Henry Golden Boy Endurance Run

DPris · Post by **DPris** » Sat Sep 10, 2016 8:53 pm

Several years ago, when they first came out, I was a bit skeptical.
No mo.

Denis

DPris · Post by **DPris** » Sun Sep 11, 2016 9:17 pm

2,000 rounds in 2 hours 20 minutes tonight.
Four cases down, two to go.

Looks like we may try for 25,000 rounds instead of the original 20,000 rounds planned for the test.
Have not managed to break anything so far.

Denis

jazman · Post by **jazman** » Sun Sep 11, 2016 10:50 pm

Come on Henry!

DPris · Post by **DPris** » Sun Sep 11, 2016 11:46 pm

The Henry's definitely showing less wear than my loading thumb.

That knurled mag trombone end is tough on skin.

Keep thinking I'm gonna HAVE to clean the gun at some point, but not yet.
Staying clean under the extractor, zero extraction failures.

Roughly 13,500 rounds in & still going strong.

I spray Break Free in the port when the gun tells me to & keep on chugging along.
I think my right wrist is two sizes larger than my left now.

Cooler temps & a good breeze tonight kept the rifle tolerable for a longer session.
It ain't just air-cooled machineguns that benefit from moving air.
Denis

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Mon Sep 12, 2016 8:35 am

DPris wrote:The Henry's definitely showing less wear than my loading thumb.
That knurled mag trombone end is tough on skin.

Keep thinking I'm gonna HAVE to clean the gun at some point, but not yet.
Staying clean under the extractor, zero extraction failures.

Roughly 13,500 rounds in & still going strong.

I spray Break Free in the port when the gun tells me to & keep on chugging along.
I think my right wrist is two sizes larger than my left now.

Cooler temps & a good breeze tonight kept the rifle tolerable for a longer session.
It ain't just air-cooled machineguns that benefit from moving air.
Denis

DPris · Post by **DPris** » Mon Sep 12, 2016 11:22 am

Gets pretty tiresome on the lungs constantly blowing on the frame to cool it off. When a breeze hits it's a welcome relief.

Denis

DPris · Post by **DPris** » Sat Oct 01, 2016 9:43 pm

Now have 1998 rounds left of the original shipment of 20,000 rounds of Winchester's whitebox 333.
The gun won't quit.

Ran 2997 through it today. If the wrist recovers tomorrow hope to finish off the rest of the Winchester.
Then start in on the 5000 American Eagle next week.

The gun is still running fine.
Still have not cleaned it.
Denis

piller · Post by **piller** » Sun Oct 02, 2016 12:31 am

Sounds like a lot of fun. I am looking forward to hearing how long it takes for something to wear out or break. It is not as cheaply made as some people on the internet seem to think.

DPris · Post by **DPris** » Sun Oct 02, 2016 1:39 am

18,000 rounds in, I'm thinking it's gonna be a while.
I had expected the O-ring to need replacing, and possibly the extractor.
Not yet.

Not even any sign of wear on the "brass" finish. That clearcoat's tough stuff.
Denis

GunnyMack · Post by **GunnyMack** » Tue Oct 04, 2016 6:55 pm

ALL HAIL DPRIS!
Man you are really torturing yourself and your Henry!!
Heck of an experiment! I hope you are documenting this test so you can send it to Henry! Mr Imperato might send you a NEW one for your efforts!!!!

Keep the updates coming!

DPris · Post by **DPris** » Wed Oct 05, 2016 1:02 pm

Oh hell yes, I'm documenting.

Anthony provided the gun & the first 25,000 rounds, so he's very much aware of the project.

I think he's kinda curious, too.
One of the plant managers says he doesn't recall internal testing to this level during his tenure there.
No idea how far the company's taken a GB, but I strongly suspect few owners have gone to the planned 27,000 rounds I'm working on here.

Gotten quite fond of the critter, we've spent a lotta time together now.
At an average of 1000 rounds an hour, not counting travel time or the initial & post accuracy testing, figure 27,000 rounds will take 27 hours of just plain crankin' 'em off.
Denis

JerryB · Post by **JerryB** » Wed Oct 05, 2016 10:11 pm

Reckon maybe you'll do an article with photos when you get done ??????

DPris · Post by **DPris** » Wed Oct 05, 2016 11:29 pm

Reckon so.

Denis

GunnyMack · Post by **GunnyMack** » Fri Oct 07, 2016 6:15 am

Hmm, I'm thinking maybe you need to keep going until something FAILS!
If Henry sprung for the first 25,000, maybe they will cough up some more ammo!
I'd be curious to see you slinging 1000 rounds an hour, heck I'd even spell you some!
Can't wait to see accuracy results!

DPris · Post by **DPris** » Fri Oct 07, 2016 10:34 am

I wouldn't mind carrying it further, but 25,000 was a pretty generous contribution to the cause & I'd hesitate to push for more.
The 1500 from Brownells & 500 old stock of my own will have to do.

Grand total of 27,000, when I get there, is more than most of these guns will get during an average owner's lifetime.

The 1000 per hour is do-able with a steady cranking rate from the hip.
Load two at a time, crank till empty, repeat.
Denis

Edited to clarify: Load two at a time from the box till the tube's full, then crank till empty.

GunnyMack · Post by **GunnyMack** » Fri Oct 07, 2016 3:00 pm

I can see Henry's website:
TORTURE TESTED TO 25,000+ PLUS ROUNDS- 'NUFF SAID!!!!

missionary5155 · Post by **missionary5155** » Fri Oct 07, 2016 6:51 pm

Greetings
Excellent thread ! Good to read there is a lever 22 available that flat works.
3 months back a Henry BB in caliber 41 mag arrived at my house via the local FFL. I am impressed with the whole rifle and the way it works without having to do a "steve's" video on it. So far it will digest all ammo fed it.... Cast bullets the JM was very troubled about.

DPris · Post by **DPris** » Fri Oct 07, 2016 8:56 pm

As of an hour ago I'm calling a full 20,000 rounds through the GB, the original goal.

Nothing busted, nothing worn out, no problems attributable to the gun, just to ammo & operator error.

Still have not cleaned it.
Hope to start on the 5000 American Eagle tomorrow.
Denis

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Fri Oct 07, 2016 10:02 pm

DPris wrote:As of an hour ago I'm calling a full 20,000 rounds through the GB, the original goal.

Nothing busted, nothing worn out, no problems attributable to the gun, just to ammo & operator error.

Still have not cleaned it.
Hope to start on the 5000 American Eagle tomorrow.
Denis

You know that I'm hoping it'll break... just I can have an excuse NOT to buy one!

DPris · Post by **DPris** » Sat Oct 08, 2016 12:09 am

So far it's holding up better than I am.
Wrist has been sore for the last week.
Denis

Les Staley · Post by **Les Staley** » Sat Oct 08, 2016 11:14 am

Well, I'm impressed! I just explained to my wife what you're doing and she said "maybe you ought to buy one".

DPris · Post by **DPris** » Sat Oct 08, 2016 12:09 pm

As I've said- when the Henry rimfire levers first came out, I had my reservations.
After working with several since, watching the forums, talking to my gunsmith, and noting whatever feedback I chanced across, it appeared the things were holding up.

Still the comments about "cheap pot metal guns" all over the place, but with no attached reports of premature wear or breakage related to that "pot metal" construction.
Just decided to find out myself.

Functionally, I'm impressed.
We'll see how the ending accuracy compares to the beginning accuracy when I get there.
Have Go & No/Go headspace gauges, I'll check that at the end, too.

I also have raw castings of a receiver & cover here.
They are solid & surprisingly heavy.

I had honestly expected the rubber O-ring to shred with such hi-volume abrasion, it hasn't.
Had spares for it, firing pin, extractor, ejector on hand, thought the extractor MIGHT wear to the point it would affect extraction/ejection, but nope.

One of the most surprising parts was the no-cleaning.
Considering how dirty the .22s are...
Denis

GunnyMack · Post by **GunnyMack** » Sat Oct 08, 2016 12:54 pm

I doubt the head space will change. Accuracy on the other hand could go either way.
I'm so impressed by your efforts DPRIS! I'm waiting to see a post about breaking something. But also hoping it doesn't! Keep up the great work!

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Sat Oct 08, 2016 12:56 pm

DPris wrote: One of the most surprising parts was the no-cleaning.
Considering how dirty the .22s are...
Denis

That is what really surprised me, and just speaks to how well designed and manufactured these guns are. We all know how dirty .22's are.

BTW, if you really want to understand how dirty they are, legally get yourself a can for one. It is amazing how much crud they produce!

Great string Denis!

DPris · Post by **DPris** » Sat Oct 08, 2016 1:39 pm

SHHHHH!!!!!
Quiet on the "well-designed and manufactured" stuff.
Griff's already going through enough anguish here.....

I doubt the headspace will change, too, but one of the plant managers suggested they send a pair of gauges as an additional data point for the testing, so I said send away.

Plan right now is to do the ending accuracy testing without cleaning the bore, just running it as it ends up.
I see no leading, and there's still plenty of rifling visible.
Aside from the tedium & sore wrist, been kinda interesting.

Denis

mikld · Post by **mikld** » Sat Oct 08, 2016 2:02 pm

Hmmm. Henry 22 Lever gun jumped to top of the "need it soon" list. Was thinking about an AK, but I have one and it's about time for another fun gun!

DPris · Post by **DPris** » Sat Oct 08, 2016 2:52 pm

A year or two ago I finally reached a point where I felt comfortable with giving a Henry Evil Roy to a nephew.
Last year when I did a head to head shoot-out between the Henry Youth & the Browning Micro .22 and the Henry far out-shot the Browning, I bought the Henry for personal use.
The Browning was a nice little gun, but the Henry was much slicker & markedly more accurate.

These things are far from cheap junk-metal guns.
(But- don't tell Griff!

)
Denis

GunnyMack · Post by **GunnyMack** » Sat Oct 08, 2016 4:56 pm

After getting my 41 worked out, I'm thinking about a 44& a357... Now a 22 as well! This is gonna get expensive!!!

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Sat Oct 08, 2016 5:49 pm

I've been waiting for a late '40s Marlin 39A to drop into my lap... and a gunsmith acquaintance has a Henry apart on his bench to fix something that's broke... I wasn't interested enough to ask what... maybe I shoulda? So... a new one broke, and a new one looks to run 27,000 rounds without... I like better odds than that... AND I'm in Vegas!!!

DPris · Post by **DPris** » Sat Oct 08, 2016 7:29 pm

Yeah- ask him what broke.
I'd genuinely like to know.
Denis

GunnyMack · Post by **GunnyMack** » Sun Oct 09, 2016 4:56 am

Yes please ask! I'd like to know as well.

DPris · Post by **DPris** » Sun Oct 09, 2016 9:32 pm

Busy weekend, only able to get another thousand through the gun.
Total of 21,000 now.
GB's still chuggin' along.
Denis

DPris · Post by **DPris** » Tue Oct 11, 2016 8:24 pm

Dear Griff,
I know you'll be delighted to hear that, after 21,000 rounds, the GB finally told me it needs attention.

During another 1050 rounds through it tonight (total of 22,000+ now), I encountered the first extraction failure.

Sprayed with Break Free, ran a couple hundred more, failed, sprayed, ran a couple hundred more, but after the fourth extraction failure I've suspended operations till I can break it down & take a close look.

It is most excessively filthy inside & could be either just too gummed up, or the extractor might be worn.
Or both.

So, a gun that can only go 21,000 rounds without cleaning or possible extractor wear is obviously not one you should buy.
I have given you your excuse.

Yours truly,
Denis

(PS: I'll be back to finish the run after I get the problem analyzed & corrected.)

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Tue Oct 11, 2016 8:39 pm

Actually, I was rootin' for the rifle. I doubt I'd ever fire 20K+ rounds thru any firearm... without expecting some needed care and maintenance.

RIHMFIRE · Post by **RIHMFIRE** » Tue Oct 11, 2016 8:47 pm

the anticipation is killing me......you need to pull an all nighter......
only 6 thousand rounds to go....

DPris · Post by **DPris** » Tue Oct 11, 2016 8:55 pm

Griff,
You can still bow out gracefully & never own one.

Although I don't consider the gun failed prematurely, or even at all, necessarily.
Normally I'd never go more than a few hundred without cleaning, much less several thousand.

RI,
I wanted to keep going tonight, had 2500 rounds with me & planned to burn through 'em.
Need to get this project done!

Unfortunately, I'm sandwiching it in among other shoots & have to be awake for a different gun's accuracy testing tomorrow.

Denis

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Wed Oct 12, 2016 5:30 am

Back in the 1980s I had a German made Erma 73 which I believe was almost identical to the Henry H001.
That rifle had the smoothest action, it was accurate and extremely reliable, back then however I had reservations on how long a "pot metal" rifle would last

so that beautiful little rifle eventually got swapped for a Marlin Mountie, now I'm not saying the Marlin was a poor rifle but I never liked it as much as that Erma, the Mountie got swapped for a Winchester 9422M which was accurate, reliable and nearly as smooth as the Erma, I still needed a .22LR so I bought a used Winchester 9422 which I still have and love. However I still miss that old Erma 73 , I have had no worries about build quality or materials used in so called "pot metal" guns for some time now and the fantastic endurance test by DPris only goes to show how wrong I was 30 or 40 years ago.
If I ever need another rimfire rifle, Henry will get my business for sure....

GunnyMack · Post by **GunnyMack** » Wed Oct 12, 2016 3:38 pm

Failure to extract... I'm betting it's just so dirty that the extractor can't grab the rim. But still 21,000 rounds is nothing st sneeze at!

DPris · Post by **DPris** » Wed Oct 12, 2016 7:35 pm

That's what I'm thinking.
I'll find out when I can get to it.
Denis

piller · Post by **piller** » Wed Oct 12, 2016 10:17 pm

I have one of the little black painted Henry .22s. I have not put 5,000 rounds out of it yet. I think it is a great little fun. PillHer has shot it and likes it. Simple and reliable. What more can you ask for in a gun?

DPris · Post by **DPris** » Thu Oct 13, 2016 8:20 am

I use the same argument with Bubbles: I'm simple & reliable, what more could you ask for in a hubby?
Denis

Tycer · Post by **Tycer** » Thu Oct 13, 2016 8:34 am

Is the action the same as the H001 with just a different receiver cover and barrel ?

DPris · Post by **DPris** » Thu Oct 13, 2016 8:36 am

Pretty much.
The basic receivers start out the same.
Denis

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Thu Oct 13, 2016 8:36 am

DPris,

I'm waiting with anxious anticipation ... clean that Henry already. I wanna know what the problem is.

Joe

DPris · Post by **DPris** » Thu Oct 13, 2016 8:51 am

I'm trying.

I'm just slammed at the moment with tight deadlines on other things & have to sandwich the GB in when I can.
Hopefully I'll be able to get to it by Sunday.
Denis

1894 · Post by **1894** » Fri Oct 14, 2016 7:21 pm

Maybe it just doesn't like the AE ammo ?

DPris · Post by **DPris** » Fri Oct 14, 2016 11:25 pm

That's a possibility, but I've not had problems with the AE elsewhere & over the years it's been a reliable performer in numerous guns for me.
Denis

DPris · Post by **DPris** » Sun Oct 16, 2016 5:08 pm

Working my way through the gun.
Somebody give me an email address to send a couple nasty dirty pictures to.

Denis

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Sun Oct 16, 2016 5:23 pm

DPris wrote:Working my way through the gun.
Somebody give me an email address to send a couple nasty dirty pictures to.
Denis

PM on the to you with email addy for nasty dirty pictures pics

Joe

DPris · Post by **DPris** » Sun Oct 16, 2016 6:11 pm

One NASTY dirty girl!
They're on the way.
Denis