POTD: Bringing Back The West – The H&R 649
Sam.S 10.03.24
Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! The H&R Model 649 Convertible was a Western-style revolver produced from 1976 to 1985. It featured a .22 LR cylinder and came with an extra .22 caliber cylinder, allowing users to switch between rimfire cartridges. The revolver was offered in two barrel lengths: 5 1/2″ and 7 1/2″. It employed a side-loading design, which facilitated cylinder swapping and loading. The Model 649 also incorporated a transfer bar ignition system. This revolver introduced H&R’s approach to multi-caliber rimfire firearms, preceding the later Model 676. The side-loading design and convertible nature of the Model 649 represented H&R’s response to market interest in versatile rimfire revolvers. While not the first multi-caliber revolver, it was a notable entry in H&R’s product line during its production period. The Model 649 Convertible appealed to shooters interested in a single platform capable of handling different .22 caliber cartridges. Its design reflected H&R’s efforts to offer adaptability in their revolver lineup during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
“.22 LR or .22 cal., furnished with extra cylinder, similar to Model 949, Western style, double action, side loading, 5 1/2 or 7 1/2 in. barrel, 6 shot, walnut grips, blue finish, transfer bar ignition system. Mfg. 1976-1985.”
MODEL 649 CONVERTIBLE. (n.d.). bluebookofgunvalues.com. photograph. Retrieved October 1, 2024, from https://bluebookofgunvalues.com/products/harrington-richardson-inc-revolvers-recent-mfg-model-649-convertible.
