I have the exact same model and the exact same year. I inherited it from my Grandpa. He got it as a Christmas gift from his parents when he was 37 years old.
My grandpa gave me a H& R single-shot 12 ga. as my first gun when I was about 13 years old. It was brand new then and it was love at first site. He had bought it at a local hardware store. The gun hit hard on that shoulder the first time it kicked me. The 12 ga. might have been a little much for a young boy, but I would never admit that it hurt me. We used do a lot of rabbit and squirrel hunting together and I grew to be pretty good with that shotgun. That gun has been a part of so many cherished memories of time spent in the woods of East Tennessee. Today, I still have that shotgun. It looks as good as it did when it was brand new. It stills takes plenty of rabbis and squirrels too. Enjoy yours and your right, it will last a lifetime. God bless and enjoy everyday. - Tennessee Smoky
They sure don't make em like they use to anymore. All of my first hunting trips and first kills was with an h&r single shot. Even had a few of those Sears and roebuck singles lol...but from a longevity stand point these things will go the distance
I have a few of these between H&R and NEF, they ironically have been popping up quite frequently lately at several local shops. I picked up two 20 gauge models, and a .410 as well- I love how simple they are, how well made they are, and the case hardened bluing. They're great utilitarian guns, well built, durable, and obviously have stood the test of time thus far.
I have a Topper model 88 20 gauge full choke I got when I was 10 years old. I must have put thousands of shells through it. I even took it to school for show and tell.
Nice shotgun AL, one of my favorite tools. I have them in .410, 20, 12, and 10 gauge. They are excellent "Critter Getters". My favorite shotgun adapter is the .410/.45 Colt. I've also put the snap on fiber optic front sight on all of my H&Rs. They make a big difference on game in the woods. I enjoy your humble channel!
@@bigalbowie7206 You will like it a lot. The .410/.45 Colt insert is excellent. You can run regular .410 shotgun loads with it, or the defensive loads designed for the Taurus Judge. They make a blackpowder breechplug for single shot shotguns that use 209 shotgun primers. Then load it like a muzzleloading shotgun. Hard to beat the versatility.
@@tomvawter4531 Yeah I still have my near mint 1977 H&R Topper Model 58 12 gauge 28 inch barrel 3 in. chamber modified choke Christmas gift of 1978 and my very 1st real gun of any kind !! It now sports a nice green snap on fiberoptic front sight and a soft slip-on leather sling and a Sims Limbsaver recoil pad and also shoots .22LR, .22Mag, .38Spec.,9mm, .45Colt, .410, 20 Ga. and yes also the 209 muzzle loader adapter to shoot it black powder style so yes it's the most versatile gun anyone can own !!! And the one gun I'll never sell !!!
Great purchase! I’ve got the same, except mine is a modified choke. I would recommend getting the fixed choke from full to modified. Any gunsmith with tenure with have the reamers to properly convert it. If it’s modified, your set!! Nice purchase though!
Foster Shells? Even though this shot gun is a smooth bore, you can shoot slugs or other heavier type loads?? Can you explain “Foster loads” and what brand?? -Stephen, Ohio
These are the oldest shotgun slugs introduced for smoothbore shotguns by Karl M. Foster back in the 1930s. They were an affordable way to turn a bird gun into a deer hunting tool during the lean times of the Great Depression. They were also fairly easy to use for reloading. Foster-type slugs are cast out of lead and include rifling grooves on the sides and a hollow rear. The weight of the lead slug near its nose creates a more stable flight pattern without the benefits of rifling spin. The hollow rear will allow to compress to be fired through a full choke barrel.
@@stephensgate1 you should be ok with a modified but even with that there is a small bit of constriction so accuracy may or may not be an issue. Test it ...do some practice shots and see how your gun fires it...every shotty is different...some sling it down range good and some have issues
He will have to get the fixed choke, from “full” to “modified”… Then, he can convert into a muzzleloader if necessary. To truly make it a versatile firearm.
👍 A great shotgun, but you are right it does thump your shoulder. The recoil pad should help a lot with that, it does on mine. I have both a 12 gauge H&R and a 20 gauge. Very nice look at yours, I hope you are still enjoying it. Shame on Remington for shutting H&R down!
Nice gun. I have one like it. Perfect for turkeys. Kills everything I shoot at. Because I make sure everything is a slam dunk. Because it kicks so hard I’d hate to have to shoot it twice back to back. Kicks like a mule. ‘Thumper,’ ha! Thumper hey haw 🤪. ‘Hey haw’ is the after shock.
Big Al great video much love for the H&R
I have the exact same model and the exact same year. I inherited it from my Grandpa. He got it as a Christmas gift from his parents when he was 37 years old.
My grandpa gave me a H& R single-shot 12 ga. as my first gun when I was about 13 years old. It was brand new then and it was love at first site. He had bought it at a local hardware store. The gun hit hard on that shoulder the first time it kicked me. The 12 ga. might have been a little much for a young boy, but I would never admit that it hurt me. We used do a lot of rabbit and squirrel hunting together and I grew to be pretty good with that shotgun. That gun has been a part of so many cherished memories of time spent in the woods of East Tennessee. Today, I still have that shotgun. It looks as good as it did when it was brand new. It stills takes plenty of rabbis and squirrels too. Enjoy yours and your right, it will last a lifetime. God bless and enjoy everyday. - Tennessee Smoky
They sure don't make em like they use to anymore. All of my first hunting trips and first kills was with an h&r single shot. Even had a few of those Sears and roebuck singles lol...but from a longevity stand point these things will go the distance
I have a few of these between H&R and NEF, they ironically have been popping up quite frequently lately at several local shops. I picked up two 20 gauge models, and a .410 as well- I love how simple they are, how well made they are, and the case hardened bluing. They're great utilitarian guns, well built, durable, and obviously have stood the test of time thus far.
I have a Topper model 88 20 gauge full choke I got when I was 10 years old. I must have put thousands of shells through it. I even took it to school for show and tell.
Great piece of craftsmanship Al. That was a good find.
Nice shotgun AL, one of my favorite tools. I have them in .410, 20, 12, and 10 gauge.
They are excellent "Critter Getters". My favorite shotgun adapter is the .410/.45 Colt. I've also put the snap on fiber optic front sight on all of my H&Rs. They make a big difference on game in the woods. I enjoy your humble channel!
Just ordered the truglo snap on sight today
@@bigalbowie7206 You will like it a lot. The .410/.45 Colt insert is excellent. You can run regular .410 shotgun loads with it, or the defensive loads designed for the Taurus Judge. They make a blackpowder breechplug for single shot shotguns that use 209 shotgun primers. Then load it like a muzzleloading shotgun. Hard to beat the versatility.
@@tomvawter4531 Yeah I still have my near mint 1977 H&R Topper Model 58 12 gauge 28 inch barrel 3 in. chamber modified choke Christmas gift of 1978 and my very 1st real gun of any kind !! It now sports a nice green snap on fiberoptic front sight and a soft slip-on leather sling and a Sims Limbsaver recoil pad and also shoots .22LR, .22Mag, .38Spec.,9mm, .45Colt, .410, 20 Ga. and yes also the 209 muzzle loader adapter to shoot it black powder style so yes it's the most versatile gun anyone can own !!! And the one gun I'll never sell !!!
Nice find Al, nice and simple👍
That’s true that’s what a 12 gauge breach loader is great for you can buy adapters and shoot all sorts of ammunition with
Great purchase! I’ve got the same, except mine is a modified choke. I would recommend getting the fixed choke from full to modified. Any gunsmith with tenure with have the reamers to properly convert it. If it’s modified, your set!! Nice purchase though!
Great guns, i have 4, 2 12's and 2 410's. Don't dry fire becuase the transfer bar will break.
Nice shotgun I wished they still made them
I have a 12g H&R S/N 1975 great Shotgun simple to use lite weight.I have shot Rabbits and Opossum's and Wallabies with it Number 4 shot.
Foster Shells? Even though this shot gun is a smooth bore, you can shoot slugs or other heavier type loads?? Can you explain “Foster loads” and what brand?? -Stephen, Ohio
These are the oldest shotgun slugs introduced for smoothbore shotguns by Karl M. Foster back in the 1930s. They were an affordable way to turn a bird gun into a deer hunting tool during the lean times of the Great Depression. They were also fairly easy to use for reloading.
Foster-type slugs are cast out of lead and include rifling grooves on the sides and a hollow rear. The weight of the lead slug near its nose creates a more stable flight pattern without the benefits of rifling spin. The hollow rear will allow to compress to be fired through a full choke barrel.
As far as brands go it will basically say rifled slug. Sabots and breneeke slugs aren't a good idea through a choked barrel
@@bigalbowie7206 My H&R Topper 88 is a smooth bore Modified. Would those Sabbots still work safely?
@@stephensgate1 you should be ok with a modified but even with that there is a small bit of constriction so accuracy may or may not be an issue. Test it ...do some practice shots and see how your gun fires it...every shotty is different...some sling it down range good and some have issues
He will have to get the fixed choke, from “full” to “modified”… Then, he can convert into a muzzleloader if necessary. To truly make it a versatile firearm.
👍 A great shotgun, but you are right it does thump your shoulder. The recoil pad should help a lot with that, it does on mine. I have both a 12 gauge H&R and a 20 gauge. Very nice look at yours, I hope you are still enjoying it.
Shame on Remington for shutting H&R down!
Nice gun. I have one like it. Perfect for turkeys. Kills everything I shoot at. Because I make sure everything is a slam dunk. Because it kicks so hard I’d hate to have to shoot it twice back to back. Kicks like a mule. ‘Thumper,’ ha! Thumper hey haw 🤪. ‘Hey haw’ is the after shock.
How do I tell if mine is full choke?
It should say on the barrel
If it's a 12 gauge it should say on it. If not take a dime and see if it slides in the end of the barrel if it dose its something other than full