How To Load a Henry Rifle

[1886]

I have never owned, inspected, handled or much less, shot a Henry Rifle. How does one load such a rifle? Thanks, 1886.

[J Miller]

If your asking about an 1860 Henry or replica you pull the follower up to the muzzle then rotate the muzzle cap. This holds the follower up and out of the way. Slide in the cartridges with the rifle more or less horizontal so as not to cause a KABOOM when the primer of the next round hits the one at the bottom. Center fire only. Then when the magazine tube is full rotate the muzzle cap back into place and slide the follower back down on top of the ammo.

There has been several threads in the last couple years where there has been ammo detonated in the magazine of the Henrys by holding the gun muzzle up and dropping the ammo down on top of the next one. That's why the caution to load it horizontally.

Joe

[1886]

Thanks, Joe. 1886.

[Nate Kiowa Jones]

Here's the parts schematic. As you can see that part # 223 slips over the front of the barrel and is indexed to part# 80 by part # 536. As Joe said when you push the follower part # 113 toward the muzzle when you get it into part # 223 it allows it to swivel on the barrel so the ammo can be loaded much like a tubular fed 22.

[1886]

Thanks all! 1886.

[Doc Hudson]

If your asking about an 1860 Henry or replica you pull the follower up to the muzzle then rotate the muzzle cap. This holds the follower up and out of the way. Slide in the cartridges with the rifle more or less horizontal so as not to cause a KABOOM when the primer of the next round hits the one at the bottom. Center fire only. Then when the magazine tube is full rotate the muzzle cap back into place and slide the follower back down on top of the ammo.

There has been several threads in the last couple years where there has been ammo detonated in the magazine of the Henrys by holding the gun muzzle up and dropping the ammo down on top of the next one. That's why the caution to load it horizontally.

Joe

In addition, when loaded or especially when partially loaded, gently lower the follower onto the cartridges. Releasing it to pop down onto the ammo could lead to a KABOOM in the magaine.

[Ysabel Kid]

Hadn't thought about the kaboom factor - thanks guys!

[J Miller]

I always wanted one of those Henry replicas. Studied up on them, handled a few, but I don't have one ... yet.


Joe

[gamekeeper]

I like looking at the Henry's in movies, you can tell approximately how many rounds are loaded by the position of the follower.

[Buck Elliott]

Never mind...

[Peter M. Eick]

They are a lot of fun to shoot if you can get one. I bought an Iron framed henry in 44/40 and just love it. I am very careful with my loading and my reloading of the shells and no problems so far. The neat thing is that on the 100 and 200 yrd ranges, with the sun to your back, you can actually see the bullet travel to the range. It sort of lobs in. About 25 yrds out you can tell where it will land in the group. Lots of fun!



This has to be one of the "funnest" rifles I own to shoot.