Author Topic: Negative Handi rifle feedback (Read 4609 times)

gcrank1 · « **Reply #30 on:** December 30, 2012, 05:28:22 AM »

+ 1 that!
I'll add that if you are a Chevy guy, though you likely wont like a Dodge or Ford, or the other ways around; some guys/gals will recognize a lemon for what a lemon is and make lemonade, others will call all lemons bad and never try another one (and some poor souls just cant seem to get a break and every try is bad). All manufactured products have some with issues (cant help but remember the chap who asked,"yeah, but why is it always the ones I buy?") but I know some people who seem impossible to please, too.
I just know that the ones I have work pretty well and with a min. of work or issues

and I will buy another.

mannyrock · « **Reply #31 on:** December 30, 2012, 05:31:36 AM »

Again, guys, lets be honest. Any time you have a discussion board, whose topic is a particular model of rifle, and that discussion board has to begin with a lengthy FAQ telling you how to fix them so that they shoot straight when they are brand new, that tells you alot.

I view Handi-rifles as almost a rifle kit. Sure the major parts fit together, but lots of them are very poor shooters right out of the box, requiring lots of follow-up handwork and tinkering. As long as the buyer knows this in advance, its not a bad thing. But many buyers are unaware of this and end up very disappointed.

Mannyrock

gcrank1 · « **Reply #32 on:** December 30, 2012, 05:45:37 AM »

Honest, it's true, Ive never had to resort to most of the things in the FAQ to make any of mine work! Honest!

OldSchoolRanger · « **Reply #33 on:** December 30, 2012, 04:53:30 PM »

Maybe I'm just lucky, I never had a real issue with any of the H&R rifles/shotguns I purchased. Except for the VP barrel that I purchased off a member, which had a broken ejector. I sent it bad to the factory, and Brian took care of it. With CS like that, what's there to complain about?

tobster · « **Reply #34 on:** December 31, 2012, 03:53:18 AM »

I think this forum is one of the best things Handis have going for them.It provides information from shooters who have actually shot them and know from experience,not just experts on the keyboard. I think the fact that it is a single shot,plus the youth stock options, make this a great starter gun. Throw in all the different chamberings and variations and an experienced shooter can try out a lot of different calibers without spending a fortune.

jdl41389 · « **Reply #35 on:** December 31, 2012, 04:17:55 AM »

Like old school I have had nothing but luck with handis and have one of the ones that seem to be most problematic here on this forum the 243 I started all of my boys off with tis rifle and never had any issues with it .It has also been used by several friends for there kids first deer as well.I guess Iam just lucky with the little singleshots asIhave a243,2506,4570 and ahuntsman and none have ever given any problems.

JDL

Ol BW · « **Reply #36 on:** December 31, 2012, 04:20:25 AM »

Mannyrock,
You can go anywhere on the internet or library and find an article or book on any bolt rifle, AR-15, AK-47,lever action, or autoloader. In contrast, try and find any information on a single shot, much less a Handi. (Believe me I have looked.)

The FAQs and stickys are born out of convenience and lack of information anywhere else, not as compensation for an inferior product.

I have never had any problem with my Handi-rifles or break action shotguns. Anyone I know of that has one has ever had anything bad to say about how they shot. (That counts three .243's) I even know one guy that never "transitioned" into another rifle. He still uses the same .243 Handi he used as a kid.

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk 2

petemi · « **Reply #37 on:** December 31, 2012, 05:08:13 AM »

The latest Handi is here, together and shooting. A .223 Superlight. I believe it is Number 14. I sighted it in at 35 yards which should be about dead on at 200 with the load I'm using. It shoots one hole that you can barely tell three bullets went through. I think it's gonna be a shooter at 200. I'll know as soon as some of the snow gets out of the way

Of course, I may be too optimistic over this piece of junk

Pete

mannyrock · « **Reply #38 on:** December 31, 2012, 05:24:38 AM »

Ol BW,

You make some good points. My primary experience is that my brother once went through a Handi craze. He had a .30-06, and had a .45-70 barrel and a .357 barrel fitted to it.

With my help, he eventually got the .30-06 to shoot pretty well, so long as there was a long cooling time. But he could never get the other two barrels to shoot very well at all.

Eventually, he sold them to a gunshop just to get rid of them, at a very low price. (I think he only got $250 for the entire set.) I kinda wish that I had bought the frame plus the .357 barrel, because I could have turned it into a .35 Remington. I would love to have one in .35 Remington, with genuine walnut stocks and a schnaubel forestock.

Best, Mannyrock

ihookem · « **Reply #39 on:** December 31, 2012, 06:52:35 AM »

Ok, I've been on this sight before so ya might remember I have a .243 Superlight that won't shoot much better than 5" @ 50 yds. I have done the "O" ring thing, taken the forend off to see if it helps, tried 3 different bullets ( all 100gr) and several powder combos. I just don't think there is anything else I can do that's practical. Even got a trigger job done. Maybe it's a real bad barrel, I don't know. I can send it back but what will the do? Get a new barrel for another 160 bucks? It might work but then I have 285 for the gun, 60 for a trigger and another 160 for a new barrel = 505 bucks, for a gun that still might not shoot. I'd like the gun if it shot even 3" groups @ 100yds. It doesn't string up or down, just all over. Shoot one shot and the next is off 3" , then another 3" the other direction. Let it cool for an hour and it does not go back to the original shot. I want the gun for hunting deer way back in the woods. It would be perfect for that cause I hunt where it's very hard to get to and a 40 minute walk so the lighter the gun the less sweat. Should I send it back? What would Brian do? It's been 4 years so I'm sure warranty is done. If I buy another and it shoots,,, ok, I got a bad one. If the next doesn't shoot then I have 800 in 2 guns that still won't shoot.??
'

quickdtoo · « **Reply #40 on:** December 31, 2012, 06:58:24 AM »

Send it back, they'll replace the barrel or whatever is needed, if you ask they'll even cover return shipping costs, they do it all the time.

I have several Superlights including 243s as do many others, they all shoot good.

Tim

http://www.hr1871.com/support/repairs.asp

petemi · « **Reply #41 on:** December 31, 2012, 07:24:46 AM »

+1 on what Tim said. I had a .22-250 that was in the same boat. I sent it up to Brian56 and it came back with a new barrel and is a tack driver......I paid to send it, but that's all and I probably could have gotten a pre-paid mailing label if I had asked.

Pete

revbc · « **Reply #42 on:** December 31, 2012, 09:47:00 AM »

ihookem

Don't forget oil or barrel solvent on the latch and latch shelf. I have seen solvent cause the type of spread you are experiencing. Take some q-tips wipe it off with alcohol.

gcrank1 · « **Reply #43 on:** December 31, 2012, 10:01:32 AM »

Its worth talking to the 'factory' when you hit the wall on trying to get something to work and it just isnt doing it. Even at this late date you might get some resolution.
*edited as my orig. was tactless

*

ihookem · « **Reply #44 on:** December 31, 2012, 11:44:20 AM »

I will take a Q tip and clean it real good. And gcrank1, I have tried about everything. Cleaned the barrel, clean the oil, let the barrel be dirty, several loads, different scopes too. I may recheck the scope mounts too. The thing is my cousin has a Rossi in 7.62x39 and gets 2" @ 100 and is a sloppy piece of junk. Mine is very tight, closes very solid. The only thing I didn't try was a lighter bullet like 85 gr or so. I can tell ya Revbc, that 45-70 Gov. encore barrel ya sold me shoots very good. It is a bit on the light side though.

petemi · « **Reply #45 on:** December 31, 2012, 11:59:36 AM »

Bingo!! I think that's your problem. The Handi .223s I've had like the 52 gr. Hornady BTHP. I think you're pushing too heavy. The bullet weights you're using are what I use in the .243. I guess I should say the 85 gr. is what I use in the .243 and that drives tacks at 300 yards.

Pete

gcrank1 · « **Reply #46 on:** December 31, 2012, 12:09:09 PM »

My apologies(orig. edited), I was referring to the 'factory fix resolution' as I remember you had worked hard on your end of things. Did you take the scope rail off and start over for the whole scope mounting before? If so, just call for the return and get the shipping covered, you've done your part!

Stuart C. · « **Reply #47 on:** December 31, 2012, 02:28:52 PM »

Not to hijack, but

Are we fairly certain that the Ilion production is as good or better than the Gardner production, particularly the barrels/rifling? I haven't read much but maybe i've missed some input either way.

Is everyone happy with Ilion?

ihookem · « **Reply #48 on:** December 31, 2012, 04:59:00 PM »

Petemi, I read your post on your new .243 superlight and you were using lighter bullets. I asked cause I use 100 gr for deer. I could go and get some 85 gr for deer. Just seems light for deer. This got me thinking. I think it's 1:10 twist and thought it would be good for 100 gr. Oh well I will try lightr bullets. If that and remounting the scope rail doesn't do it I can call Brian56. Later.

petemi · « **Reply #49 on:** December 31, 2012, 09:40:02 PM »

ihookem, Take a look at jeepmann1948's post about his kids taking deer this past week with 45 gr. UMC HPs. Very impressive. I didn't use the .243 for deer this past season because I too thought the 85s were too light. After seeing George's post, I have to rethink that. Read the thread down to see the second one.

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,271254.0.html

Pete

ihookem · « **Reply #50 on:** January 01, 2013, 09:04:36 AM »

I will do that. Still seem funny 100 gr won't work. Any good hunting bullets out there in 85 gr.?? I have read all kinds of stuff on how the .223 with bullets from 52-69 gr are baging deer down like crazy. Some on another sight swear by them. I have seen pic of 300 lb hogs shot with .223 and 22-250 with several weight bullets. It looks like they were hit with a cannon. Some vitals , heart and lungs just demolished from these little bullets. As long as they hold together I don't think it matters. Some folks are reporting very deep penetration with these bullets too.

jeepmann1948 · « **Reply #51 on:** January 01, 2013, 09:15:54 AM »

The Sierra 85 gr HPBT is a fine hunting bullet (#1530) Very accurate and kills cleanly and instantly with good penetration. Do not let the hollow point fool you it was built as a hunting bullet.
George

ihookem · « **Reply #52 on:** January 01, 2013, 09:30:39 AM »

My only other concern is we have some really big deer up here. I am going to use it far a spot way back in the woods where I'm convinced some old bruisers are hiding in day time and coming out at night to eat off corn piles. I needs a small gun with good bullets. I'll look into the Sierra hpbt. Never would have thought of a hollow point for hunting.

Jimbo47 · « **Reply #53 on:** January 01, 2013, 10:22:54 AM »

I also agree on the 85 grain Sierra. I've used that bullet also and it does the job on deer.
Shot placement, and try to avoid major bones and you shouldn't have a problem!
Me personally, if I were going after big deer back in the woods, I'd be toting a 45-70 loaded with 400 grain jacketed soft points.

ihookem · « **Reply #54 on:** April 05, 2013, 11:36:42 AM »

Quote from: petemi on December 31, 2012, 11:59:36 AM

Bingo!! I think that's your problem. The Handi .223s I've had like the 52 gr. Hornady BTHP. I think you're pushing too heavy. The bullet weights you're using are what I use in the .243. I guess I should say the 85 gr. is what I use in the .243 and that drives tacks at 300 yards.

Pete

Well, Petemi, I went and got some 75 gr. Hornady bullets and went to the range. I put an old 30 yr old Redfield 2x7 lowpro on it. The scope moves around a bit and that is why I retired it from my deer rifle. I went to the range and put 5 bullets in about 2 1/2" @ 100 yds. This tells me if I put on a real scope it should cut the groups in half. It was most likely the bullets all this time. 100 grain bullets just don't work in tis gun. With some lighter huntign bullets like Speer deep curl 80gr bullets it is at least a usefull brush gun instead of a piece of junk living in the closet.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #55 on:** April 05, 2013, 12:49:51 PM »

All the posts so far tell the tale. We all have real shooters!

It has been said that true rifles are interesting but accurate rifles are truly interesting.

CW

v8r · « **Reply #56 on:** April 05, 2013, 03:16:16 PM »

teleman that one looks like it has some nice grain in the stock.

Couger · « **Reply #57 on:** April 05, 2013, 03:25:18 PM »

Quote from: Rustyinfla

Often it's hard to tell someone they can't shoot. But I really get the feeling most guns shoot better than the people holding them.

indeed!

as for Handi-haters, many simply LIKE being ignorant! or SNOBS.

oh well.

v8r · « **Reply #58 on:** April 05, 2013, 03:42:37 PM »

I have also had many nicer rifles in the past. I purchased a 1B sporter #1 in .223 years ago because I just love the way they look. I just couldnt get the thing to shoot. It was a very pricey rifle. I learned then that cost dosent necessarily make a gun shoot. I had a Handi rifle (before the SB1 and Sb2 designations) that would put 5 shots in such a tight group that it could be covered with a dime at the same time I owned the #1. Needless to say this was eye opening to me. I sold the #1, and kept the Handi until I purchased a UV in 223 with the bull Barrel. A good friend has my old original Handi now,but i am for sure a Handi Hoarder now.
I still would love to get a #1 again someday, but will not purchase a new one.Ill let someone else take the hit.

gcrank1 · « **Reply #59 on:** April 05, 2013, 04:45:31 PM »

Trouble with the used No.1's I see now is that they cost as much or more than the new ones did not long ago and are still a cat in a bag.