Just acquired a new NEF Handi-Rifle (in .204 Ruger) and the action is opening immediately after firing, before I press the button that opens it. This doesn't seem right to me. Anyone experience the same thing with their Handi-Rifle ?
NEF Handi-Rifle problem ?
- Thread starter CV32
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Republic of Alberta
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
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I have 2 Handi rifles. My 30-30 locks up fully but my 30-06 does not lock up quite all the way. It has never opened on firing but if you look at the locking lug set up you can see that it does not fully lock whey you close they gun gently. If you snap it closed it the locking lug will fully engage the barrel "lump" ( the lump welded on the bottom side of the barrel). It came from the factory like this and I have herd of other guns that are not built correctly and open on firing as you discribe.
Also if you are using reloads that are not sized correctly and are overly long they can prevent the barrel from closing all the way. This could cause the
locking lug to not engage fully.
One other thing I have herd of this happening with overly hot reloads.
No matter what the cause I would stop shooting that gun. Take it back or take it to a gun smith. It is not safe to use!!
Also if you are using reloads that are not sized correctly and are overly long they can prevent the barrel from closing all the way. This could cause the
locking lug to not engage fully.
One other thing I have herd of this happening with overly hot reloads.
No matter what the cause I would stop shooting that gun. Take it back or take it to a gun smith. It is not safe to use!!
Thanks for the reply. A little more searching on the Net has revealed that it is probably related to metal filings and crud underneath the locking lug when the rifle comes from the factory. Only 7 rounds of factory Hornady have been through mine, but after experiencing this premature opening problem I have now taken it apart and cleaned it up. I did find some very small metal filings and some grease. Hopefully this will cure the problem. If not, off to the gunsmith.
If a gun opened up on me after 7 rounds of factory stuff I'd be taking it back to the SHOP and I'd ask for a new one.
Just cause they're cheap they shouldn't be faulty.
If you take it to a gunsmith the warranty may be void so I'd go take it back first.
Just cause they're cheap they shouldn't be faulty.
If you take it to a gunsmith the warranty may be void so I'd go take it back first.
Just one of many problems you can get with the NEF handi rifles.
If you do a google search on "Problems with NEF Handi Rifles" you will start to get an idea.
I don't recommend these rifles to anyone anymore... I have seen way to many problems. And the turn around time from the Manufacturer and supplier is brutal.
If you do a google search on "Problems with NEF Handi Rifles" you will start to get an idea.
I don't recommend these rifles to anyone anymore... I have seen way to many problems. And the turn around time from the Manufacturer and supplier is brutal.
kombi1976 said:
Well, in this case, the shop is SIR. And the manufacturer is in the US. I'm not going without the rifle for what could be potentially months. Thanks for the advice, but I've taken it to my tried and trusted gunsmith.
Don't make a move till you have cleaned the gun properly www.graybeardoutdoors.com have a very active handi forum and they have som good stickys on what to do to prep your handi for shooting. I pulled all the wood off of mine and flushed the action with brake cleaner.
If after the cleaning (and don't let the latch shelf get oily after that) you are still getting auto openings, you need to check how much engagement you are getting on the latch shelf.
So basically you meed to remove the barrel "smoke" the latch shelf ( the lower part of the "V" on that barrel stud) when you reassemble and close the action the latch pin will put a mark in the smoke (do the smoke mark test a couple of times just to make sure you are seeing the results correctly).
Basically if everything is OK you should see an even mark that is about about 3/32 " to 1/8" in. If it is not you have got a couple of options
1. Wait for it to wear in because a high spot on the shelf is interfering with latch engagement.
2. Send it back (How many weeks would that take)
3. Fix it yourself ( thats what I did with my 204 with the same problem)
My 204 had the same problem and as problems go I think it a good one to have. An action that is too tight is better that an action too loose. On my 204 the latch engaement was not enough or even, and the fix was simple.
Get an ultra fine sharpening stone (a pocket finishing stone is what I got). and slowly (I cannot stress this enough) hone the latch shelf. If it was un-even remove from the high side (the side with the thinest engagement) first. After a few light strokes (5-10 max and the closer you are to good the fewer) re-check engagement. You really don't want to over do this, on my gun all I did was get it even and the problem went away. I can't remember how many strokes it took but it was not many
For me I worked slow and it was still only about a 15 minute job.
Just for encouragement at this point I have 4 loads that shoot under 3/4 moa and 2 that dip under .5 moa. And most of those groups where shot with the latch issue not fixed.
Here is my rig
on a custom built for handi's shooting rest.
If after the cleaning (and don't let the latch shelf get oily after that) you are still getting auto openings, you need to check how much engagement you are getting on the latch shelf.
So basically you meed to remove the barrel "smoke" the latch shelf ( the lower part of the "V" on that barrel stud) when you reassemble and close the action the latch pin will put a mark in the smoke (do the smoke mark test a couple of times just to make sure you are seeing the results correctly).
Basically if everything is OK you should see an even mark that is about about 3/32 " to 1/8" in. If it is not you have got a couple of options
1. Wait for it to wear in because a high spot on the shelf is interfering with latch engagement.
2. Send it back (How many weeks would that take)
3. Fix it yourself ( thats what I did with my 204 with the same problem)
My 204 had the same problem and as problems go I think it a good one to have. An action that is too tight is better that an action too loose. On my 204 the latch engaement was not enough or even, and the fix was simple.
Get an ultra fine sharpening stone (a pocket finishing stone is what I got). and slowly (I cannot stress this enough) hone the latch shelf. If it was un-even remove from the high side (the side with the thinest engagement) first. After a few light strokes (5-10 max and the closer you are to good the fewer) re-check engagement. You really don't want to over do this, on my gun all I did was get it even and the problem went away. I can't remember how many strokes it took but it was not many
For me I worked slow and it was still only about a 15 minute job.
Just for encouragement at this point I have 4 loads that shoot under 3/4 moa and 2 that dip under .5 moa. And most of those groups where shot with the latch issue not fixed.
Here is my rig
