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Henry’s Damn Fine Guns

By
Scott Mayer
-
1809
One of the more “radical” of Henry’s classically styled rifles is its Varmint Express chambered in .17 HMR. The rifle is a tack-driver.

Henry Repeating Arms is a company you can’t help but admire because of the people involved, the quality and price of the guns they make, and that they make their guns smack in the heart of anti-gun enclaves. Its history stretches back to 1911 to a series of gun shops, distributorships and importers in Brooklyn, Middlesex, NJ, Jacksonville, AR and back to Brooklyn where it flourished. The company is now owned by Anthony Imperato, who grew up in Brooklyn with the nickname “Tony Guns” because his father, Lou, had the neighborhood gunshop.

Lever-Action-22-Rifle: The flagship of Henry Repeating Arms is a classic rimfire lever-action rifle.
Lever-Action-22-Rifle: The flagship of Henry Repeating Arms is a classic rimfire lever-action rifle.

Their flagship rifle is a Classic Lever-Action in .22 Rimfire that retails for $360, though I’ve seen them listed for as little as $259. They’re American-made and sport really good quality walnut stocks—not cheap “hardwood.” The reason they’re able to price them so reasonably is because of the fresh look the company took when designing a lever-action. Instead of expensive machining of a steel action body with a toggle-locking bolt, the visible Henry action “body” is actually an economical, but quality alloy housing that’s nothing more than a cover. Inside, a wedge-shaped locking block rises into a corresponding cut out in the bottom of the bolt to lock the action when the lever is closed—it’s that simple.

I’ve owned many Henry rimfires over the years including lever- and pump-action and even a snappy little number chambered for .17 HMR and I’ve always found them eminently reliable, well made and accurate. Originally the company was based in Brooklyn, NY, but has since expanded and moved manufacturing to equally anti-gun New Jersey and that’s fine with me. I’m sure some folks will get worked up about tax dollars going into the coffers of an anti-gun legislature, but in this case I like the idea that there’s a thriving gun manufacturer there who won’t let the antis take away now four generations of hard work.

One of the more “radical” of Henry’s classically styled rifles is its Varmint Express chambered in .17 HMR. The rifle is a tack-driver.
One of the more “radical” of Henry’s classically styled rifles is its Varmint Express chambered in .17 HMR. The rifle is a tack-driver.

 

Scott Mayer

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Scott Mayer
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