2 issues with a new Henry Homesteader (Model H027-H9)

[Trooper Joe]

I just sent the following message to Henry. This is my third attempt to talk to someone at Henry about this.

…..”
SAFETY ISSUE

After dry firing the gun (the same as if you had a failure to fire a live round ) and after  I applied the safety, I could not retract the charging handle all the way to the rear.   It only comes back 3/4”. 

However, If you take the safety off (putting the carbine in the fire position) you can then retract  the charging handle all the way.  I believe that this is a serious design flaw (especially when you are trying to clear the gun after a mis-fire).

PROBLEM WITH THE GLOCK MAG WELL SYSTEM

I have my second Glock mag well (the first one I purchased had a part missing** which I borrowed from my stock Henry mag well. Your customer service department sent me a replacement unit)

With both units, I was unable to let the bolt go forward with a full 10 round (late model)  magazine.  This also happened with an early model (Gen 3) 15 round magazine but not consistently.  I filed the 10 round mag slightly on the left upper area where the hold open device is activated by the mag follower.  This helped somewhat but not 100%.  It looks like the hold open device is mounted rather loosely in these mag well assemblies. 

This hold open device should be made so it will not rub on the left side of the mag body. The only part of the magazine assembly that contacts the bolt hold open device should be the magazine follower.  In lieu of this, owners should be made aware that they should check to see if their carbine functions correctly with the Glock mag well installed.

**
(#32 Pin retaining tube
#86 Pin retaining tube clip (2)

FIRST SHOTS FIRED

This carbine is very accurate.  Using 115 grn Norma ball ammo, I got one ragged hole at 25 yards.  I am very pleased with this.
“…..

Hopefully Henry will contact me soon.

Trooper Joe

[44 AMP]

However, If you take the safety off (putting the carbine in the fire position) you can then retract the charging handle all the way. I believe that this is a serious design flaw (especially when you are trying to clear the gun after a mis-fire)

I am curious how you consider this a serious design flaw. If I am understanding your description correctly, you cannot open (fully) the action with the safety on, but you can with the safety off, when the gun is not cocked. You said this is a SAFETY ISSUE, but I don't see it. What am I missing?

Have you examined other carbines of the same model, to determine if they do what yours does? I would expect a design flaw to be consistent across the production of that design. If one gun acts differently than 2 or three or more examples of the same gun, its unlikely to be a design issue, its likely to be an "execution of the design" issue, in other words a problem with the manufacture of that individual gun not the design of the gun.

SO, is the issue unique to your gun? or is it something they all do? If its something they all do, then the question becomes is it a design flaw, or a design feature??? I'd ask Henry/

[Trooper Joe]

I believe this safety issue may be on all of them. I just found a post of the same concern. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmSy11ML77I

What I meant by “design flaw” is that there may be times at a range, the range master will want to see an empty chamber with the safety on. This is not an immediate option with this design. Also, if you happen to have a hang fire, you cannot first apply the safety with this design.

At the least, Henry should throughly explain this unique “manual of arms” for applying the safety on this gun.

As you can see by my post, this was my third attempt to get a response from Henry about this issue. This is very unusual with Henry. Maybe they are getting overwhelmed with these issues.

What is interesting, is that my problem with the Glock mag well appeared in one other web video. Strangely, try as I did, I can no longer find that post.

I did find one other post where the #32 Pin retaining tube and #86 Pin retaining tube clips were missing from the Glock mag well as were mine.

I do like this gun but I would like it better if I was not experiencing these issues.

Trooper Joe

[9x19]

I'm not sure your 'safety issue' is a flaw vs a preference in manual of arms.

For me, it is clear the chamber, engage the safety, in that order.

If you shoot AR-15s, you'll find with the hammer down (as in your scenario of a no-bang round) you cannot engage the safety. Once you clear the chamber (and by doing so also cock the hammer), then you can engage the safety.

In fact, the Ruger 10/22 is the same: cannot engage the safety unless the hammer is cocked.

I've been shooting both 10/22s and AR-15s since the 70s and so clearing the chamber first has become somewhat habitual for me with all firearms.

Best of luck to you.

[Trooper Joe]

Great responses guys. I see what you are saying.

I guess I can leave this safety engagement issue to a request to Henry to explain this in the owners manual.

“ Mason Leather “ in his above cited review, was also confused about this.

Just checked the trigger pull with my Wheeler gauge. It averages about 4 lbs and 4 oz.

I ordered a magazine block from MAGAZINEBLOCKS LLC MARTINEZ, CA 94553 that reduces the capacity of a 15 round Glock magazine to 5 rounds (for Michigan hunting). I am thinking that this will be great for small game hunting. Will be setting this up in a new, brown, Glock 15 round magazine to save on confusion.


Trooper Joe

[44 AMP]

I'm not sure your 'safety issue' is a flaw vs a preference in manual of arms.

One man's "flaw" is another's "feature", depending on which school of thought you subscribe to.

What I meant by “design flaw” is that there may be times at a range, the range master will want to see an empty chamber with the safety on. This is not an immediate option with this design. Also, if you happen to have a hang fire, you cannot first apply the safety with this design.

OK, I see what you're saying, but again, don't see a problem, or think there is a flaw. How is it a flaw, in your opinion?? Seems like when the RO demands "chamber empty safety on" the simple thing is open the action, THEN put the safety on, NOT the other way around.

At the least, Henry should throughly explain this unique “manual of arms” for applying the safety on this gun.

Absolutely, the proper manual of arms for the product should be explained in the owner's manual. Why do you think there is anything "unusual" or "unique" about the way the safety is applied on this gun??

You see an issue, (perhaps a "flaw") because when the gun is in the fired condition you cannot apply the safety and then open the action.

Here's a few points to consider....
There are guns where the safety can be applied with no regard to whether or not the gun is cocked, and that do not lock or block the action from being operated.

There are other guns, hundreds of designs (literally) where you cannot apply the safety if the gun is NOT cocked.

There are a LOT of guns where the putting the safety ON locks the action closed!

There are gun where you cannot open the action when the gun is cocked.
And, then there are all those guns that do not have actual "safeties" at all.

What "safety" does one gain by applying "the safety" when the gun is not cocked or the action is open?
None I can see. The gun cannot fire when not cocked, or when the action is open.

A range command to "show chamber clear and safety applied" cannot be performed with ALL firearms. With some designs it is simple and easy, and with some it is simply not physically possible.

Like most revolvers, for example. Or, one of the most successful semi autos ever, the Colt(Browning) Govt model, aka the 1911A1. You cannot apply the safety if the gun isn't cocked and you cannot apply the safety with the action open, and you cannot open the action with the safety applied (on).

Is that manual of arms a design flaw? I don't see it that way.

Someone else might, but I'd think they were wrong...

[Trooper Joe]

As I stated, …” I guess I can leave this safety engagement issue to a request to Henry to explain this in the owners manual.”…

[44 AMP]

No reason at all not to ask.

[zaitcev]

I think we can all agree that the OP's "safety issue" is bogus, but the problem with bolt stop is real. I make my own replacement magwell adapter in a similar application. In fact, I'm considering making these adapters for Henry Homesteader too. I found that element a tricky part to get right. Any design of this mechanism may have flaws that become apparent in field deployment only.