Henry Single-shot

[jgaffney]

I like the idea of a single-shot, break-open rifle like the Henry Single-shot. Besides being affordable, it comes in a caliber I can use, 223. I'd put a scope on it and use it for target shooting only. However, I can never find one in stock in local gun stores, even with a 50-mile search radius. I don't like the idea of plunking down $500 before I can even fondle the weapon.

I tried a Henry lever action to see what the Henry trigger is like. I thought it was very good, with little creep and a clean break. Henry has a very good reputation for quality despite the recent recall on the single-shots, so I still want one.

Does anyone have experience with this rifle? Any good/bad comments? I live in Sonoma County - any recommendations on a gun store to get one?

Thx.

[dfletcher]

I have one in 45/70. very nice wood, well made overall. I don't think there are any plastic parts, fortunately. I don't care for the trigger on any Henry rifles, too much on the "lawyer approved" side and the single shot is no different. Easy to clean up though.

The single shot also has a rebounding hammer. From what I've read that requires a heavier mainspring, which in turn makes the trigger pull harder. Since the gun also carries a half cock "safety notch" eliminated the rebounding hammer feature and went with a slightly lighter mainspring.

[sghart]

I had one in 30-30 that was very accurate.

[pennstater]

Go to the Henry Rifle Forums. They have a sub forum for the single shots.
May get some help there.

MLC

[Madpyro]

I have one in .357 mag. Had the barrel reamed out to .357 max., replaced the main spring. very accurate, nice trigger, fun to shoot. Goes well with my Ruger SRM.

[Calif Hunter]

I enjoy break open rifles and even the H&R single shot shotguns. They are not great for bench rest type shooting for tiny groups as you have to take i off the rest each time you reload or empty the chamber. One neat thing about the H&R models was the barrel interchangeability and if you had a scope on it, it went with the barrel. At one time, my brother had a Savage Model 219 in .22 Hornet.

[Calif Hunter]

I enjoy break open rifles and even the H&R single shot shotguns. They are not great for bench rest type shooting for tiny groups as you have to take it off the rest each time you reload or empty the chamber. One neat thing about the H&R models was the barrel interchangeability and if you had a scope on it, it went with the barrel. At one time, my brother had a Savage Model 219 in .22 Hornet.