Henry Lever-Action 22

[foggy1111]

A short report on a neat gun.

I bought a Henry lever-action 22 rifle for my grandson on his recent 13th birthday. I think the model is an H001 (standard size) with about an 18"? bbl. Seems to fit him well. It has nice walnut wood and a deep blue looking finish. I paid about $250 for it. A pretty fair deal for the quality IMO.

I also bought him a brick of Aguila Super Colibri 22 ammo. And a tubular 22 speed loader (reloads magazine tube nearly fast as a clip - way cool). This ammo is a great alternative to a pellet rifle. It propels a 20 grain bullet at about 550 feet a second and has a little more power than a 20 caliber spring-air pellet from what I have read. The ammo cost me $23 / brick (Cheaper than Dirt) plus a few dollars shipping (I bought 4 bricks). The lever-action operation makes more noise than the cartridge firing! It has far LESS noise than my break-barrel pellet rifle.....so neighbors wont ever know your shooting.....and errant long-range shots are not likely (loses power rapidly after 25-50 yards)

My grandson got the gun on Thursday and has killed 8 blackbirds with it so far. He claims he is good out to about 50 yards or so.....and is one happy kid with this rig. He is still fine-tuning his sights....but he reports the gun was pretty much "on" right out of the box. (he has done lots of shooting with his dad for several years....and knows his way around guns.)

The lever-action allows shooting all types of 22 caliber rimfire rounds.....but he is content with the low-noise rounds and not scaring away all the game....while having enough power to get the job done on birds. His mom likes that she doesnt hear lots of gunfire around their property. He still needs an adult with him for higher velocity ammo....and seems quite satisfied with this arrangement.

He does not go through ammo quite as fast as a semi-auto and has a bit more time to think about each shot....and operating a lever-gun is pretty cool. Very reliable feeding and firing.....and smooth operating. :thumbsup:

To me.....this gun and ammo set-up is great for kids - of all ages.

 

[k0ua]

Yes that's a good setup, those lever guns will feed and function with that Super Colibri, low power ammo, where my semi-auto's are single shots with it:laughing:
and as a side benefit the lever gun is quieter than the semi-auto as the bolt tries to open a little and lets some of the gas and sound out. The closed breech guns (lever and bolt) are ideal for this. Have fun!

James K0UA

 

[crash325]

Me thinks ya did good. :thumbsup:

 

[Alan L.]

Sounds, like fun... I did read where these low power rounds are recommended for handguns, a round could get stuck in the barrel?

I am far from an expert, had never heard of this type of ammo. Only read about it after I read this thread.

 

[foggy1111]

Sounds, like fun... I did read where these low power rounds are recommended for handguns, a round could get stuck in the barrel?

I am far from an expert, had never heard of this type of ammo. Only read about it after I read this thread.

Yep, could happen......but mostly with the Colibri vs the "super" Colibri - which has more power. And.....if you have a 20" or longer barrel. Not much risk in the shorter barrels with the Supers (and I doubt you would have enough power to make a problem if you did get one stuck).

I have fired 'em in my 22 wheelguns and they are quite a bit louder out of the shorter barrels.

 

[RoyJackson]

Those Henrys are really nice little rifles!!
Had one (same model as Foggy bought) for a few years, and I must admit, the action was quite smooth.

Enjoy it!!!

 

[foggy1111]

I have collected a couple of nifty Marlin #39 lever-action guns. One is a Mountie model and another is a Century LTD. Neither one of these models are made any longer....and they have an almost cult-like status among us Marlin owners. These are pretty similar in size and function to the Henry....but they are getting into "collector" status.....espeically now, since Marlin sold-out to Remington.

I thought for a long time about giving one of these to my grandson for his birthday, instead of the Henry....because these are really fun to shoot. But, finally decided that he really needed a "shooter" that can get a few nicks and dings as he grows up. I think seeing one of those fine old Marlins getting a ding in it would have been hard on him.....and me.

One day when he gets a little older.....I'll pass one of these Marlins on to him and the other one to my other grandson. For now they just need to have some fun shooting. Strange thing.....how guns can have such a sentimental attachment. - Almost like tractors. :thumbsup::laughing:

 

[RoyJackson]

I have collected a couple of nifty Marlin #39 lever-action guns.

I'd sold the Henry to buy a Marlin 39. You're right...very nice rifles! I'd love to have a Mountie...those are hard to find!

 

[foggy1111]

I'd sold the Henry to buy a Marlin 39. You're right...very nice rifles! I'd love to have a Mountie...those are hard to find!

This past year I decided to sell some stuff I dont use.....and buy a few things I always wanted. (second childhood?? :laughing

On the "don't use" list was my woodworking shop. SOLD. Also a nice TC contender with muzzel brakes on the barrels (which had nearly ruined my hearing). SOLD. My benchrest rifle is gonna go....and so is my old Lionel train....when I find time to sell 'em this fall. Gun-broker and Craigs List are my friends. :thumbsup:

I bought the Marlins above and another dandy Marlin # 1894 in 357......and a few others ....then put up a rifle and pistol range with armor-steel targets and more, on my hunting land. We are having a blast......literally! Shooting and reloading is a good pastime.....and fun!

 

[RobertN]

Does he have a recipe for cooking those blackbirds?

My grandson got the gun on Thursday and has killed 8 blackbirds with it so far. He claims he is good out to about 50 yards or so.....and is one happy kid with this rig. He is still fine-tuning his sights....but he reports the gun was pretty much "on" right out of the box. (he has done lots of shooting with his dad for several years....and knows his way around guns.)