Harrington & Richardson Model 1900 12 gauge

[fegPA63]

Hey all,

Question for you - I recently got a H&R model 1900 12 Gauge (from what I can tell) single shot. It has the hinge pin or whatever on the receiver. Stamped with Feb 20 & 27 1900, also May 14, 1901

Is it safe to fire normal 2 3/4 shells in this thing? Am I going to blow myself up? It looks to be pretty old but in good shape.

Should I load & cock it and tie a string to the trigger and hide behind a stump and pull it?:hide: Seriously though, is this safe to shoot? If not - where can I find ammo for it?

Thanks for the help in keeping me safe!

[mini4m3]

Gotta have someone knowledgable look it over before shooting it.

What does the barrel look like? Is it blued or does it look like a slinky twisted real tight?

[fegPA63]

it looks like a normal single shot shotgun. Barrel is normal, as is everything about it as far as I can tell. It's in pretty good shape. I just heard you might not be able to use modern smokeless powder shotshells in these old things. Ther is no rust or pitting of the barrel/receiver. It's very sound looking.

Thanks

[fegPA63]

Looks just like this one. I'm pretty sure from my research it is a H&R model 1900 that I have. Apparently these were made between 1901 and 1915 from what I gather. I just wonder if it's safe to use normal rounds in, or do they make special low-recoil rounds you have to use? Anyone an expert on these old things?

Thanks


http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/5674/wm2072707.jpg (http://img716.imageshack.us/i/wm2072707.jpg/)

[Howard000003]

Assuming there are no defects in your shotgun, you should be fine to fire modern shotgun rounds in it. I've a model 1900 as well, passed down from my great grandfather. I've had no problem running 2-3/4 inch #6-#9 shot through it. 20 years or so ago my dad regularly ran slugs through it for deer hunting.

[fegPA63]

Thanks Howard. So should I just load some 2 3/4' inch shells in this and let 'er rip? Anyone else that can comment on this thing?

[mini4m3]

Thanks Howard. So should I just load some 2 3/4' inch shells in this and let 'er rip? Anyone else that can comment on this thing?

A lot of those guns from back then were only made to shoot blackpowder, I can't comment any further than that on yours because well, I haven't seen it.

Just gotta be careful

[Howard000003]

A lot of those guns from back then were only made to shoot blackpowder, I can't comment any further than that on yours because well, I haven't seen it.

Just gotta be careful

The gun does not have a Damascus barrel and to the best of my knowledge was built to fire gunpowder, not black-powder.

[fegPA63]

I guess we may just as well try some gunpowder shells in it, see how she holds. I will try to contact H&R before i do though, see if they can offer any words of advice. If she blows up I'm sure you might hear about it on the news, lol

[fegPA63]

Looks like she held up boys! 2 3/4 inch #8 shot....we tested 4 rounds with it, no evidence of problems at all.....109 years old & goin strong still lol


http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/365/shottye.jpg (http://img714.imageshack.us/i/shottye.jpg/)

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[Howard000003]

Glad to hear she worked for ya. I enjoying shooting trap with mine, nothing beats shooting trap with a single shot.

[fegPA63]

Thanks Howard. Do you know is there any difference to shoot slugs out of this old gun, like, would it be more taxing on the barrel as far as pressures go? Just wondering because thinking of maybe using some slug load for deer season with it. Hey, for $50 you can't go wrong with one of these old guns

[Howard000003]

Thanks Howard. Do you know is there any difference to shoot slugs out of this old gun, like, would it be more taxing on the barrel as far as pressures go? Just wondering because thinking of maybe using some slug load for deer season with it. Hey, for $50 you can't go wrong with one of these old guns

Not that I know of, but I'm not that well versed in how pressure rates stress metals. I've shot a few slugs out of the model I have , but not a lot. I'd guess the slugs would create more pressure than the target load, but unless there is a defect in the barrel (weak spot or damaged spot) I can't see running slugs through it being a problem.

[fegPA63]

K, looks like we'll be doing a string test for the 12 GA slugs too.....might be nearer deer season. I'll post results back then