H&R shutting down Barrel Accessory Program?

[Rockgod1619]

I've spoken with 2 different customer service respresentatives for H&R in the past week and both have said that the Barrel Accessory Program has been shut down indefinitely, and that it happened recently.

I know there are a number of guys on here that swear by their Handi-Rifles, but I haven't seen any internet activity regarding this, either on here or on GBO. I was wondering if anyone else has any more information about the shut down. Especially regarding why?

Thanks in advance!

[Rick]

It's still listed on their web site.

http://www.hr1871.com/Support/accessoryProgram.asp

[canid]

Given the inherent potential of break-action rifles, the capabilities of modern manufacturing and the ultimate [read: wider than it should be] range of accuracy those rifles see, hand-fitting should not even be required in the first place and they should be selling their barrel accessories as consumer products directly. I'm not surprised if their current model is giving them problems. With that said, this is the first I've heard of it.

[Rockgod1619]

Yeah, Rick, I noticed it was still on the website as well. Was just wondering if anyone here had heard anything. I saw a thread on GBO from a few years ago that said they were shutting down, but that turned out to be misinformation, which I'm hoping this is. I was looking very seriously at purchasing a Handi, but if they're doing away with the BAP I don't know if I want to.

[hunter63]

Still a big secondary market on barrels....but you need a guy to fit some of them if you aren't used to that sort of thing....and it generally more expensive the H&R.

If you go back the GBO and PM Brian56.....He a factory guy.

[Rockgod1619]

Hunter, do you have an account at GBO? I don't, I just searched for anything related to the program shutting down and ran across the thread. Would you mind trying to get in touch with him? Big gun show this weekend and I was hoping to pick up a Handi there, but now I'm not too sure... Thanks for the help!

[hunter63]

I don't know the guy personally, and the only buzz I saw there was a thread about Australia.

I would suggest you sign up and resister, and ask him....or post the thread.

You said you called customer service and they told you that they were shutting down....Who did you talk to?

[Rockgod1619]

I called once to ask about the .204 Ruger barrel, and the customer service rep told me it was being shut down, that the company e-mail went out last week. Called again 2 days later to (hopefully) speak with someone else and verify and the rep verified that they are indeed shutting down, the company e-mail went out last week. It was a different rep for each call. I don't recall either rep's name.

[hunter63]

Just called and the lady confirmed that it is closing...will honor orders for a couple of weeks on barrels in stock....will be gone by 2015.

So id you are gonna order something now is the time.

To bad....I'm still missing a few calibers........

The bad part is pricing is gonna go off the map....now for example a 22" 308 is listed at $104 plus fitting/shipping.....
EBay has them listed as a "Buy it now" mostly at $150....no fitting that's up to you.

So yeah seems true.

[Rockgod1619]

Well maybe I can find 1 or 2 at the show this weekend for a decent price. Don't want all the calibers, but would love to have .204 Ruger, .444 Marlin, .270 Win as a start.

Thanks for looking into that, Hunter! I surely appreciate it.

[hunter63]

There still are plenty of Handi Rifles and Topper/Pardner Shotguns around, new and used......lots of after market barrels as well.

Picked up a .204 Ruger as a complete rifle as the .204 barrel hasn't been offer in the program for a while....added a few barrels on to that frame.

Was fun, but was even funner back in 2005 when rifle barrels were $55 bucks, shot gun barrels were $35 bucks......

Oh well will curb the temptation somewhat.........Maybe.

[kyratshooter]

My first question is, would they shut down a profitable sphere of activity.

Apparently they could not operate at a profit making level even with the increase in prices.

They have priced the initial rifle out of reach and reality for what it is.

They were already at the point that one could buy a good entry level bolt action cheaper than a Handi-rifle and the price of the individual barrels were closing in on the price of a Rossi multi barrel set.

At $100 for a barrel, $25 for fitting, $25 for shipping too them, $25 for shipping back one is at the $175 point just for a single barrel on the Handi.

If I had not picked mine up cheap as dirt at a pawn shop I would not have one myself. Then, like everyone else, I spent more than the value of the rifle on extra barrels!

[hunter63]

I actually had run into the problem of having to bring two Handi Rifles as the calibers I wanted to use were on different frames.

Now that barrel prices have jumped...and will more now I would guess, I'll be looking for used complete Handi Rifles.

[Rockgod1619]

That's a good point, kyrat. Maybe I'll have to look at the Rossi instead. Do you have any notable experience with them?

[hunter63]

Barrels are way expensive, for what I've seen....
Call customer service to check pricing.

[cwlongshot]

One would expect a given companys CUSTOMER SERVICE to know whats going on with there company...
Just want to be clear with this...it is NOT THE CASE WITH H&R!!! There CS continues to give wrong and incorrect information!

Now, I do not know if this info on the barrel accessory program is true or not, but I doubt it.

On GBO where a couple other people here including myself are members. The "man" to ask is Brian as hunter mentioned PM Brian56 and he will give you the correct skinny.

I know of a couple guys on GBO with frames in H&R RIGHT NOW getting barrels fit...

CW

[Rockgod1619]

Thanks CW. I made an account just a bit ago. I'll be sure to PM brian56 at GBO when I get home. I appreciate all the help, everyone!

[hunter63]

I called the number on the Barrel Accessory Program web sight,...... the number you have to call to get an OK on your frame serical number......went thru the switch board and talked to a customer service lady.

That's was what I was told....that it is true, orders in are being processed, may be able to order barrel still in stock...for a couple of weeks.

Posted a thread on GBO, no responses yet.
I would guess if it is BS Brian would set it straight.

[Rockgod1619]

Hunter, I believe that's the same number I used. 1-866-776-9292?

[hunter63]

Yes on the web site

Quote>
Barrel Accessory Program

To obtain your service request number, or To obtain your service request number, or if you have any questions about the barrel accessory program or need to obtain the age of your firearm, or availability please have your firearm serial number ready and please call 1-866-776-9292 prior to shipping your firearm. Prices and barrel selection subject to change without notice. There is a $25.00 per barrel fitting fee and $19.00 shipping fee for the first two barrels fitted and $10.00 for each additional two barrels..........<quote