Henry .22 rifle

[Stevens]

I have seen the Henry .22 lever action rifle at WMT and Academy stores for a bit under $300.00 it looks like a very nice rifle. I'm thinking the Grandkids would enjoy shooting it when they come over, as well as myself for some plinking.
I know Henry is a well respected manufacturer but have never owned or shot one, any cautions or bad experiences with them, the .22 in particular?
Thanks,
Steve W

 

[jbtrucker]

I bought a Henry on sale few years ago at Cabelas and didn't notice for couple months later a ugly knot bottom of the stock . It had smooth action, accurate no problems with the better grade ammunition. Only problem the receiver cover is difficult to remove and get back on , the bolt action doesn't get that dirty anyway . Will be a great rifle for you and grandkids just check it over real good before leaving store. I had to sell mine to pay medical bills would like another .

 

[Tom K]

Here are a couple of recent threads on the topic:

Henry .22s?

Henry .22 is Awesome!!

 

[Ozark Marine]

I have the basic Henry model H001 and it's a great varmit gun.
Cycles .22 shorts, longs and LR.
Mix all 3 sizes in the tube and no problems.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Mine is very nice and shoots accurately and cycles even with cheap ammo.

 

[silentflyer]

I have Henry .22 and a .22 magnum, both sweet little rifles. Great for introducing youngsters to firearms.

 

[Sgt911]

I bought one when they first came in 97. It has taken some abuse, I even ran over it with my SXS. Still works great. I have bought several since then. I recently bought a small game hunter carbine which I like very much. Only company I know of that the owner is happy to email you directly. I do not care for the Golden boy version. The buttstock has a very weird drop to it and I have a difficult time with the sights because of it. I stick with the standard versions or frontier versions.

 

[.38SuperMan]

My wife gave me a carbine for my birthday last years. She's never been interested In Shooting until I made a mistake and talked her into giving it a try. Now the carbine is hers and I own a standard model H001.

All I can say is they're fun to shoot, very accurate, well made and very smooth. You can't go wrong with one.

 

[jeffrefrig]

I never shot one, but I had a used one in my hands at a LGS and it was smoother than advertised! They always say smooth as butter, but I would say more like melted butter! Very nice cycling the lever; just a tad smoother than my Marlin, made in 1947! Actually no comparison! I would've taken it home, but it was priced about $30 less than a new one. Still can't figure that one out. They need to make money, too, but their used gun prices are just too high! If I ever buy a rifle, it will be a Henry...no question. But what caliber, I don't know. .22 is a good start, I guess!

 

[JayFramer]

Phenomenal rifles. Bought one a few months ago and it's digested every single last LR, long, and short, .22 cartridges it's been fed. Quality for the money is unbeatable. Accurate, good trigger, ridiculously smooth, the best .22 lever guns being made at this time IMHO. I bought the octagon barrel Frontier model. If you DO have an issue, Henry has the best customer service in the industry bar none. They are outstanding to deal with from all accounts. You won't regret a Henry!

 

[Gene L]

My shooting buddy has one and it's smooth and accurate. He loves it and I see why. Based on his rifle, but not crazy about a lever gun, I bought a pump version, and it was accurate, but too dimensonally large in proportions to the other pump.22s I had. Was a bit clunky, So I sold it.

What I like about the lever gun id that it's smooth, slick, lightweight, and stocked in walnut. What I didn't like is the receiver is made on some non-steel metal (which is strong enough) and the over-plate for the receiver hides this. A very good hunting rifle, but not in the quality, no where the quality of the Marlin 39, which I have and will pass on to my grandson. Not sure I'd proudly pass on the Henry, if I had one. I see it as kinda like a Glock, using unusual new lightweight materials to produce a fine shooting firearm. So its a hunting rifle, not a legacy rifle.

I've got a number of .22s, and wouldn't add to my collection with one. But for a first rifle, it would be great for a new user. None of my rifles will outshoot the lever gun, but many/most will shoot as well, and MAYBE some better. Haven't had a head-to-head match, all of my .22s are at least 50 years older.

Great first .22.

 

[inspcalahan]

I'm into the double digits with my Henry's, if that says much. Fantastic firearms. Even the big brothers and newer options they are putting up are worth it. As you "upgrade" the various models, you'll find increasingly nicer wood as well...bordering on fantastic at times. The Golden Boys, Big Boys, Silver Boys and more are simply beautiful.

That said, I've also got a couple base models and those see the most action in the field. Very tough, smooth as silk, accurate, well balanced, reliable and just plain fun.

 

[VAPA]

I just added a Skinner rear sight to my Golden Boy 22M, it made a great improvement with my old eyes.

 

[JohnZMI]

I have a Henry "Golden Boy", and I think it's an outstanding rifle - fit/finish/function and accuracy are first-rate. I also have a 1967 Marlin 39-A Mountie, so I'm familiar with leverguns.

 

[BigBill]

Purchased the Henry carbine lever 22 for the grandson when he was born. He has a awesome collection of 22 rifles. He doesn't know it yet.

I wish Henry would make a 45/70 long barrel lever action. A buffalo gun.

 

[Stevens]

Thanks to all who replied, I'll be picking one up soon!
Steve W

 

[sophie]

I have a Henry "Golden Boy", and I think it's an outstanding rifle - fit/finish/function and accuracy are first-rate. I also have a 1967 Marlin 39-A Mountie, so I'm familiar with leverguns.

I sure don't think Stevens the original poster will be disappointed with a Henry .22 Lever action. The action on the Henry rifles is very smooth and they are accurate. I quoted John's post because I too have a Henry Golden Boy from 2006 and also a Marlin Golden 39A Mountie from 1963.

 

[Gene L]

Sophie, the Mountie is a 39M. I don't know about the Golden, but if it refers to the trigger, I had one, got it on a deal, lost it in a divorce. Straight grip stock, shorter barrel, a very fine .22 rifle.

 

[peyton]

I saw an interesting Henry 22 caliber rifle yesterday while browsing. It had a more plain jane stock and was cheaper. The salesman and I were comparing two Henry's side by side and eventually realized the cheaper one was newly issued with a 22 smooth bore barrel and only uses 22 shot shells.
The description on the Henry barrel was accurate as far as what ammo to use, but the salesman was going to change the hang tag with better information and place it in the shotgun section.

 

[inspcalahan]

I saw an interesting Henry 22 caliber rifle yesterday while browsing. It had a more plain jane stock and was cheaper. The salesman and I were comparing two Henry's side by side and eventually realized the cheaper one was newly issued with a 22 smooth bore barrel and only uses 22 shot shells.
The description on the Henry barrel was accurate as far as what ammo to use, but the salesman was going to change the hang tag with better information and place it in the shotgun section.

Yup - that's their new "Garden Gun" for pest control. Meant to have a stick full of shot shells at hand for those pests that pop up while you're gardening. Certainly a task specific gun but, for those that need it, it sounds perfect...and fun!