Henry's new "Black" guns

[RetiredSeabee]

I guess Henry is trying to appeal to a new demographic. Not my demographic but if they sell it’s a good step for Henry. Sure wish they would make a coach gun with hammers and a single action revolver.

[Conax]

Oh no.
The marketing department is looking for a few weird shooters that want to try to lever their actions and feed their mag tubes as fast as you can shoot dry and slap fresh mags into an AR-15.
This will only bring ridicule down on them. Not to mention ludicrous comparo articles.
Bad idea, Henry. Stick with what you do so well, what sells for you. The world has enough black plastic.

[Mistered]

Bad idea, Henry. Stick with what you do so well, what sells for you. The world has enough black plastic.

COMPLETELY! - the black plastic crowd already has what they want - Hi-Cap lead hoses (and that market ain't so hot right now). This is not unlike when Harley came out with the V-Rod to try to draw the already saturated crotch-rocket crowd to a hi-performance Harley - or the already traditional Harley owner to something new - either way it didn't work out too well for them and the V-Rod crashed!

[Travlin]

I agree that they are a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. The last I read about the all weather rifles they were hard chrome and painted wood stocks.

[BigAl52]

Cowboy guns dont deserve to be insulted with that tactical stuff. Man if they go that way Im gonna be real disappointed. They cant even keep up with what there into now let alone go that route. I havent even seen a CCH 357 yet. Im with RR yuck.

[RanchRoper]

Rather see a Henry hi wall or low wall buffalo style rifle. HRA nice wood. Octagon barrel. Oh ya.

[North Country Gal]

I agree that they are a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. The last I read about the all weather rifles they were hard chrome and painted wood stocks.

Great point. Painted wood and chrome are not my idea of all weather guns, especially painted wood. It still cracks and gets gouges like any other wood stock and if it's only applied, externally, it does nothing to prevent swelling/contracting in changes of climate. That's the whole point of going with a synthetic stock. Chrome plating on the external metal metal parts still doesn't protect the bore, not to mention it almost guarantees an irregular finish on external parts. Calling such a gun "all weather" is a marketing ripoff. Good way to cover up reject parts that wouldn't otherwise make the grade on the steel and wood versions.

[The Wiz]

I would be disappointed in Henry. I always considered then as a unique company and had a certain mystic aura about them. If they go that route they are just another gun manufacture.

[GFK]

Well, if they are going to warranty a gun for life, a stream of money will have to be available for repairs: parts, salaries, facilities, etc. That could be generated by sales, investments or a combination. Giving people something different to buy could increase sales. But, increasing sales should not be the only strategy. At some point, a person may reach their limit of firearms (if that is even possible?). Even if that is not possible, only so many people are purchasing lever actions which will probably cover overhead (plus wants, desires and give-aways) for so long. In do not know all of the ins and outs of the business. But, I suspect only so much can be a tax write off. Just my 2 cents.

[Slide Action]

I would rather see Henry keep up with what they already offer. Maybe even produce a .22 slide action carbine!

[roddy]

I would rather see Henry keep up with what they already offer. Maybe even produce a .22 slide action carbine!

A short, light, round barreled carbine would be a nice addition to the slide-action .22s they already make. I enjoy the heck out of the one I have. It would really be nice to see some slide-action pistol round carbines...that would be sweet.

[Carver]

I guess that I’m old school , guns should be wood stocks and steel, including pistols.

[Mistered]

I guess that I’m old school , guns should be wood stocks and steel, including pistols.

Wood is GOOD
Blue is TRUE
Steel is REAL

[Mistered]

Henry X is a one off series of concept rifles representing our contemporary interpretation of the quintessential American Rifle

I assume when they say 'quintessential American Rifle' they are referring to the lever action of which I agree with. However the typical 'Black Rifle' fans think of the AR15 as the 'American Rifle' which I do NOT agree with. The AR 15 may have it's place in history but it is certainly not the 'American Rifle'. It is nothing more than the particular rifle that became popularized in the years of the AWB post 1994, became mass produced cheaply and caught on with the younger crowd - especially with those who never had the advantage of growing up in a time (or environment) when guns were considered more for sporting and hunting and not primarily as a defensive, 'survivalist' tool. The lever gun IS America's Rifle as far as I am concerned and has over 150 years of evolution and history behind it. In my opinion 'contemporary interpretation of the quintessential American Rifle' is oxymoronic as I do not believe a 'contemporary interpretation' can be applied to the lever action. While the mechanics of the lever action have do doubt been improved over the years it's basic design remains traditional and will not benefit by any 'contemporary interpretation' but opinions may vary!

[North Country Gal]

Well said. Couldn't agree, more. The standard lever gun is still very relevant, today, just as it has been from the beginning. It doesn't need any "updating" or "modernizing". The stuff Henry is adding is all cosmetic fluff to attract black gun fans. Just when I thought the "tacticool" nonsense had run its course.

[Mistered]

Just when I thought the "tacticool" nonsense had run its course.

Largely in part it has - but no one is admitting it yet - as the Mfgs. of such stand to be the biggest losers - if I recall a couple of AR gun & parts Mfgs. have already folded.

[Yornoc3]

The Henry Rifles with the nice Walnut, good bluing, fit and finish done right, are built by riflemakers (I admit robots help, these days). Anybody who ever played with an Erector Set can buy a lower receiver and the rest of the parts, and assemble an AR. There isn't the craftsmanship of a proper rifle build involved .

[Mistered]

Personally I hope the whole 'black gun' , 'tacticool' gun craze dies a quiet death and eventually results in LESS emphasis on gun control legislation than it has precipitated.

[PT7]

I like what you said about rifle building, Yornoc. It is spot-on!
"Henry Rifles with the nice Walnut, good bluing, fit and finish done right = Craftsmanship."


Now that Henry is also making shotguns, that craftsmanship comes into play with those builds, as well. I know Henry is not at the one-at-a-time, hand-built shotgun-making focus. But that still happens, especially in Europe.

A few years ago I spent quite some time researching and viewing the European tradition of shotgun building. There are some great artisans out there with incredible skills when handling wood & steel. Most often, those shotguns are special-ordered, and designed to totally fit its owner. I recall that some of the price tags showed what it takes for that level of quality. I've seen some side-by-side shotgun builds that can reach the $200,000 mark...and higher! Those old world traditions and the craftsmanship that is still there can be well worth it. For me, just looking at the finished long gun --- especially the beautiful wood designs and finishes that are made --- is simply a pleasure. PT7

The Henry Rifles with the nice Walnut, good bluing, fit and finish done right, are built by riflemakers (I admit robots help, these days). Anybody who ever played with an Erector Set can buy a lower receiver and the rest of the parts, and assemble an AR. There isn't the craftsmanship of a proper rifle build involved .

[GFK]

I would rather see Henry keep up with what they already offer. . . .

Yes, Henry does seem to offer a lot.