The Green Hornet

[David LaPell]

This is a H & R Handi rifle in .22 Hornet I picked up a year ago. I free floated the barrel and then added a Caldwell bi[pod and then decided to refinish the gun. I used the Walmart Krylon camo paint which went on very smooth. It's also very durable and much cheaper than Duracoat. In order to do the pattern, I held pre-cut templates at different heights to give it a three dimensional look. Before I painted it I woodburned a Hornet into the buttstock so everyone would know the caliber without asking. Later i just retraced it in black ink.

Here it is before the bi-pod with a grey fox I shot at 11 at night from 60 yards out.

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss57/Smith29-2/Picture797.jpg

Here it is after refinishing

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss57/Smith29-2/Picture1662.jpg
http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss57/Smith29-2/Picture1664.jpg

[Artful]

pretty nice - but looking at the background this would work best in shadows and if put out in the more open area it could use some lighter high lights to break up some of the straight lines.

here's some pic's off www to show what I mean
http://www.customcamoart.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/rifle2.jpg

these would have been better if they did the metal (but they are selling stocks)
http://www.getgrip.com/images/Rifle/Camo%20Rifles.jpg
see even in sedate setting you need some highlights
http://www.threewolves.com/imglib/M1AMARPAT.jpg
just a matter of looking at background color pallete and then adding duplicating
http://www.hyperstealth.com/specam/weaponscoat/Unique-Alpine-TPG-1D-SpecAm-Mountain-100-95.jpg

Warning if you go too far you can loose you rifle - had a friend we did his - out hunting leaned it up againts a tree while he dumped some wait - took us half to one hour to find it and we were within 50 feet of it the whole time.

[Jeff H]

[QUOTE=David LaPell;1220046].....I woodburned a Hornet into the buttstock..../QUOTE]

OK, the first thing I thought when I read that was "good grief," expecting something somewhat less attractive. Now, understand that I HAD to tell you that part - not to offend, but so you understood just how impressive it really is after I saw it. I am not much for "decorations" on a gun, but I have to admit you did a great job on that hornet. I have seen some crude woodburning on stocks, but that one really does look nice.

Nice job on the paint too. I could never do it to mine because I would lose it even if I didn't do as nice a job.

[daddywpb]

How durable is that finish? Does it scratch easily? It doesn't seem to me that it would adhere well to the smooth wood and metal. Is walking thru some thick brush while hunting going to scratch it all up? Looks spectacular though!!

[Shooter]

How durable is that finish? Does it scratch easily? It doesn't seem to me that it would adhere well to the smooth wood and metal. Is walking thru some thick brush while hunting going to scratch it all up? Looks spectacular though!!

If it scratches, sand, shake the can, and spray again. Painted guns rule!

[161]

Nice,
I have NEF .22 Hornet it'a a fun little gun. Shot a few coyotes with it.

[David LaPell]

It's the same paint as on my Jeep. I have had this on there since last May. Been through rain, snow, sleet, and everything else I can think of.

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss57/Smith29-2/jeep2.jpg

[mtnman31]

Nice work - very tasteful and well done. I agree, the Hornet design on the butt stock looks great and really complements the gun.

[troyboy]

Brilliant I think it looks great. GOOD JOB:D. If you havn't yet ya need to go to GBO and check out the Handi forum. They like Eye candy there.

[2Tite]

They all look good but I have to admit..........I like the Green Hornet the best. (2 cents worth)

[mroliver77]

Varmint Al once stated that painting over pretty fiddleback maple is good for the soul. amo is my favorite color
Jay

[Tracy]

That's a great rifle, David. I just read your article about it in FFG a couple days ago, and I enjoyed the article. I have an H&R like that too; mine came with a second barrel for 20 gauge. I traded a .40 autopistol even for it, and it was one of the better trades I have ever made.
I shoot mostly cast boolits in mine. Specifically the 55 grain version of the #225415. The 16 twist stabilizes them fine as long as I keep it above 1800 fps or so.

ETA: I just looked at the pictures again and realized that yours is newer than mine. Mine is an older model H&R Topper 58, not a Handi-rifle. It has a straight-grip stock. I have a couple Handi-rifles though; one in .45/70 and one in .357 Mag.