Six months with new Henry side loader

[Turdyturdy]

I have shot about 70 rounds through my 30-30 side loader. I have shot 50 factory loads and 20 hand loads all at my range. My experience and observations are:

The good: gun is scary accurate with Federal 150gr and even better with 36 gr BL(C) -2 with sierra 150 pro-hunter. 3/4 inch with factory and less with hand loads. Most accurate lever gun at 100 yds I have ever owned. Rivals some of my families bolt actions.
Quality of fit and finish is well done.
The bad:action is clunky and sticky. Was real bad first 50 rounds. Getting better the more I shoot it. If you want to use the tube to load or unload below 35 degrees forget it. It turns so hard I think because the O-ring they use hardens in cold temps and it is very difficult to compress past the detent.
The ugly: once you do get the tube open to unload the round on the bottom next to the receiver will not drop down the tube. I have to bump the muzzle on a floor or other surface to get it to release. Ejection of live or spent rounds out the ejection port is weak or out of time. Rounds will often reverse before clearing the ejection port and either fall back in or scratch the brass receiver around the ejection port. The speed I use the lever does not seem to make a difference.

[Beaker]

Sounds like it may need some tuning by Henry. My brass tube only feeder loading tube was a little stiff at first in cold weather too. but by about 50 rounds of loading it was much easier to operate the feed tube. My action was slick out the box with strong ejection and no issues there. But when loading a full magazine the lever would often like to pop open a bit. After a rework by Henry I had no further issues with it.

[.45colt]

It is very refreshing to see an " honest" review of the Henry . Good luck with Yours.

[AJMD429]

I'd rather buy a Henry and have to tweak it or have the company tweak it, than a non-USA-made gun perfect out-of-the-box.

Henry is a GREAT company.

[piller]

I like Henry.

[octagon]

I just been perusing the Henry catalog it is extensive to say the least. The .44 mag color cased carbine would suit me nicely. Made in USA does as well

[claybob86]

Guess you already cleaned and lubed it.

[fordwannabe]

A little off topic buuuut forgive me. A buddy took his 11 year old daughter to our clubs youth shoot this year and she is into 22’s now. He said she wanted a levergun 22 in purple. Well couldn’t find a purple one buuuut I could find a guy who cerakotes Henrys.

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[piller]

I have a couple of Henry rifles. Not a problem with either one.

[rossim92]

I have two henry's. fine rifles indeed!

[barbarossa]

I have one of the Henry original carbines in 410 and the only problem I ve had with was the gun would jam on the last shell.The gun has the 3shot tube in it and I found that the screw that limits the shell capacity in the mag tube had become loose and the shell was hanging up on it.Just tightened it up and it was good to go, great little gun