The fact is MOST longterm, lever action rifle owners want a side gate as they believe it is part of a 'traditional' lever action rifle and will not buy a Henry because of them not having one. I read it often on other forums.
New lever action rifle owners who had no experience with levers at all had nothing to compare it with so the load tube was not a detractor.
Then there are those who are long term lever owners and bought a Henry out of curiosity, something new etc. and didn't make the load tube an issue - like me.
As I maintain however the load tube has an advantage with shorter, pistol caliber rounds but a side gate favors the longer, rifle rounds.
and if you dont get them in there just right they exit back out and fall on the ground.
The trick with a load gate is to adjust the spring to where when you insert a round it 'sticks' in the gate then you push the next round in pushing the front round forward into the tube then only on the last round do you push it in past the gate where the gate closes.
Don't want to scar up my receiver either. Mine isn't even brass...I can only imagine after years of use.
I have, and have had Winchesters with years of use and LOTS of side gate loading with nary a mark on the receiver.