Side Gate vs Tube Feed

[clovishound]

I've tried side loading gates. Made me glad I have a front loader.

Loading handgun caliber cartridges through a gate is easy. Loading 30-30's is often not fun at all.

Actually, the Marlin I shot was a handgun caliber, .44. What a pain IMO.

[tx gunrunner]

Actually, the Marlin I shot was a handgun caliber, .44. What a pain IMO.

Most SASS/CAS shooter use a pusher to feed the gun . Makes it super easy on the fingers if you shoot a lot like in a match . The 1860 Henry has the best loading port . The only drawback with the 1860 is NO forearm and the shell pusher moving down the barrel to where you must move your hand .

[RanchRoper]

I'll have to practice loading the 1860 at a full gallop....uh, maybe not.

[Squib308]

at first I found the tube feed system to be a disadvantage to the HRA rifles. however over time and more extended use I've come to actually prefer the tube loading system because it's robust, simple and easy to clean. it's substantially easier to load while wearing gloves, at least for me. to me the only real advantage to side loading is that it can be done quicker and can load a +1 into chamber much more safely. with the HRA I'm not convinced there's any safe way to truly top off the gun, since that would require manipulating the feeding tube while a round is chambered....no thanks. however those are two very minor issues. in general I prefer the henry system and I never thought I would say that.

[red ryder]

This is something the range owner, Henry hater and avid SASS participant has told me. It sounds like one of those things that "maybe true, but sounds mighty strange". Loading the Henry tube with cartridges is dangerous. He has seen someone loading a Henry and a cartridge went off as it hit the next cartridge in the tube. It just seems that as the cartridge drops even if the tube is at 90°to the ground, the falling cartridge would not have enough momentum to go off. Has anybody ever heard of this? I doubt Mr. Imperato would allow such an obvious legal liability to exist. To quote my late mother: "Believe nothing of what you hear and half of what you see". Your thoughts are welcome.

[bdbrown66]

I'll believe that when someone shows me proof that it happened, with proper (ie. non-pointed) ammo.

[2fewdaysafield]

A lot of people seem to get their knickers in a twist over the loading gate vs tube load issue. I have both and neither one bothers me a bit.

[tx gunrunner]

I'll believe that when someone shows me proof that it happened, with proper (ie. non-pointed) ammo.

I'm with you .......... I prefer the side gate loading but there is no way with the correct bullet in tube feed will ever fire from sliding a bullet down a tube .

[BigAl52]

This is something the range owner, Henry hater and avid SASS participant has told me. It sounds like one of those things that "maybe true, but sounds mighty strange". Loading the Henry tube with cartridges is dangerous. He has seen someone loading a Henry and a cartridge went off as it hit the next cartridge in the tube. It just seems that as the cartridge drops even if the tube is at 90°to the ground, the falling cartridge would not have enough momentum to go off. Has anybody ever heard of this? I doubt Mr. Imperato would allow such an obvious legal liability to exist. To quote my late mother: "Believe nothing of what you hear and half of what you see". Your thoughts are welcome.

Im with the others prove it. This belief has been passed around for quite sometime.The only reason I believe its still passed around is because the person claiming this at the time hates tube feed so much hes looking for some lame excuse to never own one. Al

[red ryder]

[/quote]I'm with the others prove it. This belief has been passed around for quite sometime.The only reason I believe it's still passed around is because the person claiming this at the time hates tube feed so much he's looking for some lame excuse to never own one. Al[/quote]

I think you nailed it. The claim as I hope I indicated, is absurd.

[RanchRoper]

Agree. Just the same, I'll load my 1860 on a slant.

[SloopJohnB]

Agree. Just the same, I'll load my 1860 on a slant.

Yeah, I am just enough of a worrier that I too will continue to load on a slant. One other aspect -- the most vulnerable feed is the second round down the tube. That is the round that will have the furthest drop with the most impact on the waiting bullet nose.

[Ziggidy]

I am a new lever user BB 357, and have never used a side gate. Knowing this I cannot comment of the differences but will comment on my 150 rounds in my Henry bb.

At the indoor range I was loading the tube and the ranger came by and said I have to make sure the barrel was pointed downrange. Ok, I understand that but that is where my difficulty was. I have short arms and to try to angle the barrel and put the rod in, is not too easy for a newbie. I keep fearing the rod would slip and go flying down range (never did).

I just need more practice.

One question in regards to the tube. Does it smooth out after time? Over the years I have lost some hand strength and turning the tube is accomplished, but not as easy as I'd like it. Does the locking mechanism become easier with time?

Thanks

[RanchRoper]

Mine is tight but not unmanageable. I hear ya on the brass rod flying out. I thought of that too the first couple of times loading but seems pretty easy and natural now.

[SloopJohnB]

I am a new lever user BB 357, and have never used a side gate. Knowing this I cannot comment of the differences but will comment on my 150 rounds in my Henry bb.

At the indoor range I was loading the tube and the ranger came by and said I have to make sure the barrel was pointed downrange. Ok, I understand that but that is where my difficulty was. I have short arms and to try to angle the barrel and put the rod in, is not too easy for a newbie. I keep fearing the rod would slip and go flying down range (never did).

I just need more practice.

One question in regards to the tube. Does it smooth out after time? Over the years I have lost some hand strength and turning the tube is accomplished, but not as easy as I'd like it. Does the locking mechanism become easier with time?

Thanks

Not a lot of room to work with at an indoor range with the general rule of keeping the weapon pointed downrange. So, I have learned to simply remove the rod and set it on the bench to where it won't fall off. Then I take the rifle, turn it over, point it generally in a "downrange" direction but also angled up at about 45 degrees.

As for the locking mechanism -- I've also found that when it hasn't been used in a while, the first time at the range is a beech. After that (I always do five 10 round loads) it is relatively easy.

[JNG3]

The quibbling over the lack of a darn side loading gate is childish. I've owned a 30-30 336, a 30-30 94 and now a BBS in .357. I don't miss the side loading gate. Nor do I miss the half cock. Simpler is sometimes better.

[JEBar]

The quibbling over the lack of a darn side loading gate is childish. I've owned a 30-30 336, a 30-30 94 and now a BBS in .357. I don't miss the side loading gate. Nor do I miss the half cock. Simpler is sometimes better.

welcome aboard, happy to have you join us .... please take a look at our How Many ? thread (link below) and add your BBS to our community total

http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... 318#p39318

[Ojaileveraction]

The only time I think a Side Gate would make a difference to me would be in a Combat Situation.

[Yornoc3]

Actually, the tube loading feature for center fire rifles is what draws me to consider a Henry lever action. If you've ever sifted through the snow looking for a round or two that escaped while unloading other lever actions, you know why I say that .

[DAVIDF]

The only time I think a Side Gate would make a difference to me would be in a Combat Situation.

Agreed, and then only in a situation where there is a safe moment to top off the magazine tube. When firing a single shot after running dry, it is still faster to load a single round thru the ejection port.