Inexpensive Top Break?

gr7070

gr7070

Member
Joined
May 6, 2010
Messages
1,047
Reaction score
234
Are there any inexpensive, readily available top break revolvers out there?

I just want something to play with. I couldn't care less about collector value. Age doesn't matter either. Condition only needs to be mechanically functional - and safe, of course.

Wanting something inexpensive doesn't end at the purchase price, either. Are there any inexpensive top breaks in a caliber that has reasonably priced, readily available ammo?

I'm clueless w/r to top breaks, so any and all info would be greatly appreciated. Much thanks in advance.
 
Last edited:
There are Iver Johnson's, Hopkins & Allen, Harrington & Richardson that you can find on the cheaper side. Most will be 32 S&W or 38 S&W. I believe Iver johnson switched to smokeless in 1909. I have several that are functional but I don't run many rounds through them.
 
I have an Iver Johnson and two Harrington & Richardson top breaks that are all in .22LR. The Iver Johnson was very in expensive and is a tack driver. The H&R model called the '22 Special' was also inexpensive and works very well. The other H&R I have is a Sportsman, which I think are now getting on the high side price wise for H&R's.

Both these companies made top breaks well into the 1970s in .22LR, 32 S&W and 38 S&W.
 
Wait a minute - I thought this was a S&W Forum??;)

gr7070 - I would ask the question what do you consider inexpensive? There are some great S&W shooters out there that go for under $200 if you watch all the online gun auction sites. The caliber choices in these old top-breaks makes buying ammunition fairly expensive, so many reload their own. S&W models I would look for are Model 1 1/2 32 SA spur trigger, 32 DA, 32 Safety Hammerless. 38 Single Action spur trigger, 38 DA, and 38 Safety Hammerless.
 
Thanks all!

I would consider sub-$200 to be inexpensive. Much more than that I'm probably not interested. I want one simply cause I want one. I'm not a collector either, so I really have no driving force other than they're kinda neat and might be fun.

A $150 .22LR top break would be perfect; if they're out there. Cheap to buy, cheap to own.
 
I bought this 1912 U.S. Revolver Company (division of Iver Johnson) Automatic Hammer model a couple of months back at the LGS for $40. It's in .38 S&W, and it functions and shoots well.

attachment.php


Bargains are there if you search.

Buck
 

Attachments

  • US Revolver Top Break.jpg
    US Revolver Top Break.jpg
    116.8 KB · Views: 3,051
A few years ago I owned a High Standard nine shot top break 22. It was a good shooting gun. Mine was nickel and a friend of mine had a blue one. What a used one would go for now I have no clue but if the price was right I would pick up another one.
 
gr7070 said:
Thanks all!

I would consider sub-$200 to be inexpensive. Much more than that I'm probably not interested. I want one simply cause I want one. I'm not a collector either, so I really have no driving force other than they're kinda neat and might be fun.

A $150 .22LR top break would be perfect; if they're out there. Cheap to buy, cheap to own.
Click to expand...

I bought my Iver Johnson Super Sealed Eight in 22LR for $120 two months ago. The H&R '22 Special' cost $60. The Iver Johnson is a real shooter.

They are out there!
 
There are millions of Iver Johnsons out there. But you can still get shooter grade S&Ws for under $200.
This one was a little more at $250 but I love it. It was cut down into a bicycle gun at some point and renickeled. But it's beautiful I think. I bought it from a member right here on this forum

IMG_2808.jpg

IMG_2810.jpg
 
H&R made the "Defender" top-break model ( Model 925) in .38 S&W (and maybe .22?) up through the 1980s. It's a great revolver (if you can get past the bird's-head grip), and I bought one in essentially new condition for $130 a few years back. Most have a 2-1/2" barrel, but there were also 4" models made. Mine is 4". It even has adjustable sights. I like it a lot, great fun to shoot.

The only thing I had to do was to replace the hammer spring strut, which had a plastic shoe on it that was broken. But that is a very simple 2 minute job, and the replacement part from Numrich was about $10 for one with a metal shoe that will never break.
 
Last edited:
Before you decide, check out ammo and brass availability for various cartridges. Some is fairly easy, some not so much. You might want to really think about cost of ammo. Did you say whether you cast and/or reload?
 
Kermit1945 said:
Before you decide, check out ammo and brass availability for various cartridges. Some is fairly easy, some not so much. You might want to really think about cost of ammo. Did you say whether you cast and/or reload?
Click to expand...

I shoot store bought ammo only. I have no interest in the two "S&W" calibers. Only other I'm aware is the .22 LR, which would be perfect. Though those seem much, much more rare.

I'd bee open to other modern, common calibers if they existed, but I haven't encountered any.
 
Last edited:
Limiting your choices to .22 top breaks only makes it a little more difficult, but I see IJ and H&R .22 top breaks frequently at gun shows. You will likely have to pay more for one of those in good condition than one in .38 S&W. About a year ago I ran across a nice H&R .22 top break complete with original box and instructions. I don't remember the model, but it dated from the 1940s-1950s, and I think the seller wanted $300 for it. I remember it well because I debated making an offer as it was in such good condition with box and paper, but I decided not to. I am sure it had been a house gun, and was probably fired very little if any.

I just finished loading up 100 rounds of .38 S&W to shoot tomorrow. .38 S&W ammo is not that difficult to find, but certainly not as easy as .22 LR, .38 Special or .40 S&W, and tends to be $30-35/box. If you were to reload, cost is maybe a dime per shot for components.
 
I don't reload and don't expect to for the next few years.

Plus, I really only want a top break purely for the heck of it. Therefore, it's just not worth it to me to spend any real money to acquire or shoot one.

Thus an appropriately priced, shooter grade .22 lr is about the only thing that makes sense for me.

Finding such a thing might prove to be More difficult than its worth to me, as well. We'll see as this search and education on top breaks progresses.
 
DWalt said:
Limiting your choices to .22 top breaks only makes it a little more difficult, but I see IJ and H&R .22 top breaks frequently at gun shows.
Click to expand...

Can you (and any others) give me a ballpark price range on functioning .22s? Beat up ones are fine; so long as they function. Curious how low I might find a shooter.

Thanks!
 
Watch the auction sites. Go to gun shows. Consider it a hobby activity. If it's not a .22, pass it by. Sounds like you want a fun shooter and don't want to reload. Stick with .22 and look no further. I think you know your mission.;)
 
Yep, that's the plan.

I appreciate all the info guys. Feel free to post anything else.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
Top break information.
Replies
7
Views
312
Llance
Llance
B
38 top break
Replies
1
Views
310
BMur
B
K
Top break info
Replies
3
Views
385
kent rogers
K
D
38 S&W Top Break Identification
Replies
3
Views
498
glowe
glowe
K
gun smith for top break?
Replies
1
Views
235
raljr1
R

Latest posts

Back
Top