357 carbine stiff side gate

[John Ryan]

New Big Boy Color Case Hardened Carbine .357 Mag/.38 Spl Side Gate H012GMRCC

Wow this is difficult to load through the side gate! It is stiff, much stiffer than other loading gates that I have used in the past. The firs round is almost as hard to load as the last. I don't think I have loaded more than 4 or 5 due to the difficulty. Fingernail will break if I keep pushing.

Is this normal? Anything I can do to help break it in if so?

Thanks!

[BigAl52]

Some guys have taken them apart and taken some tension off the gate spring. If it was mine I might consider doing that by taking it to a gunsmith. Other than that take a wooden dowel or something that wont destroy the finish and exercise the door until it loosens up.

[John Ryan]

Thanks - will try the dowel a few hundred times and see if that helps

[Ernie]

[quote="John Ryan" post_id=179884 time=1630256112 user_id=805]
New Big Boy Color Case Hardened Carbine .357 Mag/.38 Spl Side Gate H012GMRCC

Have you shot it yet? I am jealous. I have had one of these on order since early last December so I have to know if you ordered it or found it at your LGS
Ernie

[John Ryan]

Yes, I have shot it! As much fun as any of my other Henry's. Maybe about 15 rounds, 3 of which didn't smoothly load from the action, but I have experienced that before when the rifle is new. Was able to get up to 4 or 5 in the tube at the same time via side gate before giving up. I don't think I could squeeze more than that without loading from the muzzle end.

I ordered it from my local shop in April and it came in right away.

[John Ryan]

Just got it back from Henry. They replaced the magazine tube spring. About to take it out for a test.

[John Ryan]

Back from the range. Put a box of ammo through it, flawless! So much easier to load now. It must have been a bad spring.

[Ernie]

Good news. Glad Henry fixed your rifle to your satisfaction. Their service department is excellent.