Brand New Henry 44mag Big Boy (failure to fire)

[JCPOST]

Hi…new to the forum, Henry Rifles, and lever action—not new to guns.

I just received a new 44 mag, Steel Big Boy Rifle. I fired 10 240 grain, 44 mag cartridges through it and it functioned perfectly—more fun than I had imagined!

I cleaned it and took it out a few days later and nothing…complete failure to fire — no lite primer strike, looked like it had never been touched.

After figuring out how to remove the bolt It looks like something’s broke or missing. What ever the piece is between the front and rear firing pin is just dangling, with no tension on it.

Any ideas?

Thanks

[BigAl52]

I would call Henry tomorrow and tell them of your issue. Sounds like a broken firing pin. Im sure they will send you a return box and label. Not what a guy wants to do with a new rifle but I have had to do it myself a couple of times. Welcome to the forum.

[JCPOST]

Yep, figured might need to go that route—thanks

[Ernie]

Welcome to the forum. Sometimes stuff happens. I had to send a new rifle in. Henry received it, repaired it and shipped it back out in 4 days. Not what you want to do with a new rifle but they will take care of you. Great customer service.

[JEBar]

welcome indeed, delighted to have you join our forum .... our BBS 44Mag has proven to be an excellent rifle that is fun to fire .... I agree with contacting Henry, you will find their customer service to be outstanding .... be sure to take a look at this thread ===> http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... 98#p185998 and add your Henry to our community's total ... also, take a look at our Forum News area at the requirements necessary to enter our current drawing .... you have plenty of time to qualify

[John E Davies]

Oooos, that is unfortunate. Mine would not feed rounds. How is the trigger? If it is like mine (very horrible) ask them to fix it too. I forgot, and they did nothing abut it, though it now feeds very slickly.

John Davies
Spokane WA

[JCPOST]

Trigger is great…what was odd is it fired fine (zero malfunctions) and then would not fire at all the next time out.

Just a freak coincidence it “broke” right after my last cartridge?

[Vaquero]

Too bad they won't send you a replacement firing pin, heck it's only about a 15-20 min. fix.

RP

[JCPOST]

I didn’t see how to get at the pin…probably simple but couldn’t find any instructions anywhere…I guess Henry doesn’t want the average shooter breaking down the bolt.

[JCPOST]

I have been messing with guns for over 40 years, who knows how many individual weapons. Assuming my problem is a broken firing pin, it’ll be the first firing pin failure I’ve ever had.

It looks like firing pin failure is not all that unusual with Big Boys. Is it a lever action thing? I don’t recall seeing a double pin setup like my rifle has…Is it something unique to lever action rifles?

This rifle is primarily for hunting and target shooting so reliability isn’t as critical as with my self defense weapons. But obviously a need to get more than 10 rounds out before breaking.

Thanks

[Vaquero]

JC, I hear ya, I've seen and had an issue here and there, but never a firing pin.
The bolt on the Henry, it's very similar to the Marlin 336, I've only replaced one in a Marlin in my entire life.
And it weren't mine, it was that of a friends, he bought a 35 Rem. from the 50's 6 or 7 yrs ago with a broken one.
I've taken them apart and cleaned them on some, but it was the only one I've had to replace in one.
I've had and have a few Marlins, among others as well.

Sorry you had an issue, but Henry will make it right.

[Shakey Jake]

Sorry for your troubles but Henry will make it right. I think I sent mine back three times before it was satisfactory.
Jake

[leverjc]

I agree with everyone's input about Henry's customer service being fast. I have dealt with their customer service many times and they have always been fast and polite.

[JCPOST]

They’re sending me a new pin…I figured out how to disassemble the bolt to get at the pin (s) with some coaching from Henry—it’s easy.

The tip of the front pin was sheered off — looks almost perfectly cut.

Hope this isn’t a chronic problem—I’ve never seen anything like it.

Henry was super responsive—just wish I didn’t have to test their customer service so soon.

[John E Davies]

The tip of the front pin was sheered off — looks almost perfectly cut.

Please post pics of the bad pin next to the good one. thanks.

John Davies
Spokane WA

[JCPOST]

Couldn’t believe how fast they got it here from Jersey to Texas.

Problem is when I took off the spring it snapped—jeez!

It looked delicate so I was careful but obviously not careful enough.

I’m going to ask them to send a spare firing pin and springs—I wouldn’t be surprised if this happens again.

[JCPOST]

New pin…

[Vaquero]

Wow! That was Fast.
I'm really surprised that they actually sent you the pin, you musta convinced them you are a capable smith.
But that is great news to me, for future reference.
Now sorry to see that you broke the spring. Dangit!

RP

[JCPOST]

Question for anyone with experience with these bolt assemblies. Is there a trick to removing and installing the firing pin spring?

I don’t know how much more delicate I can be…I just pushed the arm up carefully to clear the lip. I’m thinking maybe whatever happened with the broken pin may have stressed the spring. I did try a lot of unsuccessful firing after it broke.

Thanks

[JCPOST]

Unbelievable…Henry got a new spring to me the next day…everything’s working now…

I’m guessing Henry has been having some trouble with some batches of firing pins, hopefully it’s fixable…but they did everything within their ability to make it right…