Three to the range

[bandit1250]

Got a chance to go shoot today and took a CZ FS 22 LR, a Marlin 39A from 1975 and a Tikka Continental Varmint in 223 Rem. Didn't plan on doing any thing but some shooting for fun. While I was there a guy showed up to shoot his Henry Frontier 22. Was a nice looking rifle and the wood was close to my Frontier for nice figure in the grain. He said he was having trouble with it jamming. I asked if it was jamming when straight up or when canting it to the side to see if there is a round coming up to chamber. It was the canting position that was giving him the problem. I told him my Frontier does the same thing when canted to the side even if slightly canted over from straight up. So we talked a while and he saw the Marlin 39A on the table and asked if it does the same thing. I told him no and they are made different than the Henry and have a cartridge guide in the top to guide the round in the chamber. So he had to see it work for him to believe it would not jam. I put 5 rounds in and canted it real far to the left and cycled them through and it worked as smooth as silk. He couldn't believe it didn't jam canted so far over to the side. So I said "Watch this." I put 5 rounds back in and turned it upside down and cycled them through and it fed every one and ejected every one just like upright. He said " Now I want a Marlin 39." I told him he has a fine lever rifle now and just quit canting it over to see if the rounds are going in the chamber. He is afraid of dry firing it when it is getting to where he thinks it is out of rounds. I told him shoot it and don't worry about it or put a CCI quiet in for the last shot or a snap cap and you will know when you are at the end. So I did get to shoot before the wind really kicked up. Maybe get another trip over to shoot again this week.

[RetiredSeabee]

You took three fine rifles out for some fresh air. I still drool a little when I run across a 39A. Hope the gentleman gets used to the Henry and doesn’t give up on it.
I have never had my Mare’s Leg jam on me. But I don’t recall ever working the lever with it canted. When I do lose track of my round count after a shot I eject the last round fired then tilt the gun to see if I have a round in the ramp. Then turn the gun back to vertical before closing the lever.

[bandit1250]

[quote="RetiredSeabee"] Hope the gentleman gets used to the Henry and doesn’t give up on it.

I don't believe he will get rid of it even if he does get a 39A. I think he can get used to not leaning it over. He said his Grandfather left it to him so I would say it is a keeper.

[Henry88]

Hey guys I meant to comment on this thread earlier....

So, I just loaded my Classic with some thunderturds I had lying about.

With 5 shots in the tube I rotated it onto it's left side (90 deg) and fed and ejected the first round. Then I rotated 180 deg on it's right side and ejected that round (with the ejection port facing down) out and fed another round. Then I turned the gun completely upside down ( I kid you not) and ejected that round and loaded another round which I ejected, finally turning the gun back to normal and ejecting the last one or two.

Is the Classic different from the Frontier or did I just happen to get a good one ?

In THOUSANDS of rounds it has never failed to load since it was brand new and I cycled it in slow motion. Now you can even cycle it in slow motion I think and it still will not jam. It has never failed to eject.

I wonder what could be different about the Frontier model ?

[bandit1250]

Henry88,Nothing different that I know of in the action on a Frontier. I was just stating that the guy with the Frontier jams just like mine if tilted to the left by a few degrees. Well I took 5 rounds out side and loaded mine and tried it with the ejection side up. First time around it loaded and ejected two out of five. Second try it loaded one out of five and all the failures to load the bullet lodged above the top edge of chamber against the top of the action. Had to push the cartridge back with a screw driver for it to drop down and then it feed by holding it upright So I then loaded it again and tried it up side down like I did the Marlin. All five failed to load and had to be pushed back with the screw driver. We don't shoot up side down so that really means nothing. I never said I don't like my Frontier because I do like it. I will not send it back for any service because it was a gift from my wife and has nice wood and I am afraid they won't send it back and maybe replace it. I know the limitations on mine feeding well and I just don't tilt it over. Seems to me I read other owners on Rim Fire Central that had failures when tilting to the left. Henry88 I am glad yours works well for and the way they should work.
Have a good day and good shooting to you.