Which pump 22 for action shooting -- Rossi Gallery 22 or Henry Pump Action 22?

[Solomonson]

Hello;

I'm trying to decide between the current product Rossi Gallery 22 or the Henry Pump action 22 for action 22 shooting?

I don't know a lot about either one. The Rossi is based on the Winchester M1890. It's lighter and shorter than the Henry which is good for action shooting.

The Henry seems like a converted lever action rifle?

I curious about the match-up, particularly when it comes to reliability and speed. Thanks.

 

[Mosin77]

I had an older Rossi which was great. I have not used either the Henry or the newer Rossi, but the newer Rossi should be a copy of the Winchester action, so, good to go. The Henry is indeed a clunky piece of engineering, basically their lever action converted to pump. People who have them say they’re very stiff compared to a “true” pump action. If I had to blind buy one of them I’d buy the Rossi every time.

 

[DarkswordDX]

Beware that the rossi has a lot of plastic parts, including the very flimsy trigger guard. The henry does have a stiffer action though. Triggers are about the same.

 

[eastbank]

if you are not limited to a outside hammer, i would hunt a older used remington 121 or a older used winchester 61. i bought this used winchester 61 for 325.00 because of it being D&T on the left side of the reciever. i put a older baby redfield scope on it at turned it into a fine small game rifle. if you need a outside hammer maybe a used marlin model 39 or a used winchester 94/22.

 

[Scooter22]

The "newer" Rossi is now based on their rimfire lever action. Not the old Winchester pump. So I'd think it would have the same heavy pump issue as the Henry so I'd try befor you buy. jmo. I had one of the original Rossi octagon barrel models from the 80s. Sold it for some reason and regretted it since. Thats why I never sell anymore. Just shove them in the back to be rediscovered later.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

The Rossi is based on the Winchester M1890.

Howdy

From the photo I saw on the web, the Rossi is a far cry from a Winchester Model 1890. The rifle at the top of this photo is a Model 1890, the rifle at the bottom is a Model '06 (1906). The Model 1890 could only chamber 22 Long Rifle, 22 Long, or 22 Short. It could only chamber each specific cartridge, not all three. The Model '06 had a redesigned feed system so it could feed and chamber all three. The Model '06 also had a 20" round barrel instead of a 24" octagon barrel, and less expensive wood, perhaps beech. Notice the different butt plate shapes too. Anyway, that little Model '06 was my Dad's. His dad bought it for him in the 1930s in the Abercrombie and Fitch store in Manhattan. It still shoots as accurate as the day it left the factory. A while ago Rossi was making a knockoff of the Winchester Model '06 which pretty much exactly duplicated the Winchester version. I'll bet there are still some out there.






If it wuz me, I would look for an old Model '06, or a Model Model 61 like the one below.






Or a nice lever gun like a Marlin Model 39A. There are still plenty of them out there.

 

[earplug]

I'd choose based on the availability of parts. Action shooting involves high round counts and vigorous shucking

 

[NorthBorder]

I have a Henry pump. Although it is a very fine rifle the action is stiff and clunky. I don't know if it can be slicked up enough for action shooting.

 

[Starter52]

Three years ago we bought a Henry pump for the kids at camp. They all love our two Henry lever guns.

Mistake. They did not like it at all.

We now have two Rossi pumps, one older wood stock and one modern plastic. Much better.

 

[Seedy Character]

The Henry lever gun is awesome. The pump not so much.
NEW Rossi, nothing spectacular. If you can find one of the older modelled after the Winchester, they are great.
Best bet would be to find an original Winchester, either the Model 61 (hammer) or Model 62 (hammerless). Both are the finest arms ever made.
The old Remington pumps are good, too.

More on what specifically you are wanting would help.

 

[Dale Alan]

More on what specifically you are wanting would help.

It's in his original post .

 

[Dale Alan]

I have a Henry pump. Although it is a very fine rifle the action is stiff and clunky. I don't know if it can be slicked up enough for action shooting.

Same here, it has slicked up some from when knew but still feels clunky .

 

[Captcurt]

The Henry will have a better finish and wood to metal fit. The Rossi's have a tendency to have more wood than needed.

 

[Speedo66]

Is the Henry made with a zinc alloy receiver like I believe their .22 lever actions are?

If so, I'd go with the Rossi.

 

[Ascot500]

I think that they both are...

 

[Seedy Character]

It's in his original post .

Thank you, Capt Obvious

The OP asks either or and NEW
Is THAT the only option?
As I said, those 2 choices are nothing spectacular. Older Rossi's are better. Original Winchester is even better. Remington has a model. Savage has a model, though rarely seen for sale.
Is exposed hammer a must?

Of the 2 choices listed; Henry better made and will hold up to extensive use better. Rossi has smoother action, but many plastic parts.

 

[Solomonson]

if you are not limited to a outside hammer, i would hunt a older used remington 121 or a older used winchester 61. i bought this used winchester 61 for 325.00 because of it being D&T on the left side of the reciever. i put a older baby redfield scope on it at turned it into a fine small game rifle. if you need a outside hammer maybe a used marlin model 39 or a used winchester 94/22.

That's the problem in my case. For competition the rifle must have an exposed hammer.

I already compete in another class and I have for years with a Remington 572. It's fast/reliable, but it does not have an external hammer.

 

[Solomonson]

Three years ago we bought a Henry pump for the kids at camp. They all love our two Henry lever guns.

Mistake. They did not like it at all.

We now have two Rossi pumps, one older wood stock and one modern plastic. Much better.

Fascinating, thanks. Was the Henry pump just too difficult to cycle? Too clunky? How about the older Rossi vs. the newer Rossi (in addition to the furniture changes?) Are the mechanisms a lot different?

Thanks for your insights.

 

[Seedy Character]

Your choices are limited, especially if you want new.

A Winchester 62A is an outstanding choice and available in new condition down to parts gun.
Outstanding rifles can be found in close to same price as a new Henry or Rossi.

 

[Starter52]

The older Rossi is definitely smoother than the newer one. No surprise there.

The kids didn't like the stock design of the Henry pump. A few got hurt (minor) when they pumped the gun with one hand too high up on the wrist of the stock. The opening action hit their hand. Odd, but true.

This never happens with the Rossi, or the old Winchester 62A we used to have.

 

[Solomonson]

Thank you, Capt Obvious

The OP asks either or and NEW
Is THAT the only option?
As I said, those 2 choices are nothing spectacular. Older Rossi's are better. Original Winchester is even better. Remington has a model. Savage has a model, though rarely seen for sale.
Is exposed hammer a must?

Of the 2 choices listed; Henry better made and will hold up to extensive use better. Rossi has smoother action, but many plastic parts.

Yeah, for the class I'm looking at, an exposed hammer is a must. I already run a Remington 572 in another class. It's fast/reliable, but it does not have an external hammer. I also have a Remington 121 with an internal hammer that "might" be approved due to its age. I would go that route if approved.

Generally speaking, in my experience, it seems that when it comes to pump 22s, Winchesters make the best investments and Remington make the best shooters.

 

[Seedy Character]

I grew up shooting Papa's Winchester 62A.
He bought it new in 1923. He could strike matches with it. I never could, I shot the heads off. Accurate, totally reliable, shot everything we loaded it with and FUN.
My Uncle got it, when he passed and it was supposed to come to me, after his passing, but it "mysteriously" disappeared.
I have a Model 61, just as accurate, reliable and fun, but it isn't Papa's gun.

 

[Ascot500]

What is a Remington 590?

 

[wiscoaster]

Between Rossi and Henry? You kidding? No contest!!

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

Speaking as always for myself, I'd wait and scour the used market for a good condition Remington 121, Winchester 06 or something along those classic lines.

The older Rossi 62's based on the Browning/Winchester design seemed like pretty good guns. Back in the 1980s when my dad and I were tending a small almond orchard, the propane delivery driver came by on a few Saturdays to shoot ground squirrels with me. Once he brought along a friend who had two Rossi 62s with him -- both were slick and accurate little rifles. I seem to recall one had a shorter barrel and nickel finish.