Henry rifles, 45 colt and 45-70

[OLDE RETIRED COASTIE]

Besides looking very much like an updated Marlin rifle, what do ya'll think of the Henry rifles, especially the ones with the loading gates?
I am thinking of purchasing these two rifles, and I very much like the idea of made in America

 

[OLDE RETIRED COASTIE]

I shoot left handed, and left handed guns seem to be getting more and more expensive, and lever guns do not have the negative reactions AR'S AND AK'S seem to have

 

[OLDE RETIRED COASTIE]

besides being originally from Oklahoma, and having granddads that were town/city marshalls in the 1920s and 1930s, am pretty much a cowboy, so they go good

 

[Trey Veston]

I bought a Henry Big Boy Black edition a couple of years ago in .45 Colt to use as a camp carbine and for exploring the woods. I bought it after a failed attempt to do the same with a Marlin 1894. The Marlin had feeding issues, QC issues, and was a boat anchor.

The Henry is better in every way. I love it! It has never had an issue and the action is very smooth. Haven't really wrung it out for accuracy, but it was certainly good enough at 55 yards; about an inch and a half or so.

I added a good brush sling, light mount, red dot, and stock shell holder. It's also heavy, but not as bulky as an AR and carries well in the woods.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Love my Henry Single Shot. They are available in .45-70, though not .45LC. Ambidextrous too.....

 

[dredd]

I these Henry Side Gates:
45-70 Gov.
357 Mag.
44-40
And their Tube fed 22 Lever.

They have all been wonderful so far.

 

[Bartojc]

I own a Henry in 45 Colt. I like the rifle a lot. It shot decent enough out of the box. I’ve been trying to handload for it but have gotten sidetracked with other projects. It’s a well built rifle in my opinion. The only negative possibly might be it’s weight. This is not a light weight rifle. It is not so heavy that it’s cumbersome, but it’s heavier than most of the competition.

-Jeff

 

[Frulk]

The OP asks...."what do ya'll think of the Henry rifles, especially the ones with the loading gates?"

All of my Henrys do not have loading gates.

What I think of Henry's in general based on the ones I own:

1. Accurate enough to reliably put food on the table.

2. Excellent wood as a rule and same for the wood to metal match up. In fact, it's probably the best of all my lever guns and I own Winchesters and Marlins.

3. I like the tube magazines as it simplifies and speeds up unloading the guns.

4. I do not have the brass framed octagon barrel versions. To me they're too heavy to carry comfortably in the field. Mine are all metal receivers with round barrels. They carry well unscoped in one hand.

5. The checkering is crisp and wraps around the underneath of the stock...something I wish the Winchesters and Marlins did as well. A side bar to this is I like the straight stocks Henry puts on these rifles.

6. I don't miss the loading gate. Jacking rounds into them over the period of an hour or two wears my thumb out. I can see the use of them to top off the mag quickly but that's something for me that's not a priority considering how many rounds the magazine holds.

7. None of the Henrys I own have ever had an issue with failure to feed, jam etc. The one I thought would have (due to difference in length between .327FM and .32 H&R) has ran reliably.

A comment I've seen on the internet about an issue with Henrys but have not personally experienced.

1. The Mag tube ejecting under heavy recoil. I have a .44 Mag Henry and don't remember if I've run really hot handloads through it but have shot a passle of mid-range loads and the issue did not make itself known.

Lesser concerns

1. A fair number of purists don't like the tube magazine. I can't think of any other reason except that many of us identify them with the .22's we grew up with (and maybe outgrew). I'm sure there will be a response on this comment that may shed some light on something I may have (and probably did) overlook in this regard.

2. Some folks have taken issue with Mr. Imperato purchasing the Henry name and leaning on the original company's history to sell rifles that were never marketed in the 1800's while it operated. To Henrys credit, they do make an extremely high-quality replica of the original Henry rifle. None of that is an issue for me. I own 1911's with Dan Wesson stamped on them. CZ bought the name and as we all know the original Dan Wesson never issued a 1911. It doesn't bother me with CZ nor Henry. I care more about the quality of the product.

What I wish Henry would do in the near future:

1. Put TAPERED octagon barrels on their rifles.

2. Offer a full-monty cowboy version...tapered 20 inch octagon barrel, case hardened steel receiver, straight stock, side gate WITH tube mag. Maybe a ladder rear sight.

 

[Chief TC]

Big fan of Henry. Have a 357 carbine. No loading gate and not 45-70 but they make good stuff and they are responsive and honor their warranty. Go for it.

 

[Trey Veston]

The OP asks...."what do ya'll think of the Henry rifles, especially the ones with the loading gates?"

All of my Henrys do not have loading gates.

What I think of Henry's in general based on the ones I own:

3. I like the tube magazines as it simplifies and speeds up unloading the guns.

6. I don't miss the loading gate. Jacking rounds into them over the period of an hour or two wears my thumb out. I can see the use of them to top off the mag quickly but that's something for me that's not a priority considering how many rounds the magazine holds.

What's nice is that mine has both a loading gate and tube magazine. Best of both worlds.

 

[OLDE RETIRED COASTIE]

I do like the idea of the tube and being able to unload without running the cartridges thru the action. Now I grew up with Winchesters and Marlins and have never had a problem, but accidents can happen to anyone.
But I think the good Lord, that at 72 years young have never had an accidental discharge with any gun. Rifle, pistol, or shotgun.

 

[Ks5shooter]

Mine have no gates and its not an issue as they are range guns,no topping needed.Also what I like about mine is that I created my own serial number.Only do that on Henrys through Sportmans outdoor super store.Orders close Aug 1st of every year guaranteed christmas delivery.Most any model can be ordered ,great for kids grandkids or just for you.

 

[Obturation]

Love my 45-70 Henry. It's an older one, no loading gate and I kinda like it that way. My Marlins and winchester have the gate obviously so it's a little different . my Henry is smoother than any winchester on earth and most Marlins and it has a nice trigger, good wood and good fit & finish. I recommend Henry without hesitation .

 

[jag1954]

I have 3 Henrys, .22 LR, .357 MAG/.38 SPL, and a .45 COLT (pictured). Very pleased with them.

 

[OLDE RETIRED COASTIE]

I have heard of a lot of QC issues with the Marlins, when Remington was making them I hope Ruger works all that out.
I was thinking of the Rossi's and Henry's but prefer the Henry's because made in America. But the Rossi is a faithful copy of one of the most successful Winchesters ever, the model 92.
And the truth is just because was designed by John M, most of them have not been American made either. Have to be honest, picked up one of the stainless Rossi's in 357/38, already removed the safety, (kept it just in case).
Grew up with an original in 44-40 and never had a problem. The balance is awesome with the 16 inch barrel carries great, and can't wait to shoot it,

 

[Riomouse911]

I have heard of a lot of QC issues with the Marlins, when Remington was making them I hope Ruger works all that out.
I was thinking of the Rossi's and Henry's but prefer the Henry's because made in America. But the Rossi is a faithful copy of one of the most successful Winchesters ever, the model 92.
And the truth is just because was designed by John M, most of them have not been American made either. Have to be honest, picked up one of the stainless Rossi's in 357/38, already removed the safety, (kept it just in case).
Grew up with an original in 44-40 and never had a problem. The balance is awesome with the 16 inch barrel carries great, and can't wait to shoot it,

My Rossi’s are also 16”, one is a .38/.357 and one a .45 Colt. I agree about the balance of the 16” 1892, I previously had a 20” Rossi and a 24” 1894 .45 Colt, and IMHO the shorter barrels just seem to go well with the pistol caliber cartridges. YMMV.

Henry makes some nice lever guns, my Henry’s are all rimfires but I like them a ton.

Stay safe.

 

[Charlie98]

I have heard of a lot of QC issues with the Marlins, when Remington was making them I hope Ruger works all that out.

For what it's worth, and understand I'm a Marlin fan, is the QC at Marlin (when it was still Marlin) was starting to slip. They were building rifles on worn out equipment, and the only reason they turned out a good product (most of the time) was the skilled old-timers running it. Remington, in their defense, took a bunch of worn out equipment, moved it, and then tried to produce firearms with new operators... it didn't work so well, and Remington had problems of their own. I believe Ruger is using new equipment to produce their Marlins... someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Question for you Henry owners...

One of the benefits of the Marlin is... one screw, and the action comes apart for easy cleaning from the breech. Does the Henry do that?

 

[Ethan Verity]

Question for you Henry owners...

One of the benefits of the Marlin is... one screw, and the action comes apart for easy cleaning from the breech. Does the Henry do that?

Yes, all I ever do is remove the lever screw, then the lever, bolt, and ejector are all easily removed, and I clean from the breech.

The main selling point for me on Henry over Marlin is that Henry has no manual safety. Hammer back, gun is ready to fire. Hammer down, gun is safe. Simple as that! It's more in line with the old style lever guns.

 

[Jim Watson]

1. A fair number of purists don't like the tube magazine.

Trivia alert:

There was a short article in an old gunzine about a real 1860 Henry set up for slip-tube loading. It had a walnut foreend with a notch at the loading port in the tube. The article was short because nobody knew where it came from and there was nothing to relate besides its bare existence. There were no records to indicate it might be a factory prototype, no markings to show what gunsmith might have made the change. But there it was.

 

[NorthBorder]

I have 4 Henrys; 22 LR, 41 mag (Golden Boy ), 44, &45. All very excellent and well made rifles. My 45 will keep 4 rounds inside 5 inches at 100 yds. I am not a real Golden Boy fan but in 41 mag the steel ones go for crazy amounts on GB (like $1500).

 

[OLDE RETIRED COASTIE]

I have a 22 golden boy, and love it. I think it basicly has taken over the niche of the old Marlin model 39 at about half the cost.
I think I want the 45-70 henry all weather with the loading gate. That makes em look almost identical to the Marlin, at about two thirds the cost.
I keep debating about the 45s. I picked up a ROSSI 38/357 in their R 92 with 16 inch barrel, replaced the safety with a plug, and the balance of that gun is truely awesome.
I think the ROSSI 45 with the 16inch barrel would be just as awesome.
I keep thinking that although the 92 Winchester/Browning, and all the other model 92's either Italian or Brazillian made, all designed by JOHN M BROWNING, and almost none made in America.
I do like the idea of American made and everyone talks about their warranty program Thing with 92s , been made so long, and so many of em made, almost anyone can work on em.

 

[Pat Riot]

I have only fired Henry .22s and my 45-70 Single Shot and I fired a Henry GB .357 at a Cowboy Action match so my experience is very limited.
I talk to people all the time that own Henry’s and unless they are Cowboy Action Shooters, the responses are always positive. As a matter of fact every time I encounter a person that doesn’t like a Henry I ask “Are you a Cowboy Action shooter?” and if they respond that they are or were I completely throw out their opinion.
Not because I have anything against CAS, I used to do it myself, but haven’t in a couple of years and probably won’t be going back. But my reason is that there are many people in SASS that have never even touched a modern Henry but parrot a bias against them that they have heard from others over the years.
Honestly, Henry rifles aren’t “fast enough” for CAS. They have a long lever throw which slows many CAS shooters down and the name of the game is speed in CAS. Wimp loads and speed…Real Cowboy… (sarcasm)

Anyway, my two cents, but I wouldn’t hesitate to buy a Henry lever gun.

 

[Hugger-4641]

I'm pretty happy with my Henry Classic 45colt. No side gate. Action is smoother than a Rossi, accuracy is great.
My only negative would be trying to shoot steel silhouette matches with the stock Buckhorn sights. They're fine for hunting, but I'm about to put an Aperture sight of some kind on it.

 

[js8588]

Can anyone with a recent production Henry or Rossi 45 colt confirm whether they'll feed heavy loaded 325 gr (HSM Bear Loads, Underwood, etc). I know the action is safe for them, but read (albeit a few years ago) that they wouldn't feed in those guns.

 

[dobedo]

I shoot left handed, and left handed guns seem to be getting more and more expensive, and lever guns do not have the negative reactions AR'S AND AK'S seem to have

am a Lefty too the Henry for me is the best.