Henry Rifle Forums

New Big Boy Color Case Hardened Carbine .357 Mag/.38 Spl Side Gate H012GMRCC

Wow this is difficult to load through the side gate! It is stiff, much stiffer than other loading gates that I have used in the past. The firs round is almost as hard to load as the last. I don't think I have loaded more than 4 or 5 due to the difficulty. Fingernail will break if I keep pushing.

Is this normal? Anything I can do to help break it in if so?

Thanks!

Some guys have taken them apart and taken some tension off the gate spring. If it was mine I might consider doing that by taking it to a gunsmith. Other than that take a wooden dowel or something that wont destroy the finish and exercise the door until it loosens up.

Thanks - will try the dowel a few hundred times and see if that helps

[quote="John Ryan" post_id=179884 time=1630256112 user_id=805]
New Big Boy Color Case Hardened Carbine .357 Mag/.38 Spl Side Gate H012GMRCC

Have you shot it yet? I am jealous. I have had one of these on order since early last December so I have to know if you ordered it or found it at your LGS
Ernie

Yes, I have shot it! As much fun as any of my other Henry's. Maybe about 15 rounds, 3 of which didn't smoothly load from the action, but I have experienced that before when the rifle is new. Was able to get up to 4 or 5 in the tube at the same time via side gate before giving up. I don't think I could squeeze more than that without loading from the muzzle end.

I ordered it from my local shop in April and it came in right away.

Just got it back from Henry. They replaced the magazine tube spring. About to take it out for a test.

Back from the range. Put a box of ammo through it, flawless! So much easier to load now. It must have been a bad spring.

Good news. Glad Henry fixed your rifle to your satisfaction. Their service department is excellent.