Lever guns - hating on Henry

[SlayerOfBunnies]

I'm watching another lever gun thread with interest and didn't want to derail that one - hence the new thread. I want a 357mag carbine and think Henry's Big Boy Steel looks like a great option (I can get one for about $700).

However, I see little love and a bit of hate for Henry here. Help me understand why.

My primary use for it would be whitetail hunting (Ohio) and my secondary use would be punching paper / plinking. My primary requirements are durability, accuracy, looks, and cost - in that order.

I like Henry's loading strategy - never could reliably top off my Win 94 anyway. Loading gate is ok but I don't care one way or another.

So do Henrys just stink out loud and I'm not seeing it or what?

 

[ironworkerwill]

Some of the hatred from the zinc guts or possibly the name"Henry"....or the jamming...

I have a Henry 22lr and it jams sometimes. A buddy has a 30-30 and it jams too often for a deer rifle.

 

[ctdair]

Not a Henry hater here , 44 mag took a deer in Ohio this year. 22 model H001
No issues with either one.

 

[rbernie]

Dunno much about the quality of their innards. I do know that they seem decent from the outside but the stocks don't fit me worth a hoot and so I'll never own one.

 

[eastbank]

its your dollar,spend it where you want. eastbank.

 

[Cee Zee]

My experience is that they aren't made from the best materials but their service is second to none.

 

[MEHavey]

If cost is no object [ ], and you want pure leveraction sex,
go get a Commanchero'd `73 Winchester in 44-40.

 

[DPris]

The alternative construction methods in the rimfire leverguns is a big obstacle for many.
In my experience, they work far more often than they don't work.

Some mistakenly think the centerfires use those same construction materials, which they don't.
In my experience, they work far more often than they don't work.

Others dislike the company's claimed association with the original Henry rifles.
In my experience, they work far more often than they don't work.

Some can't get around the tube loading.
In my experience, they work far more often than they don't work.

Denis

 

[CraigC]

Help me understand why.

They're ugly, they're overweight and their octagon barrels look like they were polished by the same 800lb gorilla that worked for Colt in the `80's and `90's.

 

[Dave P]

I found the 357 big boy to be very nose heavy (octagon bbl). In 44 mag the balance was great.

 

[Don McDowell]

I don't care much for their centefire models, but those little lever 22's are a terrific rifle for little money.

 

[littlelefty]

I almost bought a used Henry in 30-30 that was at my LGS. It looked and felt great. The action was smooth and the sights were very nice. It is heavier than Marlin or Winchester, and a bit "bigger" feeling. What stopped me was the longer LOP; 14" I think. But I prefer shorter than even a "normal" LOP; like 12.5" or so. Funny thing, as soon as I gave it back to the guy at the counter, another customer standing behind me bought it.

 

[Mr.Revolverguy]

I will bet a paycheck that if there is an issue with a Henry they will absolutely make it right.

My first choice will always be Henry before anything else because of this statement from the owner Mr. Imperato. He personally told me "Made in America or not made at all". But it was the passion he delivered with that statement saying it was about the his commitment to his employees of which were great people.

The rifle itself (22LR versions) are not made out of Zamak or an alloy, the receiver is made out of steel but the receiver covers are made out of Zamak and durability has never been an issue. Though I have never been told I believe it is a way to compete with cheap labor outside of this country.

It seems I may be rushing to the defense of Henry and to a certain extent I am and I don't feel bad about it. For someone who is as dedicated to this country (USA) and his work force as Mr. Imperato. Henry will always be first choice for me.

And yes I own a Henry and there are others within my family and close friends whom own Henry's and the only problem I am aware of was feeding semi wadcutter reloaded rounds in a 357. Which many other levers have that issue. After showing a close friend what his mistake was and getting him to reduce his overall length on his reloads it solved the issue.

There are plenty of smart people on these forums and this country is great for allowing us to express our opinions but it boils down to what you desire.

 

[bullzeye8]

I have never really seen too much negative about Henry just some people who don't like them because they are more expensive than other levers and some people who don't like that they used to claim to be the original Henry. From what I have seen they have the smoothest actions and triggers along with the best cosmetics compared to other levers from marlin and Rossi. Along with their dedication to America and how they stand behind their product I am currently looking into maybe getting one.

 

[CraigC]

The rifle itself (22LR versions) are not made out of Zamak or an alloy, the receiver is made out of steel but the receiver covers are made out of Zamak and durability has never been an issue.

All wrong. The receiver is made from Zamak, i.e. pot metal. The receiver cover is painted aluminum stamped sheetmetal. And that is only the rimfire version so it's really irrelevant to this discussion.

I don't consider the fact that Henry's customer service is so well known to be a positive. It 'should' be seen as a sign that perhaps too many have needed it?

 

[SlayerOfBunnies]

You guys are making me feel better. The tech specs for the big boy steel put it at 7lbs which is a couple pounds heavier than the comparable Rossi 92 and a few ounces lighter than the Miroku Win '73.

 

[ironworkerwill]

its your dollar,spend it where you want. eastbank.

True! All I can tell the O.P. is from my own experience. My 22lr is the base model, my brother-in-law has the really fancy model with the octagon barrel the wood is identical on both. The BIL's rifle has performed flawlessly.

My experience is that they aren't made from the best materials but their service is second to none.

I agree, although I think the non-rimfire versions are put together quite nicely but I don't like the laser/dot-matrix(?) etching. I thought the wood was outstanding.

My hunting bud's 30-30 jams especially when levered slowly. At one point we had to disassemble the rifle in the field(at the truck) because a round was stuck in the receiver. It was stuck so hard the lever wouldn't budge 1/16'' either way.

 

[Don McDowell]

At one point we had to disassemble the rifle in the field(at the truck) because a round was stuck in the receiver. It was stuck so hard the lever wouldn't budge 1/16'' either way.
__________________

Before Henry's it was known as the Marlin jam, and will certainly make a fella rethink a Marlin as his main hunting rifle,,, fortunately the screwdrivers on a leatherman wave will get the gun taken apart far enough to get it back up and running...

 

[bannockburn]

No hate on the Henry just that it's a bit too heavy and doesn't balance and handle well for me. I like my Rossi Model 92 a whole lot more than the Henry.

 

[BCRider]

A big one for many is the implied or even stated association with the old Henry rifle. Oddly enough Henry often as not implies mistakenly to their association as being to some non existent original Henry COMPANY despite there never being such a thing.

Despite all that most of the folks that buy Henrys end up enjoying them immensely. And if there's a reason for all the great stories about their warranty work I'd suggest that the happy outcomes from such stories certainly trumps the tales of woe so often associated with other companies that receive a similar amount of "press coverage".

To paraphrase an old phrase "to err is human, to make it right with only one return is divine". There's more than one company out there that needs to heed that. And Henry isn't one of them.

I love the two rimfire Henry's I've got. I don't have any of their center fire guns because I prefer the historically correct options. Although I do lust over the idea of their original Henry rifle clone.

Edited to add- There are two Henry Big Boy rifles that are seen frequently at my cowboy shooting days. Both do well. The owner's aren't in much danger of finishing on the podiums but for the relatively rapid rate of fire they do manage the guns work smooth as silk and keep on working day after day without a hitch.

 

[Vlad357]

I grab my Rossi M92 for a few shots almost every day. The others just sit in the safe, maybe get loaned out or shot every year or so. So I guess the M92 is the one I like most for fit and function. Three gophers and a ground hog yesterday off hand. Pests between the house and barn. .357 might be overkill but I load 38 P+ ish load pretty cheap. 158 grain LSWC functions great.

 

[WestKentucky]

No safety, I'm out....but with reason. Playing ring-around-the-rosey after a fox squirrel I learned just how important a simple safety is. The bullet went between my toes when I had a "ND". Any gun which has no means of rendering it safe instantly in any operation condition has no place in my home. The least I will accept is a transfer bar equipped revolver which I can fully insert my finger between the hammer and frame allowing for safe decock.

 

[VThillman]

No safety, I'm out....but with reason. Playing ring-around-the-rosey after a fox squirrel I learned just how important a simple safety is. The bullet went between my toes when I had a "ND". Any gun which has no means of rendering it safe instantly in any operation condition has no place in my home. The least I will accept is a transfer bar equipped revolver which I can fully insert my finger between the hammer and frame allowing for safe decock.

The half-cock safety is fine.

May go off if you drop your gun? Do you know what used to happen in army basic if you dropped your gun?

Do not drop your gun.

 

[CraigC]

The bullet went between my toes when I had a "ND".

Why did you not put it on half cock? Why was the muzzle pointed between your toes with your finger on the trigger?

 

[captain awesome]

Why did you not put it on half cock? Why was the muzzle pointed between your toes with your finger on the trigger?

My thoughts exactly