Henry Rifle Forums

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlXaHU2 ... 10&list=WL

Found this on YT while looking for some videos on the 1873.

First odd thing is that he says that because the Winchester is a tube fed and also the recoil, that straight wall cartridges, like the .45 Colt, can push the bullet deep into the case causing all sorts of problems.

Then he says that with the Henry that if you feed rounds into the tube with the rifle straight up, you can cause an "explosion"!

I guess he means that you'll detonate the rounds with them hitting the primers.

Usually, Shooting USA puts out good videos, but this one makes me scratch my head!

I've never heard these claims before.

Only commenting on the Henry magazine tube load issue.
I've "heard" the same (can't remember from where or when) about not loading the Henry rifle straight up; could cause possible cartridge firing. So I double-checked the H006 Big Boy instruction manual on loading the rifle but no warning there. Also again watched the Henry maintenance video on loading a Big Boy, and no warning there about "straight-up loading."

Here's my take. I angle my Henry rifle whenever loading the magazine. Seems to me that there would be somewhat less pressure on the "dropping" bullet's firing pin with an angle-held position "slowing gravity" a bit. Cannot prove it's true, although I'm sure there are measurement tests to either validate or invalidate my perception.

Bottom line, I opt for what I believe is the safer way to load -- angle the rifle when loading. Just don't want to prove that loading a straight-up rifle could cause a bullet to fire. I like being overly cautious about gun safety.

This is an interesting issue, and thanks for bringing it up, Coyote. I'll be interested to hear comments from other Henry Folk.
PT7

MICoyote wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlXaHU2 ... 10&list=WL

Then he says that with the Henry that if you feed rounds into the tube with the rifle straight up, you can cause an "explosion"!
I guess he means that you'll detonate the rounds with them hitting the primers.
Usually, Shooting USA puts out good videos, but this one makes me scratch my head!
I've never heard these claims before.

I've never heard these claims before.

Both are common 'claims' in the world of lever action but it was not explained too clearly. He should have said (with regard to the 'explosion' comment) "therefore tube feed rifles require flat point or round nose bullets as opposed to pointed styles to prevent accidental primer detonation due to primer strikes during loading or recoil from shooting"
With regard to the 'the .45 Colt, can push the bullet deep into the case' this is true but he did go on to explain this is why the cannelure was developed.
He simply didn't explain both issues very clearly or intelligently.

With regard to the 'the .45 Colt, can push the bullet deep into the case' this is true but he did go on to explain this is why the cannelure was developed.

I'm planning on buying a Winchester 1873, in .45C, and wasn't excepting this to be a problem.

Or is this a "once in a blue moon" type of problem.

I called Henry a while ago, after another member posted a warning about using FMJs. I'd been reloading 130gr. FMJs and fired more than a thousand out of my Big Boy before I read his warning, so I wanted/needed to confirm it. I was told that they do, in fact, advise against using FMJs in their center fire rifles because the hard nose MIGHT/COULD POSSIBLY detonate a primer in the magazine tube if the rifle is dropped or otherwise subjected to a strong impact. Since then, I haven't used them in my Big Boy, out of an abundance of caution. And, of course, any pointed bullet should never be used unless it's tip is specifically designed for lever gun magazines. Those are the only ammo restrictions I'm aware of. JHPs, JSPs, SWCs, WCs, RNs, etc. are all OK.

I also load my Big Boy and the H001 on an angle, not so much to avoid a hard landing (which it does), but because it just feels natural.

Are you buying a Uberti 1873? Nice rifle. Same action as my 1860 and the 66. Smooth and effortless.

Or is this a "once in a blue moon" type of problem.

Not to worry with modern, or properly loaded and crimped ammo.

I will however agree with not loading the Henry vertically - while primer detonation is rare no reason to chance it with a vertical falling cartridge.

You'll never have a problem with the 45 Colt pushing bullets into the case with factory ammo, these days. Could happen if you use improperly crimped reloads, but then it would be a problem in any gun, not just a lever gun. Have used factory heavy "Ruger only" 45 Colt loads in a revolver and never had the problem and, believe me, those recoil MUCH more than standard 45 Colt loads. May have been an issue in the early days, as mentioned, but those days are long gone.

As for the mag tube issue, the odds of lighting off a round with so little force involved is very remote, about the same as accidentally dropping a round to the ground, below, and having a round go off from striking an object on the ground. Good advice, though, to load at at an angle, even so.

RanchRoper wrote:Are you buying a Uberti 1873? Nice rifle. Same action as my 1860 and the 66. Smooth and effortless.

No, an actual Winchester Model 73 Sporter Octagon Walnut/Blued 45LC 24-inch 14Rnd Pistol Grip for $920 from garabagun.

THAT will be a really nice gun. If you get it, would love to see a report.

I will as soon as I can.

Just sold off my last AK and I'm waiting for the okay from the guy I sold it to.

It's waiting in my gragagun basket. I should hear from him by Friday and then about 10 days or so to get it!

Interesting. I actually e-mail Henry about this last week: Why is it advertised that the maximum capacity of the H009 is 5 rounds when it can hold 6? The answer I got: because of recoil. The spring is design to handle the recoil of 5 rounds and not 6, so the rifle would be lighter. Would a heavier coil and one more round make that much of a difference? I guess someone thought so. Thanks for the post.

Sweet!

GFK wrote:Interesting. I actually e-mail Henry about this last week: Why is it advertised that the maximum capacity of the H009 is 5 rounds when it can hold 6? The answer I got: because of recoil. The spring is design to handle the recoil of 5 rounds and not 6, so the rifle would be lighter. Would a heavier coil and one more round make that much of a difference? I guess someone thought so. Thanks for the post.

No, it wouldn't, not in the real world. In Henry's defense, though, ALL manufacturers must pursue a worst case scenario on safety recommendations with their guns to avoid possible litigation. They've been sued often enough to know they have to cover every base.

North Country Gal wrote:

GFK wrote:Interesting. I actually e-mail Henry about this last week: Why is it advertised that the maximum capacity of the H009 is 5 rounds when it can hold 6? The answer I got: because of recoil. The spring is design to handle the recoil of 5 rounds and not 6, so the rifle would be lighter. Would a heavier coil and one more round make that much of a difference? I guess someone thought so. Thanks for the post.

No, it wouldn't, not in the real world. In Henry's defense, though, ALL manufacturers must pursue a worst case scenario on safety recommendations with their guns to avoid possible litigation. They've been sued often enough to know they have to cover every base.

Thanks!