Henry Rifle Forums

I have never owned a Henry Repeater, nor ever shot one. For a 2 years, me and my step father hunted in the mountains. He used a old Marlin 30-30, 336 model if I remember right. I used a Mossberg 30-30, 464 model. I always had feeding issues with my Mossberg, sometimes ejecting shells to. The gun isn’t very fond of slightly wet weather. If their was a light sprinkle outside, she wouldn’t fire when I pulled the trigger. I’ve cleaned her, taken everything apart, clean it all to the point it was like brand new (it’s only about 4 years old and only had been shot a few times when I first started hunting with it). I have given up on this gun, and after doing a bit of research, Mossberg 30-30, model 464, apparently sucks over all.

I have decided to save up for a new hunting rifle. I want it to be Dependable with a capital D, and I want it to be a repeater. After looking around, I have decided to save for the Henry, All Weather 45-70. I’ve never shot a 45-70, but I’m not afraid of a kick. I love the way the All Weather Guns look. Yeah the deer and anything else might see the nickel finish from a mile away, but I think I could manage with it seeing how early I get into my hunting spot.

There’s just one problem though, the All Weathers don’t have a side gate loader. I know it’s a Henry tradition to load by a tube, but I’ve never been to fond of loading by tube. I have a Marlin 22LR that’s tube fed. It was my first gun. Good first gun, but never cared for the way it has to be loaded. Henry recently crossed a line they drew a long time ago, they made a repeating rifle, with a side gate. When I first saw it, it got my hopes up. If they came out with a All Weather 45-70 Repeater with a side gate, I’d probably drol all day, looking at it on my phone.

I’m making this new topic in hopes Henry will see this and make a All Weather Side Gate Fed Version calibered in the mighty 45-70. I’ve never shot a Henry, never even seen one, but from what I can gather, and what I’ve watched on YouTube, Henry Repeaters are the Cadillacs of the Repeating Firearms. Thanks for reading, have a great day.

first, welcome to our forum, happy to have you join us ... we have a Color Case Hardened Henry 45-70 that has proven to be an extremely capable, dependable rifle .... we own other brands of Lever Action Rifles that do have side loading gates .... we use them and they are fine .... that said, it is widely hoped that Henry will expand the number of lines in which they offer it but we haven't seen any time table for doing so .... not having a loading gate isn't a negative to us ....

Welcome to the forum. I have a Henry AW 45-70. No sidegate but really dont care. I do own a sidegate in 38-55 and like it as well. But I would have bought it if it was only a tube feed just because I like that caliber. Im one who can take or leave the gate. YMMV

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Welcome from the TV, Oregon!

I have the Henry .30-30 with brass receiver and love the way it shoots. Not having a side-gate is a negative for me, but not enough so to keep me from owning a Henry. Now that Henry has come out with side-gate models, I won't buy another Henry until one comes out with a side-gate in a caliber I would want. I have even considered replacing my existing Henry .30-30 tube fed with the .30-30 side-gate. I'm a bit on the fence there.

Another member here posted a picture of an AW in .45 Colt. Drool on this picture: http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... 10#p102637

Don't rely on HenryUSA to see your post here. You want them to know what you want tell them here: https://www.henryusa.com/henry-firearm-suggestion-box

Arthur57 wrote: ↑

Fri Aug 02, 2019 8:18 pm

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Welcome to the forum and welcome to the great debate about side-gate and tube-fed. Henry obviously did just fine for years without a side-gate, but they're also smart enough to figure out that they were probably leaving lots of sales in the parking lot without one, so they've taken the plunge.

The "Suggestion Box" is a great idea, as Henry doesn't monitor this site very much (that we can tell), but there's no telling when or if an AW Side Gate (in any caliber) might make it to the market. There are lots of 45-70 owners here, in various finishes, and all seem pretty happy with their tube-fed Henrys.

Personally, I have no itch to scratch when it comes to that design, as I like the "cleaner" look of the receiver with just the ejection port, not to mention the simplicity of it all.

Keep us posted and welcome again to a fun place to learn about what Henry ownership is really like!

Welcome to the forum from CT. You'll enjoy the company here and you will really enjoy your first Henry.

I guess it boils down to which you started out with. My first experience with a lever gun was Henry. I quickly came to like the advantages of the tube loaders. I since have had the chance to try my buddy's Marlin, and really didn't care for getting my fingers pinched every round I loaded. Took forever to load it, and had to cycle every round to unload.

Yes, you do have to be careful not to launch the mag tube. I haven't done that since the first month or two I owned my Henry.

Welcome from the Show-Me-State, Arthur.

I've had an AW .357 Magnum. You're absolutely right that they are sharp-looking rifles. Wait until you get one in hand; your grin will be quite large! They are beautifully designed. The color configuration with the dark wood stock against a silver barrel will make some heads turn at your shooting range.

Yeah, our Henry rep doesn't visit our Forum very often. But Henry has a "suggestion box" on their web site. You might want to submit your "dream" Henry with them. https://www.henryusa.com/henry-firearm-suggestion-box/

PT7

Welcome from Alberta and good luck.

I own four lever guns. Two are tube loaders and two are side gate. I’d take the Henry tube loaders over side gate loaders 10 times out of ten. Especially in a hunting rifle.