Break-Top Sportster .22 For The Overlooked Shooters

Most shooters are familiar with the popular break-action shotguns and hunting rifles from New England Firearms and its sister company, H&R 1871. NEF rifles are available in a wide range of centerfire calibers. Chamberings range from .22 Hornet and .223 varmint cartridges to big-game numbers like the .280 Remington, .30-'06 and .45-70.

While the reasonably priced single shots are ideal for beginners, the rimfire market was somehow overlooked. "For years, customers have asked for a .22 rimfire version of our break-action Handi-Rifle," said Robin Sharpless, NEF senior vice president. "Our new Sportster Model is the answer to those requests."

The NEF Sportster chambers .22 Short, Long and Long Rifle cartridges. To digest rimfire ammunition, the centerfire action was redesigned with an offset firing pin.

The rifle sports a 20" mid-weight barrel with a deeply crowned muzzle to protect the rifling. No sights are supplied, but the rifle comes complete with a Weaver-style scope base. An offset hammer extension makes cocking easy when a scope is in place.

A patented transfer-bar safety system prevents firing unless the hammer is fully cocked and the trigger pulled. Pressing a lever alongside the hammer unlocks the action, allowing the barrel to pivot downward. Both barrel and action wear a matte blue finish.

The buttstock has a Monte Carlo cheek rise and wears a ventilated rubber recoil pad, while the semi-beaver-tail forend has recessed finger grooves. A Youth Model is available with a reduced-length classic buttstock. Both buttstock and forend are made of high-density polymer with a textured, no-slip finish. Uncle Mike's sling swivel studs are standard equipment.

The Adult Model Sportster measures 35 1/2" from muzzle to butt. With a Bushnell Holosight mounted, the rifle weighs just 6 pounds. The trigger breaks crisply at 3 3/4 lbs.

Considering the success NEF has enjoyed with its single-shot center-fires, I'm surprised it's taken so long to get a rimfire in the works. The Sportster .22 is a great choice for beginning shooters. There's nothing safer than a break-top action. When the action is open, accidental firing is impossible. A quick glance tells you whether or not there's a cartridge in the chamber. Once the chamber is loaded and the action closed, you still have to manually cock the hammer before the rifle will fire.

This is a rugged, good-looking little rifle. It shoots well, too. At 50 yards I had no trouble keeping five rounds inside a 1" circle. At a recommended retail price of $139, I call the Sportster a real buy.

COPYRIGHT 1999 Publishers' Development Corporation
COPYRIGHT 2000 Gale Group