Henry Rifle Forums

Has anyone else had an occurrence where the tube magazine is loose where it dovetails into the barrel at the front of the gun? It moves around slightly left to right in the dovetail but it does not pop out but it is moving around a bit in there I don't remember that occurring when the gun was brand new and I only have about a hundred rounds through it. I'm not sure how big of a deal this is but I wasn't sure if this was common or if there was an easy fix?

All weather 357.

It's a bit unclear...is the dovetail moving? Or just slight clearance movement when magazine is locked in?
Don't quite understand what you are experiencing.

The actual piece that dovetails into the underside of the barrel is moving left and right when I push on it.

Sounds like either the dove tail groove was machined too large, which would be a reason to contact Henry Customer Service.
Or, the male piece was not driven in far enough, which would be a quick fix with a brass punch.
Note that dove tail fittings are directional. Can't remember right now which direction tightens, as opposed to removal.
Maybe someone who knows, ( and I know there are many on here ), will chime in with that info. This might be an easy fix for you.

Interesting. I don't have a brass punch, but could buy one if I was confident in using it. Hopefully, someone will chime in and have seen this problem before. Id hate to have to ship the rifle to Henry for something that does not really affect the function of the gun itself. More of a fitting issue.

Maybe post a picture

Please don't hold me to this, but I think it is from right to left, as you look down the barrel to tighten. Have no fear though, just be gentle and you can't hurt anything. If you remove the mag tube, you can even use a wooden dowel. Shouldn't take much. A good tap or two should do it.

C'mon guys...a little help here? What are your thoughts?

Due to recoil, I suspect the movement is not a good thing. Because of warranty, I would probably reach out to Henry, if the solution is not obvious or simple. I do not recall any movement with my loading tube. If so, I would probably be concerned also.

I haven't had a problem with my magazine tube being loose but have fixed several loose sights by lightly peening the bottom of the sight with a punch to achieve a tighter fit in the dovetail. Always work on the part that goes into the dovetail do not peen the barrel. This might save you the problem of shipping.