H&A Underhammer

[ridjrunr]

Well, I was invited to a living history event this weekend and it was quite a time, 15-20 camps and a round robin that lasted over two hours. This happened pretty easily and I have always wondered about "them"!
If anyone can offfer a good bad or otherwise with direct experiance, it would be appreciated. Its a .45 with a 00xxx ser number, from NJ.

[Mike Brooks]

I  have one of those in kit form that was never put together. It's a .36. I have seen people shooting these with big target barrels at Friendship.  Unfortunately the hammer sear notch is soft on mine and needs hardened. I probably ought to take it to the local gun shop and get rid of it as I'll never get around to doing anything with it.

[Hanshi]

I've got a .45 Heritage model H&A underhammer.  I've killed deer, squirrels and bobcats with it and it has been shot so much the original flat trigger/hammer/tg spring died and won't function any longer.  I've tried a couple other springs that were given to me but they were pretty much dead when I received them.  I've had this rifle since the mid 1960s and it still has much sentimental value to me; we've had so many adventures together.  A shame because it is so extremely accurate and would make teeny, tiny groups beyond 60 yards.  The bore is still pristine.

[ridjrunr]

Thanks Hanshi! What twist did yours have?

[Semisane]

I've got a .45 Heritage model H&A underhammer.  I've killed deer, squirrels and bobcats with it and it has been shot so much the original flat trigger/hammer/tg spring died and won't function any longer.  I've tried a couple other springs that were given to me but they were pretty much dead when I received them.  I've had this rifle since the mid 1960s and it still has much sentimental value to me; we've had so many adventures together.  A shame because it is so extremely accurate and would make teeny, tiny groups beyond 60 yards.  The bore is still pristine.

That spring can be re-tempered.

H&A's have a warm spot in my heart too.

[ridjrunr]

Well I went and tried out the underhammer and was very happy. I used ..440 rb, 40 g FFF and a .016 ticking patch lubed with Hoppes BP+. I forgot to take a pix of the target but out of 5 shots, 3 were touching. 25 yrds benched.  Not bad for a capper
Smooth loading and smooth shooting, and a real nice trigger. Surprised!

[PetahW]

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When shooting, remember to take care that a spent (hot) cap doesn't drop down inside the sleeve of your forward arm.      

FWIW, I always tightly buttoned my cuffs when shooting my .36 H&A Heritage.


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[Hanshi]

Ridjrunr, it had a gain twist barrel.  Not sure of the actual rot but it shot super well.