Thoughts on a Henry H001

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marksman13

marksman13

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I know, I know, use the search function, but this little rifle doesn't get talked about much, and I also wanted THRs' opinions about the trade I a making to get this rifle. I've decided that I want a lever action 22. I have been on a real rimfire kick recently. As a matter of fact, four of the five guns I have bought recently have been rimfires. Guess it's because I am a broke college student and that is all I can afford to shoot.

I've looked at the competition, the Marlin 39A, the Browning BLR 22, and the Winchester 94/22, and all of them are out of my price/trading range. I had my local dealer tell me today that he can get me an even trade on a brand new Henry H001 for an SKS that I never shoot. Am I crazy for making the trade. I know the guy quite well, and I know he won't make much more on the SKS then he would the Henry.

I know I am taking a slight loss because he quoted me a $225 price tag on the Henry and I bought the SKS from him for $230. I never shoot the SKS though and haven't warmed up to it. Would anybody else make this trade? How does the Henry stack up to it's competitors in the accuracy department? Thanks in advance guys.
 
Henry is a neat little gun, and I say that as an ardent fan of my 39A.

The H001 has some plastic parts, which can be replaced with steel at a nominal cost if you call Henry and ask. They're the barrel band and the front sight hood, AFAIK. Gun shoots fine as-is, though.

Accuracy is reportedly good. Affordability of ammo and flexibility of shooting are big selling points (most indoor ranges allow .22LR, and you can even plink with CB rounds if you want it to be quiet and not go too far past the target). There's usually something legal to hunt with a .22LR. You can teach a kid with the thing. Rounds are the same price per box as centerfire rifle rounds, except you get 500 instead of 20 for the price.:p

I also have an SKS that's been sitting around, along with other milsurps. In reality, I don't shoot any of them.

There's a reason .22LR is the most popular caliber in the world.:)

The SKS might go up in value way into the future. The Henry probably won't. But the Henry will provide hours of enjoyment in the meantime.
 
Timely topic. I've been looking at buying a good--decent price lever action .22LR for a couple of weeks now. It's one of my main targets for tommorrows trip to the Shreveport gun show. Academy has the H001 for $218 (cheaper than my local Walmart), and the Golden Boy for $348. Both are VERY tempting. I'm going to check the gun show, Bass Pro Shops, and then Gander Mountain before I pick one up. I might lean towards the Golden Boy just for a couple extra store bought features.

I think I would trade, unless that SKS is in absolutely pristine condition.
 
I looked at the Golden Boy and the Marlin 39A. Bought the Marlin. It's an all-steel takedown, and I like its fit and balance better. YMMV, but I'd compare before spending the money. I'm glad I did. Maybe you'll prefer the Golden Boy. I wouldn't mind having one of each, if I come into some cash.:)

I like the Henry Octagon. All the features of the Golden Boy, but not the shiny receiver to keep clean, for a good deal less money. Heavier than the H001, a plus in my book.

All told, though, the H001 gives more fun per dollar than just about any gun made, and they do last.
 
The SKS is not in very good shape. I bought it well used. It just doesn't feel the niche I thought it would. I had the dealer order my Henry today.
 
The H001 has plastic internals, notably the feed lever thingbob that moves the rounds from the tube into the path of the bolt; for a high-wear part, that makes me raise my eyebrows a bit. If you absolutely, positively cannot afford the 39A, then I guess the H001 is the "right one for you".....but having shot the 39A, let me tell you--that is the one .22 I would trade nearabouts any longarm I have to get one of, especially my current .22 (which I love).

YMMV.
 
Armedbear, how much would it cost to change out the plastic parts for metal ones, do those metal parts include the "feed lever thingbob" as eightball so eloquently put it? :)
 
I don't know. I've heard 10 bucks a part, and they're not listed.

If I were you, I'd wait and call Henry and ask. Consider the Octagon model, between the H001 and Golden Boy in price, but the Golden Boy's equal in quality and features. It's just not shiny.

As I said, I have a Marlin Golden 39A. I feel the same way about it as Eightball does.

It's all machined steel. That's one reason I spent $475 on it, when I could have gotten a .22 lever gun for half the money. The takedown receiver is another. Checkered nice walnut another. Overall fit and feel another. I already had a couple of .22's. I wanted one I'd LOVE.:) At this point, I'd gladly part with both of the other .22s (well, the one I've had since I was 16 has sentimental value), and a few other things including the SKS, if that was the only way to keep my Golden 39A.

(I'm 41; I've accumulated things over time.:) I didn't just buy all that stuff. And I had to save for the 39.)

TAANSTAFL but I still think the Henry is a lot of fun for the cash, and well worth buying. A .22 that's not a takedown doesn't HAVE to have a steel receiver. Just make sure you do understand what you're getting and what you're not.

The Henry is the old Ithaca design. The old German-made Ithacas can still sell for what the Henry does, even used and 30 years old. They have a solid reputation, earned over a long time.:) Henry now builds them in the USA, and they build them very well.
 
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buy it

i bought the henry and dumped my 10-22 and a winc autoloader. the henry is far more fun, better trigger and way more accuate. i can hit pill bottles and sticks of chalk(the fat ones like used on porches and concrete by children) at 30-35 yards with open sights.
i bought it for my daughter and i have to get me one now.
 
Addendum

Henry makes a .22WMR. Marlin doesn't.

If I finally do talk myself into a .22 Magnum, it'll be a Henry Octagon.

BTW since I got a good .22 levergun, I have shot no other .22 rifles. No itch to do so.:)
 
Well, I already have a 22 that I love and that is my CZ. It's the first 22 I ever fell in love with and it's the cheap 513 model. It's just so accurate, even with the heavy trigger. The Henry is mostly going to be a fun gun and something that will maybe get my wife more into the shooting world. I've wanted a lever action 22 since I was a kid, and like I said, the SKS hasn't found favor with me (I am an accuracy freak).

That said, will I be dissapointed with the Henry as far as accuracy is concerned. I plan on keeping it open sighted, but if I add a scope what kind of groups can I expect at 50 yards? Thanks again for all the replies, folks.
 
Is the wood on these Henry rifles the real deal? I've seen some with grain patterns that looked like they could be on $5,000 shotguns. Henry's website seems to indicate it's real high grade walnut, just wondering if that's true.
 
Is the wood on these Henry rifles the real deal? I've seen some with grain patterns that looked like they could be on $5,000 shotguns. Henry's website seems to indicate it's real high grade walnut, just wondering if that's true.
Click to expand...

Sure seems heavy enough to be real walnut.
 
Henry has very smooth action and is pretty accurate. Only thing I dislike are some of the plastic parts and the the receiver housing which is made from something like pot metal and painted or brass plated. The Marlin is all steel and while the action is not the smoothest in the world, I think it will last for generations.
 
Is the wood on these Henry rifles the real deal? I've seen some with grain patterns that looked like they could be on $5,000 shotguns. Henry's website seems to indicate it's real high grade walnut, just wondering if that's true.
Click to expand...

Yup, that's one of the weird things about the H001
Nice barrel - Good
plastic sights - not so good
Smooth action - Good
some plastic parts - not so good
cheap receiver - not so good
absolutely beautiful wood stock and grip - really nice

What a mix of contrasts. But functionally mine is great!
 
I was at the Shreveport, LA gun show today. I saw a couple of H001s and Golden Boys there. The H001 looks like a nice little rifle with good wood. The Golden Boy looks/feels like a work of art, albeit heavy. If you want a basic 22 lever action, that H001 will certainly do for you. I have some extra cash so I'm going for a Golden Boy or H001T(Octagon barrel)--I love the feel of those heavier .22LR rifles.
I'd still make the trade, or better yet, just buy it outright. It's inexpensive enough to do it without much problem. With an SKS and a lever 22, you've got plenty of options.
 
Nah, not chance I'm gonna keep both. I am adding an M1A to the fold in December and paying for a new truck. Also looking for a house, so the SKS must go if the Henry is going to be added. Never liked the SKS much anyway.
 
Yeah that's what I'm thinking. I bought the SKS as a truck gun, and now I never carry it. As long as this Henry with a scope will put 10 rounds into a quarter at 25 yards I'll be happy. If it will do that at 50 yards...even better. I don't plan on scoping it, but I want to know that if I do it will shoot well enough to merrit a scope.
 
I love my little Henry. The action is smooth as butter and the trigger is just as smooth.

The gun is silly accurate with this sub-standard 3-7x32 scope I put on it, everybody I hand it to loves shooting it.

Recently swapped guns with a buddy for a few rounds, his was a Browning lever .22lr - dont remember the model. It was older as it was his dads gun.

I know the gun is a high quality piece, no doubt there. Both he and I agreed that his Browning were lacking in the action category to the Henry.....its just wasnt there.

Perhaps it was a problem with this particular piece but I wasnt impressed, even the trigger wasnt as nice.
 
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