Henry Rifle Forums

I wonder if there is any interest, other than by me, in a Henry single-shot shotgun in 16 gauge? I am a traditionalist and something about a blue steel, walnut stocked 16 gauge single-barrel shotgun brings warm thoughts to me on this chilly day.

I would be the terror of the rabbit population.

I'm a 16 Gauge fan myself, but I would want it in a Side by Side Double Barrel. The one I have now is about 99 years old and it may be time to make it a wall hanger.

Almost as useless as the 410 around these parts as ammo for both are pretty much non-extent.
I've never even shot a 16ga of any type.
Like CGF, I prefer SxS's.

RP

IMO, the 16 is the greatest of all shotgun gauges. Ballistically, nothing beats a 1-ounce load of lead fired from a 16-gauge for bird hunting. I have two that I hunt with –- both Ithaca Model 37s. One is very old and the other is relatively new. Ammo can be difficult to acquire and expensive, but I manage to have enough for my purposes. I won't reload it since I only go through maybe seven or eight boxes a year, mostly on live birds.

I'd buy a Henry 16 the very day it became available to me, but I'm not sure that many other folks would. Probably wouldn't be worth it to the company.

ditchparrot -

You are a connoisseur of shotguns!

The 16 I have is the first gun I ever owned and as mentioned is about 99 years old now. It's a Stevens-Savage Side by Side Double Barrel. It has all the original numbers on it, but I can't find the exact date as the records never survived. But through much research, it's about a 1925.

I rarely shoot it, but when I do I only use Field Load. Still, because of it's age, I am losing my confidence using it. What would you all say?

Cowboy Gun Fan wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 20, 2024 12:36 pm

The 16 I have is the first gun I ever owned and as mentioned is about 99 years old now. It's a Stevens-Savage Side by Side Double Barrel. It has all the original numbers on it, but I can't find the exact date as the records never survived. But through much research, it's about a 1925.

I rarely shoot it, but when I do I only use Field Load. Still, because of it's age, I am losing my confidence using it. What would you all say?

I "think" you'll be fine as from what I've read that most reputable shotgun makers were using better steel in their barrels after 1920.
I have an old J Stevens SxS 12ga that the best I can figure was made in the early 20's.
Shoots fine and I've hunted and taken a few pheasants with it.
I mostly shoot light and field loads just because, besides with a heavy load it does recoil a bit.
Love the ole exposed hammers it has and was one of the main reasons I bought it.

RP

Good to hear about the better steel. My 16 is a Hammerless Model 335.

Cowboy Gun Fan wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 20, 2024 2:02 pm

Good to hear about the better steel. My 16 is a Hammerless Model 335.

Cool, mine is a model 235.
I should've added that earlier.

RP

ditchparrot wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 20, 2024 11:34 am

IMO, the 16 is the greatest of all shotgun gauges. Ballistically, nothing beats a 1-ounce load of lead fired from a 16-gauge for bird hunting. I have two that I hunt with –- both Ithaca Model 37s. One is very old and the other is relatively new. Ammo can be difficult to acquire and expensive, but I manage to have enough for my purposes. I won't reload it since I only go through maybe seven or eight boxes a year, mostly on live birds.

I'd buy a Henry 16 the very day it became available to me, but I'm not sure that many other folks would. Probably wouldn't be worth it to the company.

I have my Dad's Ithaca Model 37. He thought it was the best gauge to hunt quail.
Jake

As a little boy I was a confirmed fired shotgun shell sniffer and that probably explains turning out the way I did. If memory serves me right the 16's had the most pleasant aroma. I shot my first rooster pheasant with a 16 gauge.

The three inch twenty gauge pretty well finished the 16 as far as amount of shot etc. That is why almost no one makes new 16 gauge shotguns anymore. Twenty gauge shells are cheaper than 16's or 410's.

As a 16 Gauge fan, I've been hearing that about the unpopularity of the 16 for about the last 50 years. Here's a couple of good recent articles on them:

https://www.outdoorlife.com/guns/16-gauge-shotguns/

https://www.gundogmag.com/editorial/top ... uns/468879

Shakey Jake wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 20, 2024 2:48 pm

I have my Dad's Ithaca Model 37. He thought it was the best gauge to hunt quail.
Jake

I tell ya, Jake, there's something magical about the way they come up to the shoulder and cheek when a bird rises. I can't explain it, but people who've hunted with them a lot know all about it. My own father wouldn't hunt with anything else and I could've saved a lot of money and aggravation over the years if I'd taken that to heart. I started out with them as a kid, then went through a whole bunch of other guns for several decades, and now I'm back to 'em.

I've had more than one person tell me they became obsolete with the development of the Remington 870. Nonsense! The 870 is a good tool for what it is -- something you can beat the bejeezus out of and still count on it to function. There's absolutely nothing mystical about it.

The Model 37 is a whole different animal.

There are 470 of them in various gauges listed on GB.
Makes for a good riot gun also with their slam fire availability.

RP

I haven't seen a product announcement from Henry about the introduction of a 16 gauge single barrel even though I see the a suggestion some time ago.

Probably any day now..

I've got their 410,20ga and 12ga. I'd add a 16ga as well as a 28ga to the collection.

HRA is only going to make products that sell and I don't mean 50 or 100. There is reason that a 16 is not in their product line.

Understood. My comments were made in jest.

I'm pretty sure Henry is going to do a run a 16's right after they make the blued carbine side gate .41 magnums I've requested several times.