Author Topic: NEF Combo (Versa Pack) info (Read 34109 times)

tallyho · « **on:** December 10, 2004, 03:02:17 PM »

Hi guys, some of you may recall that I asked some questions about the Versa Pack a couple of weeks ago... well I finally got it today. (I will whine about how long the transaction took later!)

I was asked to report some observations when I got it, so here goes:

First impressions: Versa Pack with the .22 barrel is a very nice looking little thing. Wood stock (straight, no pistol grip) and forend look good. It is a bit heavy with the .22 bbl on. I don't have a way to weigh anything, but it seems heavier than the NEF Youth Sportster... which of course has the lighter synth stock anyway.

The barrels fit each other's receivers (I like the look of the straight wood stock with the Sportster's barrel and scope!). With the Sportster barrel on however, the VP's firing pin hits right in the center of a .22 case - I tried it with a couple of fired cases just to see.

The hole of the .22 barrel is offset down in the breech (see pics) so the firing pin will work on both centerfire and rimfire barrels.

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/album_pic.php?pic_id=527
http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/album_pic.php?pic_id=528

The first one shows the offset from the breech end, and the second one shows how the .22 barrel seems to be pressed (?) into what appears to be a larger breech. This of course makes for an odd shaped barrel just in front of the breech, and look at this next pic
http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/album_pic.php?pic_id=528
and you will see how some of that is filled up with a plastic fitting that holds the rear sight.

Underneath the appearance doesn't matter so much because the forend hides it. By the way, both forends (Versa Pack or Sportster) fit each barrel. I didn't change the buttstocks because I couldn't be bothered right now, but I'm willing to bet they interchange too!

Just out of curiosity I tried a 30/30 barrel from a '60s model H&R Topper on the Versa Pack frame. It would not close and lock up. The .22 barrel from the VP went on the Topper frame, but there was a visible gap between the breech and the rear of the frame. Tomorrow will try a more modern NEF 30/30 barrel, but don't have one available at the moment.

The .410 barrel is just a simple barrel so I don't have much to say about that.

So that is what I have to say about the Versa Pack so far. Haven't shot it and likely won't for awhile. It probably won't end up living with me unless my son likes it better than his Sportster (and I lean towards him liking the Sportster more - he's a modern kid, likes the synthetic stock .. but we'll see!

But dang, it is a cute little thing. http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/album_pic.php?pic_id=528

Maybe I'll keep it for me, and find an adult stock for it, and sell my adult sportster.. I'll keep y'all posted. I still want to find out if a 20 ga NEF barrel will fit on it... I will definitely keep and adultize it if that works! :agree:

Cheers
Kerry :agree:

quickdtoo · « **Reply #1 on:** December 10, 2004, 03:24:23 PM »

Kerry, thanks for the report....I too looked at the 410/22 combo on Monday while looking for a .17Hmr Sportster, noticed the offset bore. It did seem much heavier than the sportster and this one had the synthetic stock.

marv · « **Reply #2 on:** December 10, 2004, 04:56:59 PM »

Tallyho, Is the 22 barrel drilled and tapped for scope mount???
Some people want to know!!!! :-D

:-D Tanks Marv.

tallyho · « **Reply #3 on:** December 10, 2004, 05:58:16 PM »

Yup, drilled and tapped for scope mount. And FYI microgroove rifling. and finish on both barrels is a matte blue. Frame is slightly smoother, but stilll matte bluing.

Cheers
Kerry

marv · « **Reply #4 on:** December 10, 2004, 06:22:50 PM »

Thanks Tallyho, Never found Versa pack in a gun store or
at a gun show Marv.

tallyho · « **Reply #5 on:** December 15, 2004, 12:22:59 PM »

Marv,
FYI there was a Versa Pack at the Albuquerque gunshow this past weekend, with a tag of $179.00. Somewhat high in my books, but that seems to be common at gunshows these days.

Cheers
Kerry[/code]

v8r · « **Reply #6 on:** December 15, 2004, 02:06:39 PM »

Is the riser and rear sight made from plastic or aluminium?Are the sights HI Viz?

tallyho · « **Reply #7 on:** December 15, 2004, 09:00:52 PM »

The rear sight feels like plastic. The vertical adjustment is a spring loaded elevation screw. The front sight is high viz and has a steel hood with an opening at the top to let the light in.

And FYI if the hammer is down, in the fired position, you cannot see the sights. Have to cock the hammer to see them. Wouldn't be a prob with a scope, but worth knowing with the open sights.

Cheers
Kerry

myarmor · « **Reply #8 on:** February 14, 2007, 09:17:59 AM »

I know it's been awhile sense this has been pulled up. But I thought it best to keep adding on to this as it's got some pretty good info already.
I am still looking for a straightforward answer:

Will a regular 12ga, 20ga, etc fit up to an Versa-Pack receiver?

I see no reason why it wouldn't as I think it is a regular SB-1 receiver, but I have been looking for a solid answer to this.
Can someone try it out please

-Aaron

quickdtoo · « **Reply #9 on:** February 14, 2007, 10:01:45 AM »

Seems to me Ironglow tried it and it fit fine. Makes ya wonder why H&R won't fit any other barrels to a Versa Pack frame.

Tim

3006bluffhunter · « **Reply #10 on:** February 14, 2007, 03:09:59 PM »

Well i thought about a versa pac but that rear iron sight plastic skid and off set bore just looks goofy! Cheap looking maybe thats it! Just my thoughts! Dale

myarmor · « **Reply #11 on:** February 14, 2007, 03:32:54 PM »

I agree the plastic on the sights look cheap, thought if I got one I wold definately do something about that.

Quote from: quickdtoo on February 14, 2007, 10:01:45 AM

Seems to me Ironglow tried it and it fit fine. Makes ya wonder why H&R won't fit any other barrels to a Versa Pack frame.

Tim

Hopefully he will chime in and see for sure. Thats all that keeps me from buying one, I almost went today to pick up one, but I had that in the back of my mind and it held me back.
Still weird how they won't fit any barrels to i these, I have no clue why not.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #12 on:** February 14, 2007, 03:51:45 PM »

Ironglow didn't try a shotgun barrel, but he did try some rifle barrels, my poor memory slipped again!!

Tim

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/smf/index.php/topic,99941.msg1098262234.html#msg1098262234

myarmor · « **Reply #13 on:** February 14, 2007, 07:11:50 PM »

Ahh, I missed this one.

My thanks to you Tim. Then I guess I have a green light to go pick one up with in the week. I have my plans for this package, and was needing to know if an extra shotgun barrel fitted...the 22 barrel is a nice extra and I will most likely keep that, but the 410 barrel will probably end up for trade as I am working on a 20 or 12ga project.
I will keep posted when it all goes down and to how they fit

By the way, do the Versa-Packs come with the carrying case?

jcb67 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 15, 2007, 01:34:08 AM »

I have a Versa Pack and my 20ga. barrel fits just fine, but I have not shot it with the 20 ga. barrel. My Versa Pack did not come with the carrying case. I did find 2 for a good price. My 22 barrel locks up good on one of my S2 frames. I am tempted to buy another and rechamber to 22 magnum.
Thanks,
John B.

MSP Ret · « **Reply #15 on:** February 15, 2007, 02:55:41 AM »

Great idea on the Versa Pack rechamberd to .22 Mag jcb67, I have thought about that myself but I want to just locate a Versa Pack offset .22 barrel to do it and they are difficult to find for a reasonable price, good luck and be sure to let us know if you do it and how it works out and hopefully someday I can find a barrel for myself....<><....

myarmor · « **Reply #16 on:** February 15, 2007, 04:45:19 AM »

Quote from: jcb67 on February 15, 2007, 01:34:08 AM

I have a Versa Pack and my 20ga. barrel fits just fine, but I have not shot it with the 20 ga. barrel. My Versa Pack did not come with the carrying case. I did find 2 for a good price. My 22 barrel locks up good on one of my S2 frames. I am tempted to buy another and rechamber to 22 magnum.
Thanks,
John B.

Thats good news to my ears, and what I wanted to hear. Thanks for the post.
And I agree with you and MSP, a 22Mag in a Versa-Pack would be very cool...and even a 17HMR or M2 for that matter.

MSP Ret · « **Reply #17 on:** February 15, 2007, 06:11:33 AM »

I was leaning towards the .22 Mag because there are not any out there and there are off center bored .22 LR barrels that can be rechambered to .22 Mag. H&R/NRF as of yet does not make a .17 barrel for the versa Pack, perhaps in the future. That does sound like a sweet combination....I see it as a .17 Mach2 (perhaps shooting .17 Aquila ammo with the 20 grain fragmenting bullets) and either a .410, .28, or .20 gauge, with screw in choke tubes, a straight english style stock of course, perhaps good iron sights on the .17 barrel instead of a compact scope, I am torn on that. The stock set could be a Buff Classic or TDC set in nice walnut or a set of laminates in your preferred choice of colors. This is sounding more and more like a project all the time, all I need now is for H&R/NEF to come out with a .17 caliber barrel offering in the Versa Pack. Oh the curse of being born handsome instead of rich....<><....

myarmor · « **Reply #18 on:** February 15, 2007, 06:17:27 AM »

I like the way you think. How about a Buffalo Classic Versa-Pack? That would be sweeeeet. Case colored receiver, a rimfire barrel with flip up sights, and a classic Shotgun barrel, all wrapped in a Nice Walnut BC stock.... Man that does sound good.

djw · « **Reply #19 on:** February 15, 2007, 06:20:47 AM »

Quote from: MSP Ret on February 15, 2007, 06:11:33 AM

H&R/NRF as of yet does not make a .17 barrel for the versa Pack, perhaps in the future.

RRArms does list a .223/.22LR/.17HMR combo (not in stock of course). If that is based on what they were able to order from NEF, maybe you'll have your wish.
Don

MSP Ret · « **Reply #20 on:** February 15, 2007, 06:51:33 AM »

There we go, get that new combo from RRArms, put a Buff Classic stock on it and add a 45/70 barrel, get an extra .22 barrels, leave one a .22 LR to shoot shorts and Colibris out of and rechamber one to .22 Mag for coyotes and vermin. This is getting to be doable!!!! Oh yes, I think I would like a superlight .17 Mach2 barrel, even a superlight with that small .17 hole would be thick for what it is....<><....

Spanky · « **Reply #21 on:** February 15, 2007, 07:34:08 AM »

I just picked up the .22 barrel from the Versa Pack and made up my own 3 barrel combo. On my SB2 frame I have the .22, 30-30, 12 gauge combo and on my SB1 frame I have the .22, .22 Hornet, .410 combo. I know the Hornet is a no-no for the SB1 but it shoots really well and I don't have any problems with it. Between the two combo's I can cover everything from bunnies to bears.

MSP Ret · « **Reply #22 on:** February 15, 2007, 08:02:19 AM »

That sounds great spanky9773, where did you get the Versa Pack .22 barrels and how much were they? I would love to get a couple myself as would others here. The .22 Hornet on a shotgun reciever is a no-no as you said but mine works fine also as do many,many more....<><....

Spanky · « **Reply #23 on:** February 15, 2007, 12:19:10 PM »

MSP, I got one barrel from E-bay (I know, I know) and I got the other from a buddy of mine who bought it for his son and the boy didn't like to shoot it. (liked the .410 better). I would like to get a couple more of them myself, just to have. The barrels look kind of odd with the offset bore but they shoot pretty good for me. At first I got them for more of a novelty item but the combo's have turned out to be quite Handi!! (pun intended!)

ironglow · « **Reply #24 on:** February 16, 2007, 12:24:48 AM »

Hi Gang;

I presently have an SB2 in .223 bull barrel (wood), a Sportster with all three barrels, a Versa pack .22LR/.410 and a mid 70s H&R Shikari .44 mag..
I did have 2 different H&R tracker 12 ga slug guns but gave last one to my #2 grandson when we finally got rifles allowed here for big game.

Of the ones I have right now, all barrels will interchange..but all won't fire, due to the rim/centerfire differences. Nor should they be fired in all combinations, due to the SB1/SB2 differences..

Back when I had H&R Tracker 12 gauges along with the Shikari I regularly used the barrels interchangeably, so I am quite well assured they will fit.

If I were to base on the SB2, I could use my .22 LR from the Versa-Pack, the .410 from same and any other shotgun/rifle barrels I wish to add, as I see it !

The Versa-pack is unique, in that it is the one rimfire that can go onto an SB2 ..and still work, due to the "offset" bore.

BTW: I really believe that the Versa-pack with it's micro groove barrel, has a very slight edge in accuracy over the regular rifled Sportster .22 LR....just my two pennies..

myarmor · « **Reply #25 on:** February 19, 2007, 07:18:38 AM »

ironglow , thank you very much for adding some confirmation to this question

Good info to a frequently asked question...

.....

quickdtoo · « **Reply #26 on:** February 19, 2007, 07:22:14 AM »

And to be a sticky!!!

Tim

jcb67 · « **Reply #27 on:** February 19, 2007, 04:48:05 PM »

I finally shot my 20 ga. barrel on my Versa Pack. The barrel fit just fine. The forearm didn't want to fit just right, but I shot it once. The recoil was a little more than the 410. I plan on buying another Versa Pack for the truck.
Thanks,
John B.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #28 on:** February 19, 2007, 04:51:55 PM »

Thanks for the report, John. Perhaps you could pickup an extra wood forend that you could modify to use with the 20ga barrel, then just paint it black.

The wood forend is a lot easier to make changes.

Tim

ironglow · « **Reply #29 on:** April 10, 2007, 10:30:11 PM »

Now if I can find a 20 ga smoothbore slug barrel..what a truck gun !

I wouldn't mind getting a 20 ga rifled barrel, but I would intend on using Foster slugs and I have heard both pro and cons about the Foster slugs in rifled barrels.
Can anyone tell me about such an arrangement from experience ? Accuracy ? Leading ?

I have had H&R slug guns (smoothbore)and they are more accurate than most all others.