Henry Rifle Forums

Hi all,

Just got my first Henry (an octagonal barrel 30-30) and went to the range for the first time which brought up a couple of questions I haven't been able to find an answer to.

1) The semi buckhorn sights are rough. I couldn't even see the paper target well at 75 yards due to how big they are. I plan to get Skinner sights but was wondering about front sight compatibility. Skinner seems to not want to comment much on front sight compatibility and if I can avoid going to the range with a file that would be awesome. I really like the look of the full length Alaskan model that goes in the scope mounts - does anyone have this one and does it work with the standard front sight? It seems they suggest a longer front sight but I don't know if this can be practically overcome with elevation adjustment.

2) I was expecting next to no felt recoil based on people's comments on how heavy the Henry is, but was surprised that it made my shoulder hurt worse than 12 gauge magnum shotgun slugs. I think it is the brass butt stock being crescent shaped, as every few shots it seemed to dig into my shoulder on the recoil. I was thinking of getting some sort of slip on butt pad to mitigate this and was wondering if anyone else has this issue and what products they have used.

Thanks in advance for any help!

Welcome to the forum! I can't help with the first issue but hopefully, somebody should soon be along with some information for you. I have a .44 magnum that kicks like a mule, a Marlin, and I use a shotgun strap-on pad for my shoulder if I am shooting with light clothing. However I also have a slip-on pad for the stock but it is very tight and hard to get on. Perhaps someone else can help you with that also.

Welcome, whiteknight521, to the Henry Forums from the Show-Me-State!

I've had/shot my 12-ga Benelli Nova pump using regular and magnum slugs, and also my Henry steel .30-30. The s/g kicked more, although it was manageable since I had installed a 14-oz. mercury recoil adapter in the stock. The .30-30 was barely felt, and I think you're correct -- my steel version had the rubber buttpad and not the crescent-shaped bronze plate. I can see how that would dig into a person more, and must be the primary difference in felt recoil.

Sorry I can't help on any after-market butt plate products, but I'm sure others will chime in. Enjoy that Henry!

first, welcome to our community, happy to have you join us .... other than knowing they are a quality company and make a solid product, I have no experience with Skinner's sights so I can't offer any help with that point .... I have a vintage Winchester 30-30 and am not surprised to hear your comment about felt recoil .... if you wish, it can be greatly reduced by having a high quality recoil pad .... you can slip one over the stock or have it permanently installed .... in addition, experience with several rifles has proven to me that having a Mercury Recoil Suppressor ===> http://www.mercuryrecoil.com/ works well .... if that doesn't reduce the recoil to a point you are happy with, there are other mods that can be employed

Welcome to the forum.

Have no experience with the Skinner sights on Henrys, but tons of experience with Skinners on Marlins and even on a few Winchesters. I LOVE Skinner sights, but because of the design, they sit higher on the receiver than a side mounted peep sight. This doesn't always automatically translate into needing a taller front sight, but, yes, changing out the front sight is something you should be prepared to do when buying a Skinner receiver mounted peep. Just how tall a front sight you will need depends on the individual gun, the loads you will be using and even the ranges you will be shooting, so there is no way to guarantee a specific height will be just right for you and your gun. That's why Andy at Skinner really can't commit to making such guarantees.

The good news is that changing out front sights isn't that difficult. A brass punch and a good triangular file and a little know how is all that's needed and there are good instructions on Skinner's site. Plenty of us here to help. too. Skinners really are the perfect match for lever guns, in my book, not to mention being a great product and company. Don't let the front sight thing scare you off.

As for the recoil thing, slip on butt pads are a good option, but on my hard kicking Marlins, I often used a small sand bag placed between my shoulder and the butt pad when shooting at the bench (bench work being nastier for felt recoil). These "sissy" bags are a good option if you don't want to change anything on your rifle.

Hi .... welcome to the Forums from Runcorn, UK!

Welcome from CT. Congratulations on your new Henry.

I have a Skinner Express receiver mounted sight on my H006M and it's a big improvement, but I shoot indoors at 25 yards, and at that short distance, the Henry front sight is fine. Others have needed to replace it with a taller one. Skinner recommends installing its sight first, then replacing the front if it's necessary.

Let us know how you make out.