h&r handy rifle in 500s&w and h&r survivor in 45/410

[whitetailwoodsarcher]

hey im thinking about getting eather a handy rifle in 500 s&w or a survivor in 45/410. just woundering if anybody has the survivor? how does it shoot. i dont really like that you have to take the choke out to shoot 45lc. how sturdy in the forend of the stock? doe the small bolt hold it in place without movment? i also like the 500 s&w version. i read that it produces 3500 ftlbs out of that 20 inch barrel!! and it comes with open sights. but i really dont like the price of the 500s&w ammo and you cant really hunt anything smaller then yotes with it without makeing a huge mess. main purpose for the rifle is hunting and just a nice pack gun.

 

[brybenn]

I've fired 2 500sw handies. Both opened on firing. You really have to slam them shut then test the lever button for any play. I really wanted one in 35 whelen but have passed. Some on here love the survivor others say they shoot very high

 

[jjohnwm]

I've fired 2 500sw handies. Both opened on firing. You really have to slam them shut then test the lever button for any play.

Yikes! A semi-auto single-shot!

I like H&R's in general, and was toying with the idea of a .500, just because. I read this post, did a quick search, and low and behold: opening on firing looks like a common problem with the .500 Handi's. Thanks for the warning...it's always nice to cross something off the I-wanna-buy list without actually wasting any money.

 

[caperbound]

I would suggest 45/70, althought still expensive to shoot, cheaper than 500 S&W but if you reload there are plenty of options for 45/70 as it has over 100 years of history and load data. Also 45/70 stuff is easier to come by in the EE.

 

[hoytcanon]

Yikes! A semi-auto single-shot!

I like H&R's in general, and was toying with the idea of a .500, just because. I read this post, did a quick search, and low and behold: opening on firing looks like a common problem with the .500 Handi's. Thanks for the warning...it's always nice to cross something off the I-wanna-buy list without actually wasting any money.

I have a couple dozen Handi barrels on a dozen frames... Improper closure can happen with any caliber, as can improper cleaning on a new gun and improper lubrication of the latch shelf... I have .44 Rem Mag and .45/70's so I have never been tempted by the 500 but I have a couple buddies who shoot them and they have never had a problem... The feedback on GBO has been overwhelmingly positive... If you are a Handi fan, you should read through the centerfire FAQ's over on GBO H&R forum (Graybeard Outdoors Forum)... It is the best Handi resource around. If you want a 500 I wouldn't let that report dissuade you.