I owe everyone an apology here . . . I THOUGHT that I wanted a Henry BB carbine and was set to order one in 357 - just couldn't decide whether steel or brass and I bothered you all asking questions. So . . . today I stopped at a gunshop I have done business with for years . . . I had consigned some rifles I no longer use and I had a check to pick up. I knew they had some Henrys as I had called down for a quote on the carbines . . . evidently the day I called they were super busy and the fellow quoted me wrong. I was all set to order on-line and have it shipped and do a FFL transfer. When I got done with getting the check and paperwork all taken care of, I said Wanted to see some of their Henrys. They were eager to show me some - in fact a whole rack full of various models and calibers.
The had the steel carbine and I liked it . . . I looked at the brass and steel 357 rifles . . . I looked at what they had in 45 LC too. What was great was that I was able to heft and handle them all instead of just making up my mind from looking at videos, etc. I surprised myself. AS much as I like octagon barrels, I found the Henry BB brass 357 rifle too heavy for my liking. The carbines were very nice . . . BUT . . . I kept going back to the BB steel rifle - 20" barrel in 357. The guy pointed out the wood in that particular gun and said it was some of the nicest he had seen come through in a long time but he also said that their wood was nice on all their rifles. This rifle had a nice burl pattern in the buttstock. I watered quite a bit as I tried the different rifles but surprisingly, at least to me, was that I REALLY LOVED the feel of the steel BB rifle. I guess from the videos i have watched, I thought that I would like the carbine more as it would be "handier" but when I handled the rifle, it very much reminded me of the Winchester 94 30-30 carbines I have shot over the years - lengthwise anyways. So, after bothering all of you good folks and after THINKING I NEW WHAT I WANTED . . . the 357 steel BB rifle came home with me . . . and I'm tickled to death with it! Form follows function . . . and while the rifle is beautiful, even better it just plain "feel right". I have a feeling this one is going to be a "favorite". One in 45 LC? That will come and I imagine it will be a hard decision as well . . . but it will be a Henry!
I also ahd a chance to see one of the new 30-30 brass receivers with the loading gate. Now everyone has they own likes and dislikes and opinions . . . and a lot of folks want and like a loading gate and are used to Winchesters, Marlins, etc. I'm guessing Henry did the right thing by offering it to those that like it . . . but I almost felt it looked "out of place". I am used to looking at videos and photos of Henry rifles and I guess I appreciate them for many reasons - American made, very good quality and I feel a good value . . but to me, they are a design all of their own. No different that a Winchester, Marlin, Kennedy or Burgess. I keep seeing things about the convenience of a loading gate to keep adding ammo while hunting, etc. . . . but if you can't make a killing shot with the capacity of the rifle . . . I'm thinking you need more target practice. A self-defense situation . . . O.K. . . possibly. But like I said . . too me, the Henry is a design all of its own and the tubular magazine is no different that what was on the original Henrys prior to being Winchesters. You do have the option of either using the tubular magazine or the loading gate . . which I guess will appeal to a number of folks. The fellow showing me the Henrys is a lever gun shooter and likes the Henrys as much as his Winnies and Mrlins . . but he kagreed with me. I kind of looked at the loading gate and just shrugged and said "hugh" . . . for me I could take it or leave it but at least Henry is trying to cater to those that like them.
AAT LEAST I HAVE FINALLY MADE MY DECISION ON WHAT I WANTED . . and couldn't be happier and I appreciate all who were kind enough to help answer my questions along the way. My box of 1 X fired 357 brass shows up the other day . . . a little over 1K pieces so ow to load up some dummy rounds and play with COAL and my cast to see what is going to work best . . . then get some loaded up and try the rifle out. I do know that a skinner sight is going to be ordered . . . my old eyes just don't seem to cooperate that well with the stock sights. LOL
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