Home Forums Lever Action Central Rimfire Levers henery... just me or a piece of junk?

I didn't mind the aluminum receiver and bought a Henry. After all, it was only a 22. Once I got it home, I took it apart and learned that the receiver was only a cosmetic shell, and the die cast innards looked like something you would see on a cheap cap pistol. Oh well, lets see how it shoots. Actually not too bad for an iron sighted plinker. Action was very smooth. The most impressive thing about the rifle was the wood's finish and butt plate fit, which were much better than my newest model 70. I speak of it in the past tense because I sold it. Would I buy another. No, I can afford a 9422 or Marlin 39. But, I did recommend one for my brothers kid who wanted a lever gun on a budget, and he loves it.
dan

Are they still a plastic front sight or did they upgrade to a pot metal front sight?

Not an H001T but a similar story.

Fooled by the slick website, catalog, and a glowing review from the NRA mag, I spent (too much!) about $300 on a Henry Acu-Bolt single-shot .22 a few years back.

Boy, what a turd. Front sight was canted on barrel; requiring drifting the rear sight so far to the left that it actually almost fell out of the base. This moved it from 8" right of center to about 3" off.

Action was loose in stock; set-up was such that you couldn't drop a round in and feed it into the chamber with the bolt like some .22s, you actually had to push it halfway into the tube and chamber it the rest of the way with the bolt.

Stock was cheap, finish was cheap, and it was overall a piece of crap. I asked for a refund from Henry due to the messed-up front sight and was given an H001T in return. It never left the gun shop -- when my FFL dealer received it direct from the factory I had him put it on consignment instantly as a new gun. I did get some of my money back out that way but I will never, ever, spend money on another Henry product.

That said, when I emailed them I did receive a reply direct from the president of the co., which was nice, and he greased the wheels for everything after that -- but trading one overpriced turd for another isn't my idea of fun.

My grandson has a Henry youth model carbine. It has proven to be a reliable accurate gun. I can say nothing bad about it.

I do not like the Yellow Boy model....haven't shot one; just don't like it after handling in the store.

Funny how I now read these comments about the Henry. My father and I were out this weekend looking around several gunshops and I told him that I would like to have another .22lr lever action. I saw how the Henry rifles were made on the Outdoor channel and I was going to get one. Lucky for me, I picked up a slightly used Marlin 39A at the first gunshop. It left an impression on me, but I didn't buy it. We left and went to Sportsman's warehouse. The clerk handed me an octagon barrel Henry and the first thing that stuck out was the painted receiver. I was so disappointed. Today after work, I went back to the gunshop and purchased the Marlin 39A.

You'll enjoy the Marlin, just remember they need 500, or so rounds put through them, to break them in.

If you could have removed the Henry's receiver plate, and seen how cheap the rifles lock work really is, you would have been doubly disappointed...!

Bill

I'm not sold on their quality. They use cheap parts because they can. I'm not going to be buying one anytime soon. I'll stick to the Winchester 9422, Marlin 39A, or Browning BL-22. Those are all well made rifles.

The Henry rifles in general remind me of the Heritage Rough Rider 22 revolver. Cheap and many want cheap. So, you get what you pay for as always.

My Henry reminds me of another gun, too.



.

I like 'em. Accurate, and I don't care if they get beat to [bleep]. That way, I keep my 9422M nice and neat. I also don't get upset when my 10-year old scratches his youth model or it gets banged around in the rack on his ATV.

I think it was the 1994 edition of Gun Digest that did a write up on the accuracy of .22 rimfires. They were making chamber comparisons, etc. The ruler of the day, and the rifle all were judged against was the Winchester model 52. In second place.....the Norinco JTD, that Walmart/Browning knockoff.

Remember the Nylon 66 tin metal outer plastic insides,no questions asked the best semi ever!

The Henry will fill a point ,just like the Rem Nylon 66 .

But will never be like the Win 1890 or the Marlin 39.

Bob

Absolutely correct! And when the Nylon66 came out they were berated very much like the current Henry rifles. Fact is they are different, that's all. I judge a gun by its accuracy or lack of it. From what I hear, the Henrys are very accurate.

If I put my Nylon 66 up against my Marlin 39, the Nylon 66 will run rings around the Marlin for accuracy. So which is the "better" rifle? The well made, less accurate one or the "plastic" accurate one? I'll take the Nylon 66, because of its accuracy, that's what a rifle is all about.

bobby jack and xltfx4. I agree with you guys. Comparing a Henry to guns that cost twice as much doesent make sense to me. I dont own henry .22 but I own their .44 so I have no dog in this fight. One thing I do own is a Nylon 66. Is it plastic ,yes , Is it cheaply made --yes does it ever jam -no, does it shoot well -yes. Does it compare to a Kimber -no.
Ive seen Henry .22 levers for 239 bucks brand new at Dicks. Thats about half of a Marlin 39. So that Marlin better be nicer.
A Henry Golden boy is a little higher up the ladder and it is a very nice gun and still can be had at least 125 bucks cheaper than a Marlin. And Am not saying the Marlin isnt worth it. I think it is. I am just saying you dont have to spend a a lot to get a good reliable shooter.

I have no problem with the Henry's workmanship. As y'all say, they fill a niche. They are too expensive though. If they were still around $150, as they were when they hit the market, all would be well. I've lately seen 39A's back down around $275 used though. With a base Henry $259-269 at Wal Mart...

My son and are very pleased with both Henry's we have purchased lately. Flawless function, accurate and my son loves the looks of his Golden Boy.

I got a Nylon 66 in a trade when I was a kid. I hated how cheesy it looked and felt but man was it accurate. I got rid of it a short time later but after some time wish I would'nt of. Here last year, some 28yrs later, I bought another one off Acution Arms and it is perfect gopher medicine. Now as far as the Henery gun's, I got a lever in trade last year in .17HMR. Very piss poor accuracy. Contacted the company and sent it to them. They put a new barrel on it and sent it back. It shoot's better but it will put 4 or 5 in a tight group then send's a flyer 3 or 4 inche's off. I've got 2 .17HMR Savage's with sweet 17 scope's that I bought new for 235.00 a piece complete with the scope's and I'm telling you they are accurate. For cheap looking gun's they will tear their own hole's at 75yds. My Henery is a nice looking gun with an action that is smooth as silk and for most folk's would do just fine, but for me I like a gun that is very good on accuracy. Ya know, there is only so many great gopher day's and you can't waste them with a "decent" gopher gun.

I love lever-guns and have "more" than several Marlin lever action rifles, including a .22 lr Model 39-A.

It is my 1st and oldest Marlin; and has the nicest stock of any of my Marlins. I have also shot this quality, reliable, and accurate 39-A more than any other firearm I own. (Except my 1958 Browning .22 Auto.)

I was long aware of, but held no interest or regard for the "new" Henry rifles. Until, I spotted a small lever rifle in a rack, quite some distance away from me in a large gun store.

It stood out in the crowd and drew me to it. I was suprised to find that it was a plain Henry .22 (the smaller "Youth" version). It felt right, looked good, and I had to have it.

I was also suprised when I saw the price tag. I didn't even have to put it on lay-by. I had enough money in my pocket and took it home.

Now, my old Marlin 39-A still has a perfect finish- just as the day I first bought it. So, I figured I can "beat" this little Henry around, and for the price, not worry about it.

I've since shot my Henry .22 quite a bit, it's so small and easy to take around. It shoots darn accurately and feeds and functions flawlessly. NO problems.

Except,the only problem I do have with it is: I like it so much that when I un-case it and use it, I don't want to get a scratch or a mar on it. I find I am being TOO careful with it - despite my best intentions.

As for all this "pot metal" carping ... I own some very expensive and quality firearms with alloyed aluminum frames ... and I really don't care what the "name callers" have to say about the Henry.

I'm just glad ... I got mine!

Just read this whole thread and like others on this site, boy does everybody have their opinion. I haven't handled a Henry but was thinking about buying one. Friend of mine has one in the 357 mag and loves it. That is what got me interested. I agree with those who say rifles that cost twice as much better perform better. For a cheapie it sounds like most owners are happy with them. I did get tickled about the pot metal comments. I just retired from law enforcement and carried a Walther P88 that had a 'pot metal' frame for over 15 years. Still one of the best semi-auto pistols ever made. Accuracy is second to nobody yet they cut the weight, (intended purpose) - way ahead of Glocks plastic crap! And yes I've shot them and they shoot good too. Bottom line is if the material accomplishes the mission it was intended to, then it's done it's job. Last time I looked the Remington Titaniums were doing pretty well for themselves too.

Had a Browning 22 for many years. It was accurate but just too dam small. Tried one of the Remington plastics (597 I think) and couldn't even stand it long enough to shoot it. It felt like junk, plain and simple. When I was a kid I had a Remington Model 12 (bolt action brother to the 66) that outshot most 22 rifles in it's day. Unfortunately it was stolen from my mother's home years ago when it was burglarized.

I'm now looking for another 22 and might just try the Henry. Figure if I buy it right and don't like it, I can sell it and call it a learning experience. Main thing I want is accuracy and a rifle that functions like they are supposed to.

Just saw the North Korea now has a ICBM missle that will reach the USA. Obama says to it's simple, just invite all of our enemies to the campfire and light up the 'peace pipe'. And he happens to have experience in that area.... We're screwed....

I found a used Henry for $200. We'll see...

I've owned both a Henry and a Model 39. Irrespective of the bleatings of Model 39 elitists, the Henry provides far more fun for the dollar. Yes, the factory barrel-band is plastic. Yes, the receiver is zinc. So what? People who grouse about such manufacturing features don't hesitate, for example, to buy Glocks. Am I missing something? My Henry is easily as accurate as my Marlin which, incidentally, I sold long before acquiring the Henry. I'd recommend a Henry w/o hestitation, simply in terms of "bang for the buck."