Firearm Review: New England Firearms Handi-Rifle in .45-70

The NEF handi-rifle came to be by the merger of Marlin Firearms and H&R 1871 Inc. H&R had long been a manufacturer of top-break single shot long guns and revolvers alike. The company was started in 1871 and has continually produced firearms ever since.

The Handi-Rifle was born of the need for a cheap, entry level, single shot rifle. Most of the single shot market is dominated by giants like the Ruger #1 and the T/C Contender/Encore family. These guns can cost upwards of $750-1000 for a basic weapon. No quality entry level gun existed. When Marlin firearms merged with H&R they realized the market potential of a low dollar single shot shot rifle. Using current H&R designs, the Handi-Rifle was born.

The rifle comes in a wide array of calibers all the way from the economical .22 long rifle, all the way up to the .45-70 and the .500 S&W magnum. Other options include iron sights or scope mounts, synthetic or american hardwood stocks and over 30 different caliber configurations.

My handi-rifle was ordered through my local dealer via an internet purchase. This is not the normal way I buy firearms but currently there is a shortage of these guns due to extremely high demand. With shipping and FFL transfer fees it cost me $278.45. At the time of purchase I also bought three boxes of ammunition at about $17.50 per box. All the dealer had was two boxes of Winchester 350 Gr JHP and one box of federal 400 gr JHP. .45-70 ammunition isn't very easy to come by in the small midwest town I live in and this was all that was available for testing. The rifle came with a special box type trigger lock free from the factory. The rifles have 22" barrels and are 36-38" in overall length. Weighing in at just seven pounds, the handle rifle is much lighter than its competitors.

I shot two three round groups at 100 yards to zero the rifle. It was very close to zero right out of the box, and I only had to make one small adjustment to be right on. All further shooting was done at 100 yards as the 200 yard range was closed for repairs. My targets were standard 12" bullseye targets printed from my home computer.

The winchester ammo proved the most accurate giving my groups of 2-3". The federal ammo with the 400 gr. bullet gave groups of 3-4". These may seem large compared to the 1-1.5" groups many good target rifles give nowadays, but the large bullet diameter (almost 1/2 inch) makes them seem larger than they are. Take bullet diameter into account and you are shooting 1-2" groups.

Recoil was stout but not painful. I was pleasantly surprised at how smooth the recoil impulse was. Other large caliber guns such as the .375 H&H magnum or the .416 Rem. magnum have a powerful punch that can leave bruises and damaged cartilage in their wake if overused. The .45-70 was more of a push that, while strong, was more than manageable and not unpleasent at all.

I was able to take the rifle hunting for an afternoon with a friend of mine a few days after I bought it. We shot rabbits and other small game at ranges of 50-75 yards and were pleased with the field accuracy of the weapon. It handled easily and empty shell extraction was positive and clean.

Of note is the availability of either extractors or ejectors on the handi-rifle. The extractor type simply pulls the empty case free of the chamber about 3/8" so you can grab it and pull it out. The ejector system is a spring loaded finger that pops the empty out of the chamber with considerable force. I prefer the extactor system simply because, as I reload my ammo, it is easier to keep track of your brass if it is in your pocket and not flying about, getting lost in the grass. I have handled a .223 Handi-Rifle with an ejector system and it flung the empties about fifteen feet behind the shooter. Conceivably a person could be inured if the brass hit you in an eye or in the face. As always safety is paramount and a shooter should wear eye protection at all times.

Another advantage to the Handi-rifle is the ability to add a different caliber barrel. You need to send the receiver assembly in to H&R and they will fit a barrel of your choice for $85-110. This allows the shooter to have everything from a .223 to a .500 magnum to a 12 gauge shotgun in just one firearm. The barrel change is simple with only one screw and the removal of the forearm.

Overall the Handi-Rifle is an excellent buy for the entry level shooter. While its slightly ungainly looks may turn off a shooter used the smooth lines of a bolt action or lever action rifle, one can't let the exposed hammer and resultant tall sight bases turn you off to the gun. More expierienced shooters may want to move up to the more expensive and more accurate #1 and T/C rifles if tack driving accuracy is your goal. If you simply want a cheap plinker for fun or a new gun for a young shooter just starting out the Handi-Rifle is an excellent choice.