H&R 733

[rd62]

So, when my dad passed in Jan I inherited an H&R 733 among his effects. My brother had given it to him a few years ago (he didn't want it back) and dad fired it once to my knowledge four or five years ago.

The revolver is mechanically sound be essetically in poor shape. Its nickled with visible rust in several places on the frame, cylinder, and trigger. Grips are toast.

I'm debating what to do with it. It doesn't have a lot of sentimental value but was dad's and may make a decent quarentine project since the Governor just put us on a stay at home order.

I realize I'll likely spend more to refurb then the gun is worth, but if I can spend a $100 to strip the rust, clean it up, replace some springs and grips, maybe a spray finish of some sort and have a little occasional range revolver it may be a fun project with my boys.

Thoughts or suggestions?

[Paul D]

I would just keep it but don't try to restore it. It sounded that your dad did not really cherish it or use it. To sell it you may get $200 if it was in nice shape. In conclusion, the mods are shit.

[BN]

Buy a box of ammo, fire 2 cylinders full through it and put it in the sock drawer for the Apocalypse. I'm serious. It's a gun, it has some sentimental value and it didn't cost you anything. A little rust just gives it character.

[OlongJohnson]

Get some of this http://www.big45metalcleaner.com/ and go after it. If you can find a how-to, go ahead and disassemble, clean and lube it. Otherwise, just take the grip(s) off and hose it out with solvent, then get it wet with oil. If you can find a new grip for $20 shipped on fleabay, pick it up. Don't spend more than that.

Consider putting it on consignment at your LGS. The panic buying has slowed, but it would probably sell for more now than two months ago or two months from now, especially if you can spare a box of factory ammo to go with it. You could put the money toward a better gun for your children to learn to shoot with.

[Baldanders]

How does it shoot?

The H&R I had years back shot neat horizontal lines, not groups. Each chamber had it's own POA.

If it's accurate, I'd get it cleaned utrasonically, then have the boys shoot it as a family gun every once in a while.

If you sell it, does any potential regret later outweigh the $$$ you could earn?

If you realy want a project, why are you asking us? 😀

[Stephanie B]

Should have had “Keep as is” as a choice. Imo.

[rd62]

How does it shoot?

The H&R I had years back shot neat horizontal lines, not groups. Each chamber had it's own POA.

If it's accurate, I'd get it cleaned utrasonically, then have the boys shoot it as a family gun every once in a while.

If you sell it, does any potential regret later outweigh the $$$ you could earn?

If you realy want a project, why are you asking us? 😀

Cause you guys are great enablers and/or great at reminding me its an H&R afterall!

I've shot it once. Years ago. I dont recall any real accuracy issues but who knows.

I have an AR I also inherited from him that we built together. Definitely more nostalgia in that then an H&R he fired once and threw in a shoebox.

[rd62]

Should have had “Keep as is” as a choice. Imo.

Touche, but you successfully voted for "keep as is" nonetheless!

[Baldanders]

Cause you guys are great enablers and/or great at reminding me its an H&R afterall!

I've shot it once. Years ago. I dont recall any real accuracy issues but who knows.

I have an AR I also inherited from him that we built together. Definitely more nostalgia in that then an H&R he fired once and threw in a shoebox.

I would reshoot it. If you get a bad result, dumping it will come much easier, or at least it would for me.

If it's accurate, I'd vote with Steph. It could be an "early inheritance" to one of the boys, later, and they will be happy with getting a "family gun" ( assuming they are cool 😉 ) even if it doesn't really have much family history.

ETA: and if you purty it up, then it comes with a neat "Dad's folly" story attached.

The coolest thing about our wall-hanging 12 gauge Stevens is the story I get to tell about having it repaired 'cause Grandma wacked it upside a wall during an argument with Grandpa--an argument about him buying said shotgun.

[BillSWPA]

Shoot it and see what happens. If it is easy to shoot and shoots well, fix it up. Otherwise, sell it.

[SCCY Marshal]

This was in another thread:


Sure.

https://i.imgur.com/2D4yfDpl.jpg

Some background may help with this one, anyway. In factory form, the hammer spur on the 733 and 732 blocks the rear sight like many older revolvers primarily intended to be fired aimed single-action with DA as a secondary point-shooting option. Can't have that so I partially bobbed the hammer spur to clear the sights. Why not a full bob? Concerns about reliable ignition, especially as the hammer spring needed trimmed. The standard double-action trigger pull was not at all smooth and very heavy. I trimmed about 2.5 coils off the hammer spring and brought it out to shoot this 3-5-7 Drill and test ignition. The stocks suck just like S&W's equivalent but Pachmayr unfortunately discontinued their replacements so I wadded some rubber bands at the wrist. Primarily as a nod to the old days of holsterless IWB carry with such things and partially as an index to keep my fingers low enough for a workable grip and web of my thumb somewhat consistent. Ammo used: Magtech lead wadcutter at three and seven yards, PPU lead round nose at five yards.

https://i.imgur.com/ustHd8Bl.jpg

Looking at the primers, this is about as light as I'll go. Plenty healthy hits and the trigger is much improved so not going to chase the dragon. These little things aren't as bad as first impressions would suggest if one is willing to do some fiddling. Oh, I had painted the rear sight black and front sight a base coat of black with white over the top half. Going to put green over the lower half black for better indication that my front is hanging high. Gun fits a Mika pocket holster for either a Ruger LCR or S&W J-frame rather well, by the way. Also reloads just fine from HKS size 32J speedloaders and has chamfered charge holes from the factory. It's not a carry piece to me but is quite a fun mousegun.

Edit: Forgot to mention the O-ring on the distal ejection rod groove. Helps when opening the cylinder.

[Grizzly]

I have an old H&R 6" .22 from my father in law. He enjoyed it and was very accurate with it. I've shot it a time or two but it mostly sits in a corner of the safe somewhere. Why get rid of it? Someone may enjoy it someday. The sights are very fine for younger eyes. We are so spoiled by all the fine firearms available now. Someday they may not be. Your call.

[okie john]

Shoot it and see what happens. If it is easy to shoot and shoots well, fix it up. Otherwise, sell it.

This. Handguns are not going to get any easier to acquire, especially not concealable handguns. It could come in very handy someday, and the price is right.


Okie John

[vcdgrips]

Late to the party- I concur with the shoot it and see crowd.

It it is reasonable accurate i.e. roughly a 5 inch circle (a CD/DVD BTW ) at 5-7 yrds. Get the grips serviceable (25 max on E-Bay) deal with any surface rust with some steel wool/oil, oil it up, load it with some 148g wadcutters or something similarly soft shooting and drive on.

Other wise-dump it for some ammo.

[Hambo]

Should have had “Keep as is for a throw down” as a choice. Imo.

FIFY, and that's my vote. I wouldn't buy a 733, well maybe I would if it was cheap enough, but if someone gave me one I'd throw it in the safe.

[gato naranja]

When I was a kid, there were a lot of these sitting around in drawers and closets, but they didn't get fired a lot. Their .22 rimfire cousins, on the other hand, got used.

I'd probably keep one that was in really good condition, on the chance that before I kick the bucket, I may just need a cheap, small .32 revolver for the same reason all those portly old bankers and little old ladies back in the day needed one.