NEF shotgun?

[bracks02]

Has anyone ever heard of the brand New England Firearms before? They make a 12 gauge shot gun I was looking at for home defense purposes. Looks like its pretty nice and not real expensive. Any thoughts on this make?

Thanks

[JhankG]

I own the NEF tactical 12 gauge and love it. Inexpensive and reliable in my experience.

[cajuntec]

Same thing as H&R, from everything I've read. Here is a cut and paste from another website regarding H&R / NEF:

The Harrington & Richardson (H&R) gun company dates back to 1871, when it was founded as Wesson & Harrington. For over 100 years H&R manufactured inexpensive handguns, shotguns, and rifles. In the 1980's the old H&R Company fell on hard times, and in January of 1986 they went out of business.
H&R 1871, Inc. was formed in 1991 and manufactured double action revolvers and break-open rifles and shotguns of basic H&R design using the H&R and New England Firearms (NEF) trademarks. NEF revolver production ceased in 1999. In 2000 Marlin purchased H&R 1871, also acquiring the New England Firearms and Wesson & Harrington trademarks.
Whether marked NEF or H&R, these rifles come out of the same factory in Gardner, Massachusetts and are functionally identical. The Harrington & Richardson name, of course, is probably better known to the older generation of shooters, but guns bearing the NEF trademark seem to be more widely distributed today.
NEF rifles are among the least expensive on the market. Their low price naturally appeals to beginning hunters, or anyone on a tight budget. These inexpensive utility rifles have garnered considerable consumer interest in recent years.
They generally resemble the single barreled, break-action shotguns with which many bird and small game hunters got their start and are, in fact, based on the same basic action as the old H&R single barreled shotguns. This is a simple action with an exposed hammer that must be cocked before every shot. A new, more complicated, transfer bar system to help prevent accidental discharges has replaced the traditional rebounding hammer. Thank the tort lawyers for that change.

[TeamFowler]

I have a 20 ga Topper model from NEF/H&R. It's a single shot, breach-action. I love it. Good for home defense b/c it's simple to operate. Nice to hunt with (i've taken many squirrels with mine) because it's very light and easy to carry. Lastly, they are very inexpensive. I bought mine used for about $90.

[fritzmeister]

I have heard of the companies mentioned. In fact, I have a H&R 22 revolver, and an NEF Handi-Rifle. Both are shooters and I don't plan on parting with them any time soon. While not the shotgun you asked about, I would imagine that the quality is just as good. I almost never hear anybody say anything really bad about NEF/H&R. I would buy it and use it for whatever you intend to.

You don't have to pay extra just because of the name to get top notch quality.

Buy it, you won't be disappointed.

[speednut]

I have a NEF single shot break open shotgun that I bought at Wally World about 5 years ago. I use it to shoot muskrats in our pond. It does the trick. I think I paid $89 for it and have had zero problems so far.

[bscman]

They're good shooters. I don't think I'd use a single shot for HD, but they are worth the money!

Check out the forums on graybeardoutdoors.com, there are a TON of H&R/NEF fans on the site. I bought a NEF 12ga last summer for $59 (lightly used) at a local shop. Makes for good fun, but expect a little more recoil as they are pretty light.
Filling the butt with lead can be a good idea

[Deerhunter]

I have a 12 gauge Topper from H&R (single shot break action) from 1963. It was the first gun I ever shot and my Dad just left it to me. I'm 33 now and I shot a Turkey with it in 1981.

I love this gun and actually just refinished the stock, and re-blued the stock.

The gun is simple and will last for ever with basic care.

[orrminator]

The NEF Pardner Pump is an excellent shotgun. I bought mine NIB for $150 bucks. I kept it around for Home Defense but recently sold it. I even took it skeet shooting a few times (worked very well), and dove hunting (not so well...I may have scared a few though).

[1-2-bang]

The first gun I ever owned was a H&R 12 Ga. single shot great shooter. If remember correctly bought it used from a guy for $50.00. One word of warning when shooting remember to wrap your thumb around the stock. I made the mistake one day of laying my finger along the top of the stock and the recoil and the sharp edge if the hammer combined to remove about a 1/4 of the tip of my thumb and split the nail all the way to the cuticle. I think it took about 7-8 months the nail to grow out.