Henry Steel 30-30 Opinions?

[Foto Joe]

A couple of months ago for my birthday my lovely wife gave me cash. Apparently she figured that I needed another gun and since I hate spending money she supplied me with enough to keep me guilt free for the most part on adding a new one to the family.

So I've been looking and thinking and waiting for the right one to talk me into taking it home. Yesterday I came upon a Henry 30-30 in steel at a Vegas Bass Pro and it talked purdy to me and really tempted me to take her home. The problem is I know NOTHING about the Henry. I do own a Marlin lever gun in 44 Mag/Spc and I like it but I've always wanted something in a 19th century caliber. I'd love to have a Winchester in 44-40 but my wallet can't agree with me on one.

Consequently, before I make the final decision on a Henry I'd like some opinions.

 

[EchoM70]

I don't own one, but I came close.

They're very nice rifles for the money. The action is smooth as butter and they feel solid in the hands.

The two main complaints most have myself included are:

-It's heavy, heavier than any other 30/30 lever out there.

-It doesn't have a loading gate, you have to load from the muzzle end of the tube like you would a Marlin model 60 .22lr.

If those two things aren't a deal breaker than you'll be extremely pleased with your purchase.

 

[Awsomepossum]

Henrys are nice guns, I like the golden boys. What about the Rifles Uberti makes?

 

[dvdcrr]

I recently wanted another 30-30 so I looked around and found a 2009 like new Marlin 336a. I really like it.

 

[Kernel]

I've always wanted something in a 19th century caliber.

Easy. Check to see if you Marlin 1894 will feed .44 Russian!

 

[Elkins45]

-It doesn't have a loading gate, you have to load from the muzzle end of the tube like you would a Marlin model 60 .22lr.

To me that's a feature not a handicap. It's faster, scrapes the brass less and faster/easier to unload.

 

[jmr40]

There are still lots of used Winchesters out there for a lot less money. I don't see the point in shooting a 19th century cartridge from a gun with a 21st century design. Might as well shoot the cartridge in the gun it was designed around.

 

[Foto Joe]

I'll try to respond in order here:

EchoM70

It doesn't have a loading gate, you have to load from the muzzle end of the tube

Tubular magazine I believe was a Henry trait early on. I'd actually prefer the tubular over the loading gate simply 'cause it's easier on my fat fingers.

Awesomepossum

What about the Rifles Uberti makes?

Uberti does have some advantages over Henry, mainly (at least in my mind) they actually make their guns to fire original calibers. I'd love to have a Henry in 44-40 but it's over my current budget. Henry itself doesn't make that caliber rifle but Uberti does. I just don't want to put out he extra chips for a Uberti.

dvdcrr

found a 2009 like new Marlin 336a

I looked at a 336 while I was up there, it was around the same price. I liked the looks of the Henry more I guess, that and the fact that I'm guessing the Marlin uses their "Micro Groove Rifling". Although I've got a '94 Marlin in 44 Mag/Spc with the MG rifling and it shoots straight and flat as a frying pan so well that it makes just about anybody look like a good shot. That is of course until I feed it Black Powder. The MG rifling doesn't tolerate that very well. The first five shots are dead on but after that about the only safe place to stand is directly behind the gun 'cause nobody knows where those .429 boolits are gonna wind up when they leave the barrel.

Kernel

Check to see if you Marlin 1894 will feed .44 Russian

Nice try but 44 Russian won't fly. The minimum COL on 44 Special for the '94 Marlin is 1.450" and 44 Russian is 1.245". I recently loaded up 60 44 Specials with a new boolit design and the crimp groove was at 1.400" so that's where I set them up. I did punch out three dummy rounds and chambered them several times with no issue. Unfortunately when I loaded up the whole magazine with those 1.400" cartridges and put some pressure on the mag spring I found out the hard way that the COL is what keeps the next round in the mag tube until the lift arm comes up to place the round being loaded. In short: I got to take the gun apart to fix it and even that wasn't easy with the spring pressure from the mag holding the lever in. I hate single shot lever guns!!

jmr40

There are still lots of used Winchesters out there for a lot less money. I don't see the point in shooting a 19th century cartridge from a gun with a 21st century design.

I see your point but I think your incorrect on Winchesters being out there for less money. What's the old Winchester saying? "You really can't pay too much for a Winchester but you can buy one a little early." or something along those lines.

I appreciate everybody's opinions and comments. So far I haven't read anything that would talk me out of one. I'll keep my eye on GunBroker and see if one comes up that I just can't live without.

 

[Kernel]

I got to take the gun apart to fix it.....

Thanks for taking all the arrows, cowboy. I'm sitting here looking at a box of 100 Starline cases in .44 Russian that I got from Midway a couple of weeks ago. Guess it'd be best to shoot'em in my revolvers and not my 1894.

 

[Foto Joe]

I got saved from having to single shot all those short 44 Specials yesterday. A friend was out at the range with me and he had a Ruger 44 Mag and was shooting mags out of it. I asked him if he wanted to be a little kinder to his hand and he jumped at the offer and took over getting rid of the last 40 screw ups that I had.

 

[shooter1059]

I had the same problem with the same gun. Went into a local gun shop and saw the Henry rifle on the wall and it was calling out to me. When I held it in my hands, I just had to have it, besides, everybody should own at least one 30-30, right? Needless to say, it went home with me and I have not regretted it one bit.

 

[CaliCoastie]

heavy, as far as the tubular mag being a origional option? yep, nothing else on the gun is even close though. want something a bit more origional? get a winchester, the company henry tyler worked for.
as expensive? not by a long shot, shooters are available in teh 200 range, and go up from there.

Best of luck, it seems as though you made your mind up. i love levers but for reasons of my own i dont have any henrys, just marlins now, winchesters didnt stick in my safe.