H&R top break-Pictures added

[Muley Gil]

I picked up a cute little revolver yesterday. It is a seven (7) shot .22 rimfire H&R top break with a 2" barrel. Blue finish and hard rubber grips.

Has any one shot one with modern high speed .22 Long Rifle ammo?

I'll post pictures in a day or so.

 

[swsig]

I have Dad's H&R "Expert" .22lr target revolver (10-inch barrel) that he bought new in 1938. It went unfired for nearly 75 years, and looks brand new. I cleaned and lubed it, checked its mechanical functioning, and proceeded to run all kinds of ammo through it without any problems. This ranged from some ancient Winchester rounds that may have dated to the late 1930s, to brand-new high velocity CCI Stingers. They all fired perfectly.

If your H&R is in good shape (you can check with a gunsmith if you're not sure), I'd say you're good to fire away.

 

[dabney]

H&R Model 622, best shooting .22 LR fun ever!

Muley, one summer afternoon, many moons ago, my neighborhood buddy and I, took a trip into the woods with two 50-round boxes of .22LR ammo and a Harrington & Richardson Model 622 Revolver. We had a great time, plinking away with his .22 Revolver, airing out a few tin cans we brought along. We had a ball and made some memories, never to be forgotten.

Years later, as an adult, I would purchase a 4-inch H&R Revolver, Model 622 with a short round butt. I tried to re-live history again but my childhood friend is deceased. I had fun, but his memory lingered. Later, I made some new memories with my grand-kids, using this same H&R .22 to do so. How many great plinking days have been made with such handguns as the Harrington & Richardson .22 Models. Thanks Muley for a great post!

David

 

[ladyT]

I have a 9 shot top break and love it. Shoots well.

 

[Muley Gil]

I added some pictures.

 

[tops]

I think those small top breaks are neat. I wish they were still made. Larry

 

[DWalt]

Back to first guns. My first .22 revolver was an H&R 929 "Sidekick", having a 9 shot swing out cylinder, not top-break. I bought it from a next-door neighbor for, I think, $25 sometime in the early 1960s. It was a great revolver, and I put a ton of rounds through it, then put it away. Somewhere back in the mists of time, it vanished, and I have no idea where it went. I have always suspected that my brother swiped it. I know for sure I did not sell it, because I wouldn't have sold it. I'd buy another one in a second.

 

[ky wonder]

I would stay with the standard velocity ammo, nice gun

 

[Erich]

Muley and dabney, you gents brought a smile to my morning - thanks!

 

[Drm50]

I have had several of that model. You are lucky to find a blue one
every one I get is nickel. We shoot them all the time with bulk
ammo. This causes no ill effects on gun as far as I can see, also
not much ill effect on target either. Just gave one to my nephew
for a beater snake gun. It looks terrible, but was tight and good
mechanical. Also have several in 32 & 38s&w in my junk box.
I have a friend that has a pull pin H&R that is smaller than break
top, he has shot Rem Gold in it since we were in High School.
Most O encounter have 3" barrel.

 

[Thuer]

Here is mine. I love it. But you can not hit a complet barn with it.

H&R Premier .22LR

 

[Otreb]

Id really love to find one like that to accompany my Sportsman. It looks like fun.

 

[nutsforsmiths]

That looks like the H&R Premier I have in 22. The side of the barrel on the one I have just says "22 Rim Fire".

I have only shot 22 shorts through the one I have because I am leery of internal parts breakage. It is a lot of fun to shoot with the 22 shorts and I have had zero problems with that round.

I have read that these models were not made to shoot the high velocity 22 rounds. The high velocity rounds were made for the 22 Special, Sportsman and 922 models of the day.

 

[BigBill]

Lots of H&R 22cal affordable revolvers still out there. I think that H&R holds the record for so many different models in 22 revolvers.

 

[Muley Gil]

This one is also stamped "22 RIM FIRE".

 

[nutsforsmiths]

I am sure everyone on this thread knows what the other H&R 22s I mention look like, but pictures are always better for explanations, right?

Top with barrel facing left: 22 Special. This is an early 7 shot version. Later ones have a 9 shot cylinder. This one is made around 1926 or so.
Next is a Sportsman made about 1938
Nickel one in the middle is the 22 small frame Premier. Judging by the serial number, and barrel top strap markings, it was most likely made around 1915.
Last on the bottom is a 922 around 1938.

As you can see, the Premier is a lot smaller than the other three, which use the larger frame size. Even though this model, the Premier Second Model, was designed for smokeless powder, I only shoot 22 shorts through it. The internal parts on H&R top breaks, especially the lifter that rotates the cylinder, are notorious for breakage. So, why take the chance!

H&R Premier models that just have the "22 rim fire" on the side of the barrel are made between 1909-1925. Before and after those dates, the model name was also listed. The Premier Second Models were made from 1905-1941.

 

[BlackAgnes]

Here's a scarce model-- a "New Defender" in .22 LR

 

[weatherby]

another H&R topbreak

 

[DWalt]

There may have been tons of H&R revolvers made, but I don't see very many of them today. And those I do see are not bargain-priced.

 

[robvious]

wish...

wish they would remake the 999 in stainless... I think it would be a hit.