Home Forums Lever Action Central Lever Actions - General Does Henry really make a quality rifle?

Maybe it's been all the fake brass receivers they do. Maybe it's how friggin ugly the steel Big Boys are. Well actually most of the stuff they make look like the the car designers for AMC in the 70's finally found new jobs. I have a hard time taking them seriously. But do they make durable, quality stuff?

I had an early Goldenboy in 22 mag for several years and never had any issues with it, other than the brass wanting to tarnish, accuracy was very good and it was smooth as butter.

I've had a BBS 16" carbine in 32 for a few years now, and I have love/hate relationship with it. The accuracy is good, and it handles/shoulders extremely well, but it feeds like garbage... really hiccupy and prone to jamming.

Tell me one manufacturer that does not have any issues at some point with one or any of their firearms?

My BBS has a very nice stock and fit and finish is fine. Works quite well, maybe the newer versions are a little better than older ones.

I don’t own one. But I think I would like the tube magazine loading access by the muzzle. That they have in the 45/70 .

Wonder if I guy could modify a marlin ?

I have a lawyer friend with a dozen and he swears by them. And I see them all the time at my club range and the owners say good things about them. Henry customer service is supposed to be really good. And yet, I can't get past how damned weird looking they are.

I'm right there with you

They be made in Wisconsin.

The state that gave us the cheese heads!

Fit and finish are good one mine, as well. The wood isn't bad at all, and the bluing is fine, and wood to metal fit is very good.

The problem with mine is mostly the cartridge, or more the fact that the action isn't scaled down to the cartridge at all. The feed tube and elevator are absolutely huge for that skinny litttle case, so it has a habit of them getting fed cockeyed onto the elevator, then it picks them up crooked and hangs up or jams.

It's deadly accurate, though, and absolutely levels squirrels and rabbits without tearing them to shreds using cast loads, so like I said earlier, I'm very love/hate with it. If it fed better it would probably be my favorite rifle.

What cartridge is yours chambered in?

32 - 327 Fed, 32 H&R Mag, and 32 S&W Long all work through it. I do most of my shooting with 32 S&W Longs, but it shoots all 3 cartridges very well. I mostly shoot cast with 32L and 32H&R Mag, and jackets and monos in 327 Fed.

Surprisingly 327 Fed feeds the worst; usually it's opposite with pistol cartridge levers and cartridge lengths.

Like you, I can't take them seriously. Then again, I can't take any Wins/Marlins with safeties on them, seriously either.

I have a 22 mag that is not accurate at all. Don’t much care for it. Then, for some reason, I decided I needed a 45-70. A gun I never even considered until now.

won with a good price (on GB) a Henry X and now I’m all in on this gun. It shoots. I mean, this thing is accurate! 325 grain Hornady shoot well, 350 grain Berrys are incredible. 1.5 down to .88” with a 4x scope.

Subsonic is where it’s at though. I have a Hybrid 45 on it and the 415 grain Hornady Sub-X are the best thing since pockets on a shirt! (They just arrived at Midway last night, so I bought more).

This gun is the real deal.

Oh cool. Gives you a lot of choices

i still sell afew new rifles with my FFL license some people really like the 22 LR levers ,i won one also and its pretty and does shoot ok but this 22 LR just is not as accurate or functions as nice as my Marlin 39 A`s do . i would like to get a S.S. PLASTIC Stock all weather 357 Henry lever rifle someday to play with. i own a Marlin 45-70 s.s. guide gun but that rifle is just miserable to shoot so i think a 357 /38 would be much more fun and cheaper to shoot also.

Yeah I have the Guide Gun too. I love it but I love it best with Trapdoor loads

Henry is a great company but I am not a fan of their centerfire rifles but I love their rimfires.

I have never owned a Henry that didn’t have a problem. The Big Boy Steels I fixed myself but it’s frustrating as hell. I had a single shot 30-30 that the trigger weight and pull was so bad I had the gun less than 24hrs. I had an Evil Roy 22 that I beat to death on an iron beam.

No more for me.

I’ve had the 410 lever, Big Boy Steels, single shots, and 22’s.

I will say the 44 Big Boy Steels I had after they were fixed, they were reliable. I actually like them better than a marlin 94.

I just purchased a BBS carbine (16.5" barrel) in .357 Mag. It feeds .38 Special well as well as .357. Accuracy wise, it cuts holes at 50 yards with a 158 XTP and 16.7 gr H110 for 1,710 fps. I haven't found a complaint based on the function of the rifles.Fit and finish is good. My only complaint is that I wish they did a better job on the bluing. It does not have the rich bluing that Marlins came with back in the day.

My .22 mag shoots really well for a lever gun and has given me no trouble.

which rifle, they make quite a few models. I haven't owned one, but I prefer winchesters when it comes to 30-30's just because they are trimmer and weigh a half pound less. the henry is basically a 336 type action. the loading gate was a huge plus for them to add to their guns. the rimfires I am not interested in because the receivers are pot metal. yeah I get it, it makes them cheaper, I wish they offered a machined steel option like the 94/22's in which case that is what I ended up buying.

Yeah I have a Golden Boy and it's fine. I'm mostly talking about the centerfires

From everything I have seen , they make no junk. I am not a fan but style is what I don't care for.

I've never owned one but, have looked at some. I personally don't like the magazine tube loading on centerfire calibers. I know the original Henry 1860 had that but, was changed later on to a loading gate, when Winchester got going good.

Yes, their rimfires are indeed potmetal

Our local Scheels had and 'Original Henry' 44 WCF in the display case and it looked well put together, above average blue and wood finish. I just couldn't get myself to break loose the money for it.

I have a Long Ranger in 223 / 5.56 and a Big Boy Steel in 327 Federal Mag. Both shoot well and have nice wood that is well fitted. The BBS is an absolute hoot with 32 S&W longs. My biggest complaint is they are on the heavy side.

Does anyone actually have the Model 1860? I hate the polished look but wouldn't mind owning one.

The two Henrys I own are great rifles. So far, not a hint of shoddy worksmanship and excellent components.

Around 10 years ago I had the H001 .22LR. I never had any issues with it but cannot really comment on accuracy as I mostly used it with shorts and just used it to plink tin-cans. Fast forward to when the lever 410s came out....my dad had to have one. It had issues at first with extracting fired cartridges, but out of nowhere it just started working and hasn't hiccuped since. No idea.

I sold the 22, still have dads 410......last week my father in law retired and the company gifted him a special edition wildlife something or other long ranger. His shooting days are mostly over and he gave it to my wife and I to put up and or use.....I'm not a fan of flashy or anything engraved but after looking at it for a few days....it's growing on me and it seems nicely done. Action is smooth, trigger isn't horrible for a rifle like this, and it points very well. I may have to use it on a meat doe this year. I doubt I ever scope it or reload for it so its not likely I'll ever know the true accuracy potential of it.


Crappy pics but you get the idea. This one is in 243, and the magazine is a detachable box so being able to use a spitzer type bullet is nice.

I like the look of the Long Ranger rifles, and they appear to be high quality. I would give one a run for sure.

Ky221,
That treatment on the receiver is pretty. I am kind of interested in their long ranger. Probably in 308W. It would be interesting if they offered it in 338 Fed. or 358Win.
I have to say I think the stock has a 'clubby' look to it. I have never handled one.

I have seen and owned a few. They have a reputation for being well built with quality, fit/finish etc.
In these times, with demand so high, etc, they seem to be around the same as everyone else. I had some that were very tight, others that had wood fit like an early remlin. Some with good triggers, others with horribly gritty actions that I was very surprised.

Basically, I wouldn't rate them any lower or higher than anyone else. If you can handle it in person that would be ideal.

H010 and H010CC 45-70s. Both excellent rifles with zero issues.

Deer and Bear killers they are!

Bought Winchester and Browning levers the last two purchases...but I'd buy another Henry for sure.

I dont know, do know that guy is my favorite yankee manufacturer, gotta hand it to a guy living in a gun/2nd amendment hating chithole hell shoving it in their faces manufacturing American made weapons, being very visible with commercials and appearances 24/7/365, good luck and keep up the fight Mr. Imperato.

I haven't owned any Henry rifles, but have bought a couple for gifts, have heard no complaints.

Solid rifles. I just don't care for their looks. Just a personal preference

I have a few of the rim fires and enjoy them. I really like the smooth bore “garden gun” and use it around the house more than I thought I would.

I also have the Lone Ranger in 223 and I find it shoots and cycles really well.
I would but the Lone Ranger in 7mm-08 in a heart beat.

A little off topic, but just received this in an email from a friend. This is a direct, copy/paste quote from his email:


here's a quick story for you: a few years ago, Hunter and his boys were at NOLA watching a Ferrari Challenge race....Hunter started talking to a guy in the pits and it turned out to be Anthony Imperato, CEO of Henry Arms....he offered to make the boys single shot .22's with the last 4 digits of their SS#'s as serial numbers...a few weeks later, the free rifles were at the local dealer.


Says something about the man running the company, I think!

I had been wanting a lever for years and began desiring a Henry because I actually like the looks. Finally bought the Big Boy rifle in 44 cal.
20 inch barrel and the large loop lever.
It’s not the side gate, but I love my rifle.
I’ve only shot one deer with it at 100 yards. Drt.
I’d like to buy another with side gate in something other than brass to hunt with.

As for as killing power?
I’ve probably killed 40 deer with a 50 cal muzzleloader using 240gr bullets.
I imagine my Henry 44 is not much different in ballistics and force.

I heard a Henry firearm advertisement on AM 770 radio Seattle this week.

They MUST be making money.

Take a henry apart and see what's inside. I'd be curious what is inside their centerfires.

Maybe its their cheap used car selling type infomercials....

I have only owned the single shots, but those are made quite well, though the design is quite simple.

Gavin Toobe, the Ultimate Reloader on YouTube, and his sidekick Guy, Cascade here, have been playing with a couple of the lever actions. I’m not a big fan of their looks, but they seem to work and shoot well. It also appears to me that they’ve been refining the looks. They don’t seem quite as “square” as they once did.

Only been around the rimfires and dont have any desire to go out and buy one

I look at the long ranger and think that If I wanted a gun that looked like a browning BLR. I would go out and buy a browning BLR.

The others look awfull Marlin to me. Same outlook on those.

Not much use for a tube fed rifle either.

The Long Ranger bolt system is very similar to a BLR. The trigger guts don't drop with the lever, though.

I've got a BBS carbine, and the internals look very similar to an older Mossberg 472, except for the elevator setup.

I have a Henry 22 LR and I have had zero problems. I have put 2000-3000 rounds through mine. They make quality rifles and are suppose to have excellent customer service.

Henry puts too much lipstick on their rifle.
Cuts down on my interest…

I have two Henry's. BB steel in .45 Colt and BB classic in .357, both with 20" barrels. Fit and finish are excellent, bluing is good and accuracy is very good.
No complaints on my end. BTW, I don't mind the tube fed deal, I'm not running from marauding Indians.

I have a steel frame 44 mag that has killed several deer, only picadila has been feeding unless straight up and down

That's the rub with my steel 327. It's a great rifle other than the fact that it feeds like garbage... which is sort of a big issue for a lever.

They upgraded the trigger on the single shots a few years ago. Very nice now. They will also fix the old ones I believe. Great company

I have a brass frame 44 mag that’s been accurate and reliable but I don’t have a huge number of rounds through. It’s very slow to load and the magazine tube isn’t polished anywhere near the level of the barrel. I sent an email to Henry after buying the gun to complain about it but they never responded. I keep it’s magazine loaded but chamber empty in my safe as my home defense gun, hopefully the 9 shots on board would be sufficient to repel boarders.

Have an H010 here. 45-70. I personally like the tube feeders. In 45-70, 4 in the tube and one in the chamber is PLENTY. They are well built rifles and mine seems to have very good wood to metal fitment. Overall, its leagues ahead of my Remlin guide gun in 45-70. For the record, with all the love for side gates, and Henry going that way too, I will say that I don't fit the mold. I find side gates finicky and slow, and often scratch the shiat out of my brass in larger calibres. IF, on the rare day, I want to plug a few more holes in a target, I simply single load into the loading port with ease. I also owned a Henry single shot 12 gauge, but it had corrosion on the buttplate and a gouge on the forearm. I sent it back the same day. For a lighter pistol caliber, like 327 or 357, I would opt for another Henry with a side gate, just to "stay in the game".

I've liked every henry I've ever handled. I owned a long ranger for a bit and the only reason I sold it was that it was a 6.5 creed.

How much more can be said about a Henry? Next to a Handi Rifle, they could be one of the best looking guns made…

[quote=shrapnel]
How much more can be said about a Henry? Next to a Handi Rifle, they could be one of the best looking guns made…



LOL, that's funny

In all fairness, that single shot is butt ugly. LoL

Their all-steel levers in the larger calibres, however, look pretty damn nice to me. At the end of the day, few levers on the market, with the possible exception of some of those fancy Italian makes, are working tool guns. Looks are secondary to fit and function.

John Browning and Andrew Burgess would not agree…

If I'm going to spend what they want these days, it damn well better look good and shoot good or it ain't comin' home.

I have three or four Henry, every one is just as good as my JM Marlins, Rossi, I like scopes on Henry’s and Marlins, open sights on Rossi of course. I have shot Winchester in the past too, I shoot some hot loads in Henry’s with no problems, functions perfectly and very accurate.

My lust for lever guns has been mostly covered by Marlin, Winchester and Savage. I’d buy a Henry, maybe if I could find one chambered in 357 Mag or 30-40 Krag at the right price.
I think that Henry lever guns look fine. I like the option of feeding ammo in the magazine tube like we’ve all done with 22’s.

The Henrys seem to sell out quick.
It took me about a year of looking to find a Henry .44Mag sidegate.
Had to buy it online.
Damn nice rifle.

Good quality materials and workmanship.

I'd buy 6 MORE Marlins before ever buying a Henry.

... now that Ruger has taken over and judging by the two new Marlins I checked out this summer Marlin is making real guns again ... Henry ruled the roost during the Remlin years but Marlin is back and Henry will make a respectable runner up

Not sure what I like the most about them……..the high quality silver or gold plating or the rolled engraving. Would make the guys that used to work in Winchester, Marlin, or Remington’s custom shops really proud of American craftsmanship. Certainly to each their own but I will pass.

PennDog

I have several lever action rifles from Japan, Brazil, Italy and the USA.
I own 3 USA made Henry's, a Long Ranger in .308, a BB steel in .357 and a newer Color Case BB in .44 magnum.
They are extremely nice rifles with smooth actions, good wood to metal fit, great triggers and fine exterior metal finishes.

I Have two Henry's the single, and a lever in .41mag. They build a good gun, they've had a couple recalls, and they tend to be pricey, especially the Single. I got mine at a bankruptcy auction, otherwise would never had thrown the coin. Rebounding hammer takes a bit getting used to. I'ld prefer a half cock.

I'll take ANY JM over a Ruger. The only thing I congratulate Ruger on is getting rid of micro groove. Was every JM off the line perfect? Hell no. And mark your calendars, there will be a Ruger recall. Its what they do. When was the last recall on a JM ? Anyone? Buhler?

The Rag Writers kicked around Marlin pretty good unjustifiably. That's their job. Hype sales. ANYTHING new is always the greatest in their eyes, look who pays them. Remington is who damn ruined the brand. Put the blame where its due

Marlin is not back. There is no Marlin anymore. Its Ruger.

Its the original Marlin round bolt 1894 II. They shoulda kept with it rather than caving to nostalgia, and going back to square bolt.

MARLIN PART REPLICAS

I like my browning and savage lever guns. Don’t have any interest in a Henry. I’m just not interested in a tube fed centre fire rifle.

Henry rifles the wood stock rifles really do look good .

Henry doesn't make anything from scratch, save for 2 the 9mm Carbine, and that absolutely abysmal revolver. Everything else is s variation of someone elses design. That may or may not tell you something about the Company. Tony is a nice enough guy, the fit finish and quality of materials I find on par or better than most

They have sidegates , and both

Yes they do

I’ll let you know. I have a Big Boy X 44 inbound. I’m more traditional, as are my 357 levers, but as I age, the bigger holes and optics options are just more fun.
Search of you’re looking for on, because folks on GB just run the prices and there’s less expensive “new” guns online.

I’ve got a Henry .45 and a stainless Rossi .454. I had a JM .44. I don’t like to fret over scratches and such, so once I got the Rossi slicked up, the JM was sold. To be honest, I think most that love their JMs do so for sentimental reasons. Don’t get me wrong. They’re a quality piece, but I think modern prices are a bit much for the way I’d treat it.

The Rossi matches my utilitarian needs (light, accurate and dependable), so its my favorite. It gets strapped across the handlebars, thrown in the truck, leaned up against trees goes out in the rain (all uncased).

The Henry is an art piece….a heavy art piece. It was my pa’s, so it stays. If It were between a new Henry and a JM, I guess I’d go with a stainless JM for the reasons explained. At that price point, however, I cringe at every ding or scratch.

Just my 2 cents.

Picked up the X model in 45 Colt yesterday. Went with the X because I wanted a handgun cartridge carbine in a model that I wouldn't worry about scratching up the wood.

For now, my impression is it's a smooth nicely finished rifle. Decent trigger that I may have cleaned up before the season starts. I'm hoping to use it iron sighted, but will use a scope if I have to. I will use a scope for the near future as I work up a load for it.

Agree 100%. My son just bought a NIB Ruger 1895 SS Big Lever 45-70. It has more trigger creep and trigger weight than any Marlin or Remlin I've handled. NOT IMPRESSED AT ALL especially for the price!

I recently bought an 1895 GBL 45-70. I liked the fit and finish. However, the trigger was nothing short of horrible. I wouldn't even take it to the range to shoot it until my gunsmith did a trigger job on it. He did an outstanding job. It went from a heavy, gritty 11 lb. trigger with a lot of creep to a smooth, crisp, creep free 4.5 lb trigger. When I first tried it, I thought the pull was about 3 lbs. until the smith put the trigger gauge on it.

At the range, I was able to put four of five shots into a ragged hole.

The Henry X model mentioned above has a smooth and relatively light trigger compared to the GBL. It does have creep that I'll probably have cleaned up.

Ruger revolvers almost always need trigger work and I'm not surprised to hear their interpretation of a Marlin does too.

Not surprised at the horrible triggers on the new Ruger made Marlins. I've come to view any Ruger as a semi finished, fully assembled kit gun.

Yeah Ruger has never been synonymous with good triggers. On anything

80% gun with a serial number and a 110% price.