Author Topic: Henry receiver painted? (Read 2103 times)

ZANARDI · « **on:** October 29, 2005, 06:02:02 AM »

I've had my eye on a Henry .22 lr lever action for a while now. I like the looks, fit and feel. The majority of the reviews I've read seem to be very positive.

I was dismayed recently to read that the receiver is painted? I understand this is because the receiver is Aluminum Alloy and can not be traditionally blued like steel?

Aluminum alloy doesn't bother me, but what is the story with the paint? Is this true paint or some other coating appropriate for aluminum?

I envision my trusty Henry rifle 10 years from now with paint flaking off the receiver.

Does anyone have details on what exactly the finish is on the Henry receivers?

Thanks

Zanardi

Shorty · « **Reply #1 on:** October 29, 2005, 06:53:17 AM »

I would like an answer to that also. My brother-in-law just bought a Henry in .22 Mag. and he asked me if I knew how he could darken/ antique the "brass" frame. I couldn't advise him. The color looks to me like TitaniumNitride which wouldn't discolor under any circumstances.

Keith L · « **Reply #2 on:** October 29, 2005, 03:01:58 PM »

I bet it is not paint per se but powder coat. If properly applied it will last longer than both of us. I have seen several aluminum gun parts powder coated. It is tough as heck.

KN · « **Reply #3 on:** October 31, 2005, 03:47:53 PM »

I have a youth 22 henry and it sure looks like paint to me. Pretty easy to scratch. They are pretty cheaply made but pretty accurate. If I had the extra money I would go with the marlin though. KN

armory414 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 01, 2005, 10:16:54 AM »

It is a baked-on enamel paint. Gun manufacturers have been using it for years on low end guns, or guns that they wanted to make lighter by using an alloy frame. The old Ithaca single shot .22's had it, as did some of the late Stevens single-shot shotguns. It won't flake (like old paint on a house) but it will chip or scratch off. My dad's Henry has a few scratches in it (no, they're not character marks, they're ugly scratches) and there hasn't been a good way to cover them up except for gloss black enamel paint. The Henry is a fair low-end gun. If you want something that will look good for generations, I'd look at a Marlin 39 or older Win. 94/22.

45north · « **Reply #5 on:** January 23, 2006, 07:01:43 PM »

Try a ruger 10/22 sometime aluminum and painted

45north

jh45gun · « **Reply #6 on:** January 24, 2006, 02:36:10 AM »

Contrary to what you guys say the Henry is not a low end gun I know guys who have some of the Ithicas made by Erma which is the same gun as the Henry only made at a different time ( Middle 70's ) in a different factory and they have held up just fine and that is thirty years. ( we are not talking about the cheap single shot that Ithica had out with the Martini action but the Model 79 which was made by Erma and was patened and owned by the Chairman of the Current Henry factory and who's son [Anthony] is the president of Henry) I really get a kick out of those that say the Henry will not last or pee and moan about that painted reciever that is a alloy when Ruger who they may gush over does the same thing. As does a lot of other gun makers. Winchester shot gun recievers made out of aluminum at least the 1200's were and I would suspect the others are too. I would expect that the Marlin semi auto 22's are aluminum also I never checked one out to see but they look that way from a glance. I will put my Henry 22 mags accuracy against any one. I could not believe how accurate it was. also the plates covering the reciever are a alloy the guts like the bolt are steel so you have a steel to steel match up between the barrel and the bolt. Lots of guns use aluminum and yes plastic these days. Henry does have metal bands and front sights if that bothers you if you have a gun with the plastic ones and a email to Henry should get you some metal ones. I have them on my 22 mag. One other important factor Henry takes pride in what they make and they have one if not the best customer service divisions in the industry. Email Henry and the President of the Company answers you or if you call chances are the operator will put you through to him to answer any questions you may have. Try getting that kind of service with any other company. Not knocking Marlin lever guns they are great guns and so was the 9422 also but I passed on one when I seen they sell for more than a 30/30 lever does. So I bought the Henry and am extremely happy with it. I use my guns I do not put them on the wall to look at and I do not have a gun that does not have a scratch or mark on them it happens when they have been used in the woods ect. Speaking of finishes my Win 30/30 made in 64 has the iron receiver that cannot be blued and yea it is ugly but I like the gun and over look that particular fault it does not hamper the function or the accuracy of that particular gun. Consider the fact that the days of all iron guns are slowly going by the wayside and that alloys and plastic no matter how you may dislike it is a fact of life in the current gun business. Winchester is closing. Savage had to go through a major turnaround and bankrupcy. Smith and Wesson had problems too but at least now has a American Owner. Remington is importing Russian guns and is rumored to have some problems. Ithica just closed its doors. Henry came along when most American gun companies are in trouble and if they can compete and make a good product competitively more power to them. To find a gum company still making NICE walnut stocks for 22's instead of birch or a synthetic and from what I have seen of the fit and finish of wood to metal fit tells me they take pride in what they do.

DakotaElkSlayer · « **Reply #7 on:** January 24, 2006, 07:59:55 AM »

Well said! Personally, after handling a Henry I wouldn't care if the receiver was bright pink plastic, I would still buy one! They are the smoooothest levers I have ever handled.

Jim

45north · « **Reply #8 on:** January 24, 2006, 10:58:07 AM »

45north · « **Reply #9 on:** January 24, 2006, 11:03:57 AM »

When I first bought my henry 22 lr I had problems with it. It would not feed properly. I contacted Henry arms told them the problem and I was given a choice of repair options and I decided to send it back to the factory. Henry contacted UPS and two days later UPS came to my job site and took the rifle back to Henry, it cost me nothing for the repair or the shipping both ways. About two weeks after I got the rifle back Anthony called me at home to ask if I was happy with the rifle and to say sorry for the inconveince. I was floored and amazed that the president of a corperation would call me about that.
I have never gotten a call from winchester or remington or any other company to ask about their products, much less the pesident. Henry Arms gets my money next time I need a lever rifle. I feel a 22 mag in my future.
Any brand new item in the world can be broken or defective, how that company stands behind their product is whats important in my book!!!

45north

jh45gun · « **Reply #10 on:** January 25, 2006, 07:44:45 AM »

45 North if you get a Mag you will love it I sure like mine!

45north · « **Reply #11 on:** January 25, 2006, 04:44:59 PM »

jh45gun,

That is what I have been told. I think I will have to give it a try soon.

45north

jh45gun · « **Reply #12 on:** January 27, 2006, 02:19:17 AM »

Hard to say but mine was aluminum. I know because some previous owner scratched his intitials into the reciever then some one scratched them out with a attempt at art ( Mountains) to cover it up. It looked like crap. LOL I did not have the gun long as I did not care for that assisted opening. You say yours is magnetic any chance the magnet is picking up the metal parts like the bolt in the reciever? I think if the 1200 had a steel reciever it would be heavier the model 12 weighed 7 3/4 and heavier depending on the model the 1200 weighs 6 3/4 pounds. Stands to reason they would use aluminum to cut the weight down. Check again and let me know as I am not saying yours is not I do not know if they made two different recievers but as far as I know they are all aluminum in the 1200/1300 ect. I know the finish they put on some of these aluminum recievers does look good and like blueing. I will also say if aluminum works for a 12 guage it sure has to be strong enough for a 22. Jim

jh45gun · « **Reply #13 on:** January 27, 2006, 03:55:34 PM »

I do not know either?

? Maybe they made both. Maybe the early ones were steel and they switched to Aluminum? I have no idea. I do know that even the guy at the gun shop when I bought it said it was aluminum because I asked how to cover up the reciever to blend in that mess some one put on it. Of course the good thing was that lowered the price considerabley. That assisted opening spooked me and I still am not sure what gives on that some say it happens with these and others say no. So took it back to the gun shop to get my money back. What happens is after every shot the pump comes back and opens the action. Even with your hand off of the forarm? This was with shooting trap loads so they were not heavy loads. Not sure if it was ok or not so I took it back. Jim

uncle joe · « **Reply #14 on:** April 05, 2006, 02:08:12 AM »

I read in a post at Rimfire Central that the Henry receiver is an alloy developed for Henry that is supposed to be lighter and stronger than steel. The Pesident of Henry is a regular poster at RFC and frequently gives his private office phone #, e-mail in his posts to be available to us. If you post a question he usually responds very fast and straight.