H&R/NEF Handi Rifle spare barrel without frame fitting- can it work?

TruthTellers · September 10, 2020, 09:59 PM

Since I got my light strike issues resolved on my Handi Rifle, I've been thinking of getting a barrel in .357 and .45-70. However, I know that when H&R/NEF was offering the accessory barrels the frames had to be sent to them to have the barrels fitted.

H&R is long gone now, but the barrels are still out there.

Has anyone ever bought or borrowed or in any way tried a barrel they knew was not fitted to their frame just to see if it would work? What all would need to be done to get a spare barrel to fit a frame?

I realize that the Handi Rifles are not like TC Contenders and Encores, but it seems that people can get lucky and get a barrel to fit a Handi frame without having any work done to them.

FrankenMauser · September 11, 2020, 12:11 AM

If it's too tight, it can be filed.
If it's too loose, it can be shimmed (or welded and filed ... but that's work).

I have not fit to an SB1 or SB2. But I have fit barrels to 1903 and 1905 frames.

Scorch · September 11, 2020, 01:51 AM

I have fit several of them, not a simple task but not impossible.

TruthTellers · September 11, 2020, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scorch

I have fit several of them, not a simple task but not impossible.

If it's filing/stoning and shimming, that's simple stuff to me. If it involved welding, that's not my bag. If it involves precision grinding and geometric dimensions and tolerances... that's challenging due to lack of materials available for me to work with.

FrankenMauser · September 11, 2020, 10:03 AM

It's a firearm, you're always dealing with tolerances and proper dimensions.

September 10, 2020, 09:59 PM	#1
TruthTellers Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2016 Posts: 3,883	H&R/NEF Handi Rifle spare barrel without frame fitting- can it work? Since I got my light strike issues resolved on my Handi Rifle, I've been thinking of getting a barrel in .357 and .45-70. However, I know that when H&R/NEF was offering the accessory barrels the frames had to be sent to them to have the barrels fitted. H&R is long gone now, but the barrels are still out there. Has anyone ever bought or borrowed or in any way tried a barrel they knew was not fitted to their frame just to see if it would work? What all would need to be done to get a spare barrel to fit a frame? I realize that the Handi Rifles are not like TC Contenders and Encores, but it seems that people can get lucky and get a barrel to fit a Handi frame without having any work done to them. __________________ "We always think there's gonna be more time... then it runs out."

September 11, 2020, 12:11 AM	#2
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	If it's too tight, it can be filed. If it's too loose, it can be shimmed (or welded and filed ... but that's work). I have not fit to an SB1 or SB2. But I have fit barrels to 1903 and 1905 frames. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

September 11, 2020, 01:51 AM	#3
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	I have fit several of them, not a simple task but not impossible. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

September 11, 2020, 10:03 AM	#5
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	It's a firearm, you're always dealing with tolerances and proper dimensions. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.