Opinions on Henry rifles.

I would love for them to make an 1873 or 1892 clone, I would buy one in a second

I have an 1894 Marlin, a Uberti 1873, a Rossi 92, and a custom Roller all in 45 Colt. I have shot my dad's Henry brass receiver in 45 Colt. Its ok. Shoots accurate, but its not historic. I don't like the tube mag. Otherwise I don't mind it.

A question I pose:
Why is it that the highly revered Savage 99 is OK, with its totally non-traditional magazine & lack of external hammer, but the tube-loading Henry is such an affront to the levergun market?
Denis

the 99 has more of a following in the hunting field because it can be had in more powerfull cartiges and removable magazine and has been around for over a 100 years with several generations of hunters growing up with it. the same goes for the traditional lever action rifles, the looks-loading-unloading and passing the test of time for lasting thru several generations of hunting use. maybe the henry rifles will be around in 100 years or so,only time will tell. my oldest Winchester lever action was made in 1883, a 134 year 1876 in 45-60 and three years ago I shot a deer with it and still going strong and with a little care will be around long after I,m gone. eastbank.

I don't know why the Savage 99 is accepted, I just know I want my dad's 99C in .308.

I'm not into the big calibers, but planned to buy a Henry Golden Boy at some point and handled many of them at gun shows. Then I stumbled on to a Browning BL22. I just bought a Grade II earlier this month and am very pleased with it....much better fit and finish than the Henry and operates buttery smooth. Another issue.....A friend of mine bought a new Golden Boy in 17HMR. It was not very accurate. My friend is an excellent marksman so he knows when it's the gun. As we know, the 17HMR is an exceptionally accurate round. He sent it back and the manufacturer returned it, saying it was "acceptable". They made no effort to correct the problem.

I’m a rank amateur compared to many of you but I wanted to share a quick observation. I have a Winchester 92 in .357. I recently purchased a Henry BBS in .357. The tube loading has advantages and disadvantages, no doubt, but I have noticed that when single-loading the 1892, it is necessary to be fairly deliberate in inserting the cartridge well into the chamber. Just dropping it in the Action usually jams. Not a big deal with a loading gate. With the Henry, quickly dropping another round into the action through the ejection port is all that is necessary to single load a round slick as glass. With no loading gate, this is kind of a big deal should the rifle be empty and you need another round quickly. An empty henry or one with a damaged inner magazine tube is a pretty slick single shot. That said, I like the 1892 better (it’s well made and says “Winchester” on it) but they are a lot harder to find and often quite expensive. I find a lot to like about my Henry and would buy another.

Sniper66 said:

I'm not into the big calibers, but planned to buy a Henry Golden Boy at some point and handled many of them at gun shows. Then I stumbled on to a Browning BL22. I just bought a Grade II earlier this month and am very pleased with it....much better fit and finish than the Henry and operates buttery smooth. Another issue.....A friend of mine bought a new Golden Boy in 17HMR. It was not very accurate. My friend is an excellent marksman so he knows when it's the gun. As we know, the 17HMR is an exceptionally accurate round. He sent it back and the manufacturer returned it, saying it was "acceptable". They made no effort to correct the problem.

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Ive heard the 17HMR Henrys weren't as accurate as bolts guns. But wouldn't you exspe

Sniper66 said:

I'm not into the big calibers, but planned to buy a Henry Golden Boy at some point and handled many of them at gun shows. Then I stumbled on to a Browning BL22. I just bought a Grade II earlier this month and am very pleased with it....much better fit and finish than the Henry and operates buttery smooth. Another issue.....A friend of mine bought a new Golden Boy in 17HMR. It was not very accurate. My friend is an excellent marksman so he knows when it's the gun. As we know, the 17HMR is an exceptionally accurate round. He sent it back and the manufacturer returned it, saying it was "acceptable". They made no effort to correct the problem.

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Im not sure I'd buy a lever action 17hmr and expect it to be as accurate as a bolt gun. How bad was it? Are we talking pie plate size groups?

As Denis mentioned, unfortunately, the majority of the posts had nothing to do with the original question, which was the 1860 model. Some here and elsewhere have commented or hinted at getting a "Henry" with "original Henry" markings,...only the original guns made in the 1860s werent marked "Henry", they were marked made by the New Haven Arms Company, which if we study our history, changed their name with their next, and improved model in 1866, to The Winchester Repeating Arms Company. There never was a historical Henry Repeating Arms company. The guns were commonly known as Henrys, but they were not so marked. The 1866s were known, and I believe marked "Improved Henrys Patent" until the Winchester name became more common. For more history nerdism, the original designer of the concept that later became the Henry toggle link type and later Winchester 66s and 73s was the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company, owned by Horace Smith and Daniel Wesson (names sound familiar?)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volcanic_Repeating_Arms

Still, the 1860 model made by the current Henry company has been very well made by all accounts Ive seen. If its in ones budget, and appeals to you, great, it just doesnt have the historical connection thats implied by this company, and the original guns made in the 1860s by the New Haven Arms Company were not marked "Henry".

Brass receivers stretching were mentioned. Ive seen it discussed before, its not an unknown issue, and does happen, though most people never shoot their guns enough to wear them out. Steve of Steves Guns has commented elsewhere that hes seen a number of brass framed Ubertis that stretched with extensive use in cowboy action shooting and practice, and recommends 73s for those that want to shoot a lot over time. New links can be made to tighten up headspace, but thats likely not a cheap operation. If its a consideration, it may be worth checking prices on that work. To keep things in perspective, Ubertis have been often mentioned as near works of art, but Steve has also mentioned that hes seen a number of 73s that had the barrels poorly fitted, and instead of setting them up correctly, the factory loc-tited the barrels instead of setting the threads and barrel shoulders up for a proper torque fit. Other issues with new rifles have been mentioned, and Uberti using soft screws used to be a common comment. I dont know if they improve that aspect or not. Many that shot the Ubertis pistols and rifles often commented that they were a kit, nearly ready to use, but needing the insides cleaned up, screws replaced, and springs and action work done to get them suitable for much use, and I dont believe meaning competition level gimicky modification use, but just basic shooting a lot use. Many likely work great out of the box, but it doesnt seem to be a universal experience.

I've had both versions of the Henry Original here.
Brass & iron.
Both very well made.
Henry's brass is a hardened alloy, not straight brass.
The quality of the work is better overall (and more consistent) than the Ubertis.

I can agree with the "kit gun" comment above.

Major thread drift, most of no use to the original poster's question.

"I'm considering either a Ford or a Chebby car, what do you think?"

"I love my Subaru."
"Buddy had a Volvo when he was a kid, didn't like it."
"Used to know a guy that said he'd driven a Toyota once & thought the dashboard was ugly."
"Nissan makes a great truck!"
Denis

Gary A said:

I’m a rank amateur compared to many of you but I wanted to share a quick observation. I have a Winchester 92 in .357. I recently purchased a Henry BBS in .357. The tube loading has advantages and disadvantages, no doubt, but I have noticed that when single-loading the 1892, it is necessary to be fairly deliberate in inserting the cartridge well into the chamber. Just dropping it in the Action usually jams. Not a big deal with a loading gate. With the Henry, quickly dropping another round into the action through the ejection port is all that is necessary to single load a round slick as glass. With no loading gate, this is kind of a big deal should the rifle be empty and you need another round quickly. An empty henry or one with a damaged inner magazine tube is a pretty slick single shot. That said, I like the 1892 better (it’s well made and says “Winchester” on it) but they are a lot harder to find and often quite expensive. I find a lot to like about my Henry and would buy another.

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I have a Miroku made Browning B-92 in .44 magnum; dropping single rounds in from above has never been a problem for me

DPris said:

...Major thread drift, most of no use to the original poster's question.

"I'm considering either a Ford or a Chebby car, what do you think?"

"I love my Subaru."
"Buddy had a Volvo when he was a kid, didn't like it."
"Used to know a guy that said he'd driven a Toyota once & thought the dashboard was ugly."
"Nissan makes a great truck!"
Denis

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Read this

https://wordpress.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/03/hammerforum-com/

I have a Miroku made Browning B-92 in .44 magnum; dropping single rounds in from above has never been a problem for me

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Hmm. Might be me then. I’m going to have to try it again since they are the same gun except for Caliber. Thanks.

A correction is due. I received a note from a well informed member regarding the markings on the Henry rifles made in the 1860s. They are marked with the name Henry, (Henrys Patent, 1860), and Manufactured by the New Haven Arms Company.

A number of other good points were made in the note, I'll leave it to the individual if they wish to expand on any points. Ive seen a number, and handled a few originals, but its been quite a while. This person had good information and more current and broader experience than I have.

Crawdad1 said:

HRA said you can shoot any factory loaded 45 LC even the +P in their brass framed Henry whereas I have not seen anything from Uberti about their brass framed Henry digesting regular commercial loads including +P loads.

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They said that about their 1860 replica? Hm. Not sure I would want to put those +P in a toggle-link rifle, personally. Buffalo Bore makes some .45 Colt that reach almost 2,000 ft lbs. That said, Uberti does make an 1873 in .44 Mag.

These were .44 cal black powder firearms. The Henry toggle link system is the limiting factor in safe cartridge pressures. If you try to be authentic in your ammo you will never have any troubles with the strength of the action.
If you want high powered +P magnum loads I would look at modern rubber butt plated Marlins. Historic Civil War reproductions should fire appropriate loads.

Very good. I’ve probably read some incorrect BS online.
Whichever brand you get, you’ll love it. I know you appreciate historic firearms.

Jimster said:

Thick, straight walled cases like .45 Colt allows a lot of blow by which dirties up the works pretty quick. If you use smokeless powder that is less of an issue..

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I own a Uberti 1860 Henry in 45 Colt and I really enjoy the rifle. But as Jimster indicated above you have to know what this rifle likes in regards to ammo. Anything over a muzzle velocity of 850 and you will be eating blowback. As such I keep my loads around the 800 level. Also, this rifle absolutely hates 200gr RN lead bullets. Your pattern will spread quickly if you use this round. This isn't something just happening on my rifle as there are a number of posts confirming this. Now if you move up to 225 or 250 grain RN lead, the rifle becomes a tack driver. My preferred recipe is a muzzle velocity of 800-810 with a 250 gr RN Lead Bullet. I can keep this in the 9 ring and better most days.

I've never shot the Henry, but I'd looked them over. Something about the Uberti though has kept me from buying one.

montess85 said:

Ive heard the 17HMR Henrys weren't as accurate as bolts guns. But wouldn't you exspe

Im not sure I'd buy a lever action 17hmr and expect it to be as accurate as a bolt gun. How bad was it? Are we talking pie plate size groups?

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It was shooting 4" groups at 50 yds He didn't expect it to be a one-holer, but 4" is certainly not "acceptable" by any reasonable standard.