Henry Rifle Forums

I bought a .30-30 all weather just two weeks ago and thru about the first 100 rds all was good. Today I was out with it for a little practice and went to reload it after a couple tubes worth when I noticed the brass tube was trying to work it's way out with the metal nub under the end of the gun tube. I could not remove the tube with just finger pressure. Luckily I had a plastic mallet with me and a few taps later I had the brass tube back in it's proper position and then I could remove it normally. This happened 2 or 3 times and the last time it looked like the nub on the brass tube had to be almost past the end of the gun tube.

I'm new to Henry lever guns, has this happened to anyone else before? A known problem? Maybe the metal nub on my brass tube is just a little too short and is working it's way where it shouldn't be under recoil.

I attached 2 pics of the issue and 1 pic of the nub. I could maybe just buy another brass tube and see how it goes but I am curious if this might happen again. Thx.

first, welcome to our forum, hope you will read and post often .... secondly, nope, that's not usual .... give Henry's customer service a call on Monday .... they will make certain your rifle performs as it should .... please take a look at our How Many ? thread (link below) and add your Henry to our community's total

http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... 595#p54595

greyrush wrote:I bought a .30-30 all weather just two weeks ago ... I could maybe just buy another brass tube and see how it goes but I am curious if this might happen again. Thx.

Welcome to the forum from CT. As JEBar said, call Henry CS on Monday and describe the problem. You shouldn't have to buy a new tube; they'll send you one. Please keep us posted.

Welcome to the forum ! What you are calling the 'nub' is actually the loading tube cap pin AND in the bottom two pictures I see the tube creeping out but do not see the pin - where is the pin in relation to the pictures? Is it between the top tube mount and the tube ? It appears the pin is too short and is popping out of it's retaining slot. Insert the tube properly with the pin in the slot and take a picture from an angle that shows the pin in the slot and post please.

Mistered wrote:- where is the pin in relation to the pictures?

The pin is between the loading tube and the end of the gun tube, between where it should be and the very end, jammed hard enough that I can't move the tube with just my hand. When I tapped the tube straight back in with a mallet the pin appeared where it should be staying. I circled the area in a pic here. And also attached another pic of the tube and pin when sitting in place as it should.

I took a quick look at the loading tube pin on my .45-70 and it looked about the same as this one.

And to add to the story just a bit in case it matters .... I sometimes have a bit of trouble getting the loading tube down the gun tube. Feels like it's just catching on the ammo on the way down. Yes, I've jiggled the gun, rotated the loading tube on the way down, a couple times I've completely unloaded then reloaded the ammo to get it to work. It's just factory Federal 170 gr. ammo, nothing exotic.

And thx for the forum welcomes! I hope to add more Henry's to the collection.

Looks like the pin is too short.

I sometimes have a bit of trouble getting the loading tube down the gun tube. Feels like it's just catching on the ammo on the way down.

Read my post in this thread about this problem and how I fixed it. Specifically post # 9.
http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3689

I have problems with the tube from day one on my .357. I have tried all the tricks every body has told me about and nothing works for very long. I am sending it back as soon as the pre paid UPS label is sent. My advice is to send it back and let the experts fix it and avoid the aggravation.

Yes, the tube does seem to be a weak link in the system. I thinking about one day getting one as a backup. It seems very easy to bend or damage. But, this is my first Henry. It may last long after I am gone.

I'd be surprised if HRA doesn't just send you a new one.

RanchRoper wrote:I'd be surprised if HRA doesn't just send you a new one.

I asked for a new one but they really, really wanted the rifle so I agreed.

Yes, the tube does seem to be a weak link in the system.

Sort of - I see many ways it could have been improved by the factory - but I believe keeping it clean (both the inner and outer tube) will prevent many of the common complaints about it.

The Wiz wrote:

RanchRoper wrote:I'd be surprised if HRA doesn't just send you a new one.

I asked for a new one but they really, really wanted the rifle so I agreed.

Well maybe, the issue will get resolved first rate.

I sent an email to Henry via their website contact form briefly describing my issue. Allison (@henry) has already replied and said they'll send me a new mag tube under warranty. Quick response, can't complain. Hopefully the problem won't happen again, but we'll see.

Here's a pic of what the tube pin was scraping on it's errant journey.

Until this happened I had only shot the gun at an indoor range. But when it happened I was outside in 40 degree temperatures for a few hours. Wondering if there wasn't .... shrinkage ... of some parts that allowed this to happen. :-O

Looks like the all-weather finish has taken a hit. I am not familiar with it. But, I guess it can be touch-up?

Wow that's nasty. Hope it gets resolved real soon to your satisfaction.

Here's a pic of what the tube pin was scraping on it's errant journey.

Hopefully they understand the pin was too short and ensure the new tube has a correct length pin. If the new one comes with too short a pin I would simply measure the pin diameter and cut some drill stock and make a new (longer) one to replace it with.

Mistered wrote:

Here's a pic of what the tube pin was scraping on it's errant journey.

If the new one comes with too short a pin I would simply measure the pin diameter and cut some drill stock and make a new (longer) one to replace it with.

That is an option. And maybe, the best one if one has the ability. Maybe, my expectations are too high. I just hate spending good money for something. Then, have to modify it or fix it to make it right. I understand we are all human. But if I have to modify something to get it to work satisfactory, I should get a kickback, discount or something. But, that is just me. Yet, replacing the pin would allow for an opportunity to clean the spring and the inside of the inner tube. So, something positive could come out of the situation.

Maybe, my expectations are too high. I just hate spending good money for something. Then, have to modify it or fix it to make it right.

I understand what you are saying but there are dang few things that are perfect as they are received. Heck look at how much time and money is spent modifying things by their owners - vehicles, motorcycles - and guns. While the Henrys are great rifles they are not immune to little problems or minor design flaws and the loading tube is one of them. It appears they did great on the rest of the rifle and scrimped on the loading tube and I see a few improvements they could have made on it - one could have been a spring loaded lock system as opposed to the ‘twist lock’ pin retention system used now. Also the follower on the end of the tube should be shorter and a bit larger diameter to fit the tube a little tighter without rocking so much. Also the stock rear sight on the Big Boys is one of the worst I have ever seen on any rifle and there is no shortage of owners swapping them out for something better - including me. As far as a ‘kickback’ or ‘discount’ I think you should be satisfied Henry is so forthcoming with at a minimum sending new parts free of charge - something a lot of manufacturers will never do!

Well, I can understand about perfection. And, I am not bashing Henry. Nor, am I indicating that Henry makes bad products. If so, I would not have purchased one. I just think it is not too much to ask for things to work as advertised. As consumers, one should not accept less than what one paid for. 'Make America great again' is the theme of the day for a reason. I suspect if I wrote a check for $1,000 and Henry only got $925, someone would be looking for the other $75 or anyone for that matter. Be happy that you got $925 would not be an acceptable answer. Yet, I would rather have an item in working order initially than free shipping of parts. The way I see it, the parts should be shipped for free, and I should be paid for my time. But, to each their own. I just try and make the most of whatever the situation is. Just my 2 cent for what it is worth.