Long guns: fall is a peak buying time for customers seeking shotguns and rifles

Shooting Industry, Oct, 1994 by Russ Thurman

HK's Super Black Eagle shotguns are still the only semi-automatics that will handle 2 3/4-, 3- and 3 1/2-inch shells. Barrels are available in 24-, 26- and 28-inch lengths. Finishes include matte or blued with stocks in satin or gloss walnut and polymer. The Super Black Eagle Custom Slug Gun has a 24-inch barrel and 3-inch chamber.

H&R 1871

H&R Inc., builders of the Harrington & Richardson and New England Firearms brands, offers a strong line of long guns.

The H&R Tamer is a short-barreled .410 snake gun that has some interesting features. The high-impact synthetic stock has a thumbhole design with a full pistol grip. A recess in the side of the stock holds four shells of .410. It has H&R's single-shot action with a transfer bar safety. The barrel is 19 1/2 inches long, the chamber will handle 3-inch shotshells and it's fully choked. It weighs 6 pounds.

The Handi-Rifles from New England Firearms are classic single-shots that are becoming a favorite with shooters. Calibers range from .22 Hornet to the .45-70 Govt. They have adjustable rear sights or can be outfitted with scope mounts. Shooters can also select a standard or Monte Carlo stock and forend of walnut-stained hardwood. The newest addition to the Handi-Rifle line-up is a bull-barrel varmint version.

New England Firearms also builds a National Wild Turkey Federation-sponsored shotgun. The 10-gauge model has a 24-inch barrel with 3 1/2-inch chamber and turkey full choke. The 20-gauge youth version has a 22-inch barrel, 3-inch chamber and modified choke. Both guns have rubber recoil pads and are dressed completely in Mossy Oak camouflage.

Interarms

The Rossi lever-action will have shooters thinking of the Old West. The Model 92SRC is chambered in .38 Special and .357 Magnum. It holds 10 rounds, has a 20-inch barrel, is 37 inches long overall and weighs 6 pounds. The shorter and lighter Model 92SRS, also in .38 Special and .357 Magnum, holds eight rounds, has a 16-inch barrel, is 33 inches long overall and weighs 5 3/4 pounds. The .44 Magnum version, the Model 65SRC, is nearly identical to the Model 92SRC.

Long-time Rossi favorites are the .22 caliber pump-action gallery firearms. They are truly fun-to-shoot guns. Options include an octagon barrel, blued and nickel finishes, and rifle or carbine configurations.

For those who have been delaying the purchase of a Howa or Norinco firearm from Interarms, delay no longer. These two lines will not be in the 1995 Interarms line-up.

Ithaca Gun

The Model 87 pump-action shotgun is still the mainstay of Ithaca Gun. The versions range from the Supreme with its hand checkering to the no-nonsense Camo Field that is camouflaged entirely with Ithaca's own Camoseal pattern. There are also the Model 87 Protection Guns that are used by big-city police and are ideal for home protection. Most 87s are available in both 12- and 20-gauge and they all have 3-inch chambers.

Ithaca is also offering a .50 caliber target rifle that is made by American Arms & Ordnance. The bolt-action rifle is available in single-shot and five-round magazine models. The rifle has established a top reputation in 1,000-yard target competitions.