What's wrong with the Henrys?

[bckskin2]

I've seen a lot of negative comment about Henrys.  I'm not seriously looking, but they appear to be about the only company still making a .22 make lever action. Ruger used to but they are no longer listed. I think Henry makes both a pump & lever in .22. I think Tarus may have made a pump at one time.
Jerry

[Graybeard]

Nothing wrong with them and their customer service is second to none. I've heard complaints about them being heavy but then that's a personal opinion and what's too heavy for one might not be for another. Unlike some brands I've NEVER heard anyone say the Henry is rough in the action. All comments I've seen and heard say they are as smooth and slick right out of the box as other brands after being slicked up.

Some complain of the one with the yellow receiver that it isn't steel and while that's true it's plenty strong enough for a rimfire. I've read complaints on the plastic sights but also read where all you have to do is request them and Henry will ship you free replacement metal sights.

All the gripes I'v heard/read seem rather minor and most are just personal opinion of what a rifle should be rather than any real justified complaint based on a real rather than perceived problem. While I've never owned one I've checked out a bunch of them in gun stores and so far I've seen nothing to complaint about myself. If I felt a need for a lever action rimfire they would be high on my list to purchase.

[Rangr44]

The main thing "wrong" with the Henry leverguns is the negative publicity/comments from those who've never owned/shot one.

I own/shoot/hunt with two Henry's, right alongside my Winchester 9422, Marlin 39a and Browning BL-22.

They all get along with each other............. sympatico...........

I guess you could say my gunsafe is fully integrated.   

.

[Lurker]

Have either of you taken a new Henry rifle apart and looked inside of it? If you look inside of the rifle, at the cast parts and how they are fit, you may change your mind... Do you like painted receivers?

Plastic sights..? Why buy a rifle with plastic sights and then have to ask the company to send you replacements? Do you really need the down time?

How do plastic sights and painted receivers square with pride of ownership? I know you might want to mention the Ruger 10/22's receiver. It's not painted, it's anodized.

In the case you may want to say, I've never used a Henry 22 lever action rifle, a friend of mine bought one. I looked it over really close. I even disassembled it...! I never said a disparaging word to him about his rifle. He looked at me and said, "from the look on our face," "you don't like it do you?"

I think Lou Imparato's (the deceased former owner of Henry rifles and Iver Johnson Firearms Co.) appropriating the grand old Henry rifle name, is an asanine excercise in attempting to fool the unwary, inexperienced gun buying public. Quality can't be had for cheap...

Has everybody here forgotten the excellent Marlin model 39 lever action rifle? Doesn't Marlin brag that it has been in production longer than any rifle ever made in the United States? I own seven of the various Marlin 39's and one of the newly reissued Marlin 1897 22 rifles.

I used to manage a large full service, gun shop , here, in southern California. You may even want to call me an firearms elitist or a snob, flame away. However, for me and my family, when we buy any firearm, it will be a quality firearm. No ifs, no ands, and no buts...!

Bill

Edited to add:

In addition to the Marlin 22 lever guns I own, I have two Winchester 9422's. One in 22 long rifle, and one in 22 magnum. In pump gun 22's, I own an unfired Winchester 62A. I own a mint Winchester model 61 in 22 long rifle. It was made in 1937.

I own nine Ruger 10/22's. I keep finding them at prices to good to resist.

I recently bought a Browning BL-22 for my son. My only complaint about the Browning is that abominable, shiny plastic finish, that Browning puts on their firearms stocks.

I even own a Rossi model 62 pump gun. It is one of their earliest production models. Actually it is a pretty nice rifle, but it is very deficient, in workmanship and materials, when compared along side of my Winchester 62A. It is quantum leap better than Rossi's latest efforts with this model rifle. I would not have it, except a friend of mine fell into financial trouble and offered it to me for $40.00.

If I ever need to loan a 22 rifle, the Rossi will fill that need. However, when it gets loaned, it will be when I can go with it.

BW

[Swampman]

I've owned 4 Model 39 Marlins.  One of them worked ok and the other 3 gave me fits.  I like the Henrys ok except for the painted finish and the plastic parts.  My friend's Henry shot about 6 inches to the right at 25 yards.  We finally got it regulated.

[bckskin2]

Gun test seem to like them, as to the pained parts, my Enfield was painted. No plastic though.
Seriously if I start seriously looking I will carefully examine and make up my own mind.
Thanks for the input

[Rangr44]

[Have either of you taken a new Henry rifle apart and looked inside of it?] - Yep.

[If you look inside of the rifle, at the cast parts and how they are fit, you may change your mind...] - Nope.

[Do you like painted receivers?] - More than I care for rusted blued receivers.  Damaged=damaged, and when they're new, the finish is as good (or better) than what's on your vehicle.

[Plastic sights..? Why buy a rifle with plastic sights and then have to ask the company to send you replacements? Do you really need the down time?] - Don't sweat the small stuff - a drop of orange sight paint atop the front, and a peep atop the receiver cover, and my Henry's been good to go for the last 5 years.

[How do plastic sights and painted receivers square with pride of ownership? I know you might want to mention the Ruger 10/22's receiver. It's not painted, it's anodized.] - The proof's in the shooting; and the new 10/22's are issued with plastic triggerguards, but I don't see anyone throwing away their 10/22's.

[I've never used a Henry 22 lever action rifle] - Exactly.

No one needs to feel threatened, intimidated, and/or act defensively, by the fact that a Henry can shoot right alongside other RF leverguns costing up to 3x more - just go shooting with one.  

.

[Hairtrigger]

Gun test seem to like them, 

That and $1.00 will buy you a cup of coffee.
Those guys at gun test are a joke.
 Gun Test is the only magazine I have ever cancelled

I think the Henry is a price point rifle .... you buy it because it is good enough

[Drilling Man]

  I think i have a reputation here on GB of calling a terd a terd, that is when i see one.

  I have a Henry lever in 22WMR, and it's no terd.  Mine is VERY smooth, shoots well, and has not failed to fire or function properly even one time.  I'd buy another...

  I looked at new 39's before i bought the Henry, it was a CLUB, and not near as smooth as the Henry.... No matter, i wanted a 22Win. Mag. anyway...

  I do call their 22WMR PUMP a terd though.

  DM

[Gohon]

Have either of you taken a new Henry rifle apart and looked inside of it? If you look inside of the rifle, at the cast parts and how they are fit, you may change your mind.

Sure have and it is just as strong and functional as any Marlin 39A.  So whats the problem?

Do you like painted receivers?

No…..but I have no problem with the dipped and baked on finish of the Henry. 

Plastic sights..? Why buy a rifle with plastic sights and then have to ask the company to send you replacements? Do you really need the down time?

Well lets be a little honest here…..the plastic sight and forearm band is on the very low end model.   Step up a notch and you get your metal sight and forearm band.  Besides,  most people scope their guns, even levers so what’s the difference.

How do plastic sights and painted receivers square with pride of ownership? I know you might want to mention the Ruger 10/22's receiver. It's not painted, it's anodized.

But the Marlin model 60 isn’t…….no one worries about them and their even softer metal than the Henry.

In the case you may want to say, I've never used a Henry 22 lever action rifle

Pretty much tells the real story huh…..

I think Lou Imparato's (the deceased former owner of Henry rifles and Iver Johnson Firearms Co.) appropriating the grand old Henry rifle name, is an asanine excercise in attempting to fool the unwary, inexperienced gun buying public. Quality can't be had for cheap...

Well, Imperato has publicly stated and as recently as the presenting of a Henry to Sarah Palin that the rifles he produces are based on the original Henry and the name was just sitting there with no rights restrictions so they used it.  Do you think those making Winchesters own the Winchester name?…..think again.  And who the heck are the real owners of Marlin today?

Has everybody here forgotten the excellent Marlin model 39 lever action rifle? Doesn't Marlin brag that it has been in production longer than any rifle ever made in the United States? I own seven of the various Marlin 39's and one of the newly reissued Marlin 1897 22 rifles.

Yep….had one and got rid of it.  Go over to the Marlin board and take a gander at the FTF’s, FTE, trigger problems, jams, rebound hammer frustrations and cross bolt safety issues.   Then bounce over to Rimfire Central and  read through the Henry section………those issues are so minimal they almost don’t exist.  Now if I should ever run into older version of a 39A I'd be tempted to buy it but not the present productions.

I used to manage a large full service, gun shop , here, in southern California. You may even want to call me an firearms elitist or a snob, flame away. However, for me and my family, when we buy any firearm, it will be a quality firearm. No ifs, no ands, and no buts..!

Well you won’t find it with a Marlin 39A.  That didn’t use to be the case but in the last 20 or so years the 39A has gone to crap.   The Marlin model 60, bolt rimfires and all their center fires are great guns and I wouldn’t trade any I own for anything but I’ll never have another cross bolt safety 39A in my gun safe.

[Swampman]

The cross bolt safety 39A I owned was the only one of the 4 that worked.  The finish on the Henry rubs off in no time.  It's a nice cheap gun.

[zoner]

i've been looking at the Henry's on their website. Yesterday at the range a guy showed up with a Golden Boy. We talked and after the cease fire i asked if i could just "handle" his Golden Boy....he said sure but insisted i shoot it also. I own a 1977 336 and a 1942 M94 Winchester, both really nice guns. I was amazed at how smooth the action was when i jacked in the first round. Just like butter, much smoother than the Marlin or Winchester. I'm gonna buy the little carbine with the large loop lever....fit a 5D reciever sight and post front site....and hope to see ya at the range. You can shoot mine...

[Flynmoose]

I have two Henrys, an H001 and a survival rifle. I also have a 1951
Marlin 39a and an 1897T. I like them all but the H110 gets shot the
most. It has a smooth action, shoots straight and feeds without fail.
If I were in the market for another lever gun, Henrys would get the
nod. I am very satisfied!

[PowPow]

...The finish on the Henry rubs off in no time...

That would be a buzzkill for just about anything you had been jonesing for.

Is that true for the blue ones, or the gold ones, or both?

[His lordship.]

Has anyone ever had a Henry go bad mechically, or have the barrel shake loose from the receiver, etc?  I was considering the Marlin too, but all that bad feedback on the lack of quality with Marlin killed it.  There is always Browning, Mossberg, and hopefully, Winchester will put their lever action .22 back into production.

[tangob5]

Winchester Firearms is owned by FN Herstal, which by the way owns Browning also.

Marlin is owned by Remington which in turn is owned by Cerebus Capital Management (Remember what happened to Chrysler?).  They have closed or are closing down the Marlin plant.  Do accountants know how how to build firearms?  They are in control of Remington.

So now that you know Remington, Marlin, Browning and Winchester are not the original company does it really matter if Henry isn't?

I have a BL-22 and find the major drawback is the trigger.  It has the worst trigger pull of any firearm I own.  If someone can tell me how to reduce the pull I would greatly appreciate it.  Actually thinking of selling it and buying a Henry just because of the trigger pull.

[no guns here]

I just picked up a Henry with the large loop.  Looks well put together.  Action is smoot and tight.  I KNOW I'm not really enamore with the finish on the reciever, I'd much rather have real brass.  I'll have to check out the sights and barrel band.  Nice wood to metal fit though.  Haven't shot it yet, in fact it's as NIB.  Never had a round through it.  Was part of a package deal from my SiL to finance her lawyer for her divorce.  I would have rather bought something else but I wanted to help her and her girls out a bit.  Give me a bit to find a range and time to go and I'll let you know how it shoots.  If it shoots good, I'll be happy with it.  I'm not hard on my guns, except for a couple of them so I'm not too worried about that dipped and baked reciever getting messed up.

NGH

[S.S.]

they're ugly and their momma's dress them funny!

[pmeisel]

Friend of mine bought one and really likes it.  I haven't had a chance to visit him and shoot it yet.

[Swampman]

...The finish on the Henry rubs off in no time...

That would be a buzzkill for just about anything you had been jonesing for.

Is that true for the blue ones, or the gold ones, or both?

The "blued" ones are painted black and it rubs off pretty easy.  The "gold" ones are gold anodized aluminum and I haven't tried one of those enough to say.

[PowPow]

...The "blued" ones are painted black and it rubs off pretty easy...

Thanks, Swampman. Saved me a lot of aggravation.

[mrussel]

Quality can't be had for cheap...

 I think that's exactly the problems with companies in America today,they subscribe to that. I disagree,quality CAN be had for cheap. There is no reason with modern manufacturing and materials that you cant make a solid serviceable product for a low price and end up producing something that may not have alot of features,but does its job and isnt poorly built. Instead,companies try to scrape off a few more cents by making something that isn't serviceable at all,and fall back on,"well,it was cheap,so you should have expected it".

 I have no problem with a company that makes a high quality product and charging a premium,but companies making low priced products should still be expected to make something that does its job. If you want a really nice product with all the bells and whistles,then of course,you should expect to spend some cash,but if you buy a basic product I think its reasonable to expect that if its a washing machine it will get your clothes clean and if its a gun it will go bang every time you pull the trigger and get the bullets somewhere close to where your aiming. Still,when someone buys a low priced product and complains (as they should) when it will not actually perform its intended function,rather than people agree that the company that made it did something dishonest,all people say is "You should have known better,you get what you pay for" and let the company that is acting dishonestly off the hook. Just my two cents.

[mrussel]

[How do plastic sights and painted receivers square with pride of ownership? I know you might want to mention the Ruger 10/22's receiver. It's not painted, it's anodized.] - The proof's in the shooting; and the new 10/22's are issued with plastic triggerguards, but I don't see anyone throwing away their 10/22's.

[I've never used a Henry 22 lever action rifle] - Exactly.
.

 I dont like plastic on guns,but it seems to be (as Glocks have proved) that plastic is a pretty good material for guns.

[Rangr44]

FWIW, This is the cheap, shoddy standard Henry H001 with the crappy finish that rubs right off, etc, etc - which I've peeped, and been plinking and hunting with for the last 5 years:



It still looks NIB, is squirrel-head accurate, and carries like a feather - but then I treat my guns like guns, and not some cheap/crappy tool.

I never throw them in the bed or under the seat of my truck, beat brush/animals to death with them, nor use them as stream-wading assists/crutches.

IMHO, my $189.95 was well spent, those 5 years ago.........................  

.

[Glanceblamm]

beat brush/animals to death with them,

Did that once with my old H&R revolver after discovering an Opposum in a carefully laid Fox set but only after it had hissed and snarled at me

Has been a good read on these various lever guns and I appreciate hearing all the details. My rifle? an early 70's Rem nylon 66 of course! 

[mdi]

I have found that I am suspicious of posts that go to great lengths to criticise a product. Seems to me like it is more of an attack rather than just an opinion of the quality of a given firearm. No offence intended Mr. Lurker, but you seem to critisize the entire company and not just offer an opinion on a particular rifle. Hey, it's just a gun, and if the front sight is plastic, so? "Painted" reciever? I've seen some pretty durable/good looking applications of Duracoat, and the "paint job" doesn't make it any less of a rifle. Yep, a "traditionally finished" firearm is usually a deep blue or case hardened, but what about a parkerized gun? Is a parkerized weapon less of a weapon 'cause it's not blued?

I haven't shot a Henry .22, but it is on my bucket list, right behind that 1952 Winchester M94 in 30-30 that's residing at the local pawn shop.

Lurker, have a good day 

[Rex in OTZ]

I had went to the Taurus site they did have one model of leveraction at the time, hadent seen it on the shelves yet.
I just tried the taurus site and now only see hand guns....Hmmmm thats odd?
Mossberg is supposed to offer a rimfire companion to ther new 30-30.

Norinco (chinese made) offer a leveraction rimfire Canadian sportsman. too bad, some the Norinco stuff is kinda neat looking.

Other American made leveraction rifles (Hammerless)
I had a Marlin 56 levermatic and a Winchester 250 both in .22lr, they both indeed had hammers but they were internal ones.

[Old Fart]

For whatever it's worth I have one of the "low end" Henry's.
I've shot the crap out of it, I have no complaints at all.
It's not like I went out and spent $800 for it.

[DANNY-L]

I bought a H001 about 15 years ago from wal mart, first time I went to shoot it would stove pipe the rounds (I cleaned the rifle after I took it out of the box) I sent the rifle to Henry within 10 days I had it back  (something needed adjusting)  they also sent me a set of scope rings for the hassle and they paid all shipping. I've yet to even have the reciever discolor let alone chip off the blue. Im still using the plastic sights with no problem yet. Very sweet and smooth rifle.

[dpe.ahoy]

I own 2 of the basic ones, 22 and 22 mag.  The 22 gets a brick run thru it every trip out to the range, ( 7 kids ) and has never had a problem in 5 years.  The mag has only had one brick run in it and no problems.  They are light, verrrrrry smooth, accurate enough for head shots on rabbits and squirrels and one turkey, (legal here).  Paint is still on and the sights are still there and not broken. Don't know what is not to like.  Anyone who has shot mine has liked em, gun shops say they have fewer complaints on em than most other brands, I asked before getting one.  I think the "brass" looks nice, but to heavy to carry around for a day, I prefer the light weight myself.  DP