2 issues with a new Henry Homesteader (Model H027-H9)

[zaitcev]

SAFETY ISSUE

After dry firing the gun (the same as if you had a failure to fire a live round ) and after I applied the safety, I could not retract the charging handle all the way to the rear. It only comes back 3/4”.

The fire control group of Homesteader is based on AK and this feature is intrinsic in that design. One might think that the selector dust cover prevents charging while on safe, but that is not the whole story. Even with the cover torn away, if you used pliers to engage the safety on AK, you would not be able to charge the gun.

The reason is, the safety prevents a motion of the trigger. However, the trigger must move a little in order to admit the hammer behind the sear. As the bolt depresses the hammer, it impinges upon the trigger and prevents further motion.

Personally, I would prefer that gun could be cocked while on safe. Ruger PC allows that. But I don't think that such design makes the gun unsafe.

[zaitcev]

I am wondering will the Homesteader fire without a magazine?

Yes. It's no different from AK in that.