How do you load your Henry rimfire rifle.

[Joe.45]

Hi guys, according to the Henry booklet that we all get with the gun, we should load the rifle with the hammer down and action closed.
In at least one of his videos, Hickok45, a shooting idol for many gun owners, loads his Henry rimfire with hammer up and action open.
How do you guys do it?

[Mags]

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First round in the mag tube might partially enter the receiver if the lever is open and get jammed when trying to close the lever.

[CT_Shooter]

I've always loaded both of my Henrys with the action closed and the hammer down, but I recently began shooting at a State managed range where they insisted on loading with the action open. It didn't cause any trouble; it just meant having to work the lever twice in order to chamber the first round.

[Cowpokey]

Action closed, hammer down.

[Ojaileveraction]

With lever open, another cartridge is blocked from entering the receiver. That's how it's designed.

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First round in the mag tube might partially enter the receiver if the lever is open and get jammed when trying to close the lever.

[markiver54]

Action closed, hammer down.

Ditto!

[Cofisher]

If I had one, I'd use the speed e loader. The only way I load my 357 is with the lever closed.

[shootinthecinders]

Although I’ve viewed several videos that demonstrate loading with the lever open, I load mine as the manual states “To load the magazine tube, first place the hammer in the safety position.” You can’t place the hammer in the safety position with the lever open.
I tested open lever loading the other day and then dumped the mag tube. It was short one round which was sitting in the carrier and that isn’t a good situation.

[shootinthecinders]

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First round in the mag tube might partially enter the receiver if the lever is open and get jammed when trying to close the lever.

in my case it completely entered the carrier and fed into the chamber on the second lever movement. I had completely disassembled the action prior to this and polished the carrier. I don’t think that would have made any difference.

[jstraw]

I load as the booklets instructs. Just makes the most sense to me. All other lever guns I load with lever closed and hammer down or at half-cock as well. Open action just seems unorthodox and as stated requires an extra cycle of the action. I would rather use that cycle after shooting to double check an empty chamber and magazine.
JMHO.

[markiver54]

I load as the booklets instructs. Just makes the most sense to me. All other lever guns I load with lever closed and hammer down or at half-cock as well. Open action just seems unorthodox and as stated requires an extra cycle of the action. I would rather use that cycle after shooting to double check an empty chamber and magazine.
JMHO.

To any 'inquiring ' mind, who wants to be safe and have everything work as it is suppose to, jstraw sums it up!

[Lyman]

Action closed hammer down or safe is the only way that makes sense to me.

[Ojaileveraction]

but I recently began shooting at a State managed range where they insisted on loading with the action open. It didn't cause any trouble; it just meant having to work the lever twice in order to chamber the first round.

In an organized shooting situation RSOs like to see open actions because an open action is a safe action.
At a local range that shoots various silhouette matches, their tradition is at the 'load' command they have open their actions open when loading their tubular magazine rimfire rifles.
"When in Roam..."
It good to know that it can be done safely with no more than a extra pump of the lever.
Tim

[jstraw]

During N-SSA matches the Henry 1860 lever action repeaters are loaded with closed action once the command from the main tower is given. Also stressed is to keep the arm pointed down range while loading the magazine and never allow the muzzle to point over the skyline while on the firing line.This shooting organization conducts many and some very large matches. The aspect stressed as number one is safety. Once the timed rapid fire match is over, then the action must be cycled, remain open and a pencil or short brass rod inserted in the tube mag to the receiver . The line safety for that individual or team then has visual verification that the arm is indeed safe and no rounds in the chamber, carrier block or magazine. Only then is the shooter allowed to leave the line of fire.
I don't mean this to argue any point. I in fact find the differences of opinion and reasoning interesting. I just post this to bring more information forward which some may find of interest.

[BigAl52]

Action closed and hammer down for me. Always have and always will.

[Rifletom]

Yep, action closed, hammer down. On my .357 and .45 Colt. Same for my 39a[rimfire].

[Vaquero]

Action closed and hammer down for me. Always have and always will.

This...

RP

[Chucksolo1]

Yep, hammer on quarter cock with action closed. Whenever I finish shooting, I automatically put the hammer on quarter cock.

[JEBar]

I've always loaded both of my Henrys with the action closed and the hammer down, but I recently began shooting at a State managed range where they insisted on loading with the action open.

we also load our centerfire Henry rifles with the action closed and hammer down .... that would also be the case if we owned a Henry 22 .... to date the only state operated ranges we have visited have been in Missouri .... the only cautions in loading ours I've had about loading ours has been to keep the muzzle down range and close to level as possible .... both made sense to me and haven't proven to be difficult to follow

[Mags]

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The Long Ranger, also a centerfire, can't be loaded with the action open. The lever blocks the magazine port.