New England Firearms "Handi" Rifle Review .243

Quick look at the New England Firearms Handi Rifle in .243 caliber
The basic 2003 specifications for the standard NEF Handi-Rifle are as follows. (Synthetic Handi-Rifles come with a polymer stock but are otherwise identical.) Action: break-open with side release lever. Stock: walnut finished American hardwood pistol grip stock with recoil pad and detachable sling swivel studs. Length of pull: 14.25". Overall length: 38" (with 22" barrel). Weight: 7 pounds. Sights: ramp front and fully adjustable open rear; drilled and tapped for scope mounts. (Rifles in calibers .223, .243, .270, 7mm-08, .280, .308, and .30-06 are supplied with scope mounting rail and offset hammer spur instead of iron sights.) MSRP: $264 (Synthetic $274).
The Stainless Handi-Rifle features a 22" stainless steel barrel and a matching nickel-plated receiver. The stock is identical to that of the Synthetic Handi-Rifle. This is the weather resistant version of the Handi-rifle, available in calibers .223 and .243. A scope mounting rail, hammer extension, detachable sling swivels and sling are included; iron sights are not. The barrel on the .223 sample I tested (and ended up purchasing) has what I would call a "semi-heavy" contour barrel. I find this black and silver model to be the most attractive Handi-Rifle variant. Basic specifications are similar to those of standard Handi-Rifles; MSRP $325.
For the varmint shooter there is a dedicated Handi-Rifle Bull Barrel Varmint model, available in .223 and .243 calibers. This variation comes with a Monte Carlo hardwood stock. A white line spacer sets off its recoil pad.
Other variations include a Superlight Handi-Rifle in adult and youth dimensions, and a Survivor model. Again, models and specifications are subject to change.
For 2003 all Superlight Handi-Rifles feature a lightweight synthetic buttstock, are supplied with a lightweight contour 20" barrel, and come with a sling. Calibers are .22 Hornet, .223, and .243. Adult models weigh about 5.5 pounds; length of pull is 14.25" and overall length is 35.25". The .22 Hornet Superlight stock comes with a flat, fluted (!) comb and the barrel sports iron sights. In .223 and .243 the Superlight stock has an unfluted Monte Carlo comb. These rifles come with a scope mount rail and hammer extension, but lack iron sights; MSRP $274.
Superlight Youth rifles are supplied with iron sights and a synthetic stock with a flat, fluted comb. Calibers remain .22 Hornet, .223, and .243. LOP is 11.75" and overall length is 33"; weight is only 5.33 pounds. In other respects they are similar to the adult model.
The Survivor Bull Barrel comes in .223 and .308 calibers only. This unusual rifle features a hollow, synthetic, thumbhole style buttstock. The buttstock and forearm have internal storage compartments, and are thumbscrew removable. The Survivor also comes with a scope mounting rail, hammer extension, and a sling; it does not come with iron sights, however. LOA is 36", LOP is 13.5", weight is 6 pounds, MSRP $227.
NEF Sportster model rifles are chambered for the rimfire .22 LR, .22 WMR, and .17 HMR calibers. All adult Sportster rifles come with Monte Carlo synthetic stocks equipped with a recoil pad and detachable sling swivel studs. Also included are a scope base and an offset hammer spur. The Sportster 17 (.17 HMR caliber) rifle comes with a 22" heavy contour bull barrel, the .22's come with standard contour 20" barrels. .22 caliber Sportsters weigh 5.5 pounds; the Sportster 17 weighs 7 pounds; MSRP $160. Other specifications are generally similar to the Handi-Rifle.
Youth models with shortened stocks (11.75" LOP) are offered in both the Handi-Rifle and Sportster lines. Youth calibers include .22 LR, .22 WMR, .22 Hornet, .223 Remington, .243 Winchester and 7mm-08 Rem. The Handi-Rifle Youth has a hardwood stock with a Monte Carlo comb; a scope mount is provided but not iron sights. The Sportster Youth model has a black synthetic stock with a flat comb and also comes with a scope mounting rail but not iron sights.