Henry Rifle Forums

There was a discussion on Rimfire Central with a statement being made that Henry had their stocks made in Italy. There was a little back and forth about it, but nothing definitive was put forth on either side. Yes, they are made from American walnut. I find it hard to believe that they would ship walnut to Italy to be made into stocks, then shipped back to adorn a Henry. I also find it at odds with Henry's statement that they are made in America, or not at all.

Thought I would bring it up here to see if someone had the definitive answer to this.

That just sounds silly to me. With all the effort Mr. Imperto has put into keeping manufacturing here in the US including buying a foundry in WI. Why would they farm out wood working over seas? By who? Uberti? Rossi? If so the fit and finish would look like one of them not like a Henry! Nothing against those brands but they are not Henry's.

There are a couple of folks on that forum that just plain don't like Henry's. I guess because they are not Winchesters or Marlins. One guy has carried on endlessly about the crappy zinc receivers. Even going so far to say the Big Boys are also made of Zamak. They are not.

Lots and lots of misinformation about a lot of things on message boards these days.

On second thought, that's nothing new. It's been the case ever since message boards have existed.

Squatch said it well: "That just sounds silly to me."

OK, I'd say the best definitive answer comes from Henry President Anthony Imperato.
This link https://www.henryrifles.com/henry-videos/ is a Henry web page with various videos. Click on "Learn How Henry Rifles Are Built." It a production of "RDF TV Live," and is an interview with Pres. Imperato. One hour long and interesting.

At just before 12 minutes, he talks through the different rifle parts that go into building a Henry, including where they come from in America. The walnut stocks come from three states: IA, KS, and my current home state of MO. In fact, he mentions that the wood he unwraps came from St. Joseph, MO, which is just an hour due north of my place.

Bottom line is whether or not a person believes what he says. I do. And that includes his definitive statement on Henry's CS (Customer Service). At 7 minutes and 25 seconds he shares what he calls his "extreme customer service." Very well explained, and I believe he is very sincere about his commitment to excellent CS. He even gives out his own phone number!

I've experienced that good stuff here --- both the CS and the quality products.

That's my 2 cents!

clovishound wrote:There was a discussion on Rimfire Central with a statement being made that Henry had their stocks made in Italy. There was a little back and forth about it, but nothing definitive was put forth on either side. Yes, they are made from American walnut. I find it hard to believe that they would ship walnut to Italy to be made into stocks, then shipped back to adorn a Henry. I also find it at odds with Henry's statement that they are made in America, or not at all.

Thought I would bring it up here to see if someone had the definitive answer to this.

I would agree. He's a straight up guy I'd ride the range with anytime. We've emailed back and forth a bit as he asked to see some cow country photos. I think he's true to his word.

I responded over there as well. He also had the usual BS to say about the zinc receivers and how it really isn't the original Henry company. Gee. There never was a Henry rifle company. There was a Henry patented repeating rifle made by New Haven Arms. The best reproduction of this ever made of course is now made by Henry Repeating Arms in the USA!

Remington, Winchester, Browning, Marlin and others aren't the same company either. Last I heard the REAL Browning Bros. folded when John Moses went to work for Oliver Winchester in 1885 or so when he was in his early 20's! Want a copy of that Browning single shot High Wall they made before that. Call Uberti! You can buy a brand new Browning or Winchester '73. Both made in Japan! If it weren't for the Italians cowboy style guns would have died out long ago except for rich collectors of 100 yo weapons. Last I looked FN owned the Browning name. Olin owns Winchester. Some corporate conglomerate has eaten up H+R, Marlin, Remington and who knows what all else. Bottom line it's a big beautiful world. Good folks and products from all over. I prefer my American made Henry's but that doesn't mean the others aren't nice.

I think Henry has done a fine job of trying to stay to the roots of Henry design ideas. Especially considering New haven Arms only made One Henry rifle! 2 if you count the couple of iron ones out there as a different rifle. Brass receivers, tube magazines, walnuts stocks, and made here in the USA. Not only that they have made the most authentic copy of the 1860 Henry repeater ever made. Both iron and steel and it's made here! Nothing is perfect. But I'll settle for excellent effort and results over BS anyday!

I believe that I have had a run in with the Zamak warrior over on rfc. Some people just need to be "right" about everything. There are zealots of every brand and any brand that isn't the one they love is an imposter. I have seen rants that a 1911 is not a 1911 unless it is a Colt.
Clovishound you may be able to get an answer to where Henry ha the stocks made from our resident Dan from Henry. Why not drop him a private message and ask?

I don't have a definitive answer about where the stocks are actually manufactured, but I agree with Squatch. It would make absolutely no business sense for Henry to buy their wood in the USA mid-west, ship it overseas to have it made into their stocks, and then ship it back to the USA for assembly. Common sense says that would drive up the cost of a Henry considerably.

I could be wrong, but I would be very surprised if I am.

Whoever it was on the other forum, his time would be better spent buying a Henry and joining in the pride of owning one. HRA makes rifles in the spirit and tradition of an American classic. Nuff said.

Ya'll pretty much are on the same page as I am.

Re The Rimfire Central "person" you can't fix stupid.

What's wrong with making a receiver out of Zamak if it makes them affordable? The Winchester 9422 was made of steel and the key work here is "was". The Henry H001 is going to be the Volkswagon Beetle of lever actions and I bet in the next ten years you will be able to buy lots of aftermarket parts.

Travlin wrote:Re The Rimfire Central "person" you can't fix stupid.

About two years ago I had a post about Henrys deleted because they said what I was doing was unsafe. I emailed President Anthony Imperato and asked him. He said a competent gunsmith could do what I was suggesting. The result is in my avatar. Its an octagon Mare's Leg in .22LR.

For everyday use making the receiver out of Zamak doesn't really make any difference but it made my job a lot harder. Steel is forgiving but Zamak isn't.

All of the clothing Henry sells is made in the U.S.A. Where else can you buy clothes made here?

Sir Henry wrote:All of the clothing Henry sells is made in the U.S.A. Where else can you buy clothes made here?

I've worn Levi's 505's since I was a small child. For years I bought them online 1/2 dozen pairs at a time to get the unwashed old school indigo's. They last so much longer. We a few years ago I ordered some and WTH? They had dropped the waistline 1.5"-2" to make them low riders. Come on. They make 50 different pairs like that. Leave the originals alone for us old guys. I sent them back with a scathing letter. I also sent a scathing email and made a phone call to Levi's. I told them what I just said and told them that at 50+ years old I was too old to walk around with my rear end hangin' out! I was done.

I tried some other like LL beans and they were OK but just not right. So I went on a search. And I found made in usa from made in USA cloth and the best fitting. Most comfortable jeans I've worn. I get the Cowboy cut. CS is right up there with Henry. I ordered some and they were out of material to make them temporarily. I got an Email from the owner of the company apologizing. I told her I'd just wait till they could fill the order. They did and gave me a substantial discount for my trouble. Buddy's Jeans. Did I mention much cheaper than Levis?
http://www.buddysjeans.com/

These are also made in USA.
https://www.gusset.com/

Re Ranchroper's post, That person does not deserve to own or shoot an HRA rifle.