New england 243 single shot rifle

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stevok

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Mar 19, 2005, 5:34:43 PM3/19/05

to

I've got a breakopen New England Firearms .243 that doesn't latch close
properly. Occasionally (maybe 1 out of 5 shots) the action will open
partially after firing. I suspect it is because there is something
wrong with the mechanism that latches the action shut, but I have taken
it apart and it appears to be in good condition. Has anyone had
similar problems? Or know how to adjust/fix/replace the appropriate
parts? Thanks for your help.

-Steve

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BSquared

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Mar 20, 2005, 8:36:49 PM3/20/05

to

Send it back to NEF and let them take care of it. It may "Look" all right,
but unless you can measure every piece you've no way of determining if it is
within specs.

B²

"stevok" <> wrote in message
news:d1h4gr$3ne$...
> ...

Chalatso

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Mar 20, 2005, 8:37:00 PM3/20/05

to

stevok wrote:
# I've got a breakopen New England Firearms .243 that doesn't latch close
# properly. Occasionally (maybe 1 out of 5 shots) the action will open
# partially after firing. I suspect it is because there is something
# wrong with the mechanism that latches the action shut, but I have taken
# it apart and it appears to be in good condition. Has anyone had
# similar problems? Or know how to adjust/fix/replace the appropriate
# parts? Thanks for your help.
#
# -Steve

Steve,

I would examine the latch spring. It's possible that the spring is weak,
and recoil causes the latch to jump out of its notch.

Alternately, I'd look at the actual mating area of the latch itself.
There may be some damage, a burr, or debris, or it may be that the latch
is improperly shaped and doesn't engage fully in its recess.

In my experience, though, NEF is reasonably good about supporting their
products, and should be able to fix the problem, whatever it may be. If
you find something obvious and wish to attempt a repair, remember that
the latch is an important part of the action, and by altering it, you
could be creating a potentially dangerous situation. Think "case head
failure with the action partially open". That's not a situation you want
to be in.

Hope this helps,
Chuck

Clark

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Mar 20, 2005, 8:37:10 PM3/20/05

to

I have a 45/70 Handi Rifle that pops open when at and above 1700 fps
with 405 gr.
I believe it is the rearward acceleration due of recoil that does it,
and someday I hope to put stiffer spring inside.

J.A.Freeman

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Mar 20, 2005, 8:37:22 PM3/20/05

to

Jack Rosier

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Mar 20, 2005, 8:37:20 PM3/20/05

to

Steve,
Unless you are certain that a .243 case wouldn't hit anything important if
it went through your head, you should contact NEF for repairs before you
fire the gun again.

"stevok" <> wrote in message
news:d1h4gr$3ne$...
> ...

Thomas Reynolds

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Mar 21, 2005, 7:43:32 AM3/21/05

to

"Jack Rosier" <> wrote in message
news:d1k3j8$7v7$...
# Steve,
# Unless you are certain that a .243 case wouldn't hit anything important if
# it went through your head, you should contact NEF for repairs before you
# fire the gun again.

Way too subtle! :-)

Bud Elvin

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Mar 22, 2005, 9:26:36 AM3/22/05

to

I'm somewhat distressed after reading this thread. It would appear that
quite frequently a new firearm from just about any maker will have problems.
We seem to just accept this. Somewhat reminiscent of the automobile
industry in the 50s and 60s.

Bud

Nick Hull

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Mar 22, 2005, 9:26:59 AM3/22/05

to

In article <d1k3iu$7um$>,
"Clark" <> wrote:

# I have a 45/70 Handi Rifle that pops open when at and above 1700 fps
# with 405 gr.
# I believe it is the rearward acceleration due of recoil that does it,
# and someday I hope to put stiffer spring inside.

I had a single shot shotgun that would pop open on recoil; on bad recoil
it would even pull the fore end off and the bbl would pop open and come
completely off. It was a combination of bad recoil and my thumb that
crossed the stock behind the swinging latch. The recoil would drive the
latch into my thumb, which would unlatch the piece. Try shooting it
with the thumb parallel to the bore so the latch can't touch it.

--
Free men own guns, slaves don't
www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/5357/

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Mar 22, 2005, 6:31:51 PM3/22/05

to

Bud Elvin wrote:
# I'm somewhat distressed after reading this thread. It would appear
that
# quite frequently a new firearm from just about any maker will have
problems.
# We seem to just accept this. Somewhat reminiscent of the automobile
# industry in the 50s and 60s.
#
Some do, most don't. That's just the way it is.

I've bought a couple of guns in the past few years. Some were new, some
were used. I've not encountered one problem. You just don't hear as
much about the ones that work.

Rest eaiser at night,
harry

Natman

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Mar 22, 2005, 6:31:40 PM3/22/05

to

On Tue, 22 Mar 2005 03:56:36 +0000 (UTC), "Bud Elvin"
<> wrote:

#I'm somewhat distressed after reading this thread. It would appear that
#quite frequently a new firearm from just about any maker will have problems.
#We seem to just accept this. Somewhat reminiscent of the automobile
#industry in the 50s and 60s.
#
#Bud
#
The OP doesn't say that the rifle is new.

Clark

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Mar 23, 2005, 6:26:49 PM3/23/05

to

It is NOT a serious problem.
The force pushing the Handi Rifle action open when firing is
tremendous. [I think I have calculated it for rec.guns in the past]
The action stays locked then.

It is after the pressure is down, and the rifle is recoiling, that it
pops open.
It just envies repeaters.

Does New England Firearms still make guns?

Does H&R still make rifles?

Does Remington make a single

What is a Handi Rifle?