Hello,
Anyone out there with expererience w/ one of the H&R repros offered/mfg. in the early 70's??
Have only seen one or two over the years, but seem to be a quality offering of the Trapdoor.
All input appreciated.

My dad had one of the officer's models. It was finished very nicely, but the sights were such that it shot about 18 inches high at 100 yards with factory ammo at the lowest sight setting. It also was so light that recoil was unpleasant at best (and that was compared to my .458 Lott).It probably would have done a lot better with heavy cast bullets at black powder velocities.

lound-n-boomer,
Thanks for the input. Yes, I also have a 458Lott and even though the rifle weighs some 10lbs. plus, it is a bit stout in the recoil department(Ruger RSM.) I am going ahead with the purchase of the OM and plan on using moderate loads, lead only. The high point of impact at 100yds w/45/70 should put it "in the black" or very near at 200 would guess. I'll find out for sure next week.
Looked at the Italian imports out there and they appear to be well done, but found this H&R,OM new in the box and just liked the idea of one built here in the USA.

I have one of the Officer's Models. I really like the rifle. I keep my loads light for the rifle. But the rifle shoots very well. The only thing I do not like about the rifle is the ramrod. I do not think it needs the ramrod. But IMO they wanted to make it historically correct. However I do not know for sure if it is historically correct.

The peep sight is not of the best quality, but it is more than adequate. I had little trouble getting it sighted in, but I worked that out.

The rifle is a fantastic carry rifle. And a great rifle to hunt with.

If you do not mind saying-how much do they want?? And if you decide not to purchase this rifle please pass on the information. I am seriously considering buying a second one. Thank You, Tom.

Hi MFD: I have most trapdoor models made by H&R. They are good guns. The sights are the weak point. Most have trouble clearing the action hump with some not visible at all. They often shoot high and can be uncomfortable with all but the lightest bullets. The rifling is shallow and may perform best with jacketed bullets as that was all that was available in the '70s. Watch the locking lever as it can work loose according to some. These guns are odd in that they were made at a time when the originals were cheap and plentiful. Actually the originals are still a better deal than most repros. Probably not a good marketing plan. I often wonder if H&R assumed most would remain unfired. I usually hunt with the LBH(Little Big Horn)carbine as I find it more handy than the more common Officer Model. The H&R guns turn up at most shows and many auctions and have little collector interest. Good for us shooters.

quote:

Originally posted by Tanker:
Hi MFD: I have most trapdoor models made by H&R. They are good guns. The sights are the weak point. Most have trouble clearing the action hump with some not visible at all. They often shoot high and can be uncomfortable with all but the lightest bullets. The rifling is shallow and may perform best with jacketed bullets as that was all that was available in the '70s. Watch the locking lever as it can work loose according to some. These guns are odd in that they were made at a time when the originals were cheap and plentiful. Actually the originals are still a better deal than most repros. Probably not a good marketing plan. I often wonder if H&R assumed most would remain unfired. I usually hunt with the LBH(Little Big Horn)carbine as I find it more handy than the more common Officer Model. The H&R guns turn up at most shows and many auctions and have little collector interest. Good for us shooters.

I would really like to see a picture of that carbine. I have never seen one before. Tom.

Tom: It is the same as the standard carbine except that it has a tang mounted peep like the Officer with no rear barrel sight, and an add on metal pistol grip(some are missing), saddle ring and bar,and is LBH marked.

There are pics on Gunsamerica.

http://www.gunsamerica.com/959...or_45_70_Carbine.htm

Hello Tom,
Sent you PM on source and one that is left in inventory. There are a couple original ones showing up at the gunshows where I live, Charleston area, but pretty rough overall and probably appeal to collectors, but I just like the OM set up and will most likely change out the sights. Based on some research of the original OM's, there were only some 4-500 ever made by the Springfield Armory, Mass. and year or so ago, one supposedly unfired went at auction for just north of $50,000!!! Well, at least mine will look something close to an original and mine was less than 1/50th of that price, thank goodness. Have learned that there are some issues with the H&R involving the latch and it possibly rotating on the round shaft causing problems. Set screw fixing latch/thumbpiece, etc. can come loose and allow rotation while trying to open the breech block.
Pretty simple fix is to remove shaft, mill/file flat spot on shaft for set screw to sit against, "lok-tite" set screw down, suggest Blue version, and you are good to go. Also can drill small indent in shaft and provide seat for set screw and again loc tite. H&R used a round shaft, Pedersolli, uses a square shaft, orginials were a one piece forging I believe. Not a big issue to resolve, and some have told me they have never had a problem, but if it does occur, can become an "automatic ejector" gun in the fact that the breech will fly open upon firing and eject the case. Not good. Anyway, supposed to have mine tomorrow and gonna shoot it till it won't shoot anymore. I don't know how to post photos but would send some via e mail, or aid in posting them. Bring on the "hostiles."

i have the 45-70 H&R infantry long rifle serial 504, and it shoots very well, i had to lower the front sight a little to zero it. i never saw very many of these ,i have wondered how many they made. eastbank.

Hello eastbank,
Don't know how many. Did a fair amount of research on the H&R TD's and asked that same question myself, but never heard/read an answer.
Good thing that you could lower your front sight a bit to get it on, I am most likely going to trade out my front one for a Beech style, combo pinhead post and blade which folds for one or the other(different heights.) Friend of mine and I are putting together a Falling Block Works single shot, 45/70, and put one of these on his and looks good and regulates with the rear one we used. Have been notified that my OM will be at my dealers tomorrow and looking forward to trying it out this weekend. I'll let you know how it does.
Take care.

I have had four of the infantry rifles in the last couple of years. Two were two diget and two were three diget serial numbers. I doubt many were made as they make less sense from a marketing standpoint than the carbines. The rifles often have rear sights lower than the hinge and thus can't be seen. It is really odd that H&R would let guns out that had invisible sights but three of mine were. They were new in the box. Maybe they thought most would not be shot. I suspect they were right.

Well, just picked up my New H&R TD/OM at my dealer today. Impressions of the rifle, outstanding in all respects! The current mfg. of firearms today should put as much quality workmanship in their products as H&R did on this one. Checkering is sharp, clean, no run overs, blueing is dark blue, color casehardening on all metal parts other than the barrel, is striking. Very nice walnut stock with deep wine color and overall makes an excellent appearance. Engraving, scroll type I would say, is very tasteful and quite similar to the orgiginal OM's. This rifle has the folding tang/lader style rear sight and from what I can tell will work OK, but plan on replacing front with Beech match/folding style
and from what I can tell/measurement wise, will regulate fine with current rear sight. If not will change it out as well. Does it shoot ok, don't know but will find out this weekend. Overall am very pleased with the rifle and again, shame that such walnut/steel/finish work has been replaced w/ aluminum/plastic, and carbon fiber. Closest thing I have to it is my Winchester Model 71 and that is a high mark in my book.