Side Gate vs Tube Feed

[clovishound]

My buddy has a new Marlin in 44. I'm not at all impressed with the loading gate on it. The only issue I've had with the Henry system was launching the tube. That hasn't happened in quite a while, though.

[RanchRoper]

The Uberti 1873 I recently handled in the local store here had a very well crafted loading gate, and I checked the edges as I imagined loading it. Quite smooth and well machined. In my opinion, my 1860 has an old school cool factor when loading from the muzzle, but after handling an 1873 "the gun that won the west", it is no less cool. Either way, a lever action is history in your hands, and I respect HRA for keeping that "Henry-factor" on their rifles.

[tx gunrunner]

The Uberti 1873 I recently handled in the local store here had a very well crafted loading gate, and I checked the edges as I imagined loading it. Quite smooth and well machined. In my opinion, my 1860 has an old school cool factor when loading from the muzzle, but after handling an 1873 "the gun that won the west", it is no less cool. Either way, a lever action is history in your hands, and I respect HRA for keeping that "Henry-factor" on their rifles.

I love the way the 1860 Henry loads ammo and think when it come to reloading ammo into a gun it is the best and easiest , but remember why the 1866 and 1873 was designed was too add forearm . The 1860 is a perfect except hot barrel and dirt getting in ammo tube and the need to repositioning grip when firing it and a forearm fix that and NO OTHER changes ever done on the 1860 Henry . That was the best action ever made even today market .

P.S. if you ever decide to shoot black powder switch to 44-40 the bottle neck brass seals the chamber and keeps the dirt in barrel and not into the action .

[RanchRoper]

An iron frame in 44-40 would be very cool to have too now that you mention it...

[Ojaileveraction]

Like tractortad I too have been seeing bits of lead and brass scraped off rounds when loading my new marlin.

At a silhouette match the shooter is required to load at the firing line during a 30 sec interval. It is more complicated to load my BB 357, needing something to put the rifle but on profferedly not on the ground , a bench or a chair as a last resort the toe of my boot. Then move the tube into loading position and hold it there with the off hand all the while keeping that off hand away from the muzzle while loading.

The Marlins are easier to load under those conditions. Bend the knee, put rifle but on thigh with the load gate up, load.

[y2k-fxst]

I got my rifle for hunting purposes not competition, so fast reloads are not my primary concern. As far as I'm concerned if your worried about fast reloads hunting you need more range time! For hunting I like the fact that the Henry can be unloaded without cycling all the rounds through the chamber. In Iowa guns have to be unloaded for transport. One my rifle I can have 10 rounds in the magazine, that is more than enough for a full days hunt, and when I get to the vehicle all I have to do is dump out all the rounds and then cycle the one out of the chamber.

Also some familiar with Iowa laws will point out that you do not have to unload the rifle for transport if you have you concealed carry permit. I do have mine but, still unload it when hunting. It just makes getting along with the DNR easier if you get checked, they are less likely to go through your group with a fine tooth comb looking for some minor thing they can gripe about. I also take my orange off while traveling on the road to lessen the chance of getting checked!

[Conax]

Both my Marlins (1894 cowboy LTD and an old 336c .30-30) scraped brass off the casing and got tighter and harder to shove in the last couple rounds. Then to unload you throw live rounds out the ejector port. Hickock 45 of Youtube fame (great guy and a fine shot) complained the entire review of a Henry. Then he was shooting a Marlin and every time he got to the last couple rounds he used another round (instead of his sore fingertip) to force those in through the gate. Visibly struggling, he still defends the loading gate like it was a religion or something. He was loading a Rossi (I think) and managed to jam it and had to dig the round loose with a screwdriver, yet he still defends.
The possible scenarios where the gate would be 'better' might be loading up as you slog through a waist deep swamp, the tube could fall in the water. Or maybe in combat, you can easily top off the load. Who goes into combat with a big bore lever gun? Who wades in the swamp to reload?

The Henry tube is no stress, drop them in and they slide down, shove the tube back in and finito. With its transfer bar safety setup and an empty chamber I don't understand the complaint about 'hand in front of the muzzle'. Sometimes when I'm cleaning my rifle I actually eyeball right down the barrel! I must be a reckless fool to try such a dangerous stunt, eh?
It is really just tradition and too many cowboy movies, all showcasing the 1892 winchesters with the holy gate.

[Conax]

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

Good comment, I laughed because I got the same flak the other day. Point it down range at all times! I learned to slant it upward enough to reach things and have the bullets smoothly slide down, but not enough to set off Mr Officer's alarm bells.
The thing that makes it harder to lock in the tube is the spring inside. With a full tube it's compressed fully. I welcome the positive locking even if it takes a bit of effort (just a bit now, really) to twist it to lock.
Leave the tube in place, at the right angle, with careful handling, it won't fall out. It just sticks out looking a little strange to the Marlin guys.

[Ojaileveraction]

You can unload a Marlin 336 using the
Loading gate.
Learned how today, there is a YouTube video, and I've been practicing.
VIDEO IS. "marlin 1895 loading and unloading"

[JEBar]

You can unload a Marlin 336 using the
Loading gate.
Learned how today, there is a YouTube video, and I've been practicing.
VIDEO IS. "marlin 1895 loading and unloading"

link to above video ===> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCn3fxRhmB8

note in the link that the shells unloaded through the gate aren't pushed in all the way so as to allow the gate to fully close ....

[Ojaileveraction]

note in the link that the shells unloaded through the gate aren't pushed in all the way so as to allow the gate to fully close ....

I respectfully disagree.
The gate probably has been worked on. With practice I can fully load and unload through the gate with my two older (late 20th century) Marlins but it's not practical with my 2 and 3 year olds stiff and sharp edged gates.

[JEBar]

The gate probably has been worked on. With practice I can fully load and unload through the gate with my two older (late 20th century) Marlins but it's not practical with my 2 and 3 year olds stiff and sharp edged gates.

10-4, info appreciated .... that's good to know .... I've never seen one with such a mod, that would really be interesting

[RanchRoper]

Well wadda ya know...I learned something new today!

[Oksrt]

Tube feed allows the barrel to cool while I reload.

[Henry88]

I was surprised that Hickok45 made such a big deal of the tube loading in his review of one of the Henrys.

He must have mentioned it 5X in a 20 min video. I guess he is just so invested in his old Winchesters and Marlins.

[GFK]

You can unload a Marlin 336 using the
Loading gate.
Learned how today, there is a YouTube video, and I've been practicing.
VIDEO IS. "marlin 1895 loading and unloading"

link to above video ===> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCn3fxRhmB8

note in the link that the shells unloaded through the gate aren't pushed in all the way so as to allow the gate to fully close ....

Interesting.

Thanks.

[y2k-fxst]

Don't think I could get my fat fingers to operate the gate like in the video. That and the longer gate on a .45-70 would be easier to manipulate than one for a .44 mag.

[JEBar]

not long ago I loaded a some rounds for my Grandfather's Winchester Model 94 30-30 .... its been years since it had been fired and I decided I wanted to take it out yesterday .... collectively we fired over 100 rounds through and it didn't take me anywhere near that many to decide that I no longer like loading via a side gate .... our Henry rifles have convinced me that I much prefer using a feed tube ..

[BigAl52]

When I first posted a comment about this subject I never thought it would carry on this far. I havent been there for a while because personally for me I have some reservations about the forum I just came from. I was there just reading some threads that I hadnt seen for obvious reasons. So now there is a thread there started by one of the frequent posters there who happens to like Henrys. But he has this poll started , would you buy a Henry if they had a loading gate. He is convinced that if he gets enough people to chime in on it he will send it to Anthony and they will make there appeal to have Henry do this. Really!!!! I wanted to post there on the subject but I resisted. Im thinking that its a totally ridiculous pole. Dont know what others here think but Im wondering if I start a pole for GM to change the tailgate on there pickups to one like Ford has with the ladder to get up into the bed if you guys would buy a Chevy.

[RanchRoper]

Here's the best, or worst of both worlds.