Side Gate Retrofit

[JimCunn]

Has anyone installed a side gate into an H006M .357 Magnum?

[Kissmybrass]

I have that rifle but didn't know that was even a possibility?

[Vaquero]

Has anyone installed a side gate into an H006M .357 Magnum?

You mean changing receivers

RP

[JimCunn]

No, I mean milling a new opening into the side of the receiver and installing a gate from a different gun.
However, if swapping to a brass receiver that contained a gate were an option, I would consider that as well.

[John E Davies]

In case you didn’t notice, the receiver has the serial number and that part is considered to be the actual “gun”, a new one would require a FFL transfer and Henry won’t sell you a receiver! It isn’t the same as the pot metal receiver cover of a rimfire gun, which is purely cosmetic.

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Cutting holes in your rifle will void the warranty, destroy its resale value, and there is no guarantee you could get it to function correctly anyway! If it is even possible, it would have to be a factory modification. Plus it would cost several hundred dollars at least, plus shipping cost both ways, plus down time…. I suggest that you trade your rifle in on a side gate version. Or just live without the gate. I have a BBX and I never use it at all.

John Davies
Spokane WA

[fortyshooter]

Anything can be done if you have the time,equipment and skills. I was told that the side gate receivers were designed a bit different inside to make clearance for the side gate. I had looked into milling the slot and adding a gate but other parts might be needed or modified.
Now that I have the old and new 45 Colt Henry rifles I might take the levers out of both and take a look....compare.
Milling the slot and attaching the loading gate door is no big deal. If the shape of the hard parts is different then you would have to make new pieces or get them from Henry which they might not do.

On my new 45 X model I use the load gate all the time....it's just natural to do so. For quick unloading I use the tube.

[JimCunn]

"Cutting holes in your rifle will void the warranty, destroy its resale value"

How is that a factor? In the 70 years I've been shooting, I have never sold a gun. Don't plan to start now.

Seems to me, if the decision is made to install the gate, you simply do the design first, then do the installation. There is no doubt it can be made to function correctly.

[John E Davies]

Well. if you plan to be buried with your rifle, the mod doesn't matter. But whoever inherits it will be pissed when they can't get full value for it.

I have done some very serious mods to guns over the years, and the ones I sold went at a big loss. Buyers are very suspicious and no gun shop wants a gun that has been home gun-smithed. If you have paperwork for a professional smith, that is very different situation entirely.

John Davies
Spokane WA

[jstanfield103]

I feel that you just resale that rifle and or trade it in on the Kings gate model. There is still a lot of people who like the tube only feed. I have one and really don't mind it. I'm not going to war and if I can't hit what I'm shooting at in 8 rounds then shame on me. So I would just trade it and be safe in not destroying a fine rifle possibly. I too prefer the side gate if available but happy, very happy with mine the way it is.

[GFK]

Interesting. Well, most things are possible. Of course, the warranty will probably be void. But if you have the ability and want it, go for it! People do modify firearms. I remember, the first firearm I that I fired was a sawed off shout gun with a pistol grip. If I remember correctly, it was a double barrel. I did not hold it well. So, the hammer dug in the web of my finger. I was probably about 15 or so. I don't think the man was thinking about resale. He was probably thinking more about usability. It would probably be effective: quick draw, close range. With the way firearms are being track now, it may be an issue though.

[markiver54]

Why all the complications? I'm sorry, but, with all due respect, why don't you just buy one with a side gate instead of butchering a nice rifle? If affordability is an issue, then sell the one you have first. Look at what it would cost you for an expert modification as opposed to just buying what you want. Sorry, but I don't get it.

[JimCunn]

"But whoever inherits it will be pissed when they can't get full value for it.".

Several of my guns have been in the family for four generations now. Several of my books are first editions that are 320 years old and have been in the family for 160. Nobody has sold anything yet, and nobody is P.O.d

[JimCunn]

" If affordability is an issue,"

It's not. Which model is identical to the H006M, but also has the loading gate? Provide me the model #, tell me where I can find one, and I'll buy it. I had to make a 6 hour round trip drive from Memphis to get the H006M. I'd do the same to get an identical rifle with a gate added.

Ya'll would hate what I've done to my three Airweight .38Sp 637-2 J-frames ......
Installed .357Mag titanium cylinders to lighten them up some more, reamed them for 9mm, and cut them for moonclips. Make great little pocket carry guns. They aren't for sale either

"Look at what it would cost you for an expert modification"

It pretty much doesn't cost anything except parts. Why would it?

[JimCunn]

"or trade it in on the Kings gate model".

Please tell me more about this King's gate model.
I haven't been able to find a listing for it.
I'm assuming it has brass receiver, 20" octagonal barrel, and is .357Mag?
I'm intrigued and would like to know more.

[GFK]

Yes, some people are traditionals: if it is not broke, why fix it? And, others like exploring: what if? Me, it depends on the situation. Mostly, I don't fix what is not broken. My moto, to each their own.

[Sir Henry]

I say do whatever you want to your firearms. The best part of owning an H001 to me is being able to butcher it and not loose anything. I could not to to a 9422 or 39A what I’ve done to my H001’s without destroying a valuable piece.

I bet I have the only Henry Mares Leg with an octagonal barrel. I started with a $300 pistol, did $1,000 worth of improvements to end up with a $200 firearm.

What I’ve done to my Henrys most people find disturbing and I don’t care. They all function so I think I’m successful.

My next project is to make a pump action Mare’s Leg in .22LR.

So if you want to add s as side gate go for out. It might not be main stream but you are not destroying a piece of history.

[JimCunn]

I agree with that. I don't know how many firearms I have. Not being a collector, I don't bother to count them. Maybe about 20 or 30.
The only two that aren't subject to modification, are my Dad's old style Remington Model 11 from 1913, and my T-series Hi-Power (I swapped a Chief's Special for it and a box of ammo about 1969) though I confess, I did put an extended slide stop on it to compensate for my small hands. And for a lark, it and my Tisas BR9 sport 20 round magazines that I adapted from a Beretta FS92. But nothing that isn't fully reversible.

[Vaquero]

Hey Jim, man I like the way you think sir.
I once bought back in '16 a like new Marlin 336 in 35 Rem., from the mid 70's for $300.
The next year, I stoned the hammer and trigger sears to lower the God awful pull.
Then had a friend chop 3.5" off the barrel and magazine.
Makes for a nice woods gun and shoots lights out, took a nice buck with it a year or so later.
Some say I ruined it's value, well I don't plan on selling it, and if a family member wants to sell it later.
Well they won't have xxxx in it and every penny they get will be Profit.
And the friend that did the mod is now no longer among us, and it makes it that much more special to me.

It's yours man do as you wish. You know what they say about opinions, Right?
Here it is pictured with the 444P, the P is a factory ported 18.5" barreled rifle.

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RP

[JimCunn]

I like it.

[GFK]

The most modifications that I have made (more like personalization) are replacing grips and sights. Other than that, my firearms have remained stocked. I don’t plan to sell any. But, I am more of a traditionalist.