Those with H&R/NEF singleshots...

[Ed Ames]

I've been searching and scanning and there's a lot of good info but I end up asking myself this question:

What do you use them for? And where?

I know sm uses them for everything up to (and perhaps including) mixing drinks at cocktail parties. I'm just curious about other H&R owners. Is it mostly hunting? Training up the youngsters? General practice? Fun shoots? Informal (or formal) competition? On private land? Public land well away from everyone? Public ranges? The club?

I have an opportunity to pick up the adult (14.25" LOP/hard buttplate) version of the gun sm keeps bragging up (26" 20ga) at a good price. Part of me thinks it'll solve the main problems I have w/ my current shotgun, part of me wonders if it'll end up collecting dust in a "EOTWAWKI" kit or something.

Oh, yeah...the problem... right now I have a 12ga pump gun which stays home because, apart from taking a screwdriver and socket wrench to it every time I want to go shooting, I haven't really worked out a discreet way of transporting the gun out of my apartment. I usually ride a motorcycle which just adds to the problem... no golf bags for me. The 26" barrel will fit in my motorcycle's hard luggage and can be carried in a fairly innocuous duffel. Beyond that, it seems I usually shoot 7/8th oz loads anyway and they are cheaper in 20ga than 12... not much but in a thousand rounds it might pay for the gun...

Oh, and for those of you who have them... what do you use as a case? Especially if you carry the gun broken down.

Thanks,

 

[john1911]

I use my NEF 20 ga. Tracker II for deer hunting. It's accurate and pretty light.

I have a H&R .223 rifle. I use it to shoot wayward varmints that trespass across my property.

I really like these little single shot guns. Can't beat the price and they are reliable. If something should happen to them (lost, damaged etc.), you're not out a lot of dough.

 

[coltm]

got an nef single shot 410 there great allround guns i take it small game and shoot clays with it. and you can beat the hell out of a single shot and they still fire, they are so simple nothing hardly ever goes wrong. i also have a single shot 12 not nef or H&R but it was my grandpa's gun and its about 70 years old never a single problem.

 

[wolf_from_wv]

Brush gun.

Mine has the barrel cut down to about 19".

In what I thought was a fitting bit of irony, it fits perfectly in a $6 Daisy "pellet" gun case...

 

[nathan]

Well built and great price.

 

[plumberroy]

What do you use them for?

Anything I need a gun for I use a 28 for and all around shotgun(was using it before I knew about Steve) Rabbits dove squirrel informal clay birds on the few ocassions I goose hunt I have one in 10 ga. tracker II for deer 17hmr for varmits I have them in a couple rifles too since I don't have to kill for food If Can't get it with a single shot today It will be there next time I want to go hunting
Roy

 

[plateshooter]

I use my 12 gauge 28" older model for early season squirrel, pest control around the property, and as a 4 wheeler gun. I put a synthetic stock set on it and it is very lightweight now. I never carried mine on my motorcycle, so I have no experience there.

 

[chas08]

I have a 26" H&R Topper 20 ga. I got for Christmas when I was ten years old in 1966. I learned to wingshoot with it and so has at least a half dozen friends sons. I still pull it out and take a limit of dove with it at least once a season. My shot to bird ratio dramaticaly improves when I do.Theres something about only having one shot that makes you bear down more. as for carrying it, I live in Texas so being discreet is not an issue. Usually in the window rack of my pickup.

 

[Onmilo]

I have a Stalker ll .410
It had a survival type stock with onboard ammo storage that I replaced with a standard Choate plastic stock.
Easy takedown, use the phillips driver on a Leatherman, swiss army knife, whatever, to remove the forend screw and everything comes apart to three pieces.
I use mine for hunting rabbits and squirrels and have blasted some river rats with it too.
The gun has a 19" barrel and full choke and there is a version available now in 20 guage Modified choke that may be just the ticket for what you want to do with the gun.

 

[Ash]

My brother-in-law uses his for squirrels (410).

Ash

 

[Ed Ames]

Sounds like mostly hunting and shooting on private land?

Cool. I think I'm going to grab it while I can and see how it works out for me.

 

[Ed Ames]

Woohoo for me... I've joined the single barrel retrolution with my very own Topper 20ga. LOL

Shotgun, two snap caps, and a pile of what looks like wally world 20ga (remington) shells, and, LOL, a baseball bat case with failing zippers to carry everything in... not bad. Now I just need to figure out how to shoot.

 

[QUICK_DRAW_McGRAW]

i have the H&R 20gauge topper. i love it, i use it from HD to skeet/trap to dove hunting and prarrie dogs in fields just running around chasing them and shooting them.

 

[GigaBuist]

I've used my NEF 20 gauge for trap a few times. It's fun.

Other than that, it's a gun I don't mind leaving in a closet in case I find critters in the back yard. That's never happened, but if I see any porcupines or skunks in the back yard... well I'd rather not have my dog get mixed up with that.

For discreet transport (think staying in hotels) I find my Baikal 12 gauge coach gun works better.

 

[Dave McCracken]

When having a versatile gun along is a good idea but a lot of shooting is not planned.

When squirrelin'. Or small game hunting in general.

When training kids. Son's NEF got him started and it's now at a friend's house helping his twins learn.

 

[Bud Tugly]

A break-open single shot is the cheapest, simplest, shortest, and lightest tool available for sending a load of pellets or a slug through the air. Perfect for folks without much folding money, confirmed cheapskates, or seasoned minimalists to do nearly anything that prettier and fancier shotguns can do.

Everybody should own at least one and tote it around the woods to shoot at things once in a while just for simple fun.

 

[Seancass]

i have some sick desire to cut one down to 26" overall, or whatever the law is.

maybe shorter if the funds come around...

 

[plumberroy]

A break-open single shot is the cheapest, simplest, shortest, and lightest tool available for sending a load of pellets or a slug through the air. Perfect for folks without much folding money, confirmed cheapskates, or seasoned minimalists to do nearly anything that prettier and fancier shotguns can do.

Everybody should own at least one and tote it around the woods to shoot at things once in a while just for simple fun.

you been spyin' on me Bud I resemble that remark

Everybody should own at least one and tote it around the woods to shoot at things once in a while just for simple fun

One is NEVER ENOUGH

right now I have a 12ga pump gun which stays home because, apart from taking a screwdriver and socket wrench to it every time I want to go shooting, I haven't really worked out a discreet way of transporting the gun out of my apartment. I usually ride a motorcycle which just adds to the problem... no golf bags for me. The 26" barrel will fit in my motorcycle's hard luggage and can be carried in a fairly innocuous duffel. Beyond that, it seems I usually shoot 7/8th oz loads anyway and they are cheaper in 20ga than 12... not much but in a thousand rounds it might pay for the gun...

on a serious note my woods bummin' shotgun for the last 2 years is a youth 28 ga that I replace the wood stock with a synthetic adult stock and a fore arm off a H&R "survivor" rifle the screw that holds the forearm on is a finger wheel no tools needed ,take the forearm off break it down put the fore arm back on the barrel and you have the barrel assem. @22" and the action/buttstock @ around 18" I have, In the past, took it a part and put it in a pack and road a bike out to a friends house 2 miles out in the country to shoot at doves
Roy

 

[classic095]

I strap a full sized hard case with two guns on My Harley davidson Ultra Classic and off to the range I go.. You should see the looks I get from the local Deputy Dogs..

 

[Striker]

After reading this thread and having just given my old 20 ga SB1 to a friends daughter, I spent lunch today ordering another one.

Use? It's my favorite walking about in the woods gun.

 

[Ash]

Here's one way to carry a shotgun on a motorcycle...

Ash

http://www.thegunzone.com/mos/12-gauge-hoss.html

 

[Ed Ames]

...and a fore arm off a H&R "survivor" rifle the screw that holds the forearm on is a finger wheel no tools needed

I was wondering about that... not about the survivor forearm because I didn't know they used thumbscrews but refitting a thumbscrew in place of the phillips. Does it cause any issues with recoil pushing the screw into your hand? Should be easy enough to find a thumbscrew with the proper threads though maybe I'll see if I can locate a survivor forearm.


Classic... that's classic!

Odd as it sounds I'm not worried about Deputy Dan comin' to get me... my concern is neighbors and passers by deciding my apartment/car/wherever is a likely place to get cool stuff while I'm out. it's not highly likely but you just never know and there's no sense in testing their honesty.

 

[sm]

Youth Single Shot H&R Topper in 20 gauge.
Fixed modified choke, factory recoil pad.

When I am not using it for a Clampet Pot Passer, Cue Stick, Cheater Bar, ...etc *grin*

Like many others I grew with one behind a door.
I use these these the same way I was raised in seeing these used, and used.

-Introducing new shooters, even kids to firearm safety.
From handling, carrying, to name something safety wise, one does with a firearm, including shotguns.
Responsibility...pure and simple.

-Correct Basic Fundamentals of stance, mounting gun to face and everything.
New shooters do not have the muscles developed and stamina gained , so these guns allow them to learn, and not get fatigued, therefore losing interest.

This works for someone recovering from surgery, or being sick, getting themselves back up to speed.

Start easy, and do 10 correct mounting of gun to face each day and work up.
This Repetition really does work, not only with muscles and stamina, even instilling and ingraining the correct techniques .

Oh many will work up, or go to other heavier guns, still , one can snag that Single shot, do a few reps and keep in shape even if they do shoot another gun more.

-Woods Walking.

-Home use, my set up is, needing to be mobile and flexible.
Single shot, then transition to handgun for some situations.
Now before some fuss...I have some situations that for me, dictate some strategy.

I might for instance be needing to pick up a child, and evade, get distance.
It might be a elderly person or some one physically limited.

We had run these drills, so for some things, I may pick up a person from a wheelchair and head to a more safe area.
Not going to say I will not then snag another shotgun, or Lever Action, just some practiced plans.

Clint Smith keeps a 20 ga single shot near his bed it is said...

-A Prop.
I often use a .410 youth model, and never shoot, instead use to show something while other students use their gun.
I do this with a cane too.
Students can use this /these guns, no matter if small or big.

Instead of having to hold and deal with a pump, semi, or O/U, I have a light prop that again, allows me to be flexible, mobile and safe.

Action open hand off, or set on a stool /table with muzzle downrange...and attend to what a student needs.

-Hunting, clays, piddling, load testing, travel for hotel, motel, and all sorts of uses.

Awerbuck uses a double bbl in traveling, more politically correct and less likely to raise eyebrows in some jurisdictions.

Youth Model is small, and I want choke, and works a lot better that cutting one down both barrel and stock- so for travel I have something small, easy, simple, factory ( bone stock) and anyone that see it, including a jury of my peers, first responders, anyone, is going to see a Youth single shot shotgun as come from the factory.

-Neat , fun, memories...

 

[Ed Ames]

...and then there's the comedic value...

Mine (still less than 24 hours old to me) came with a couple of snap caps... I load one, hold the other betwixt middle and ring fingers of my left hand, mount/cock, "fire", hit the latch to break the action; sproing... snap cap bounces off forehead... slap the other snapcap in, close the action, "fire" again... and this time I'm wise to its evil ways... I twist the gun slightly as I break the action... still looking for that second snap cap... it went thataway!

 

[Bud Tugly]

The trick is to cup your hand over the bore and catch the empty shell as it ejects. With a little practice you can then pop in a fresh shell, snap the action shut, and be ready for a follow-up shot much quicker than you might think.