Author Topic: Handi Custom Shop (Read 1180 times)

Donaldo · « **on:** February 09, 2005, 09:20:37 AM »

Wouldn't it be nice if NEF had a custom shop where there was a long list of calibers you could request. They wouldn't have to be a bunch of odd wad rounds but pretty much standard ones and some of the old ones. What would most of you guys pay above the standard cost of a barrel to get on chambered and fit at the factory. At least what a smith would charge to rechamber a barrel, and what would that be. $50-$75-$100. How many barrels could a good smith chamber in a day if he had all the tooling set up. Even if the factory only broke even think of all the good PR they would get. I am not a T/C fan but it seems like they have barrels chambered for just about anything you can think of. I think this has been discussed before, but ya think it would do any good to petetion the factory or maybe sales dept. Just a thought......... :?

handirifle · « **Reply #1 on:** February 09, 2005, 09:46:35 AM »

I MIGHT go $75-100 extra, just depended on the calibers available. I think a petition is a good idea.

I doubt they have the manpower to do it, they have a hard time keeping up with production guns.

cgturner7 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 09, 2005, 11:17:59 AM »

The factory would probably see an increase in sales if we could buy exactly the calibers we really wanted. I know I would buy two extra barrels if I could get a .257 Roberts and a 6.5x55.

Good Keen Man · « **Reply #3 on:** February 09, 2005, 09:22:59 PM »

I'd go $100 for a Stainless 7mm-08.

James B · « **Reply #4 on:** February 09, 2005, 11:01:26 PM »

NEF custom Shop??? That could get pretty spendy even without the divorce lawyer.

Lets see 30-40 krag,32-20, 44-40, 250-3000. Where would it end? :lol:

Markus · « **Reply #5 on:** February 10, 2005, 01:26:00 AM »

The problem with this idea is that corpearte entities pay their marketing firms or departments to tell them what to produce to make them the most money. As nice as a custom shop would be I can't see it happening. This is the largest group of people devoted to shooting and talkin about these guns I have found anywhere on the internet and the core group I would guess is less than 100. Most of that core group are knowledgeable hunters and shooters. My guess is that the majority of H&R/nef consumers are beginners looking for the cheapest thing so that's the market they are going to serve. When you look at T/C and the availability of barrels and custom shop stuff from them you can see how there market share is more high end experienced shooters. I can't see the average low end consumer walking in to walmart and asking for a .257 Roberts or a .218bee. Maybe I'm wrong but that's my take on it.

rbjaw · « **Reply #6 on:** February 10, 2005, 03:54:01 AM »

Love handi"s entire gun for less than a T/C barrel.

you go custom you go $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

1-2 MOA gets a deer every day

jaw

Donaldo · « **Reply #7 on:** February 10, 2005, 05:17:11 AM »

There's always some sourpusses to throw water on a good idea. :eek: I know, lets buy stock in the company and then but our own board of directors in site. Yeh, I know I have heard all the arguments about this, just thought it might be something new to talk about other than "help me pick out a new rifle" type thing.

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #8 on:** February 10, 2005, 07:46:27 AM »

It's a lawyer problem, not a gunsmithing or money problem. Custom shop would be too much hassle and too little profit for NEF. They could, however, sell unchambered barrels to an authorized smith. Legal timidity is the only reason they don't.

Starting with a fitted unchambered barrel, the actual chambering would be very fast. Certainly one an hour and 4-5 with the right tooling and fixtures. Exclusive of insurance, because I don't have a clue about that cost, overhead should be less than half of gross, leaving the rest for labor and profit. $150k should be enough to set up such an operation.

The demand would be greater than one might think because there are a lot of people out there with flaming itches for cartridges that just are not available. These people may not have a high regard for the Handi, but were it the only choice available, they'd take it. Two obvious examples are the .25-20 and the .32 H&R Mag. The .30-40 Krag would make the cut, too.

The initial reamer selection could be rapidly expanded by a standing offer to chamber a barrel for the cost of the reamer.

marv · « **Reply #9 on:** February 10, 2005, 08:44:09 AM »

Mac11700
You missed one that I want, 25-35,
I THINK iI want a 7- 30 Waters
Marv..

MSP Ret · « **Reply #10 on:** February 10, 2005, 09:20:00 AM »

, .35 Remington!!!!....<><.... :grin:

hellacatcher · « **Reply #11 on:** February 10, 2005, 09:44:06 AM »

Cut it out. I am drolling.

Markus · « **Reply #12 on:** February 10, 2005, 12:00:05 PM »

I didn't mean to be a sourpuss and I'd love to see H&R do a custom shop, but I have noticed that they are not at all responsive to the ideas and desires put forth on this forum and the old H&R talk. If I owned the company they would have a custom shop, but then again they probably wouldn't make as much money.

James B · « **Reply #13 on:** February 10, 2005, 12:44:50 PM »

I am no expert on economics so I don't know how a custom shop would affect their overall business. I am a Handi fan mostly because of their low cost. I quess I would be happy to see them just bring out some new calibers a little more often and would gladly pay a little extra if they would take care of some of the preventable problems that keep people sending them back for repairs. I was a constuction foreman for a better part of my life and my main point to my crew chiefs was to do the job right the first time. Redo's are expensive and do not promote further sales or business. They have a very good thing going and I would like to see them grow and flurish.

Varminter · « **Reply #14 on:** February 10, 2005, 02:25:51 PM »

Hell i'd give them an extra $100 a barrel for the following......

225 win.
6.8 mm SPC
6.5x55 Swede
338-06
264 win mag
7-30 waters
284 win
300 savage
250 savage
357 max
35 whelen
350 rem. mag
445 supermag
444 marlin
260 rem
30-40 krag
41 mag
41 GNR
410 GNR
454 casull
460 S&W

Donaldo · « **Reply #15 on:** February 10, 2005, 05:24:26 PM »

Thanks guys,
I knew you would come thru. I just wanted to see some discussion on what the possibilities of this might be. You just never know when one of the "factory guys" might be watching. However I am not holding my breath. Shorts in a wad, SHORTS IN A WAD!. Never.....I just wanted to get another line of gab going. Looks like I did. Keep it up guys. I know that we are just a small core of people that like the Handi's. I think we boil down to 2 types. Those that can't afford a high priced rifle or for whatever reason won't spend that much on a rifle and on the other hand those that just like to tinker on their guns. Now if you buy a high priced whiz bang boomermaker, are you going to start customizing it, or doing all them funny little things to the fore end, or garage trigger jobs or whatever. Nope, cause you only got $200 in this sucker and you will do what ever you want to it. If you goof it up, hey no big deal. Goof up one of them high dollar jobs and everybody is going to be laughing at you. Course they are already laughing at us for buying the darn thing to start with. HeHe. Little do they know what fun we are having. Keep it going you are doing good.

And by the way, have fun and laugh along the way. :wink:

PlushHunter · « **Reply #16 on:** February 11, 2005, 11:21:25 AM »

Id like to get a 26inch bull barrel in stainless steel 22-250 and 223 would be nice if they made wssm rounds also like 243 wssm NICE COYOTE Gun lol.... also a different forearm would be my suggestion i like the choate survivor stock