loading tube

[The Wiz]

Newbie. Just got my .357 bb and put thru about 35 rounds and is a fine rifle. Except that the loading tube is real bear to unlock and lock. It takes a lot of strength and contortions to get bullets loaded. Even when it is unloaded it is real pain to turn the tube. Is there a trick to it that I am missing? A modification that I need to do? I have oiled the tube to make it slippery but no avail. I push down and turn but there is little play. I am bout the take the rifle back to the dealer and get something else non Henry. Help!!!

[BigAl52]

Just to clarify here, is it the tube is going down hard or its hard to unlock it?

[CT_Shooter]

Welcome to the forum, Wiz. The magazine tube has an O ring that will loosen up after a while. Others have quickened the process by shaving it a bit with a blade. If you poke around this forum, you'll find that it is not unheard of for it to be a bit snug at first. You might just spend a little time opening and closing it to break it in. Eventually, it will loosen up. Keep us posted.

[Sir Henry]

Contact Henry and tell them. They might just send you another inner tube.

[y2k-fxst]

Try some lube on the o-ring. Mine was very stiff right out of the box. But, after cleaning the first time and wiping everything down with RIG grease it turns a lot easier. Still has a positive feel to it as it should but, is a lot better than trying to turn a dry rubber o-ring sandwiched between 2 pieces of steel.

[shootinthecinders]

I have the same problem Wiz. I had lightly greased the “o” ring but it didn’t help. I contacted Henry and they suggested that I send the rifle in to them. I didn’t want to do that as I had only had it for three days. I had been working the latch many, many times over that three day period. I asked about removing the “o” ring and they said to try it. It had ample pressure on the tube; but after firing it a few times, it eventually launched itself about every five rounds. The thickness of the “o” ring was 1/16”. I think if I had been able to find one that was 1/32” in thickness, it would have been perfect. Another issue popped up while shooting so my rifle is back at Henry right now. I hope you are able to resolve the issue to your satisfaction.
Let Henry know about this so they can correct whatever has changed in their process. This is the third mention I’ve heard or experienced within the last three weeks.

[Sir Henry]

Ace Hardware sells O-rings. I went there to replace the OEM ring on my H001's with a slightly thicker one.

[The Wiz]

Thanks everyone for the info. I'll try the lube. I been trying to file the "o" ring with little success. However, since I down sized, all my files are at my son's house about a day away. So I'm using a nail file. Desperate measures for desperate times, huh? I'll try at Lowes tomorrow for the smaller size and give Henry a call. Thanks again.

[dave77]

Mine is pretty snug, I put a little lube on the o-ring and it did help. As long as I can turn it I'd rather have it a little tight than a little loose.

[shootinthecinders]

Wiz, I received my rifle back last night. As it turned out, the correction was made to the outer mag tube. The narrow metal piece at the opening of the latch was too long so Henry repair shortened that piece. It is a good firm hold not to the extreme degree it was before sending it in. It was something I would have done myself if I didn’t have to send it in for another reason. But the easier fix for me would have been a thinner “o” ring as mentioned above. None of the local hardware stores had the thinner width in the correct od and id. I understand your frustration but the problem is solvable and worth it; especially if you’re happy with every other aspect of the rifle. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[The Wiz]

Question. Why not do away with the o ring. What does it do besides causing frustration. Just asking?

[The Wiz]

Why not just remove the ring. What does it do?

[RanchRoper]

I'd ask HRA about removing the o-ring. Maybe an issue, maybe not. But it's there for some reason.

[The Wiz]

update:
Just before I went looking for a smaller O ring as suggested , I took off the ring and soaked in a puddle of WD40. After my unsuccessful hunt for the elusive O ring ( about 2 hours, 3 hardware stores) I slipped it back on. Miracles of miracles, it started to turn much easier and continues to be easier. I been trying it about every couple hours to see if continues to compress. I guess if starts to become hard to turn, off it comes and sits in a puddle. Tomorrow I plan give the Henry a work out that it so richly deserves.

The thing that bothers me the most, is that I had high expectations. And to be stymied by a $.20 O ring on a $700 rifle just roasted by butt!
Thanks again everybody.

Mike

[dave77]

Did you try it with o-ring removed? I was thinking it might be too loose with no o-ring.

If you do decide you want a smaller o-ring you might try an auto parts store, there's a small independant one here and they have a good selection of o-rings.

[shootinthecinders]

Thanks for the update Wiz. I understand the expectations and think the same way.
To answer your earlier question about even needing an o ring, I can relate my experience. When I removed the o ring the inner mag tube fit was firm and snug even unloaded. But as the mag tube was emptied and the spring became less compressed, there wasn’t as much resistance on the inner mag tube. This allowed some play in the tube latch. With the added recoil, though seemingly light, it was just enough to cause the inner mag tube to unlatch. Most times it just popped out about 3” but other times it launched the tube. All this occurred after the fifth or later round. After sending it back to Henry and subsequent range test, it now works as it should.
Glad that you have resolved the problem.

[Vaquero]

Well, I hope you had a good outting yesterday.

RP

[The Wiz]

I put thru about fifty rounds and with no change on the rear sight, as it came out of the box, I was pretty consistent in the center circle. That was at twenty yards. At 27 yds., ( indoor range max), first three were low then raise my aim point and back on target. I wish I could be that consistent at 7 yds with my .38 LCR. The rifle was perfect and that *&*& O ring was soft and compressed well. I was using Winchester .357 mag. 110 gr. Good time and met some new friends.

[Cofisher]

Funny how new friends show up when you bring out your Henry. Gotta love it.

[RanchRoper]

Glad it worked out. If you ever have to hunt for o-rings again, try any heavy equipt of ag dealer; their parts dept will lots of sizes, and they'll like just give you a couple.