier Matt]

Guess I just am curious as to how TCs can be changed from handgun to rifle platforms, but Handis cant. I see pistol grips for shotguns are made for handis, why not pistol barrels as well?

[Matt3357]

gun has to be 26.5" overall length if originally classified as a rifle.  That can be done with a pistol grip and a long barrel.  A pistol can be turned into a rifle (with at least a 16" barrel) and back again but a rifle cannot be turned into a pistol without dire consequences.  trotterlg did take a muzzleloader frame and make a rifle cartridge pistol out of it as a muzzleloader was never classified as either a rifle or a pistol.  It is a major liability but I think they would fly off the shelves if they did it right.  Get on it Remington.  I wonder if they already have the license since they are making that 1911 now. 

Matt

[cwlongshot]

Guess I just am curious as to how TCs can be changed from handgun to rifle platforms, but Handis cant. I see pistol grips for shotguns are made for handis, why not pistol barrels as well?

I'm not surprised, it is confusing.
 But T/C are sold and manufactured as both rifles and Pistols. It was a topic of MUCH conversation years ago. For a time T/C was required to print requirements of a rifle stock and a pistol barrel on the butt's. It basically boils down to the H&R are only LONG GUNS. As long guns are restricted under BATF regulations. A RIFLED barrel from a rifle needs to be at least 16". (Most all people hedge that to 16.5 for safety sake) From a smooth bore or shotgun that barrel length goes to 18". (Again most hedge that to 18.5") Then you have a minimum overall length requirement of 26" as well.

CW

[Farrier Matt]

Thanks for clearing that up Matt, I wasnt sure about the legalitys of it all. Seems it would make a very versatile weapon, even Handier. Maybe one day itll happen, who knows? Take care.
Matt

[cwlongshot]

Trotterlg did take a muzzleloader frame and make a rifle cartridge pistol out of it as a muzzleloader was never classified as either a rifle or a pistol. 
Matt

The difference there Matt is a muzzleloader is NOT classified as a firearm. It does not have the BATF regulations or need the BATF paperwork as a firearm does. That's how you are able to purchase them online thru online retailers like Gander and Cabelas.

CW

[Matt3357]

Trotterlg did take a muzzleloader frame and make a rifle cartridge pistol out of it as a muzzleloader was never classified as either a rifle or a pistol. 
Matt

The difference there Matt is a muzzleloader is NOT classified as a firearm. It does not have the BATF regulations or need the BATF paperwork as a firearm does. That's how you are able to purchase them online thru online retailers like Gander and Cabelas.

CW

Yeah, thats what I meant by saying that it was never classified as either a rifle or a pistol.  Prolly should have said it isn't classified as a firearm at all and by making it a centerfire pistol it is just as though it was made from raw materials and perfectly legal. 

Matt

[45-70.gov]

don't forget the  mare's leg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mare's_Leg

[Matt3357]

I have been looking at that mare's leg ever since Rossi came out with theirs.  I just keep trying to justify it.  What in the world would it be good for...

Matt

[HAMMERHEAD]

I remember seeing a picture of a Handi converted to a handgun in a gun rag years ago. The frame was bent down just behind the receiver, like the rolling block pistols.

Personally, I hope no one ever converts Handi's into pistol frames, so none of those pesky handgun/rifle legalities get attached to our Handi rifles.
Besides, there's barely enough of a market to support T/C in the single shot combo gun class.

I have been looking at that mare's leg ever since Rossi came out with theirs.  I just keep trying to justify it.  What in the world would it be good for...

Not big enough to be shot like a rifle, lousy ergonomics for a handgun.

[jlwilliams]

  I think it would be great if they made a Handi pistol.  They could make a receiver with a different rear end.  One that attached to a pistol grip.  It would be a nice long range pistol with a 10" or 12" barrel.

  I agree about the Mare's leg.  It looks like a 'want it' toy, but when I think about it in any detail the fact that it's a lousy hand gun and not a rifle makes it kind of pointless.  It would be really cool with a $200 tax stamp made into a sort of 'steam punk' SBR.  As it is it's just a toy.  A cool toy, but a toy none the less.  The same money would buy a respectable revolver in the same cartridge selection or a lever action carbine, again in the same cartridge selection.

[45-70.gov]

I have been looking at that mare's leg ever since Rossi came out with theirs.  I just keep trying to justify it.  What in the world would it be good for...

Matt

the reason  i got  mine
was to keep from wanting  one
yes it  is about my most useless gun
mine  is  44 mag....might just get  another in  357
so i can quit wanting  one in 357

[hillbill]

heck if yu want it and can afford it, get it. thats what i do.the mares leg would be good for nuttin. but if i had one i guess id prob shoot a deer with it.just to say i had done it.

[mechanic]

Someone, it might have been GB posted an ATF bulletin some months ago dealing with TC's.  It seems that if you convert a pistol to a rifle, it is technically illegal to change it back...but I may have forgotten what I though I knew..................

Not too long ago, a policeman in Ala. on duty and using a department weapon, shot someone.  It was an AR platform of some type.  While he was ok with dept. regs. the FED's cited him for using a "short barrel rifle".........

The law is what they want to make it at the time.  I'll just stick with my long guns.

Ben

[Matt3357]

As far as changing it back to a pistol...As long as it was sold as a pistol to begin with and you use a rifle barrel when it is a rifle, I believe you can change it back and forth as much as you want.  I do not know for sure but I don't know why in the world they would make them interchangeable if it was illegal to change them back?

Matt

[Curtis]

mechanic is right, here it is: http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,184325.0.html

The Contender guys are quite familiar with this absurdity.  Like many other gun laws, trying to apply logic will only get you in trouble.

Curtis

[coyotejoe]

I think that in our enthusiasm for this topic we are overlooking one point. Aside from legalities the handi frame is HUGE compared to a T/C and would make a very heavy and awkward pistol. Many years back H&R did build a .410 pistol but it was on a frame sized for the .410 shell, about half as wide as current  H&R frames. No doubt H&R or Rossi could tool up for a new frame and legally build pistols on it, could if they wanted to, as could Ruger, S&W, Remington or any other.

[Farrier Matt]

I only raised the question as I am interested in handgun hunting. I shot a couple squirrels with a single six last fall, and would like to try for a deer this year. It seemed to make sense to me that a pistol with a different barrels, maybe 22 and 44 mag, could be used for small and large game, and feel about the same when it was being used. I was curious as to wether a handi could be altered into a pistol platform, but that question has been answered, and I will now stick to my single action Rugers. Seems a shame to me that such a versatile platform as the Handi cant be fully taken advantage of, but I guess thats the country we live in.

[Curtis]

FM you sound like a good candidate for a Contender enthusiast!  I guarantee they are every bit as versitile and as addicting as a Handy.  I have four Contender frames, about 15 pistol barrels and two carbine barrels.  When the right deal comes along, I'll have more I can guarantee.  ADDICTING

[Antietamgw]

FM you sound like a good candidate for a Contender enthusiast!  I guarantee they are every bit as versitile and as addicting as a Handy.  I have four Contender frames, about 15 pistol barrels and two carbine barrels.  When the right deal comes along, I'll have more I can guarantee.  ADDICTING

Curtis,
Agreed on the Contender - I have a bunch of carbine barrels and two pistol barrels.... I was never that good in the field with the Contender in pistol setup. Adding the extra pound of steel and wood to make it a carbine worked better for me. Doesn't change the concept. These break open single shots are versatile and addictive.

[superdown]

Rossi has already done it with the wizard pistol. if they can do it along with freedom arms and T/C. H&R is just choosing to not make one.

[Farrier Matt]

First of those Ive seen. What do they run and what calibers are offerd?