H&R Handy Rifle comversion

Pahoo · March 30, 2022, 11:48 AM

I have an H&R single-shot shotgun and the frame is simular to the Handy Rifle. Can one buy a H&R rifle barrel and use it, on a shotgun frame. I am "Long-in-the tooth" and it seems that I should have resoved this question, a long time ago ..

Be Safe !!!

cosh · March 30, 2022, 11:55 AM

Basic understanding is that the NEF/H&R shotgun frame is not strong enough for a rifle barrel. The metal and design of the shotgun frame lacks support for the higher thrust pressure from a rifle cartridge.

Possible to use one of the rimfire rifle barrels though that is a different animal too with the chamber off center. That might also work on a shotgun frame, they might have sold combos that way.

Pahoo · March 30, 2022, 12:08 PM

Thank you, for I had a .223 barrel, in mind, ......

Thanks and;
Be Safe !!!

Clemson · March 30, 2022, 12:45 PM

cosh is correct. Generally speaking, a shotgun barrel on a rifle receiver is OK, but you should not use a rifle barrel on a shotgun receiver.

thegatman · March 30, 2022, 03:37 PM

Go to the graybeard site. They have lots of info on Handi-rifles. https://www.go2gbo.com/forums/

FrankenMauser · March 31, 2022, 12:20 PM

It depends on the age and type of frame, Pahoo.

Some can handle it, some cannot.
And 10 ga is only 10 ga. Nothing else fits the 10 ga frames.

Pahoo · March 31, 2022, 02:38 PM

Quote:

It depends on the age and type of frame, Pahoo.

Mine is fairly current and is a 12GA. Would it be a good idea to contact the factory and get their input? At this time, i don't even know if one might be available. .....

Thanks and;
Be Safe !!!

FrankenMauser · March 31, 2022, 08:32 PM

Unfortunately, that cannot be done.
H&R stopped supporting the single-shots about 6 years ago, and went to only importing Turkish shotguns.
Then they died a horrible death in the Remington bankruptcy. The brand is now owned by the umbrella company for Palmetto State Armory, and cannot and will not repair or service rifles built by Remington or H&R 1871.

If yours left the factory as a shotgun, it is probably an SB1 and not suitable for rifle cartridges.

stinkeypete · April 1, 2022, 11:35 AM

Any centerfire cartridge that has the same or less momentum as the shotgun shell should be fine. .223 is not much kick compared to a 12 gauge and doesn’t have the power to bend steel because we call it “rifle.”

If you can find one on EBay, and it fits, I see no problem other than a nice bolt action will shoot rings around it.

jaguarxk120 · April 1, 2022, 08:03 PM

It all depends on the construction of the frame, the later guns had frames made of steel.
Shotguns had frames made from cast iron.
One other very big thing is the firing pin, shotguns have large diameter pins and rifles have small diameter pins. The 223 cartridge generates higher pressures than the
shotgun shells and will blow the primer back into the firing pin and action.

The cast iron receivers did have rifle barrels fitted, but they have a small diameter firing pin and the calibers did not generate high pressures, like the 30-30.

March 30, 2022, 11:48 AM	#1
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	H&R Handy Rifle comversion I have an H&R single-shot shotgun and the frame is simular to the Handy Rifle. Can one buy a H&R rifle barrel and use it, on a shotgun frame. I am "Long-in-the tooth" and it seems that I should have resoved this question, a long time ago .. Be Safe !!! __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing.

March 30, 2022, 12:08 PM	#3
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	cosh, Thanks ..... IRO Thank you, for I had a .223 barrel, in mind, ...... Thanks and; Be Safe !!! __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing.

March 30, 2022, 12:45 PM	#4
Clemson Senior Member Join Date: March 9, 2001 Location: Greenwood, SC Posts: 880	cosh is correct. Generally speaking, a shotgun barrel on a rifle receiver is OK, but you should not use a rifle barrel on a shotgun receiver. __________________ NRA Endowment Member, NRA Certified Instructor CWP Holder US Army veteran Gunsmith www.boltandbarrel.com

March 31, 2022, 12:20 PM	#6
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 26, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,770	It depends on the age and type of frame, Pahoo. Some can handle it, some cannot. And 10 ga is only 10 ga. Nothing else fits the 10 ga frames. __________________ -Unwilling Range Officer -Unwilling Match Designer -NRL22/PRS22/PRO -Something about broccoli and carrots

March 31, 2022, 08:32 PM	#8
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 26, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,770	Unfortunately, that cannot be done. H&R stopped supporting the single-shots about 6 years ago, and went to only importing Turkish shotguns. Then they died a horrible death in the Remington bankruptcy. The brand is now owned by the umbrella company for Palmetto State Armory, and cannot and will not repair or service rifles built by Remington or H&R 1871. If yours left the factory as a shotgun, it is probably an SB1 and not suitable for rifle cartridges. __________________ -Unwilling Range Officer -Unwilling Match Designer -NRL22/PRS22/PRO -Something about broccoli and carrots

March 30, 2022, 11:55 AM	#2
cosh Member Join Date: August 14, 2013 Posts: 39	Basic understanding is that the NEF/H&R shotgun frame is not strong enough for a rifle barrel. The metal and design of the shotgun frame lacks support for the higher thrust pressure from a rifle cartridge. Possible to use one of the rimfire rifle barrels though that is a different animal too with the chamber off center. That might also work on a shotgun frame, they might have sold combos that way.

March 30, 2022, 03:37 PM	#5
thegatman Member Join Date: January 25, 2015 Posts: 61	Go to the graybeard site. They have lots of info on Handi-rifles. https://www.go2gbo.com/forums/

April 1, 2022, 11:35 AM	#9
stinkeypete Senior Member Join Date: July 22, 2010 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 1,344	Any centerfire cartridge that has the same or less momentum as the shotgun shell should be fine. .223 is not much kick compared to a 12 gauge and doesn’t have the power to bend steel because we call it “rifle.” If you can find one on EBay, and it fits, I see no problem other than a nice bolt action will shoot rings around it. __________________ My book "The Pheasant Hunter's Action Adventure Cookbook" is now on Amazon. Tall tales, hunting tips, butchering from bird to the freezer, and recipes.

April 1, 2022, 08:03 PM	#10
jaguarxk120 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,626	It all depends on the construction of the frame, the later guns had frames made of steel. Shotguns had frames made from cast iron. One other very big thing is the firing pin, shotguns have large diameter pins and rifles have small diameter pins. The 223 cartridge generates higher pressures than the shotgun shells and will blow the primer back into the firing pin and action. The cast iron receivers did have rifle barrels fitted, but they have a small diameter firing pin and the calibers did not generate high pressures, like the 30-30.