Henry Rifle Forums

After a long wait, I finally picked up my new side gate 38-55. I have 3 octagon barreled Henrys, and the blue is mirror like and smooth. This being my first round barrel, I was very disappointed in the finish of the barrel and mag tube. They seem quite rough compared to the smooth finishes on the octagons. As you run a fingernail down the length, one can feel the roughness, as though there was no polishing between turning the barrel and bluing. Maybe that's how the round barrels all are? Also, the lever is a bit sticky, but I'm sure that will break in with time. The stock is beautiful, though.

What do you guys say? Am I off-base in being disappointed or is this the norm for the round barreled rifles? Should I give Henry a call and gripe about it?Thanks for any enlightenment you can give.

Walt
Santa Maria, Ca

The barrel on my H001 is smooth and shiny. Give them a call. Let us know how you make out.

I haven't seen any of the sidegates in person, but
I will say that, that sounds a lot like the finish on the BBS's.
I was rather disappointed when I saw them the first time, and
still ain't crazy about it.
I'd rather have a true Blued finish like the BBB's, and my Marlin and Winchesters.

RP

first, congrats on your new 38-55 .... have you fired it yet .. .. what are your plans for it ..? .. only you can make the decision about the finish on your rifle .... if you should decide that you flat out don't want to keep it as is, your best bet is to call Henry .... please be sure to go back to our How Many ? thread and add it

I have a BBS 44M and I was also a bit let down after unboxing it. I love that matte black finish on the receiver but the barrel is not the smooth blued high gloss that other rifles have. Then I remembered that I contacted Anthony years ago begging for an option other than the high polished brass rifles because I use it to hunt with and I just couldn't imagine hunting with the highly reflective finishes. I had my BBS 44M for some time now and my worries about that the rough barrel might easily rust have passed. Never happened! Still looks great after a swift light clean up! A hunter couldn't ask for a better rifle! IF one wants the impressive high polish he should order one of them. Thanks to HRA for expanding their product lines!

Should I give Henry a call and gripe about it?

Well you can but I don't know what good it will do you.

When I saw my first BBS I was somewhat taken aside about the 'satin' blue finish on the one I looked at and the appearance is similar to what you are describing.

Shortcuts, cost savings, faster production you name it.

Like I said, I haven't seen one in person.
So your saying that the side gate barrels have the same finish as the BBS's?

RP

Thanks, folks, for all your sage replies.
I'll give Henry a call Monday and let them know that, whether this is 'standard' finish for this rifle or not, it's not what I expect from Henry.
I'll add my purchase to the 'count'
-walt

BBB 357
BBB 45 Colt
45-70
38-55 Side gate

JEBar wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 22, 2019 7:41 pm

first, congrats on your new 38-55 .... have you fired it yet .. .. what are your plans for it ..? .. only you can make the decision about the finish on your rifle .... if you should decide that you flat out don't want to keep it as is, your best bet is to call Henry .... please be sure to go back to our How Many ? thread and add it

I am 72. I don't hunt anymore but am an avid shooter, reloader and caster. This will be a purely a recreational shooter. A couple of years ago, I was handed down a 100+ y/o Ideal Tool Co reloading tool in 38-55. It originially belonged to a family member who, like me, was a hunter, shooter and motorcyclist. I have photos of Daniel with his early 1900's Indian, Winchester and the tool.The rifle he had may have actully been a Marlin..hard to tell in the old photos. I've recondidtioned the tool, given to me in sad shape, to usable condiditon and have cast bullets (.379") and created dummy rounds with. Since receiving the tool, it's been an ambiion of mine to re-create his photo. I tried to find a suitable Winchester in 38-55.. but it's the hen's tooth thing. Henry came through, and now I have the rifle to go with the reloading tool. I haven't slugged the barrel yet, but I'm expecting to find .376" as the groove diameter. I'll have to size the bullets coming out of the Ideal tool.

Well, two outa three, um a what kinda Harley ya got?
I ride a Road king myself.
Would love to see the old picture, and then your rendition.
I was thinking about a Henry in 38-55 a little, but
now I believe I will keep an eye out for one of the Marlin Cowboys.

RP

wbunning wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 22, 2019 9:08 pm

I am 72. I don't hunt anymore but am an avid shooter, reloader and caster. This will be a purely a recreational shooter.

also being 72 (a few weeks short of 73), well understood .... my boys tell me that my hunting days aren't over and I hope that's the case .... that said, I tend to believe my shooting from now on will be on a range of some sort

Vaquero wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 22, 2019 9:22 pm

Well, two outa three, um a what kinda Harley ya got?
I ride a Road king myself.
Would love to see the old picture, and then your rendition.
I was thinking about a Henry in 38-55 a little, but
now I believe I will keep an eye out for one of the Marlin Cowboys.

RP

I don’t have a way to post a photo here, sorry. But I’m riding Beemers these days. I only had one Harley..back when AMF owned HD, so you know how that went.

wbunning wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 22, 2019 11:29 pm

I don’t have a way to post a photo here, sorry.

if you can take pictures and save them on a computer, posting pictures on this form is a very simple process .... should you be interested, send me a Private Message and I'll be happy to walk you through the process

I tried to find a suitable Winchester in 38-55.. but it's the hen's tooth thing.

Ain't this the truth!

Winchesters in the 'other' calibers are out there but are getting real hard to find - and in good condition.

A few years ago I was looking for one in .25-35 and all I was finding was junk. I did find a nice one however but it was a carbine and I was looking for a 'rifle' with an octagon barrel.

.
Nothing to loose by calling and asking.

wbunning wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 22, 2019 7:08 pm

After a long wait, I finally picked up my new side gate 38-55. I have 3 octagon barreled Henrys, and the blue is mirror like and smooth. This being my first round barrel, I was very disappointed in the finish of the barrel and mag tube. They seem quite rough compared to the smooth finishes on the octagons. As you run a fingernail down the length, one can feel the roughness, as though there was no polishing between turning the barrel and bluing. Maybe that's how the round barrels all are? Also, the lever is a bit sticky, but I'm sure that will break in with time. The stock is beautiful, though.

What do you guys say? Am I off-base in being disappointed or is this the norm for the round barreled rifles? Should I give Henry a call and gripe about it?Thanks for any enlightenment you can give.

Walt
Santa Maria, Ca

Am I off-base in being disappointed or is this the norm for the round barreled rifles?

Well, unfortunately only you can answer this for yourself. I'm thinking this is something that began to 'nag' at you later after buying it.

Of the couple BBS rifles I have looked at I would say it is the norm as the finish on them is basically what you are describing on yours. I think i'd call it a 'matte' blue.

If you call them it will be interesting to hear what they say. I know what I would say but I'm not them. It's not like its a warrantable issue so they'll Probably buy you off with a box of freebies!

I understand completely however as I previously mentioned I too am dealing with a small gun dissatisfaction issue myself (non-Henry and not quality related)

Ok. So I contacted a couple of other folks who have this rifle.. and that IS, in fact, the 'standard' finish. Apparently it is as others have said, the same as on the BBS rifles.

Also, I slugged the barrel, and it came in right at .376" for those who are interested.
Thank you all for your comments and assistance with this.

good to be able to move on .... now looking forward to range reports and use observations as you become better acquainted with your 38-55

It's a good deer thumper that's for certain.

RP

.
Thanks for wrapping up for us.

wbunning wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 30, 2019 10:27 am

Ok. So I contacted a couple of other folks who have this rifle.. and that IS, in fact, the 'standard' finish. Apparently it is as others have said, the same as on the BBS rifles. ...