New Henry 45-70

[soon 2 retire]

Henry's on line catalogue is showing their new 45-70 lever due out in May. It appears to be a copy of a Marlin minus the crossbolt safety. Bad thing is no loading gate; it's tube loaded. I tried to paste a picture but either I don't have AJ's skills or it can't be done from an iPhone.


Bob in Friday Harbor

[chadbr]

Looks a little rough??

http://www.henryrepeating.com/rifle-45-70.cfm

[1894c]

looks ok...but not out-standing...like Marlin 1895 better... :)

[hightime]

Cool I'm glad they built it. It looks like the checkering is second rate though.

Owen

[rbertalotto]

MAN! be carefull dropping those extremely heavy 45-70 cases down those loading tubes! Even with a flat point bullet it could get exciting in a hurry. There are many instances of the 45LC detonating rounds at CowBoy shoots simply by dropping rounds into the tube mag............

[Martini450]

Almost looks like the barrel and receiver have been parkerized.

[MrMurphy]

And let me guess it weighs only 25 lbs?

[Pete44ru]

OH, NO ! Another FatBoy ?

I don't remember the top/front edge of the receiver on the Marlin 1895's I've had, being shaped like the Henry.....( I prolly have CRS)... Oh, well - at least it doesn't have bling.

.

[Hagler]

Model Number___________ H010
Action Type___________ Lever Action
Caliber__________ .45-70
Capacity___________ 4 rounds
Length___________ 39"
Barrel Length___________ 18.43"
Weight___________ 7.08 lbs.
Stock___________ Pistol-grip American walnut with buttplate
Sights___________ XS Ghost Rings rear sight with blade front
Receiver___________ Blued steel drilled and tapped for easy scope mounting
Price___________ $799.95

Shawn

[guido4198]

Sorry....this rifle looks like it might make a decent "Truck Gun"...(one you toss in the truck, don't care about knicks and dings, etc...) but NOT for a thousand dollars, which is what you'll have in it out-the-door.
Too many very decent 45/70 Marlin Guide Guns around for a LOT less money. Like this one for example, that goes along with me whenever possible:

[TomD]

I would not buy a semi-dangerous game rifle without a loading gate. That is like buying an AR-15 that uses striper clips.

[MrMurphy]

Agreed, I would never buy any serious (non .22) rifle without one in a lever action.

They figured out this was a good idea in 1866. It did not suddenly become a bad idea in 2012.

[CaptainFinn]

I remember when the 'new' Henrys were first announced, the 'Big Boy' prototype photos showed a loading gate on the receiver; when the guns hit the market, they had the scaled-up .22-style tube loading port. Was there a mechanical reason (I.e., functioning) reason for the switch, or did it have something to do with patents ?

[Jayhawker]

Those side loading gate patents have long since expired. I think Henry just wanted to keep it as simple as possible (fewer parts and less machining). I wish them luck with it.

[Old Ironsights]

Those side loading gate patents have long since expired. I think Henry just wanted to keep it as simple as possible (fewer parts and less machining). I wish them luck with it.

That makes no sense. They are making the .410 RioGrande with a loading gate and it's essentially the same frame/cartridge size.

[Hagler]

Here you go, CaptainFinn:

The Henry Big Boy, with a loading gate:



Shawn

[Ray Newman]

RE: lack of a loading gate.

My SWAG -- Scientific Wild Arsed Guess -- it is far easier and cheaper for the Henry Company to manufacturer a lever action rifle with a magazine tube "loading port" than to design and machine the receiver, fit, and install a loading gate, etc.

[airedaleman]

Those side loading gate patents have long since expired. I think Henry just wanted to keep it as simple as possible (fewer parts and less machining). I wish them luck with it.

That makes no sense. They are making the .410 RioGrande with a loading gate and it's essentially the same frame/cartridge size.

Henry doesn't make a .410. Rossi's labor's cheaper I guess...

[airedaleman]

RE: lack of a loading gate.

My SWAG -- Scientific Wild Arsed Guess -- it is far easier and cheaper for the Henry Company to manufacturer a lever action rifle with a magazine tube "loading port" than to design and machine the receiver, fit, and install a loading gate, etc.

My take on it, too.