While the Harrington & Richardson name is mostly associated with civilian sporting firearms, most specifically top-break revolvers and single-barreled shotguns the company produced since the late 19th century, the iconic brand has a military background as well. H&R produced arms from the Reising submachine gun in World War II to M1 and M14 rifles (approximately 500,000 each), as well as the M4 survival rifle in the 1950s and the M16 in the 1960s and ‘70s during the Vietnam War.
The H&R brand has gone through multiple ownerships since the 1960s, the demise of the Remington-aligned iteration in 2015 bringing an end to the production of the company’s iconic single-barreled rifles and shotguns. Last year marked H&R’s return. Ironically, this resurrection is being built on a design often not associated with the brand: the AR-15. JJE Capital Holding, the parent company of such brands as Palmetto State Armory and DPMS, purchased H&R in 2020. JJE has also brought the retro AR-15 parts specialists NoDak Spud under its umbrella, with NoDak co-owner Mike Wetteland becoming H&R CEO.
H&R’s M16A1-style AR-15 rifle. Image courtesy of Palmetto State Armory.
In 2022, the company announced its first H&R branded product, a retro M16A1-style AR-15 rifle. The authentic styling of the rifle goes down to the gray anodized finish, iconic H&R lion logo and even a serial number in the 2 million range of H&R’s original military M16 contract run. The rifles are offered with a choice of authentic 1:12 rifling twist rate or a more versatile and modern 1:7 twist.
This year, H&R announced an expansion of its AR-15 lineup, with additional retro models. These include the following:
- 635: a 9 mm Luger rifle based on the Colt SMG.
- 711: an M16A2-style rifle that uses an A1-style rear sight on its fixed carry handle and an A1 “pencil” barrel profile. MSRP $1,099.
- 723: a carbine version of the M16 famously used by the U.S. Army’s Delta Force, that led to the development of the M4. MSRP $1,099.
The price on the M16A1 and 635 rifles is yet to be determined, but is expected to be in the $1,200 to $1,500 range.
A newly manufactured H&R AR-15 receiver. Image courtesy of Palmetto State Armory.
H&R is also manufacturing upper and lower receivers (sold complete or stripped) in the following configurations:
- 604 upper receiver: an M16A1-style rifle that lacks a forward assist on its “slick side” upper, as used by the U.S. Air Force.
- 653 upper receiver: an A1 CAR-style carbine with a 14.7” barrel with a permanently pinned flash hider assembly to bring its overall length to 16”.
- “Commando” marked “partial fence” lower receiver, as used on the XM177
- “M16A2” marked and styled lower receiver
Additional models will be introduced throughout the year, with more H&R AR-15s and other “legacy” H&R firearms products in the future. The company is also selling many retro AR parts, from CAR telescoping stock assemblies to “waffle”-pattern 20-round magazines under the H&R brand.
For more information, visit Harrington & Richardson. H&R products are currently being sold at Palmetto State Armory.
