well just a bit of an update. i went down to reliable gun and ended up going with the h&r pardner after comparing the pardner with the h&r tamer, h&r pardner jr model, and some other one made by taurus (they didn't have the baikal in stock).
i looked at the h&r pardner first and right off the bat it felt like a good fit. i liked the wood stock but i wasn't sure about the action release at first but after handling it for a bit i knew it wouldn't be a problem. everything flowed on the gun and the built in transfer bar safety meant there was no leavers or buttons to mess around with, just #### the hammer and have at 'er (the exposed hammer was a plus). also the gun was $175 not the $195 advertized on their website...i think i already knew what i wanted without looking at the others.
i liked the idea of the h&r tamer with the synthetic stock with extra shell holder built into the side of the butt stock and the nickle barrel and receiver adds a more weather resistant coating. however i found it difficult to get my cheek down on the stock to get a good look down the barrel and the action release up top right on the receiver felt awkward to get to with the pistol grip which wasn't the case with the pardner (i didn't consider this gun for very long).
Next was the brazilian made taurus which was a tad longer than the h&r, felt lighter than the h&r and had a synthetic stock. the hammer was a lot lower in the uncocked position giving the shooter a good look down the barrel all the time (not sure why this would be a problem, but i have heard some complaints about the h&r's hammer blocking the line of sight when in the safe position). the fact that the taurus had an exposed hammer was a plus, and also had an AR style safety lever (i will let you decide if this is a pro or con...for me it was a con). the stock felt like a plastic toy and the lines of the receiver didn't flow as nicely, and to be honest the made in brazil kind of turned me off too.
well on to the h&r junior. i think i started to giggle a little when he brought it out from downstairs. man this thing is tiny and for a little while i gave it serious consideration. i mean why not, all i wanted the gun for was to carry it in the bush to shoot birds and bunny's with. the thing was light, small, packed down nicely and had the same features as its big brother with the addition of a recoil pad. however maybe it was just a little to tiny and felt awkward trying to look down the barrel, however i know if there were any youngsters in the family i know that little guy would have followed me home also.
now just the wait till sept...
