Centerfire leverguns - Browning BLR vs. Henry

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Danny,
I thought my comments might be giving you an idea.
Apparently not.

The Henry is simpler to take apart and reassemble, for a FULLY detailed cleaning.
It does have a one-piece barrel, the Browning has a two-piece barrel.

How many Browning products do you see in gunshops? You'll typically see more Long Rangers (once they get that model fully up to speed) than you'll see BLRs.
That's not because people tend to hang onto them, it's because the BFRs don't sell in much volume. As in low demand.

The Henry barrel is free-floated, which reduces group spread as the barrel heats up, if you fire more than one or two rounds.
Also less susceptible to changes in weather in the field, which can affect the BLR more.

Better trigger on the Henry, different design.

You carry with a "down" hammer on the Henry, keeps tree parts, dust & other gunk from getting into the space between hammer & firing pin when carrying in the wilds.
Minor issue, but crud can get in that space while carrying the BLR on half-cock.

The rest of my commentary deals with Bush's apparent perceived "ethics" difficulties.

What else do you want to know about the Long Ranger?
Denis
 
Marlin isn't producing 10% of the volume that Henry is in leverguns, and never will.

Volume is irrelevant. Again, the ethical issue is that Imperato consistently implies that his products are his original designs, or claims some lineage to the originals. Now that he has had so much success with this deception other gun companies have popped up that are also using similar practices.
my commentary deals with Bush's apparent perceived "ethics" difficulties.
They're not my ethics difficulties, they're the ethical difficulties of the company that you're apparently the mouth piece for.
 
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Bush,

My job involves shooting professionally.
I shoot a bundle of different guns, from a bundle of different makers.
I've worked with two BLRs, I've worked with one Long Ranger.
I've also worked with several other Henry products, all of which functioned just fine, and none of which were direct "copies" of anything put out by anybody else.

I've also worked with dozens of other product "copies" from at least five different countries and multiple makers, across all types of firearms.
Some were better than others, but so-called "copies" abound in the industry.

There's a reason patents are not infinite.
Patent protection was intended to safeguard the patent-holder for a specific period of time, after which when a given patent expired, the design was open to the world to run with, and that includes upgraded & updated versions.
Also known as product development.
A patent never guarantees that the original maker puts out the "best" way of producing a given design, and it doesn't mean evolution MUST stop with the original maker's version.

If Imperato wants to grab something that's already been invented as a base for a product line, upgrade it, and market it better than a defunct or a limited current company did or can, go for it.

It ain't ethics.
And you ignore every single one of the other "copy" manufacturers I cite in your obvious obsession AGAINST Henry, while you scorn my opinions as a professional shooter.
Denis
 
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Still waiting to hear more about what else Danny would like to know about the Long Ranger.
Denis
 
you ignore every single one of the other "copy" manufacturers I cite in your obvious obsession AGAINST Henry, while you scorn my opinions as a professional shooter.

I already explained how the situation with Rossi, Chiappa or the various AR manufacturers isn't the same as Henry but you ignore it.
 
Your gripes against Henry are vaporous & have nothing to do with Henry quality.
The company has offended you with marketing, it appears to me, and you offer nothing substantive about the Long Ranger or any other Henry product.

You're welcome to the last word.
I'll address Danny if he wants to continue, done with you.
Denis
 
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Your gripes against Henry are vaporous & have nothing to do with Henry quality.
The company has offended you with marketing, it appears to me, and you offer nothing substantive about the Long Ranger or any other Henry product.

The issue isn't about quality and I've commented on many of the copies Henry offers...
 
Denis, one thing that I regret saying and that I want to apologize for is implying any dishonesty or lack of integrity on your part regarding the reasons or motivations behind your strong support of Henry products. You were right I don't know you personally and have no factual knowledge or basis for those kinds of comments. Please accept my apologies and I regret having made them... Bushpilot
 
I have 3 Miroku BLR Lightweight ‘81s.
2 stainless and 1 blue.
All takedowns.
Very happy with them in regards to workmanship, functionality and accuracy.
Just acquired a Henry Long Ranger carbine in 243 Win.
Have yet to assess this gun.
 
It ain't ethics.
And you ignore every single one of the other "copy" manufacturers I cite in your obvious obsession AGAINST Henry, while you scorn my opinions as a professional shooter.
Denis

I suppose I'll weigh in here. I don't own a Henry but someday I may. I don't own a BLR either. Really, I have no dog in this fight. But I have to agree that the Henry bandwagon seems a bit artificially manufactured. The Henry infomercials turn me off, as do the very un-original designs and clumsy workmanship. I was ready to buy a Henry .22 lever action until I went in to the store and realized it had a painted receiver and plastic sights. That put the gun right into the "Rossi" category for me (my apologies to Rossi).

I know plenty of people have and like their Henry rifles. But I always wonder how much of that is just wanting to be "in the club." That's a strong, strong force to be reckoned with. People of a certain age (ahem) really feel the need to belong, and have others confirm their choices. Those folks also tend to be very "patriotic" and Imperato certainly figured that out and took full advantage in his marketing strategy.

I've looked closely at the Long Ranger. The basic design appealed to me, being a lifelong lever gun guy. But all of Henry's rifles are unecessarily heavy, and that was enough to turn me off. Maybe if I shot one I'd feel differently, but I'm a prospective Henry customer, and therefore my opinion should matter to a company who is after my business. Or maybe not.
 
I was very interested in this because I, too, wondered what is different between Henry (long ranger) and browning (blr).

As far as I can tell there isn’t much difference, but as to what this thread became, I will say this about Henry. I love the marlin design, but only henry offers .41mag in a lever action rifle you can actually find. So I will pay for one. I don’t care where it’s made. I don’t care whose name is stamped on it. If marlin, Winchester, or anyone else made what I’m looking for I would give them a chance too. The fact is, Henry offers a very broad selection of chamberings where other companies do not. It is what it is. Markets and all that.
 
I don't see any of the Henry marketing, but Browning branded stuff is everywhere. Join the club? And people pay to advertise for them... and advertise that their truck might have a rifle or bow in it judging by the huge sticker in the back.

Browning stuff is quality for sure, aside from maybe some problematic 94 that I've heard of. Henry's stuff is good. There may be a few cheap touches on the .22 rifles, but generally you get what you pay for.

Henry probably has the best quality traditional lever out right now. The Browning might be stiff competition for the Long Ranger; I'd like to see some accuracy tests in depth. Some Brownings seem a little lackluster in that area.

I'd probably lean towards the Henry as it's a better looking rifle. They are well built, and built in the US if that matters. Personally it does make a little difference to me, as the US is a closer trading partner, and I'd like to keep the money on the continent at least. Not too many company owners are as accessible as Anthony Imperato. And he seems to value making it right. Any factory can turn out something that shouldn't have slipped through. How it's handled after, I view as a bit more important.
 
I suppose I'll weigh in here. I don't own a Henry but someday I may. I don't own a BLR either. Really, I have no dog in this fight. But I have to agree that the Henry bandwagon seems a bit artificially manufactured. The Henry infomercials turn me off, as do the very un-original designs and clumsy workmanship. I was ready to buy a Henry .22 lever action until I went in to the store and realized it had a painted receiver and plastic sights. That put the gun right into the "Rossi" category for me (my apologies to Rossi).

I know plenty of people have and like their Henry rifles. But I always wonder how much of that is just wanting to be "in the club." That's a strong, strong force to be reckoned with. People of a certain age (ahem) really feel the need to belong, and have others confirm their choices. Those folks also tend to be very "patriotic" and Imperato certainly figured that out and took full advantage in his marketing strategy.

I've looked closely at the Long Ranger. The basic design appealed to me, being a lifelong lever gun guy. But all of Henry's rifles are unecessarily heavy, and that was enough to turn me off. Maybe if I shot one I'd feel differently, but I'm a prospective Henry customer, and therefore my opinion should matter to a company who is after my business. Or maybe not.

This. I'm indifferent to Henry's marketing, it's the weight of their rifles that really bothers me. Their Big Boys are a good looking gun, but I have no idea what they get done with 8 pounds of wood and steel that Rossi doesn't get done with 5.
 
I haven't ever owned a Henry, I've owned one Browning bolt rifle and had issues with the muzzle threading, stock finish and Customer Service. Neither Henry or Browning have exactly what I'm looking for, right now Henry has the caliber (6.5 Creedmore, I don't want to add another caliber) and Browning has the curved grip stock / schnabel fore grip.. So I'm in a holding pattern right now, but I'm leaning towards Henry.
 
I haven't ever owned a Henry, I've owned one Browning bolt rifle and had issues with the muzzle threading, stock finish and Customer Service. Neither Henry or Browning have exactly what I'm looking for, right now Henry has the caliber (6.5 Creedmore, I don't want to add another caliber) and Browning has the curved grip stock / schnabel fore grip.. So I'm in a holding pattern right now, but I'm leaning towards Henry.
sounds like you need a 1895 win lol.
 
Still, after all these years, people still spouting erroneous rumors & out-of-date info.

The ENTRY-LEVEL Henry Rimfire leverguns are not painted, they are coated, and Henry stopped using plastic front sights on them in 2006.

As for the "pot metal" reference to their Big Boys, Henry uses no pot metal in their Big Boy receivers.
The brassers are a very strong brass alloy & the steel receivers are forged 4140 steel.

Buy or don't, but at least get your facts straight.
Denis
 
I’m not a salesman for either company. I do own 3 Henry lever actions. 22, 44 mag, and a 45-70. Slick lever. Accurate as my Marlins and Winchester’s. 44went back for service with a stripped scope base screw hole. Taken care of quickly.
I’ve owned a few BLRs over the years and liked feel of them much better than the Henry’s. I did trade mine off for bolt actions since I could never get one to group as good as a bolt.
Browning’s name has been associated with rifles for years and the man was a genius in his inventions. I’m sure you don’t see a lot of advertisement on TV on Browning since the name is associated with hunting rifles and sells itself. I’ve seen very few BLRs used in gun stores around here in many years and what few I’ve seen are closer to the$1000 price than the 700s.
It’s a matter of what you want or are willing to pay for I assume. When I bought my levers, I had a few Marlins from the now Remlin company that just wouldn’t cut it anymore. At that time I figured I had traded up.
What Browning’s I now have are a few bolt guns which I prefer over the BLRs. Not to fail to mention that my Henry collection was once 5 rifles and 2 are gone that were no better than the Marlins at the time. Only Henry I would like to try out now is one of the single shot versions but way too much in price verses a Thompson Center.
I’m sure both Henry and Browning both have some really nice guns and no seasoned Hunter or shooter I know would buy just for name verses buying for the intention of it’s personal use.
I would buy what I liked and what felt good in my hands in the field and for reliability verses the name on the gun. After collecting rifles and hand guns for the last 45 years you can find a Dud in any of the manufacturers or one you just can’t give up.
 
Henry marketing doesn’t come across to me as more outrageous than anyone else, they may do more of it though.

Having shot both rifles, the Long Ranger trigger is much much better to my finger. If I had a BLR it would have to get a trigger job and there are precious few gunsmiths who can or will work on BLR triggers. So my choice would be Henry based on it having a better trigger and the fact the trigger isn’t attached to the lever.
 
Still, after all these years, people still spouting erroneous rumors & out-of-date info.

The ENTRY-LEVEL Henry Rimfire leverguns are not painted, they are coated, and Henry stopped using plastic front sights on them in 2006.

As for the "pot metal" reference to their Big Boys, Henry uses no pot metal in their Big Boy receivers.
The brassers are a very strong brass alloy & the steel receivers are forged 4140 steel.

Buy or don't, but at least get your facts straight.
Denis
https://www.cabelas.com/product/sho...ver-action-rimfire-rifle/1791590.uts?slotId=0

Denis, you had better go to all the gun stores around where I live and tell them those painted receivers aren't painted, they are "coated" (despite even the lowly Rossi being blued steel), and that those plastic sights aren't really plastic. I'd hate for them to mislead their customers so get out there and set them all straight. You can start with the Cabelas, and then hit all the Academy stores and Wal-Marts that all carry that rifle. That should keep you busy for a while.

You do come off as a Henry apologist. That much is true. But if you're going to be a good apologist, you should have your facts straight. ;)

Join the club? And people pay to advertise for them... and advertise that their truck might have a rifle or bow in it judging by the huge sticker in the back.

Tactical Lever, you just answered your own question with a great example. LOL

Any time I see something being pushed in corny 30-minute infomercials, it raises my suspicion. Henry rifles come off as the "Flex Seal" of the gun world. But I suppose they both work so who am I to say.

Some people will feel great about handing down a Henry rifle to their kids or grandkids. I'm happy for them and those kids. I would feel better about handing down a Browning, especially if they are the same price.
 
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I am historically a Henry-hater. You won't find one that has done so more fervently than I have. Moreso than anyone in this thread. This came early on and was mostly due to the rhetoric from fans who swore their pot metal Henry .22's were "just as good" as the Marlin 39 and Winchester 94/22. They are not, never have been and probably never will. However, I have always contended that they were a good gun for their modest price. The customer service reputation is also a red flag for me, as is the attempted connection to Benjamin Tyler Henry. I was also very critical of the early Big Boys as being overweight and the octagon barrels poorly polished. Not much has changed about those details. Except now the Winchester is long out of production and commanding collector premiums and who knows what Marlin is doing from one day to the next. So I have made some concessions and found a couple Henry .22's that work for me and meet my expectations. They are not 94/22's but for under $500 they are good guns that are still in production and not $1500 collectibles. I even upgraded the wood on my Frontier model. I also recently got one of the Big Boy steel .357 carbines. It is also a very nice rifle, well made, all steel and accurate.

I have several Miroku made rifles and shotguns and they are exemplary. However, I have never been a fan of the BLR. It's just ugly. Uglier than I ever thought the Winchester 1895 was. I have considered getting one of the fancier models but just can't get past the ugly. I have also handled the Henry Long Ranger recently and find it to be not only a nicely made rifle but much better looking than the BLR. So while I think anything from Miroku is going to be higher quality with better fit & finish than virtually anything else on the levergun market, the Henry gets my vote here.
 
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