MEA CULPA!! New BBS .357 Failure to Feed Is On ME

[ESquared]

Rather than continue with this topic buried in the "...Has Landed" thread, I figured I need more specialized help.

I've loaded 10 rounds three times and no luck. The first round won't feed on its own, and the last time through, the first round and the second sort of jammed up with one another. Took some time and delicate prying with a plastic hook-pick to free things up.

It's just Fiocchi 158 gr .357, coated bullet, flat point.

My first move might be to take it to my range and ask my smith what he thinks, as he's very knowledgeable and good for free advice. But, I'm thinking if he can't find an obvious cause for all this, he's going to say, "Get in touch with Henry."

Any other thoughts, tips, tricks or advice?

[CT_Shooter]

Any other thoughts, tips, tricks or advice?

Call Henry! Something is not right and they will take care of you. They may have an easy DIY solution, but if not, it may require returning it for diagnostics and repair. Sorry about that, but they will turn it around very quickly and you'll be pleased with the result. Keep us posted.

[PT7]

Ditto to what CT-Shooter wrote!!

[ESquared]

Any other thoughts, tips, tricks or advice?

Call Henry! Something is not right and they will take care of you. They may have an easy DIY solution, but if not, it may require returning it for diagnostics and repair. Sorry about that, but they will turn it around very quickly and you'll be pleased with the result. Keep us posted.

Will do. It's a bummer to think I'm starting out this way, but so be it. Just to be a bit more descriptive, the jam is a "nose up" situation with that first round. It takes a couple/three gentle-ish tugs on the lever and it will eventually go into battery, but not the way the playbook was written.

Will try them first thing and keep everyone posted.

[GFK]

I mentioned this in your other post. But, make sure you are cycling the lever with purpose. I recall experiencing a similar issue with my first lever action.

[JEBar]

Just to be a bit more descriptive, the jam is a "nose up" situation with that first round. It takes a couple/three gentle-ish tugs on the lever and it will eventually go into battery, but not the way the playbook was written.

as noted, make sure you work the lever firmly .... don't baby it .... that's not to say you try to break the pivot screw .. .. something like the Indians are charging and you need to get off your next shot in a hurry ..

[ESquared]

Will continue to work it as recommended. Maybe I have been babying it. I'll keep the "Indians" visual, just in case.

Also, knowing that a picture goes a long ways (sometimes), here's what I'm seeing on 90% of the jams. I've had a few "nose down" ones as well, but most are this "nose up" outcome.

[ESquared]

Ooops. No pic. Trying again.

[GFK]

Also, I have noticed the same thing on my Henry with respect to ejection. The lever has to be worked firmly for the case to fly out, not fall out or get stuck.

[tractortad]

Also try different brands of ammo to confirm it's the rifle.

[Mags]

That nose up behavior was one of the symptoms I also saw, though not included in my comments in the 'landed topic' topic http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... =10#p64373

[ESquared]

Changed the title of this thread to assign appropriate accountability.

Thanks to a few of you - JEBar and GFK come to mind - I modified my "action" and began cycling "quickly and with authority" and, much to my chagrin (and relief at the same time), things proceeded just fine. My learning is that if it takes you any more than one second to "rack the slide" (as we say in the 1911 world), you're taking too long.

I feel like an idiot and I apologize for using up valuable bandwidth with my rookie mistake.

Thanks for all you support!

[JEBar]

happy to hear it .... no apology necessary .... you are not the first (trust me on that one) and you almost certainly won't be the last .... down the road, I have little doubt that you will be able to pass on the benefit of your experience to others who will have the same issue.... in addition, should it ever become necessary , you will find it much easier to fend off an Indian attack ..

[PT7]

Mistake
Q: How would you have known since this is your first lever-action rifle

I feel like an idiot and I apologize for using up valuable bandwidth with my rookie mistake.
Thanks for all you support!

[Lyman]

I was a kid when I got my first lever action rifle. Every time I would try to shoot it it would jam. My Father would take the gun from me and shoot it with zero issues.
Together we found that I was babying the action too much. Never had another problem after that day. I can relate to this just like it was yesterday. Don't even think of apologizing.
We ALL have our first time issues at things.

[ESquared]

Live and learn! Thanks again for all your kind words and understanding.

[GFK]

Great! And, I think the others have summed it up. I did a similar thing a couple of years ago. I even had a gunsmith look at my Marlin. He gave it back and state that he could not find anything wrong. I expressed my dismay on a Marlin forum and received the stay guidance: cycle the lever firmly. Since then, all has been well. And just in case you have not been told yet, lever action rifles seem to multiply. Like Lay's potato chips, it is hard to just have one. Happy shooting!

[ESquared]

Just glad to hear I'm not the first, but one of several before me to have fallen prey to the rookie mistake! I was THIS close to taking mine into my smithy this morning until you piped up, so thanks again!
And, don't think I haven't been shopping the Henry website! Just don't know what my next one would/should be. Maybe a rimfire of some sort? I dunno. Have lots to do with the one I just picked up YESTERDAY before I go down that path too seriously, but I'm prone to the addiction.
Just ask my Sigs and 1911s!

[GFK]

Just glad to hear I'm not the first, but one of several before me to have fallen prey to the rookie mistake! I was THIS close to taking mine into my smithy this morning until you piped up, so thanks again!
And, don't think I haven't been shopping the Henry website! Just don't know what my next one would/should be. Maybe a rimfire of some sort? I dunno. Have lots to do with the one I just picked up YESTERDAY before I go down that path too seriously, but I'm prone to the addiction.
Just ask my Sigs and 1911s!