Old H&R's... are they any good?

[carguychris]

Howdy all,

I'm contemplating buying a .22 revolver for some low-budget practice. I want something DA so I can practice my trigger pull. One of the local gun stores has a pretty intruiging used gun- it's an H&R 949, a little 9-shot revolver that looks like an SA "cowboy gun" (such as a Ruger Single Six or Heritage Rough Rider), but it's actually double action.

The price is quite good, the gun is in good mechanical shape, and I'm tempted. However, I'm a little nervous about buying a decades-old product from a company that's out of the handgun business. Should I consider this gun or save up a little while longer and buy a used S&W? Any thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[Pappy John]

I don't have one of the 949s, but I do own a late 1930s vintage 'Sportsman" DA 9 shooter that still works very well indeed. It's the precurser to the Model 999. I've often wondered where I could find parts if something went wrong with it, but I've never had the need, and I shoot it regularly.

 

[Rustyst]

I have the exact gun, bought it for my son for $110 otd at a local pawn shop. The gun is great, shoots straight, buy it if the price is right.

 

[L_Killkenny]

Have a 949 myself. Reliable, Good guns but the DA trigger pull on them generally leaves a lot to be desired. You shouldn't be paying more than $150 for one in very good shape. Not that they aren't worth more but thats the going rate.

LK

 

[winmagbill]

I have a 929 that is a fun little plinker, but not something to "practice" with. Buy some snap caps and dryfire the gun you want be good with. If the H&R is priced right buy it to!

Bill

 

[gvf]

What's the difference between the Sportsman and 999 and 929 and 949?. I saw one for $100. Looked like 6", octagonal barrel, I think top break but not sure, adjustable sights, walnut grips, and a trigger-guard that has some sort of "Flourish", 18-Century style, in the rear - gun is 9 shooter. Which was that?

 

[deputy tom]

H&R made some nice pistols.I owned a 999 but would buy a 949 if I saw one at a good price.If you feel the asking price is right and the gun looks nice go for it.tom.

 

[pistolet1]

gvf

The Model 999 was also called The Sportsman, and it featured a 6" vent rib barrel and was a top break design. The little "Flourish" thing on the back of the trigger guard was called the second finger rest or integral rear spur. I believe this was designed by Walter Roper and taken from the single shot U.S.R.A. target pistol that H&R produced from 1928 to 1941. I have seen it on the Model 999, the 939 Ultra Sidekick, the 940 Ultra Sidekick, and the 926. All four models had walnut grips; with the 940 having an additional left side contoured thumb rest on it.
The two Sidekick revolvers were both swing out cylinder models; the principal difference between them being that the 939 had a flat sided vent rib barrel. Perhaps this is the model you saw.
The 929 Sidekick was a slightly plainer version of the Ultra Sidekick, with a 2 1/2", 4", or 6" barrel, round grip frame, and black checkered plastic grips. The 949 Forty-Niner was a SA styled revolver with a loading gate and an ejector rod housing.

 

[Jim March]

As long as it's not so old it's a breaktop, the H&Rs I've examined seem to have been well built. I haven't shot one yet but I'm told they're reasonably accurate.

Esp. in rimfire, I'd bet they're a decent deal if they pass "the checkout".

 

[DenPro]

My First Gun

My first gun was this gun and I miss it. It was a great "first handgun" for me and I don't regret purchasing it for a second.

 

[OJ]

[Old H&R's... are they any good? /QUOTE]

YEP - VERY GOOD !!!

Here's my first - got it in 1933 -

Well - OK - that wasn't what you had in mind - it's a duly registered NFA .410 pistol.

Here's my 686 - Buntline Special - looks like single action but will shoot double action - really good shooter, though. Has cylinders for .22 LR and .22 Magnum.

H&R was known for quality guns.

 

[Joe the Redneck]

Have both love both. Just don't pay too much. 150-200.

 

[mfree]

Picked up a 95% H&R 929 at the shop a few weeks ago for $75. At that price it could have been junk and I'd still be reasonably satisfied... but it went and gave me a 1" group at 7 yards in single action, she's a keeper

Double action is tough, to be honest.

 

[walter in florida]

Old H & R revolvers

I got two H & R revolvers and think they are pretty good for the price. All H&R 22 need to be looked at close in two places. Look at the back of cylinder for dry fring groves and the hammer striker to see if it is messed up.

 

[gvf]

939 Octagonal

Here's a pix of the one I asked about. It's marked 939, serial # AP52662.
Called Ultra Sidekick. Octagonal barrel, vent rib, cylinder swings out by moving central "pin", target grips, I think 6", odd double action: trigger pulls hammer back, when trigger depresses "button" on rear of trigger guard, hammer releases. .22 (I guess LR), 9 shot. Year is 60's I think. Guy wants $100.

Also, here's Blue Book 2005, for H&R Values. Not sure if that's the whole Blue Book by the way, for all guns - but seems there's quite a few listings on it. Find what you want under "search"

http://books.google.com/books?id=dt...ts=wt7NX-gvVG&sig=GnVusmzwMhaxCZhGPQQJUdENecA