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Post by MLB on Mar 16, 2006 13:43:12 GMT -5
Well, I finally "pulled the trigger" as it were. Not literally yet, but I picked up the Henry 20" octagon barreled lever action .22. Unfortunately, I haven't found the time to take it out to the range just yet. The wood is nice, not as nice as the web site picture, but nice. The action is smooth as expected, and wood to metal finish is very good. The powder coating of the receiver cover is mostly very nice, a little uneven at the top where there are fine ribs. I think this is the weak spot of this rifle from an aesthetic point of view. A blued reciever would improve it immensely. Like TMan mentioned, I'm not thrilled with the sights either. No matter though, I intend on installing a rear tang "peep" sight. I found one made by Marble's, but they want $125 for it. That's a bit steep for installation on a $300 gun. Looks like my options are limited though. Lymans may make one, but I haven't found the correct model number yet. I sent a letter to Henry firearms to see if they knew of any other manufacturer of the tang sights. They suggested that I go through Brownells in an email response the very next day. I also mentioned my suggestion for the receiver, but they say that the powder coated looks better than the anodized cover. It must be an aluminum alloy. If they offered a blued steel one, I'd buy it. Probably issues with steel - aluminum contact. Looking back, I see that since I started looking at .22 leverguns, it took me about 5 months to actually pick one up. TMan has me on the quick draw I suppose, drawing the wallet that is.  |
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Post by TMan on Mar 16, 2006 16:45:02 GMT -5
Just be real careful with solvents around that powder-coated receiver. I think they mention that in the manual. Ahhh, you read the manual - right?
One thing is: if you ever need service on the Henry, their customer service is second to none.
I think you will be happy with it. I'd take it any day to the Winchester 9422. I don't know about the Marlin 39A. One of the guys at the range has one, and just shoots a ragged hole.
I think my next rifle will be the Henry Accu-bolt. However, Savage with their Accu-trigger are interesting too.
Well, back to my endless task - yard work.
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Post by MLB on Mar 16, 2006 22:55:28 GMT -5
I flipped through the manual and I have to admit that I chuckled a bit when I read the part about not using "gun scrubber". That tidbit of info was one of the many benefits of this forum.
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Post by TMan on Mar 16, 2006 23:02:18 GMT -5
Unfortuately, that little tidbit of information was NOT repeated in the U.S. Survivor rifle. I was clueless, but not for long.
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Post by MLB on Mar 23, 2006 18:48:55 GMT -5
I put about 300 rounds through the new Henry. It is a very comfortable rifle. I'll get used to it quickly. It's giving me fist sized groupings at 40 yards with open sights rested on snad bags. Not tremendous, but still inside the tin can.
It was hitting about 2" to the right, but I'm not messing with it. I've ordered a Marble's tang peep sight through TA. Should be in shortly. I'll likely have to drift out the rear sight anyway and put in a blank. We'll see. Then we'll give it a proper sighting in.
The only thing that bothers me is that I can't seem to get it to the half cock safety. Normally I'd figure that it's just me, but I don't have any problems with the Winchester. I'll have to take a look at one in a gun shop to see if it's just mine.
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Post by TMan on Mar 23, 2006 19:38:20 GMT -5
If you get it to the half cock safety, then you need to send it back to Henry. There isn't one. ;D Fist size at 40 yards. Hmmm, either you are a better shot than I am, or you have a bigger fist.  Speaking of Henry: I got the Acu-bolt, but the fiber optic in the front sight was missing. I sent them an e-mail and got a response the next day: I couldn't possibly be more pleased with a company than I am with Henry Repeating Arms. How many of their rifles do I have? I've lost track. Hey, try some "Wolf Match Extra" in your rifle. I found it made a big difference shooting from sand bags with the 77/22, which has become my defacto standard. It is sort of like my S&W 41 is what I compare other 22 pistols to, and the P210 that I compare larger caliber pistols to. Obviously, I need a higher quality 22LR rifle, but I don't know what to get. One of the guys has a Cooper that shoots well, and there are several guys that have Anshultz. But you shoot what you have. Well, what you have and can find. ;D If you can't find the ammo locally, you can get it from MidwayUSA. I got two bricks in the mail from them this week. Another guy at the range, who I greatly respect, likes the Remington Golden Bullets, which unlike the Winchester Dynapoints, are still available and are a lot less expensive. Shooting 22LR rifles with all the different ammo, is an interesting challenge in finding the ammo that a particular rifle likes. My pistols were easier, I just used CCI Mini Mags, they always worked, but I don't know how accurate that they are. Guess I should try some in the rifles. |
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Post by MLB on Mar 24, 2006 9:31:48 GMT -5
Wolf makes 22 ammo? Match ammo no less?! I'll have to take a look. I have always associated them with steel cased, low cost centerfire ammunition. I'll have to look into that Henry manual again. I could have sworn that it mentioned the safety. An old high school buddy of mine (who I could always outshoot) was near the area and invited me out for a bit of shooting and maple syrup making in the Finger Lakes area. The bad news is that due to the cold weather, the sap wasn't running that well. 5 gallons of sap isn't worth messing with. That part will have to wait. The good news is that this leaves much more time for shooting (as long as you can still feel your fingers in the 30 degree weather.) I had cleaned the Henry, but it was still a virgin until then. He had recently purchaced an impressive Ruger 10/22 with the fluted stainless bull barrel, laminate stock, and had put your average Bushnell scope on it, and had it sighted in.  Needless to say, he put me to shame with that setup, mainly since he could see the target pretty well with that scope, and I was shooting center of mass of what I could see through the open sights. Just as well. He enjoyed the reversal of fortune. The only thing I didn't like about it was the painted silver cast aluminum receiver. A stainless one would have looked much nicer. No exaggeration, he shot out a 1" square (it was probably closer to 35 yards btw) from a rest. All it needs is that Volquartsen trigger and it will be hard to beat. Despite being a $50 scope, it was bright, clear, and did the job. No complaints there. I'll be back with my peep site shortly for a rematch though... |
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Post by ron on Mar 24, 2006 10:44:22 GMT -5
I was at a gun show this past Saturday. Amongst the junk, I saw a table with lever action rifles, mostly Henrys. With the Winchester factory going under, I would prefer to get a Henry in 357, but they don't make a '94' in 357. They sure are nicer out of the box than the Winchester and Marlin 94's.
Ron
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Post by TMan on Mar 24, 2006 11:49:21 GMT -5
Actually, Wolf has two grades of match ammo. The Match Extra is better than the Match Target, but don't ask me by how much.   If you shoot it, make sure you take a rag or paper towel to wipe your hands with when you get done. I don't know what the lubricant is, but it is slippery. |
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Post by 5ontarget on Mar 24, 2006 13:10:34 GMT -5
I've heard several times now that the wolf .22 is some really good stuff. Funny, how wolf has such a bad rep for centerfire ammo, but is fairly highly regarded in the rimfire world.
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Post by TMan on Mar 24, 2006 13:21:10 GMT -5
I don't remember all the details, but as I recall, they are buying it from someone and putting it into their boxes.
I read about it awhile back, but then one of the guys at the range was shooting it, and he is one of the best shots I've ever met. I've learned a lot from him: "Didn't do too well; it wasn't a good load." "Didn't do too well; its too windy today." "Didn't do too well; to much coffee this morning." "Didn't do too well; didn't sleep well last night."...
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Post by MLB on Apr 4, 2006 9:03:04 GMT -5
If you get it to the half cock safety, then you need to send it back to Henry. There isn't one. ;D This little tidbit has been bugging me for a while now, so I sent a note to Henry RA. The manual describes a safety, but they don't call it a half cock safety as shown in the response I received below: I'll have to take a look. |
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