Bought a Henry .22 lever rifle the other day, took it to the range this morning and was quite pleased. Never touched the sights, just started shooting it, testing different brands of ammo. Tried some cheap Mexican "Centurian" brand ammo, $2.00 a box and got some amazing groups, less than 1" at 50 yards with iron sights, shooting from a rest. Put a golf ball on the 50 yard berm and had a blast shooting it! Like hitting chip shots with a .22 rifle...

I have bought a lot of rifles in my day, most have needed some sort of tinkering before they shoot where you want them to, not this rifle! The trigger was crisp, action butter smooth, light weight, compact, what more do you want?

I had looked at the Henry .22 rifles some months ago, saw them at Gander Mountain, lined up with a Marlin Model 39. Gander Mountain had them priced at $499, the Marlin was $549, so I figured I would go with the Marlin as it was only $50 more. Bought the Marlin and was pleased with it. Well, a couple weeks ago I saw a Henry .22 in a local mini-mart and deli (Harts Variety Store, Bloxom Va.) priced at $249, so for that price I figured I had to give it a try. I guess Gander Mountain had lost their mind pricing Henry rifles, as an on-line price check revealed MSRP is like $339, so Harts must have gotten a deal on this particular rifle.

Anyway, I'm pleased with it, I think they are quite a bargain. I have a cheap leather rifle scabbard I got from Sportsman Guide ($40) that fits it well, we'll see how it works in the canoe....

I'm glad your Henry is working well for you. I see Henry advertising in USA Today that their rifles are entirely U.S. made. I suppose Marlins are too... ?

In any case, they say something to the effect that they will be made here, or not made at all. We could use some more of that sort of attitude - a lot more. Maybe at some point even our friends in Washington will start to get the message.

I believe Burris Scopes had the same manufacturing ideals right up until "Made in China" appeared on the tube.

Mine all say 'Made in the USA' and have been absolutely trouble free. Haven't heard good things about China scopes tho.

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S&WHF 366

canoeguy,
I have a Henry 22 as well and agree completely with everything you said. The action feels like it is on rollers and they do shoot great. We do the golf ball thing too, we'll throw a handfull out in the yard at camp and have a great time. I did put a scope on mine though.

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Jeff
S&WCA #2132

I've handled them a few times at gun stores, and the feel of the action was awesome; very smooth. The reason I have not bought one yet, is I'm not a fan of the metal finish on the "blued" ones, really just looks like a black paint/coating. I was actually surprised by this, as the gun really seems like a high quality piece, except for the metal finish on the receiver, and that's a pretty major component...

I like the looks of the Yellow Boy ones, but really don't like the weird angle of the stock, just does not line up right for me (forget about putting your cheek on the comb...). The wood on the Yellow Boys that I've handled have been very, very nice grain...

If they offered a real blued receiver, or a Yellow Boy with a better stock angle, I'd be all over one; especially hearing how well they shoot... I've got a couple of Winchester 9422s, and a Marlin 39, and really like them. Does anyone have the Browning lever .22 (BL?)? They look very nice, as well...

Sounds like you got a great deal on your Henry; congrats and enjoy!

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NRA Life Member

I've got two Henrys, a standard .22 and a large loop lever carbine. Both shoot way better than I can, and they are all American made. dmar, the receiver you spoke of is not actually the receiver itself, but rather a receiver cover. The actual receiver is a steel part underneath, and many Henry owners have stripped the black off the cover and refinished it in various colors and types. Go on Rimfire Central and go to the Henry section in the forums there, and you'll see a bunch of good examples of what I'm talking about. These rifles are great and worth their weight in gold as far as I'm concerned.