444 Handy Rifle

[Hickory]

My local gun dealer has a new in the box 444 handy rifle for $375.00 is this a good deal?

[macomber]

It all depends how much you want it, but I wouldn't say that's an exceptional price.

[pietro]

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Yes, it's a good deal................................ for the seller. ;)

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[GhostHawk]

Not a bad deal. I've seen bare barrels going for over 500$ this year and next year they will be higher.

That being said that is 160 dollars more than I paid for mine some year and a half ago. But I got mine new old stock for 210$.

Still under 400 for a complete gun is not bad. And my .444marlin is one of my better shooters. It likes to give me cloverleafs.

[Butchman205]

Those suckers are getting harder and harder to find. In a 444...like hens teeth.


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[MT Gianni]

That is close to the cost of an MGM contender or Encore bbl with a great throat, bore and muzzle crown. The lock up, wear and longevity are all a plus to the custom bbl. For that money you can buy a 14" Contender in 44 Mag and ream to 444 and add a 2 1/2" break. Handi's were a great deal @ $225 in todays money even $300 you are pushing a Axis or Ruger American. In the 30-06 vs 444 battle I will take the 06 9 times out of 9.

[gpidaho]

I have a lot of fun with my 444 Handi. I bought it from Bud's as a two barrel set, the other being 35Rem. for $301 One nice thing going for the 444s is they have a much faster twist rate than the norm. I believe it's 1 in 20 if memory serves, rather than the typical 1 in 38 and that allows the use of pretty heavy bullets. Gp

[MostlyLeverGuns]

You can probably find a Marlin 444 for a little bit more. Unless you just gots to shoot bullets heavier than 300 grains the 1-38 and Microgroove are not problems. Jacketed 300 grain go under 3 inches at 200 yards, 265 Hornady under MOA, gas checked 265 Ranch Dog about 1.25 MOA. Sounds high priced for a break barrel single shot.

[scattershot]

Sounds pretty high to me. I paid $180.00 for mine, but they aren't making them anymore, either.

Go over to Graybeard.com to get a feel for the prices on those. They have a devoted following over there.

[Four-Sixty]

Just get a CVA Hunter in 44 magnum and ream it out to 445 super mag. You'll get a better trigger and a 1:20 twist for under that $375.

[Kevinakaq]

My local gun dealer has a new in the box 444 handy rifle for $375.00 is this a good deal?

Bought mine from Buds two years ago for 180 shipped. Still in the box in my closet and unfired. I would consider that on the high side of fair, but as was stated they aint exactly making them anymore...

[MT Gianni]

A friend has been through hell with his Handi. The 7mm08 bbl would not shoot so he sold it and replaced it with 357 then bored to max. When he could not get it to shoot he finally found the hinge pin was so far out of square that lock up was inconsistent. As was said, "they aren't making them any more". I like mine but is and always will be a sows ear, never a silk purse.

[kenyerian]

I would take a very good look at the Handi before I purchased it. I'm pretty sure they had some issues with the 444's rifling not being finished on some of the last ones made. I'm not a handi hater and have 3 of them in the gun safe now in 410, 22 hornet and 44 magnum. I have had the opportunity to shoot some of the CVA's and I would give them a serious look. I also have some contenders and encores. If you already have a frame I would look into http://www.encoreclassifieds.com/forum/index.php?t=i& or http://www.edstc.com/. As to the price being fair it would be difficult to find a new one at any price. There is a used one on GunBroker right now that no one has bid on. Minimum Bid of 225, shipping 40, 20 for transfer fees so you would have 305 in it if you won the bid.

[tdoyka]

also you can go with...

Graybeard Outdoors - Index (http://www.go2gbo.com/forums/#4)

for encore/'tender barrels.