H&R Buffalo Classic Rifle 45/70
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arcticap
Member
The name of the company is H&R 1871. They arose from the defunct Harrington & Richardson of Gardner, MA, a well known arms making company. They made single shot shotguns, military .22 training rifles and other .22's, inexpensive revolvers, replica trapdoors and some muzzleloaders until they went bankrupt and were bought out and resurrected by management. They began the New England brand of firearms and started producing the highly successful single shot Handi-rifles in a variety of calibers with the option of having additional barrels fitted at the lowest prices in the industry.
They were then bought out by Marlin and within the past year, they were bought out by Remington who just recently closed down the Gardner plant and moved the production line.
To locate the H&R 1871 website now, one has to go the Remington Firearms homepage and click on "visit our other websites".
http://www.hr1871.com/
http://www.hr1871.com/Firearms/Rifles/buffalo.asp
My local dealer is also selling one of the Buffalo Classics with a peep sight and it's very reasonably priced.
I believe that they shoot fairly well and are relatively popular because of the price.
I suspect that the guns produced at the Gardner plant will increase in value in the future because the quality of their rifles is well known and trusted. Time will tell whether the new production line will maintain the former level of quality or not. I believe that something like 300 - 400 jobs were lost when that plant closed down and I'll bet that they were loyal, experienced and proud employees of the company.
It marked the end of an era just like when Winchester recently closed down the New Haven, CT plant.
They were then bought out by Marlin and within the past year, they were bought out by Remington who just recently closed down the Gardner plant and moved the production line.
To locate the H&R 1871 website now, one has to go the Remington Firearms homepage and click on "visit our other websites".
http://www.hr1871.com/
http://www.hr1871.com/Firearms/Rifles/buffalo.asp
My local dealer is also selling one of the Buffalo Classics with a peep sight and it's very reasonably priced.
I believe that they shoot fairly well and are relatively popular because of the price.
I suspect that the guns produced at the Gardner plant will increase in value in the future because the quality of their rifles is well known and trusted. Time will tell whether the new production line will maintain the former level of quality or not. I believe that something like 300 - 400 jobs were lost when that plant closed down and I'll bet that they were loyal, experienced and proud employees of the company.
It marked the end of an era just like when Winchester recently closed down the New Haven, CT plant.
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scrat
Member
very good buy. articap is correct later on they became nef. i have two shotguns by NEF. excellent shotguns. they have been making inexpensive shotguns for a long time. basicly they make them simple or keep them simple. Kiss method keep it simple stupid. the guns are of very good quality. just they dont have all the bells and whistles that say im an awesome looking gun. Their 12 guage will compete with anyone elses with the same barrel length and choke. just no bells and whistles fancy engraving and checkered wood. very simple guns well made as they have always been.
Tennessee-Traveler
Member
H&R Buffalo Classic Barrel Replacement Program
To continue where Articap left off, f memory serves, for many years Harrington & Richards were the worlds largest producer of single shot guns. When the company was founded, Harringtons partner was a man named Wesson. Wesson left and joined a man named Smith and started Smith & Wesson. Meanwhile, Harrington partnered with his nephew named Richards and from them until the mid 1950 they were world leaders in the single shot shotgun market. In 1985 or so H&R 1871 evolved and both N.E.F. names and the old H&R name were retained.
The goal at that point was to build an inexpensive single shot rifle and shotgun. They developed the "Barrel Replacement Program" which allows the owner of any H&R/NEF rifle or shotgun to return it to the factory and have a second, third or tenth new barrel installed at a very inexpensive $87.00 to $130.00 plus 15.00 service charge and $10.00 shipping charge. They currently have 15 to 20 rifle barrels and about a dozen shotgun barrels available. There are two frames, SB-1 which is shotgun only and the SB-2 which will take rifle or shotgun barrels.
My papaw gave me my first H&R, it was a single shot, top break pistol chambered for 2 1/2" .410 shells. PApaw said it was called a tellers pistol because many bank tellers kept them in the cash drawer. It was made in 1910 and had the quality rivaled any Browning. It was called The Handi Gun, ssuree wish I still had it!
Many who own Handi rifles become Handi-holics and start collecting them. You can't expect a $200.00 rifle to shoot sub minute groups, out of the box but, a few do it! The fun part is taking that rifle that gets a 2" group and turn it into that "tackdriver" with around the house tools and advise posted on-line by other handi-holics. Oh yeah, then you get to brag about it!
Marlin liked the idea and added single shots to their fine lever line. Big Green saw the logic to this and snapped up H&R 1871 and Marlin. The Gardner Ma plant was immediately shut down and production moved to the N.Y. plant.
We hear demands for bail out from the big 3 auto industries in order to save the hundreds of thousands of UAW workers and their $78.00/hr employment packages. Mgmt. and Labor should have been getting their act together back in the sixties when Volkswagen began loosing sales to Japanese companies. The greed of the past 50 years has caught up with them.
If Big Green gets in trouble, those 289 families in Gardner are going to be spending their tax dollars, just like the rest of us. Talk about adding insult to injury. Most are in their 50's, wonder if they found jobs?
My three grandsons already have handi rifles for when they get old enough to hunt. When they grow up, they can decide what they spend their money on.
I'm not on a soapbox, its just that I bought my Remington shotguns and Winchester rifles when I had a choice. I use generic drugs because my insurance won't pay for name brands. I choose between Kelloggs Corn Flakes or Post Toasties or General Mills Frosted Mini-wheats Come on guys, do you really want generic guns and Govt. mfg ammo?
I remember my first .22, a Winchester 67 that cost my dad $16.00 including tax. Tried my best to wear it out but couldn't. Maybe my first grand-son will wear it out but, I'm still betting on Winchester. I still have my first shotgun, an old Stevens 12 ga. 311. I got my first 870 while in the Marine Corps so I could use 3" shells on ducks.
My oldest son killed his first deer at ten with the first rifle I ever bought, a model 88 in 243 Win. My youngest son used my old 94 that dad bought used for $50.00 back in 1960. Richie shoots a Ruger 7MM and Jason shoots a Savage 7MM.
Me, I'm building muzzle loaders these days - like I said, its all about choice. I use a super Black Eagle on ducks and a Pedrasoli 12 ga dbl with a good dose of Tripple 7 and an ounce&1/2 of 6's for squirrels and rabbits. You just have to roll with the punch.
To continue where Articap left off, f memory serves, for many years Harrington & Richards were the worlds largest producer of single shot guns. When the company was founded, Harringtons partner was a man named Wesson. Wesson left and joined a man named Smith and started Smith & Wesson. Meanwhile, Harrington partnered with his nephew named Richards and from them until the mid 1950 they were world leaders in the single shot shotgun market. In 1985 or so H&R 1871 evolved and both N.E.F. names and the old H&R name were retained.
The goal at that point was to build an inexpensive single shot rifle and shotgun. They developed the "Barrel Replacement Program" which allows the owner of any H&R/NEF rifle or shotgun to return it to the factory and have a second, third or tenth new barrel installed at a very inexpensive $87.00 to $130.00 plus 15.00 service charge and $10.00 shipping charge. They currently have 15 to 20 rifle barrels and about a dozen shotgun barrels available. There are two frames, SB-1 which is shotgun only and the SB-2 which will take rifle or shotgun barrels.
My papaw gave me my first H&R, it was a single shot, top break pistol chambered for 2 1/2" .410 shells. PApaw said it was called a tellers pistol because many bank tellers kept them in the cash drawer. It was made in 1910 and had the quality rivaled any Browning. It was called The Handi Gun, ssuree wish I still had it!
Many who own Handi rifles become Handi-holics and start collecting them. You can't expect a $200.00 rifle to shoot sub minute groups, out of the box but, a few do it! The fun part is taking that rifle that gets a 2" group and turn it into that "tackdriver" with around the house tools and advise posted on-line by other handi-holics. Oh yeah, then you get to brag about it!
Marlin liked the idea and added single shots to their fine lever line. Big Green saw the logic to this and snapped up H&R 1871 and Marlin. The Gardner Ma plant was immediately shut down and production moved to the N.Y. plant.
We hear demands for bail out from the big 3 auto industries in order to save the hundreds of thousands of UAW workers and their $78.00/hr employment packages. Mgmt. and Labor should have been getting their act together back in the sixties when Volkswagen began loosing sales to Japanese companies. The greed of the past 50 years has caught up with them.
If Big Green gets in trouble, those 289 families in Gardner are going to be spending their tax dollars, just like the rest of us. Talk about adding insult to injury. Most are in their 50's, wonder if they found jobs?
My three grandsons already have handi rifles for when they get old enough to hunt. When they grow up, they can decide what they spend their money on.
I'm not on a soapbox, its just that I bought my Remington shotguns and Winchester rifles when I had a choice. I use generic drugs because my insurance won't pay for name brands. I choose between Kelloggs Corn Flakes or Post Toasties or General Mills Frosted Mini-wheats Come on guys, do you really want generic guns and Govt. mfg ammo?
I remember my first .22, a Winchester 67 that cost my dad $16.00 including tax. Tried my best to wear it out but couldn't. Maybe my first grand-son will wear it out but, I'm still betting on Winchester. I still have my first shotgun, an old Stevens 12 ga. 311. I got my first 870 while in the Marine Corps so I could use 3" shells on ducks.
My oldest son killed his first deer at ten with the first rifle I ever bought, a model 88 in 243 Win. My youngest son used my old 94 that dad bought used for $50.00 back in 1960. Richie shoots a Ruger 7MM and Jason shoots a Savage 7MM.
Me, I'm building muzzle loaders these days - like I said, its all about choice. I use a super Black Eagle on ducks and a Pedrasoli 12 ga dbl with a good dose of Tripple 7 and an ounce&1/2 of 6's for squirrels and rabbits. You just have to roll with the punch.
fireman 9731
Member
I have a buffalo classic and really do enjoy it. very nice for the price! lots of fun a sweet looking rifle. Recoil really isn't that bad especially with factory ammo, more of a shove than a kick. I dont think the gun is light at all, well balanced and comfortable to shoot. I would recommend it for sure!
Smokin_Gun
Member
Well I can tell ya in a couple a days as I got one sent to me from a good friend in the South. Says it's a tack driver but hits hard from both ends with 65gr fffg BP .459"dia. 405gr HB boolit ... can't wait. Gonna go track it on UPS now...thanks for remindin' me.
Condrads...
SG
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RugerBob
Member
I just got the 1871 Buffalo Classic last week. I haven't had the chance to shoot it yet. Received my mold and cast a 100 plus bullets. 405 grain hollow base. Got my brass in last nite, so hope to try it by this weekend. Gonna start with smokeless, but want to try 2f eventually. Sure can't complain about the price. Good lord willin I hope to add the 1895 Marlin to the mix. Enjoy, Bob
sundance44s
Member
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2006
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1871 Buffalo / Boar Hog Classic......The proof is in the Pudding
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Liberty1776
Member
I've got four of them. I really like shooting and hunting with Single Shot rifles, but I can't afford expensive ones. My Handi-Rifle in .223 shoots better than a friend's Rem 700 varmint rifle; the one in 30-30 shoots 1 1/2" groups, and I'm waiting to try out the 7x57 and .280 Remington ones I got recently... for the money they just can't be beat. Still on my needs list - one in 38-55 and of course the Buffalo Classic in 45-70.
Smokin_Gun
Member
Hope I look that good holdin' one a them Sundance ... gotta go up the Camp Hunter leggit, Ft. Roberts CA for the Pig...I'll at least get somebody to take a pic a me and the H&R with my Cell Phone Camera HeeHee!
Here's the H&R Co. Deal...
http://www.hr1871.com/About/default.asp
SG
Here's the H&R Co. Deal...
http://www.hr1871.com/About/default.asp
SG
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