H&R Trapdoor Safety Issues?

12 June 2005, 08:19

As a fan and user of H&R trapdoors I have never encountered a problem but was recently told that these rifles suffer from the actions popping open when firing. I was unable to determine if this was with hotter loads than the old design should be fed or what. Has anyone out there had an experience that would substantiate this claim? Thanks.

13 June 2005, 23:14

Zeke

quote:
As a fan and user of H&R trapdoors

Are you referring to the current tip-up design or the original Sprigfield trapdoor configuration? The old 45/70 Srpingfields were rated for 21000 psi for use with black powder. If someone has the action popping open I would look at mechanical/parts failure or overloading.

I just put one of these http://www.hr1871.com/firearms/index.php?cat=4&subcat=23 on layaway. In my research looking for loads, goodies and other info I haven't come across anything pertaining to action failure.

ZM

14 June 2005, 00:22

Tanker

I am refering to the trapdoor which is the Springfield replica made in the '70s. I was told that there were occurrances of the action springing open while firing. This was related to occur in the H&R, not the original Springfield. I use these guns and have never had a problem but would welcome info. from others who may have different experiences. I hope there are none. I know of no problems with the top break guns. The top breaks are off shoots of H&Rs inexpensive but enduring single barrel shotguns. With so many of those in existance, you would have by now heard of any difficulties.

15 June 2005, 22:31

Hook

Tanker, I recently purchased an H&R and the owner told me this about it:

"The only difference in the H&R action and the
original Springfield is in the attachment of the locking cam to the
thumb lever. It is secured by an allen set screw, wherea the Spfld has
the cam solidly swaged to the thumb piece shaft. In a few early rifles,
the setscrew worked loose and allowed the thumbpiece to return to the
locked position while the cam slipped on the shaft and did not fully
lock. The result was a number of instances of the rifle
"self-ejecting". The block popped open on firing. No damage, but very
disconcerting."

I am just learning about them so I can't verify this, but the gentleman seemed very knowledgeable on the subject.

15 June 2005, 23:03

Tanker

Hook:
I have owned a slew of these over the years and never heard of a problem until recently. A former "industry insider" had told me of the "pop open" possibility. I have not experienced this happening and I don't know if he had either. Your info. sounds feasible. I don't see how the opening when firing part could be only "disconcerting". But who knows? I always wear glasses when shooting but sometimes not when hunting. Would hate for brass and other nasties to flying about in front of the face.

22 June 2005, 13:47

gregg

quote:
Originally posted by Hook:
Tanker, I recently purchased an H&R and the owner told me this about it:

"The only difference in the H&R action and the
original Springfield is in the attachment of the locking cam to the
thumb lever. It is secured by an allen set screw, wherea the Spfld has
the cam solidly swaged to the thumb piece shaft. In a few early rifles,
the setscrew worked loose and allowed the thumbpiece to return to the
locked position while the cam slipped on the shaft and did not fully
lock. The result was a number of instances of the rifle
"self-ejecting". The block popped open on firing. No damage, but very
disconcerting."

I am just learning about them so I can't verify this, but the gentleman seemed very knowledgeable on the subject.

This is very true.... Doc Carlson of Crofton Neb
personaly told me of this happening to him on one of the first H&R Trapdoors off the line. Double the set screws is what i would do if I had one. A little loc tight would not hurt .

23 June 2005, 21:41

moodyholler

Hey, I heard of one case on one here locally where someone had it apart and turned over the latch and it would eject the empty upon firing. Rumor has it the guy fired it that way a lot before asking someone about it. FWIW moodyholler

23 June 2005, 22:10

El Deguello

As a matter of interest, I once saw an original Trapdoor Springfield at the Field Artillery Museum at Ft. Sill. OK, that had been armory-fitted with a .30/40 Krag barrel. The caption at the display stated that the rifle had been built and used at Springfield Armory for arsenal testing of various .30/40 Krag service loads. Apparently it had been used for such testing with no ill effects!