Opinion on Henry rifles

Ian

Notorious member
My biggest "hmm, why would they do THAT?" disagreement with the Henry centerfire rifles is the missing
loading gate.

I get it. That's probably the #1 complaint next to "I don't like all the bling brass look", which I don't understand. They do make blued versions of just about everything.

Unless you're going to be chasing bad guys from horseback, the loading tube is just fine, and does have some advantages such as UNloading without having to cycle the ammo through the action with the hammer cocked or trick it back out through the loading gate.
 

JonB

Halcyon member
I get it. That's probably the #1 complaint next to "I don't like all the bling brass look", which I don't understand. They do make blued versions of just about everything.

Unless you're going to be chasing bad guys from horseback, the loading tube is just fine, and does have some advantages such as UNloading without having to cycle the ammo through the action with the hammer cocked or trick it back out through the loading gate.
...and speed loading with a Spee-D-Loader

 

JonB

Halcyon member
Ever since I got my 41 mag Big Boy back from the factory (about a year ago) and it's functioning like a dream, I've been thinking of getting one of their little 22 rimfire shooters. I figure when my grand daughter is old enough and has the interest, she'll get it.

Last week, My favorite LGS had their Big sale...mostly Winchester brand ammo, but they have a few other things advertised (no special pricing on the Henry's). I stopped by on Friday, they were real busy. I asked if they'd match the sale price (from the big Farm store) on a Henry H001 (their most basic 22LR model). They said no. I asked how many they had. They said, three boxed up in back, plus the one on display. I asked if I could see 'em all and pick the one I liked best, hoping to find one with a bit of figure in the wood grain. At that point I realized I was probably coming off as a PITA...They weren't crazy about the idea of opening all the boxes, and they said that the basic model are all pretty much the same with a real plain wood stock (which I have to admit, I already knew that). Then they suggested, that I could come back after their Big sale, on a weekday morning, when they surely wouldn't be busy and we could look all of them over, at that time.

Since rain had been predicted for Wed/Thur, I figured Wednesday (today) was the day to stop back. The Shop Owner was there and was eager to help me out. First we go look at the display rack...there wasn't a H001 there. We go into the back room...Only one H001 box on the shelf. Another employee walks into the back room, and tells us, they have sold a few Henry's last weekend. So the one and only box gets opened, and low and behold the stock was quite nice, plenty of figure at the wrist. How lucky is that? I suppose I better go and buy some lottery tickets?

9069

9070
 

JonB

Halcyon member
I brought the little H001 out to the range, and tried a few different brands of ammo. I was on the paper [4" x 6"] at the 50 yard range [off-hand], but the targets I brought, I couldn't see the bull with my old eyes...actually I couldn't see anything, except the white paper, so I was just aiming for the middle of the paper. My groups weren't the best (minute of squirrel? LOL), but I was on the paper. The factory Iron sights will be adequate for me.
 

oscarflytyer

Well-Known Member
EDIT TO ADD: Mr. Imperato just sent me a follow up message indicating the twist rate of the .45 Colt Big Boy rifles is 1:16, is that awesome or what? I replied that it might improve sales if the specific information was more clear in the catalog.

Opinion keeps going up. I'm going to buy one.

WELL NOW! I AM PSYCHED! Just bought a relatively new Big Boy Steel in 45 Colt. Sent Henry an inquiry, and HOPE it IS 1:16!