Saw an ad in the local paper for a nearly new New England Firearms single shot .243 Handi Rifle for sale. Synthetic stock and blue.

They are asking $250 for it with a crappy 3-9x 40mm BSA scope.

I've never heard of a New England Firearms brand. Is this a good gun or not?

I'm been thinking about a smaller varmint type gun.

Thanks, Nathan

You can order a new one through Wlamart for around $200, then get your own scope.

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I had aNEF single shot12ga for about 12 years that was a great gun. I sold it because Igot an 870 Express a few years back.

Okay thanks. Sounds like it isn't the deal of a lifetime by any means.

I think I'll pass on it.

Thanks again.

Nathan

NEF and H&R are the same guns. They are good guns for the money. That price is a bit high for a used gun to me. At least in my area. You can get a new one in a gun store for that price.

I have heard these guns have issues in that caliber as well. I believe it was something about the shells ejecting? I think the shells would stick in the chamber after the shot sometimes. Accuracy was good, just problems ejecting. I think it was a pretty simple fix though.

I would highly suggest a NEF handy rifle, but not that one for that price. You could also get a Stevens bolt action which is made by Savage for around the same price I think.

Paul

What might that fix be? I have one that I bought for my youngest. Its a youth model in 243. I've loaded some reduced recoil ammo for him and didn't have any probs. Then i shot some factory ammo through it to make brass basically. had 5 stick in the chamber out of a box of 20. Had to knock them out with a cleaning rod. Funny thing is that they weren't stuck. it took very little pressure to push them out. I've been very perplexed by this problem ever since.

Go to this site, they can help you out with any questions you have. I am not going to say for sure the fix is easy, or that there is one for sure. I just thought I remembered reading something about it. I don't own a centerfire but was thinking about getting one in that caliber and was warned of this problem.

Greabeard Outdoors forum

About half way down there is a section dedicated to H&R/NEF. Look in the Centerfire rifle section. You can search for it, or just ask someone.

I currently own a H&R ultra slug hunter deluxe and am happy with it.

Paul

They are excellent guns and EXTREMELY accurate. But that price is too high for a used one. You can get a new one for less.

By the way, I have three of them.

I have had and still have quite a few Handi Rifles. They have all been pretty good except for the 243. I had two of them and sticking cases was a constant problem. Probably half of all the shot ended up with a stuck case. I gave up on the 243 in the H7R/NEF rifles. All other calibers have worked well for me. The ones with rimmed cases work the best. 30-30 357, 44 Mag, 45-70 and 22 Hornet. I also have a 35 Whelen, 308, 45 Long colt and 280 Rem.