Henry Side Gate

[ligonierbill]

I'm seeking some up-to-date input on the Henry side gate centerfire rifles. Specifically, I am looking at a 20" 38-55.

[Polinese]

I have a 357 side gate, is there a specific matter you're looking for?

[ligonierbill]

Specifically accuracy, but mostly overall impressions. Are you pleased with it?

[Sarge]

Originally Posted by Polinese

I have a 357 side gate, is there a specific matter you're looking for?

I'm looking at that specific rifle and am curious as well. Does it feed 38 Special w/o difficulty?

[Hellcat1]

Originally Posted by Sarge

I'm looking at that specific rifle and am curious as well. Does it feed 38 Special w/o difficulty?

This is straight from Henry's User's Manual, and I've found it to be true:

".357 Magnum is designed with .357 Magnum cartridges in mind. While you can use .38SPL loads, you must ensure they are 158GR with an overall length that closely mimics the .357 Magnum cartridge. Due to the shoulder location on the carrier, the gun will not feed: 110GR,125GR, 130GR, etc. .38 special loads reliably."


Frank

[Sarge]

Thanks Hellcat. 158 RNFP is all I load in 38 Special.

ETA- There is the manual, and what people are actually doing with them.

[RC20]

I'm seeking some up-to-date input on the Henry side gate centerfire rifles. Specifically, I am looking at a 20" 38-55.

Updated, I looked it up. Wild, Marlin does not even list the 45 LC but its available. Never heard of a 38-55, tells you what I know about the black powder era.

Obviously the below is invalidated.

Not familiar with the line, I don't think they have anything 38 caliber, all 357 you can shoot 38 in.

[ballardw]

For those of you unfamiliar with .38-55 a quick overview: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.38-55_Winchester

Not at all to compared to .38 pistol cartridges.

[ligonierbill]

I'm a little surprised - usually Henry firearms inspire a vigorous response (positive and negative). In fact the H024 side gate lever rifle was introduced in 2019. Calibers are 38-55, 30-30, 45-70, 35 Rem, and recently 360 Buckhammer. Regards 38-55, it was one of the original rounds in the Winchester 94, along with the 32-40. Personally, I'm a little put off by all the brass on this rifle, but published reviews are all positive.

PS: OK, I ordered one from Bud's. So I guess I will have to supply the review when I get it. I do load 38-55. I have a 24" Winchester Canadian Centennial that the previous owner had rebored, the better to knock down silhouette targets. The round is legal for Ohio's firearms deer season, but mostly I like the old rounds, I don't have a carbine, and I don't have a Henry.

[RC20]

Most of the accounts for Henry are good. Some bad reviews have to do with fit of stocks. As long as the action works, I don't care much about stocks fit. If you use the gun its going to get dinged up over time.

But I have to admit fully, no idea they made them in obscure calibers like that.

I gather Marlin still can't meet demand for 45 Long Colt, none to be had (sans one company that claims they have them but are Zelle payment)

I guess I am amazed at the quantity of lever actions guns being made.

[ligonierbill]

Henry's action is a clone of the Marlin 336 - definitely a good one. Demand for lever actions is driven at least in part by Cowboy Action shooting, and the SASS has approved 38-55 for "side matches". Ironically, the biggest demand seems to be for 45 Colt, which was never chambered in a rifle back in the day. I understand that the rim on the old cases was too thick for the extractors. When I was shooting Cowboy Action, I used 44-40, but the most popular round was (and is) 38 Special. Since it's a timed event, low recoil is important to a good score.

[armoredman]

I have been looking for a rifle lever action for the long range matches with SASS, but the cost is prohibitive nowadays. I had never heard of this cartridge before shooting Cowboy Action.
And yes, my main match pistols and rifle are 357/38 Specials.

[RC20]

Ironically, the biggest demand seems to be for 45 Colt, which was never chambered in a rifle back in the day.

Truly Ironic. You had the Colt Pacemaker and no rifle to go with it.

Levers in the longer range calibers are costly. The best oddly is the Marlin but only if you can find one. Not sure what that is about. Still expensive at $750 depending on sale or not.