TNHunter20
09-27-2005, 06:17 AM
Ok, Let me say first that even I understand that this is an economy gun, I understand that these guns are built to be sold to the budget minded, and to younger people that want to break into owning firearms. I am NOT by any stretch of the imagination an expert with this gun, or any gun for that matter, I am just a country boy that knows what a quality gun is and knows what a quality gun is not.
The product I will review is the H&R 1871 20 Gauge shotgun, Modified choke, youth model (I am not a huge guy, and the youth models fit me better. If the shoe fits.............)
Well, I feel that it is my duty to share my experience with certain firearms. I have owned and operated this shotgun for a little over a year.
For the first week, I thought it was a great firearm, sturdy, and dependable as the day is long. I ran 8 boxes of shells through it and loved every shot, the only thing I didn't like was that it recoiled like a mad bull when you put magnum shells in it.:eek:
The more I shot it, the more I loved it, it was the right size to walk easily with, and it was quick to shoulder. Then one day I was out popping away at a few targets and I noticed that the breach mechanism was getting a little tight and that the shell ejecter was not doing what its name would imply. It once would throw my empties over my shoulder, and now it was needing a little coaxing to toss them.
I oiled it well, and tried it again. It worked well, but in less than one hour it was hanging up again. So I contacted H&R, they told me that I must not be operating the breach correctly, and that was causing the problem.
Not operating the breach properly? I have fired more shotgun shells than most folks have seen and I can't push a button (for those that don't know, NEFs breach by pressing down on the lever beside the hammer). Oooook. So I asked exactly how I should be operating this highly tuned breach mechanism. I was informed that the information I needed was in the manual, and that I should look at that first, if I didn't understand that, then call back. :rolleyes:
After consulting the wonderful manual, I discovered that I should push the botton. What a revelation this mighty book has given me. I contacted H&R once more a week later and told them that I was getting a little tired of ejecting my shells via knife point under the rim and that they should do something to remedy the problem.
I was told to ship the gun to H&R (in Gardner, MA, shipping costs out of MY pocket!!!!) and let them look at it, and that I could pay for the parts via credit card or check. WHAT!!!?!?!?! Pay for the parts? I reminded the customer service rep that it was well within the warranty and that I understood the agreement that was with the gun: It breaks in first year, you will fix it for free, now it is broke and you don't want to hold up your end of the deal. I was told that my negligence shouldn't be paid for by H&R. :mad:
I asked what the problem could be and they explained that it could be a host of troubles that could cost anywhere from $7 to $49. These costs would not be covered by the warranty. I only paid $125 for it new, so I took it to a gunsmith that owed me a favor.
He explained that the gun was not a hazard in its current condition, and that it would only be a hassle to deal with. So I took it home and am using it.
Closing thoughts on H&R: They do have a good product, but I was not happy with the problems I had with it less than a year after I got it. NEF does not seem to want to honor their warranty at all, and customer service is lousy and disrespecful.
The shotgun itself is one of the tightest patterning shotguns I have ever fired, but I just didn't like the way the company tried to blame its problems on me the shooter.
The company put this wonderful warranty on it that will only pay to replace.........The trigger lock mechanism.Now I am rough on stuff, but the mechanism on this is two pieces of coated steel and a padlock. Not even I could manage to break that thing.
It seemed as though the "warranty" was just a nice lure to get me to buy the gun, and was not worth the paper it was written on as far as repairs go.
Any other NEF shotgun owners here may have a different story to tell, but for the most part I disliked the way they handled the problems I had, and the next firearm I purchase will NOT be an NEF product. I hope that others have had better service from H&R, but for the most part I am and will always be dissatisfied.
TNH20.
Also, if I discover another problem, I will be notifying you all of the problem and also what my asking price will be ;) .
The product I will review is the H&R 1871 20 Gauge shotgun, Modified choke, youth model (I am not a huge guy, and the youth models fit me better. If the shoe fits.............)
Well, I feel that it is my duty to share my experience with certain firearms. I have owned and operated this shotgun for a little over a year.
For the first week, I thought it was a great firearm, sturdy, and dependable as the day is long. I ran 8 boxes of shells through it and loved every shot, the only thing I didn't like was that it recoiled like a mad bull when you put magnum shells in it.:eek:
The more I shot it, the more I loved it, it was the right size to walk easily with, and it was quick to shoulder. Then one day I was out popping away at a few targets and I noticed that the breach mechanism was getting a little tight and that the shell ejecter was not doing what its name would imply. It once would throw my empties over my shoulder, and now it was needing a little coaxing to toss them.
I oiled it well, and tried it again. It worked well, but in less than one hour it was hanging up again. So I contacted H&R, they told me that I must not be operating the breach correctly, and that was causing the problem.
Not operating the breach properly? I have fired more shotgun shells than most folks have seen and I can't push a button (for those that don't know, NEFs breach by pressing down on the lever beside the hammer). Oooook. So I asked exactly how I should be operating this highly tuned breach mechanism. I was informed that the information I needed was in the manual, and that I should look at that first, if I didn't understand that, then call back. :rolleyes:
After consulting the wonderful manual, I discovered that I should push the botton. What a revelation this mighty book has given me. I contacted H&R once more a week later and told them that I was getting a little tired of ejecting my shells via knife point under the rim and that they should do something to remedy the problem.
I was told to ship the gun to H&R (in Gardner, MA, shipping costs out of MY pocket!!!!) and let them look at it, and that I could pay for the parts via credit card or check. WHAT!!!?!?!?! Pay for the parts? I reminded the customer service rep that it was well within the warranty and that I understood the agreement that was with the gun: It breaks in first year, you will fix it for free, now it is broke and you don't want to hold up your end of the deal. I was told that my negligence shouldn't be paid for by H&R. :mad:
I asked what the problem could be and they explained that it could be a host of troubles that could cost anywhere from $7 to $49. These costs would not be covered by the warranty. I only paid $125 for it new, so I took it to a gunsmith that owed me a favor.
He explained that the gun was not a hazard in its current condition, and that it would only be a hassle to deal with. So I took it home and am using it.
Closing thoughts on H&R: They do have a good product, but I was not happy with the problems I had with it less than a year after I got it. NEF does not seem to want to honor their warranty at all, and customer service is lousy and disrespecful.
The shotgun itself is one of the tightest patterning shotguns I have ever fired, but I just didn't like the way the company tried to blame its problems on me the shooter.
The company put this wonderful warranty on it that will only pay to replace.........The trigger lock mechanism.Now I am rough on stuff, but the mechanism on this is two pieces of coated steel and a padlock. Not even I could manage to break that thing.
It seemed as though the "warranty" was just a nice lure to get me to buy the gun, and was not worth the paper it was written on as far as repairs go.
Any other NEF shotgun owners here may have a different story to tell, but for the most part I disliked the way they handled the problems I had, and the next firearm I purchase will NOT be an NEF product. I hope that others have had better service from H&R, but for the most part I am and will always be dissatisfied.
TNH20.
Also, if I discover another problem, I will be notifying you all of the problem and also what my asking price will be ;) .