My boys have graduated from the ol Daisy pellet gun and I'm looking to get them a .22 rifle for the next step. Have read good things about Henrys but have never physically held one and don't know much about them. Want something of decent quality without breaking the bank. Anyone have any experience with them? Thanks.
Anyone recommend a Henry rifle?
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satchel357
Member
i never owned one handled a few though i really like their lever action .22 might have better luck over at rimfirecentral.com
5.56YoteKiller
New member
I owned one a few years ago. The Henry .22 has, IMO, the smoothest action of any lever action guns I've shot. Accuracy is top notch too. Quality of the gun overall is excellent.
I think it would be a good choice for the boys.
I think it would be a good choice for the boys.
I do not want to knock the Henry because it is an American made product. So I will try to give my opinion from a different point of view.
In my opinion the Winchester 9422 and the Marlin 39 are the way to go. I realize the prices are higher-and going even higher. But this is your sons first 22 rifle. This is a rifle they will own and cherish for the rest of their lives. There is nothing more important than your first 22 rifle from DAD. I still have my first one my dad bought. It will no longer operate because it was junk, but it was from my dad so it has a special place in my safe. I sure wish he would have bought me a 9422 first.
You can still find some pretty good prices on used Marlin 39's if you shop around a bit. And to be honest I would rather have a used Marlin or Winchester instead of two brand new Henry's. Tom.
In my opinion the Winchester 9422 and the Marlin 39 are the way to go. I realize the prices are higher-and going even higher. But this is your sons first 22 rifle. This is a rifle they will own and cherish for the rest of their lives. There is nothing more important than your first 22 rifle from DAD. I still have my first one my dad bought. It will no longer operate because it was junk, but it was from my dad so it has a special place in my safe. I sure wish he would have bought me a 9422 first.
You can still find some pretty good prices on used Marlin 39's if you shop around a bit. And to be honest I would rather have a used Marlin or Winchester instead of two brand new Henry's. Tom.
Hogghead, you didn't really elaborate WHY you prefer the Marlin and Winchester over the Henry. Was the one from your dad a Henry? The Marlin I think is a little too big for my youngest boy to hold up. He is 8 and the other is 12. I'm trying to kill two birds with one stone and just get one rifle. I understand the whole sentimental thing you're talking about but I plan on handing down one of my deer rifles to each of them when they are ready. The Henry is advertised as quality in action and walnut. A look at other price comparable rifles and you can see where they cut quality. (stained birch stocks, plastic trigger guards, parkerizing etc.) Just my experience. I'm asking about Henrys because it is quite a drive for me to go look at them. Just curious what others on here think of them.
I guess the point I am trying to make is that IMO the Winchester and Marlin rifles are better rifles than the Henry. But it really is the little things like different parts that are plastic. Sight options and things like that.
It just seems like every time I put a knock or two on a particular item then I get flamed, so I was trying to avoid that. And I was trying to be polite to the Henry, because it basically is a decent rifle. But I like life long rifles.
The one from my dad is an old rifle from Sears(not a lever).
I have shot several specimens from all three rifles(Henry, Winchester, Marlin). IMO the Marlin is the best shooter as far as accuracy is concerned but the Winchester is very close. And I like the way the Winchester handles. Just an opinion. Tom.
It just seems like every time I put a knock or two on a particular item then I get flamed, so I was trying to avoid that. And I was trying to be polite to the Henry, because it basically is a decent rifle. But I like life long rifles.
The one from my dad is an old rifle from Sears(not a lever).
I have shot several specimens from all three rifles(Henry, Winchester, Marlin). IMO the Marlin is the best shooter as far as accuracy is concerned but the Winchester is very close. And I like the way the Winchester handles. Just an opinion. Tom.
cowpastureplinker
New member
I am no expert as my name implies, and only have shot one henry, (goldenboy 22 mag) so i cant speak for all models, but i beleive mine is heirloom quality. Super smooth action, nice wood, and 110% cool. If they will hold up to the round count of say the marlin 60 or ruger 10/22 remains to be seen, but so far mine has functioned flawlessly. And as for accuracy, i havent scoped mine (just didnt seem right) or shot it from a bench, but it definitely hits what i aim at out to 100 yrds or so. So far, i would be proud to hand it down to my kids.
Owned and gave my Henry .22 Golden Boy to a nephew as an heirloom gift from me to him.
I think it would be a fine first .22 rifle but suggest you check the weight if that might be an issue.
I like CZ 452, Model 39 and Ruger 10/22..have shot the Rugers most however I am now SCOPE-BOUND due to aging eyes.
I have owned at least one low-priced, low quality firearm..specifically a Colt .22 mag single shot..that experience broke me of that buying habit when I was in my 20's -70 now, glad I learned that lesson early, LOL.
I think it would be a fine first .22 rifle but suggest you check the weight if that might be an issue.
I like CZ 452, Model 39 and Ruger 10/22..have shot the Rugers most however I am now SCOPE-BOUND due to aging eyes.
I have owned at least one low-priced, low quality firearm..specifically a Colt .22 mag single shot..that experience broke me of that buying habit when I was in my 20's -70 now, glad I learned that lesson early, LOL.
Bayou City Boy
New member
Originally Posted By: Catkiller I have only held the blued henry lever gun, reciever looked as though it was made from pot metal,very wavy.That put me off of them right on the spot.Haven't picked up another and never will.They may in fact be a good firearm but i'm ruined on them from now on.
I find that I can have a more valid opinion of something if I do more than just pick it up and declare it not worthy of owning based on the wavy finish on the receiver.
I own several 9422 rifles including one Legacy model that possibly has the best finish and wood I have ever seen on a 22LR. However, they are worth considerably more than ~$260.
That is what I paid for the first wavy finished Henry 22LR with an octagon barrel that I own. Although it will never be entered into any gun safe beauty pagents, it shoots and functions extremely well. The only smoother action I have seen or felt in a lever rifle is with a 9422.
I also bought a brass framed 22WMR about 4 months ago, and like it's pimply faced little brother, it shoots and functions extremely well also.
For the small amount of money I've spent on the two rifles, their functional value is well worth the cost. And I never bought either of them for their "beauty". I own other rifles for that purpose...
JMO - BCB
I find that I can have a more valid opinion of something if I do more than just pick it up and declare it not worthy of owning based on the wavy finish on the receiver.
I own several 9422 rifles including one Legacy model that possibly has the best finish and wood I have ever seen on a 22LR. However, they are worth considerably more than ~$260.
That is what I paid for the first wavy finished Henry 22LR with an octagon barrel that I own. Although it will never be entered into any gun safe beauty pagents, it shoots and functions extremely well. The only smoother action I have seen or felt in a lever rifle is with a 9422.
I also bought a brass framed 22WMR about 4 months ago, and like it's pimply faced little brother, it shoots and functions extremely well also.
For the small amount of money I've spent on the two rifles, their functional value is well worth the cost. And I never bought either of them for their "beauty". I own other rifles for that purpose...
JMO - BCB
Hogghead, Don't worry about being flamed here. I for one very much appreciate everyones replies and opinions. It is why I asked, so thank you for your input. BTW, my first .22 was also an old Sears job. Dad got it at a pawn shop and I shot the [beeep] out of that thing. He could have retired a couple years earlier if he didn't have to buy .22 shells for me!
Also, kdad73 thanks for your reply. Good observation.
Appreciate the responses everyone.
Also, kdad73 thanks for your reply. Good observation.
Appreciate the responses everyone.
RePete
New member
Originally Posted By: Bayou City Boy
I find that I can have a more valid opinion of something if I do more than just pick it up and declare it not worthy of owning based on the wavy finish on the receiver.
Ain't that the truth!!!
Kind of a coincidence that this was one of the first post I read today, because I just got home from a trip to town to buy a Henry..
I've been researching the Henry rifles for about a month now and after reading just about every page on Henrys on RFCentral, I've learned more about the brand than I ever hoped to know..LOL
Anywhoooo,, what I've gleaned is that it's reputable company with above average customer CS that makes a good product at a fair price.
I've also learned from handling all three of their offerings, that the more expensive models are nicer than the less expensive.. DUH!!! That doesn't mean that the basic 22LR is junk,,(because it isn't) or that the Golden Boy is some kind of Collectors item,, (because it isn't). Kinda like the CDL/SPS thing.. All in all though IMO the Henry's a good value, and I wouldn't be one bit ashamed to give one to one of my kids.. To be honest,,, they're alot nicer than alot of junk that guys are infatuated with these days.. Again JMO
I bought the mid-priced 22WMR with the octagon barrel.. The Golden Boy was nicer, but this will be used while chasing my Cur dog around the mountains and at 60 years old,, there's a pretty good chance of it getting dropped now and then.
Oh,,, FWIW,,, I tried the hammers on seven different rifles today while checking the trigger pull and they all seemed like something a youngster should be able to handle, but that's something you'll have to decide.
I'll let ya know how mine shoots when I get a chance to take her out..
Good Luck
edit to add; What CatKiller referred to as the "receiver" is actually the receiver cover (just like all the lever action's that I'm familiar with), and is made of an Alloy. That may be why it apeared "wavey"..
I find that I can have a more valid opinion of something if I do more than just pick it up and declare it not worthy of owning based on the wavy finish on the receiver.
Ain't that the truth!!!
Kind of a coincidence that this was one of the first post I read today, because I just got home from a trip to town to buy a Henry..
I've been researching the Henry rifles for about a month now and after reading just about every page on Henrys on RFCentral, I've learned more about the brand than I ever hoped to know..LOL
Anywhoooo,, what I've gleaned is that it's reputable company with above average customer CS that makes a good product at a fair price.
I've also learned from handling all three of their offerings, that the more expensive models are nicer than the less expensive.. DUH!!! That doesn't mean that the basic 22LR is junk,,(because it isn't) or that the Golden Boy is some kind of Collectors item,, (because it isn't). Kinda like the CDL/SPS thing.. All in all though IMO the Henry's a good value, and I wouldn't be one bit ashamed to give one to one of my kids.. To be honest,,, they're alot nicer than alot of junk that guys are infatuated with these days.. Again JMO
I bought the mid-priced 22WMR with the octagon barrel.. The Golden Boy was nicer, but this will be used while chasing my Cur dog around the mountains and at 60 years old,, there's a pretty good chance of it getting dropped now and then.
Oh,,, FWIW,,, I tried the hammers on seven different rifles today while checking the trigger pull and they all seemed like something a youngster should be able to handle, but that's something you'll have to decide.
I'll let ya know how mine shoots when I get a chance to take her out..
Good Luck
edit to add; What CatKiller referred to as the "receiver" is actually the receiver cover (just like all the lever action's that I'm familiar with), and is made of an Alloy. That may be why it apeared "wavey"..
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Bayou City Boy
New member
Originally Posted By: RePete....I've also learned from handling all three of their offerings, that the more expensive models are nicer than the less expensive.. DUH!!! That doesn't mean that the basic 22LR is junk,,(because it isn't) or that the Golden Boy is some kind of Collectors item,, (because it isn't). Kinda like the CDL/SPS thing.. All in all though IMO the Henry's a good value, and I wouldn't be one bit ashamed to give one to one of my kids.. To be honest,,, they're alot nicer than alot of junk that guys are infatuated with these days.. Again JMO....
....Oh,,, FWIW,,, I tried the hammers on seven different rifles today while checking the trigger pull and they all seemed like something a youngster should be able to handle, but that's something you'll have to decide.
....edit to add; What CatKiller referred to as the "receiver" is actually the receiver cover (just like all the lever action's that I'm familiar with), and is made of an Alloy. That may be why it apeared "wavey"..
Extremely well chosen words, Charlie...
Originally Posted By: RePeteBuy the Henry,,, your sons will love it..
+1 to that, too..!
-BCB
....Oh,,, FWIW,,, I tried the hammers on seven different rifles today while checking the trigger pull and they all seemed like something a youngster should be able to handle, but that's something you'll have to decide.
....edit to add; What CatKiller referred to as the "receiver" is actually the receiver cover (just like all the lever action's that I'm familiar with), and is made of an Alloy. That may be why it apeared "wavey"..
Extremely well chosen words, Charlie...
Originally Posted By: RePeteBuy the Henry,,, your sons will love it..
+1 to that, too..!
-BCB
I own a Henry full size large loop carbine, and love it! I think for the money the Ruger 10/22 is the most accurate and affordable 22 available, but its a semi automatic and not at all a good choice for the age of your sons. I bought my Henry because I could have a nice 22 that I could let a friend use to pop rabbits with me. I like it because I can see if the hammer is back, I can hear every time it is loaded and I'm not concerned about it getting dinged up by a new shooter. Thats why I bought it. Now then, much to my surprise, I love shooting the thing! It is very accurate, and just an all around hoot.
Another rifle I own that may also be a good choice is a Taurus knock off of the old Winchester pump 22. Its a child's model with a 16" barrel and shortened stock. Also a good choice with the visible hammer and loud sound it makes when loaded. Several companies make these including Rossi I think.
Either way, I understand what you are trying to get your sons into and applaud you for it.
Another rifle I own that may also be a good choice is a Taurus knock off of the old Winchester pump 22. Its a child's model with a 16" barrel and shortened stock. Also a good choice with the visible hammer and loud sound it makes when loaded. Several companies make these including Rossi I think.
Either way, I understand what you are trying to get your sons into and applaud you for it.