Talk me into... Ithaca 72A vs Henry

[Fishslayer]

Saw a West German made Ithaca 72A at the LGS that looks like it just left the factory. Action is buttery smooth. Lovely rifle.

They're asking the same $$$ as a brand new identical model Henry.

Talk me into either or, bearing in mind that I'm a sucker for older guns.

Yes... I've considered "BOTH!" and I really have zero "need" for even one lever .22 but for some reason the Ithaca is just speaking to me...

EDIT: It's on consignment so I have no idea how much wiggle room there is on the price.

[golfish]

That's a tough choice. You'll always be able to get the Henry, I don't know about the 72..

[Ripon83]

40 years old and looks new....why hesitate?

[Tom-ADC]

Had one and sorry I let it go, very smooth and a fun shooter.
Wonder if its my old one?
BTW if you buy it let me know I still have my original paperwork I'd pass on to you. See if the last four numbers for the serial are 3872.

[dfletcher]

Saw a West German made Ithaca 72A at the LGS that looks like it just left the factory. Action is buttery smooth. Lovely rifle.

They're asking the same $$$ as a brand new identical model Henry.

Talk me into either or, bearing in mind that I'm a sucker for older guns.

Yes... I've considered "BOTH!" and I really have zero "need" for even one lever .22 but for some reason the Ithaca is just speaking to me...

EDIT: It's on consignment so I have no idea how much wiggle room there is on the price.

I had a 72 growing up and recently bought a Henry to "recapture the experience". Internally I believe they're the same gun, wouldn't be surprised if some parts interchanged. I quickly got rid of the Henry for a few reasons -

The coating on the receiver is very, very soft. Softer, I think, than the Ithaca. The Henry uses a few plastic parts - barrel band for example, and they look like plastic. The trigger pull on the Henry was terrible. Where the Henry is better than the Ithaca is the wood. Very nice, dark and well finished.

It seems to me there ought to be wiggle room on the Ithaca. I've consigned alot of guns, there's always wiggle room.

[Fishslayer]

40 years old and looks new....why hesitate?

I know that some wouldn't "get it" but to me that's not an unconvincing argument.

[golfish]

The coating on the receiver is very, very soft. Softer, I think, than the Ithaca. The Henry uses a few plastic parts - barrel band for example, and they look like plastic. The trigger pull on the Henry was terrible.

Your sure right about the coating on the receiver, it scratches pretty easy, however the wood makes up for it, kind of

I think Henry had lots and lots of complaints about the plastic barrel bands and using them wound up costing them more in the long run because they replaced them with metal bands, all you have to do is contact them and they will send out metal replacements for free. They don't use them any longer.

Is the Ithica 72 blued?

[Tom-ADC]

I stripped the receiver and barrel band then polished it. Nice subdued silver finish.

[Tank 57]

Had an Ithaca 72A.Functioned well.Trigger was not bad.Accuracy was fair.

Great plinker,fun gun for new shooters and kids.Looked at the Henrys.Think the Ithaca is a better choice.

[golfish]

I stripped the receiver and barrel band then polished it. Nice subdued silver finish.

Nice work Tom, did you strip the furniture too? it looks lighter in color

[Tom-ADC]

No wood is untouched. The metal was really pretty easy.

[Fishslayer]

Is the Ithica 72 blued?

Pretty sure the receiver is painted. The barrel appears a matte blue, maybe park'd.