H&R Springfield Officers trapdoor

[barbarossa]

Just purchased this a H&R Officers trapdoor ,he also had the 45/70 Uberti high wall for sale but I couldn t afford both so I opted for the trapdoor as they are starting to get harder to find in nice condition up here.

[2ndovc]

Very cool!

I had one of the Little Big Horn editions. That little rifle was a lot of fun.

jb

[barbarossa]

Thanks I plan on getting the pistol grip and the beech type front sight for it eventually

[ollogger]

Very nice & I think you made the right choice!


Brad

[Grizz]

super cool. I think it's one of the great pieces of American history, should be a smile for every shot. good on ya.

[Ray Newman]

I have an H&R Officer's Model. Believe I am the 3rd owner. Have not loaded Black Powder or lead bullets, just smokeless and jacketed and copper plated bullets. I enjoy shooting it. Just wished my eyes were not 70+ years old

With the issue iron sights, my better groups were with the Remington 305 g HP and IMR 3031 or SR4759 -- cannot recall exactly which and would need to go through my previous years' targets to find out exactly. I only shoot from the bench due to a medical malady and found the rifle shoots better with the cleaning rod removed for bench shooting. Since the Remington 300 HP is just about unobtainium, I tried a few loads with the 350 g Berry Copper Plated Bullets FP. Have not done any real load development for that bullet, just tried to get a 100 yard sight setting. Plus the light is not the best this time of the year in WA for shooting iron sights.

Caveat 'bout the rear sight, as it does not have a threaded screw adjustment for elevation. You must loosen the eye cup and move it up/down. Problem: to adjust for wind, you also loosen the eye cup and move it right/left. Be very careful when making changes for range or wind. I leave it set for 100 yds., no wind. I could not see the copper/gold bead front sight and replaced it with a spirit level aperture from Lee Shaver. Have searched to no avail for a rear tang with a threaded screw elevation adjustment.

Caveat 2 The action has a reputation for "popping open", it can happen. Think that is why the previous owner sold it to me. Since I do not hot the rifle I 'nevva' gave it a thought. However, when I had my gunsmith (John Taylor, Taylor Machine Puyallup, WA) install the new front sight, I asked him 'bout it. He said it can happen, it is an "easy fix" as the cam set screw needs to be kept tight. Believe said he tightened the OEM screw then added another to prevent the OEM screw from backing out as well doing as something else. While the H&R has the 1884 design with a stronger breech, H&R took a manufacturing short cut on the cam. Did some Googling and found a thread on this issue: https://thefiringline.com/forums/showth ... p?t=126537

Have fun with it!

[Old No7]

I've got one, and a High Wall too, but I still think you made a great choice.

I have an H&R Officer's Model. Believe I am the 3rd owner. Have not loaded Black Powder or lead bullets, just smokeless and jacketed and copper plated bullets....

So far, mine has only seen blackpowder and lead, and I doubt she'll ever see smokeless & jacketed. But no matter what you shoot -- have fun with it.

Caveat 'bout the rear sight, as it does not have a threaded screw adjustment for elevation. You must loosen the eye cup and move it up/down. Problem...

I agree with Ray, but I solved the problem by adding one of Lee Shaver's Economy Soule Tang Sight with the windage adjustments built into the base -- and it does have a threaded elevation staff! The other neat thing is that Lee's sight staff will fit the original H&R's sight base, so there are no modifications needed (just punch out the pin and switch sights) and the price you will pay is a little less than what he lists on his website, as you don't need a new base. Just tell him what you need when you order.

Caveat 2 The action has a reputation for "popping open", it can happen. Think that is why the previous owner sold it to me. Since I do not hot the rifle I 'nevva' gave it a thought. However, when I had my gunsmith (John Taylor, Taylor Machine Puyallup, WA) install the new front sight, I asked him 'bout it. He said it can happen, it is an "easy fix" as the cam set screw needs to be kept tight. Believe said he tightened the OEM screw then added another to prevent the OEM screw from backing out as well doing as something else. While the H&R has the 1884 design with a stronger breech, H&R took a manufacturing short cut on the cam. Did some Googling and found a thread on this issue: https://thefiringline.com/forums/showth ... p?t=126537

Yup, I do remember that thread. I also think that Gnoah (spelling?) on this forum also posted on here about this issue before. So far, my cam's set screw is SO TIGHT that I can't move it at all... So I haven't messed with it at all -- or had it pop open either -- so it's very possible that a former owner (as I bought this one used) did the repair already.

Here's a pix of mine, before the new rear sight was added:

Trapdoor Officers Mdl %281%29 %28Medium%29.jpg

Have fun, and tight groups!

Old No7

[barbarossa]

I have a soft spot for the h&R trapdoors as I owned a carbine when I was 18.I know about the action problem so I will have to check it out when it arrives

[3leggedturtle]

That's nice. Range report please.

[Ray Newman]

Ol' No.7: thanks for that info 'bout the Trapdoor Soule! Looed at the details on the sight and found that his Hadley eye cup will fit --Fat City and hog heaven!!!! Will give Lee Shaver a call. Just wish I had the fund$ to order one of his Ferris rifles.

For Those-Not-In-Know about Lee Shaver: http://stores.leeshavergunsmithing.com/