Henry Lever Guns Experience

[matrem]

Have never owned a Henry but have shot several, and they seemed to be decent lever rifles.
Well.. Yesterday I believe I decided to get one of their new "all weather" .45/70s, as Ohio has specific calibers allowed & I've also wanted a good excuse to buy a dedicated lever gun for hunting anyway.

All of the folks I know that currently have or have had Henrys didn't seem to have anything bad to say about them other than a few who don't care for loading through the top of the magazine tube and that's not an issue to me.

Any experience with them (the rifles or the company) would be appreciated.

 

[bikemutt]

I stumbled across a new Henry in 22 wmr a year or so ago, it had a great action and a decent trigger, so I bought it. I found the rifle to be not so accurate so it's gone. I've talked to other folks who had the opposite experience so it was probably just my specimen.

As far as the rest of the field goes, I'd like to get one of their larger caliber rifles in a fancy finish, like a Golden, but all those are octagon barrels which don't appeal to me.

 

[bme27]

I own a Henry Big Boy (the big brother to the Golden Boy) in .357 and love it. I enjoy the look of the octagon barrel, it gives it more of an old west look to me. It does ad a ton of weight, but when you rest it on something it doesn't move. My dad owns the Golden Boy in .17hmr and it also shoots great. He wanted a 17 and opted for it because he likes lever guns and likes the look and feel of the Henry. I have a friend who has a real short .22 with the loop lever and I do not shoot good with it, but it doesn't fit me well. I do not know for sure but i have heard that Henry's have "weak" actions and you have to be careful with handloads but you will be fine with any factory ammo.

 

[Shaq]

My experience may or may not be representative of Henry quality.

Several years ago, I purchased a new Big Boy in 44 Magnum. At the range, it wouldn't feed or eject. I sent it to Henry & after it was "repaired" it was worse than before; round would get stuck halfway between the magazine & chamber. After writing to Henry & shipping it back, Henry (to their credit) sent a replacement rifle to my dealer but I didn't want to chance going through that again, so I let the dealer keep it & got something else. I did purchase a Marlin which never gave me any problems.

 

[Mosin Bubba]

I've shot a Golden Boy 22 before. It looked great (that brass is less gaudy in person than it looks online), shot well, and the action was just slicker than snot. I get that the short throw with the 22 helps, but it's the smoothest factory lever I've ever worked hands down.

Is a 22 plinker worth 500 bucks? I personally don't think so, but the Golden Boy is still a really nice gun.

I've only handled a friend's Big Boy, and that right there was enough to convince me not to buy one. They're just too heavy for a pistol-caliber rifle, especially with the sub-5 pound Rossi 92s running around.

 

[DPris]

The Henrys do not have weak actions.
Denis

 

[Steve S.]

I have never owned nor shot a Henry rifle however about two years ago, I had an interest in their newly introduced 1866 if it came in .45 Colt caliber - I e-mailed my question on Thanksgiving morning. To my surprise, I received an immediate response from the owner, Mr. Imperato, who reported that the only caliber available was 44-40. He then went on to offer his .45 Colt options in other rifle models. Never purchased any of their product, but I have to admit that is customer service at it's best.

 

[CCMarine]

I own a Henry Golden Boy in 22. I think it's a beautiful weapon, and has an extremely smooth action. I am dead on with this rifle, octagon barrel and all. It's an accurate shooter. I'm keeping it.

 

[Water-Man]

To me, the weight of the Henry defeats the purpose of carrying a levergun to begin with, that being a short, light, short distance woods gun.

 

[cdb1]

Duplicate post.

 

[cdb1]

The Henrys do not have weak actions.
Denis

Correct.

 

[BCRider]

A couple that I shoot in Cowboy Action with uses a Henry center fire rifle as their main match gun. It's been flawless for a good 4 years now. And they both really like how it operates. Their's is chambered in .45Colt.

 

[matrem]

Thanks for the information fellas.

To those that brought up the extra weight factor, I'd certainly agree with that because I'm often on my feet practically the whole day while carrying a deer gun. On the other hand, doubt I'd want a sub five pound rifle in .45/70 either.
As much as I can appreciate the "old time" looks of the octagon barrels, the Henry I'm contemplating is an 18 something length barrel and listed at 7 lbs, right in line with the Marlin guide guns and full pound or two lighter than their octagon models.

Thanks again for your input.

 

[Milkmaster]

I just bought my 3rd Henry because my first two were so nice and accurate. Besides, Walmart had Golden Boy .22 rifles for $399 during Christmas. Hard to pass up that deal and easy to pass down to my kids or grand kids.

 

[DPris]

Have both Henry .45-70s here, the steeler is notably lighter.
Denis

 

[BullRunBear]

I have the Henry 001, their basic 22lr model. It has been completely reliable, very smooth and more accurate than expected. At least on mine, the trigger is as good as the old Marlin 39a. I've heard equally good things about the center fire versions but never tried one.

Jeff

 

[FlyingScot]

.22 Carbine

Bought this for my kids with big hoop. A lot of fun with .22 shorts or lr, plenty accurate for the kids and my old eyes. Lightweight, smooth action and utterly reliable. Great value, great fun.

 

[Hoppes Love Potion]

I have the H001T Octagon Frontier Model. It's an adult sized .22 with a slick action and excellent accuracy. I replaced the buckhorn rear sight with a Skinner peep sight. It's a keeper.

 

[Bullseye]

I have a 44 Mag Big Boy and don't shoot it very much. It is a very nice firearm, well built, accurate and smooth cycling. I guess I don't shoot it all that much cause it still is like it just came out of the box and I suppose I don't want to booger it up yet. I bet it will end up staying that way just like my Uberti 1873 45LC sporting rifle. But I suppose that's OK. Some guns are just nice .... ta have.

 

[hemiram]

I just got a Henry big loop .22, a blue one. Other than the finish on the receiver cover being like paint, it's a nice gun. Heavier than I expected, and it's very smooth.

 

[Tactical Lever]

I have a Big Boy (used) that I have not shot much myself yet. It cycles very nice. The 92 style actions may be stronger, but that is usually not the part you have to worry about.

Have always heard good things on Henry standing behind their products. They don't shy away from doing a little charity work either.

I would not hesitate to buy another.

 

[alexander45]

Their centerfire guns are very heavy feeling in comparison to a marlin or 92, and as much as they blow their horn about how nice their wood is its really a grab bag one will be super nice and the next ten will be as plain Jane as Ned Flanders dry toast and warm cup of water.

 

[kimberkid]

I've only owned the .22's ... an H001 got me started on them, I bought a Golden Boy, then a Golden Boy engraved ... friends talked me out of them so they all found new homes ... then 6-7 months ago I spotted their new Evil Roy model with a 16" octagonal barrel, slender forearm & large loop, bought it on the spot and really really like it ... Much lighter than the Golden Boy, classic look and all the quality you would expect from a Henry.

 

[Tactical Lever]

Their centerfire guns are very heavy feeling in comparison to a marlin or 92, and as much as they blow their horn about how nice their wood is its really a grab bag one will be super nice and the next ten will be as plain Jane as Ned Flanders dry toast and warm cup of water.

They are heavy. At least the octagon barreled ones. Different strokes for different folks.
Some like Cadillac, and some say too big, too heavy.

I think most of the wood is nicer. But most wood described as select is pretty plain lumber these days.

 

[J-Bar]

I broke the firing pin on my Henry Golden Boy .22 after dry firing it in cowboy action practice for 3 years. Henry replaced the pin and shipped it home to me at no charge.

First class service even though it was my own dang fault!