The Gun Counter

I feel like a beginner this morning- so here goes...

New England Firearms? what do people think of this brand?

And more specifically- the Pardner Protector shotgun? I bought one (18 inch barrel I think- 12gauge) but have not given it heavy use.

The guy at CTD that put me on to it said that it was pretty much a 870 knock off using Chinese parts- he went further to say that it was as close to an 870 as they could get without being sued and that you could even use some Remington replacement parts-Is there any truth to this?

It did seem like a value for an HD application. Have others any good insight?

Thanks

It is a Chinese version of the 870, I don't know about the replacement parts. I have read reviews that it is a good gun.

I have heard it is a good gun. I am afraid that is all...

I've hunted with NEF rifles for over 15 years. They are a great value and easy to carry. I've owned 2 in .270, and 1 each in .308 and .243. The only funky thing about them is their triggers, not the smoothest, but they work well enough for the price. I also own a Topper shotgun in 12 gauge. It always works, but is a pig to shoot with hot turkey loads. I have no personal experience with the pump action.

snarky wrote:I feel like a beginner this morning- so here goes...

New England Firearms? what do people think of this brand?

And more specifically- the Pardner Protector shotgun? I bought one (18 inch barrel I think- 12gauge) but have not given it heavy use.

The guy at CTD that put me on to it said that it was pretty much a 870 knock off using Chinese parts- he went further to say that it was as close to an 870 as they could get without being sued and that you could even use some Remington replacement parts-Is there any truth to this?

It did seem like a value for an HD application. Have others any good insight?

Thanks

They ripped off Winchester(1300 series) too, which may be why it's exempt from prosecution. Poor machining inside too, I sure wouldn't want one. Does it shoot? Sure, but for how long you have to wonder. I'd save up my cash for a Remington 870 or just pick up a Mossberg 500 for almost the same price.

Can someone tell me why chinese parts all have that same smell?

NEF aren't bad, not my first choice but not my last either.
I've only seen a couple broken over the years, the last had a broken hammer, the sear edge had broken off.

With the exception of the '80's Poly-Tech AK's, I'm extremely hesitant to play with the chinese guns. The heat treatment is hit and miss, the machining runs the gamut from good to "done with a dull wood rasp".

For the money, I'd look for a used Rem 870 or Mossy 500.

New England Firearms started making H&R pattern shotguns and eventually bought H&R. Then Marlin bought NEF. Now "Big Green" (Remington) owns Marlin. Remington imports some of their shotguns from Bikhail of Russia. I would guess this Chinese 870 knock-off is a Remington thing. That would also keep the Chinese from being sued by "Big Green".

The NEF single-shot shotguns and Handi-rifles are very well built and work reliably. I don't know about thier imports.

1911Man wrote: The NEF single-shot shotguns and Handi-rifles are very well built and work reliably. I don't know about thier imports.

+1

snarky wrote: And more specifically- the Pardner Protector shotgun? I bought one (18 inch barrel I think- 12gauge) but have not given it heavy use.

The guy at CTD that put me on to it said that it was pretty much a 870 knock off using Chinese parts- he went further to say that it was as close to an 870 as they could get without being sued and that you could even use some Remington replacement parts-Is there any truth to this?

It did seem like a value for an HD application. Have others any good insight?

Thanks

You said you bought it primarily for home defense, not for shooting game birds.

Is it reliable enough to bet your life on when you need it? A Mossberg 500 isn't expensive, and is very reliable.
Put another way: Would you buy your wife/girlfriend/mother/sister a Lorcin .25acp and feel you had given her sufficient protection?

YMMV

Vonz90 wrote:

1911Man wrote: The NEF single-shot shotguns and Handi-rifles are very well built and work reliably. I don't know about thier imports.

+1

+1 (if you are still interested in opinions about the NEF single-shots). My friend had one for the cyotes that raided his chickens.