First Time With My H012MAW, 357 Magnum

[TN Mark]

After buying the Henry a few weeks ago, today, we were finally able to get it to the local indoor range. Though the range is only 25 yards long. A few firsts for me and my wife today as well. First time either of us ever shot a lever action rifle, first time shooting a Henry, first time using the Henry style of open sights. Even my Ruger 10/22 has a scope on it.

There's just something about these All Weather models I really like. I bought the Henry wanting to love it and I most certainly do. I shot 10 rounds each at 10, 15, 20 and 25 yards. All 40 shots were within 4". That was standing but leaning a bit against the lane divider. For the last 10 rounds of Federal 158grain JSP I installed the bipod from the Ruger 10/22 onto the Henry. The only 158 grain (357 Magnum) round I found at several Wal Marts was this Federal product. Of course the bipod attaches to the front sling stud just fine but there isn't enough in front of the stud to get good support onto the bipod cradle. Anyway, I tried harder to concentrate on proper sight alignment/sight picture for 8 of the remaining 10 rounds. I was able to get all eight rounds in a 3" group at the 25 yard distance. My wife shot the last two rounds and put both of them center neck of the target.

Bottom line, I'm going to love this Henry All Weather. Now we're even more anxious to get the two .22LR Henry's out. But at our ages, the oem Henry sights are hard to see. I'll most certainly install a Hi Viz front sight. Likely closely followed by a decent scope. I don't reload but we were still able to recover 49 of the 50 spent casings.

The Henry was the last thing we shot today. With the stock sights being harder to see clearly, I'll likely shoot the Henry first instead of after the other rifles or handguns. The other pieces today were 400 rounds through the Ruger 10/22 and 50 rounds of 38 Spl between a 5" Ruger GP-100 and a Ruger LCR.

[PT7]

Sounds like a full and fun day at the range, TN Mark. I've seen a couple of the AW Big Boys at my LGS, and they are one sharp-looking Henry lever action. And that's in spite of the fact that I love the real wood models and their looks.

It was a surprise to read that you had the AW in hand for several weeks before getting out to the range. Most folk don't wait that long for the first-time outing! Glad you had a good time of it.

PT7

BTW, I enjoy my range time with my Ruger LCR, as well. Excellent revolver and most easy to handle in .38 Special.

[ESquared]

Nice shooting, especially with stock sights, Mark! Thanks for the range report. If you're thinking scope, I can recommend the Leupold VX Freedom 1.5-4.0X 20 for the 357. Put one on my BBS and wow, what a difference!

[JEBar]

TN Mark ,

great to hear you enjoy firing your Henry .... looking forward to your continued reports .... our 357 is a family favorite

[Cofisher]

Pretty exciting to get out for the first time with a new arrival. Well done! I too have put a scope on my 357, but use a peep sight as a back up. You might try the Peepsight, it really does work for us older folks.

[TN Mark]

The LGS that has the indoor range ordered me a set of Tru Glo sights today. They were less expensive than Amazon and their price includes installation. Hopefully I'll have it back by Saturday. Just in time to run another box of Federal 158 grain JSP through it.

They also had 5 factory Sig P239 (357Sig) magazines for $34.99 each. So, yea, they made the trip home as well.

I'll update this thread with another range report after the new sights are installed.

[TN Mark]

The Tru Glo sights are very nice. My only issue now is finding time to get to the range more often. Thank you Henry Repeating Arms for making the 357 All Weather.

[TN Mark]

Nice shooting, especially with stock sights, Mark! Thanks for the range report. If you're thinking scope, I can recommend the Leupold VX Freedom 1.5-4.0X 20 for the 357. Put one on my BBS and wow, what a difference!

That Leupold is at the top of my list if/when I scope the 357 All Weather. Thank you!