Marlin Firearms Forum banner

The H001 Plastic Parts Dead Horse

6.5K views 15 replies 9 participants last post by  Em336  
#1 ·
Recently I ranted about how too many posts about Henry rifles receive negative responses about the tube magazine vs. loading gate issue.

Well, I have another bug up my butt, and that concerns the H001, the basic .22 carbine from Henry. The H001 that is sold today in stores has a metal front sight, and a metal barrel band. The only plastic part I am aware of is the follower in the magazine (I'm not sure what the butt plate is made of. That may be polymer of some sort, too). In the past, Henry did put plastic front sights and barrel bands on the H001, but that has not been the case for a number of years now. My understanding is that Henry responded to customer feedback, and upgraded to metal.

If you are not aware of this by now, Henry has the best customer service of any company in the Milky Way Galaxy. If you do encounter an older H001 that still has the plastic parts, and you are not happy with that, a phone call to Henry is all it takes to get free metal parts mailed to you. So, the plastic issue is a non-issue. I'm tired of hearing about this in post after post.

My opinion on the H001 is pretty simple. It is an excellent gun. Please tell me what other rifle you can buy new for about $300 that has a walnut stock, blued metal barrel, good fit and finish, is made in America, and is backed by outstanding customer service. If there is one, I'd really love to know about it. By the way, there is a big box sporting goods store that has them on sale this weekend for $269.99.

I did have one dislike when I bought my H001. The front sight blade was way too wide. I bought a HIVIZ fiber optic front sight, and that solved that problem. The H001 quickly became my favorite .22 rifle.
 
#7 ·
I think I got mine for less than $200 if I remember correctly. Also the forend was loose. I called henry and they sent me a beautiful brand new forend that fit. They couldn't have been more solid or easier to deal with. I really like henry but the mag tube thing is a deal breaker for me on a hunting rifle and I can't afford mantle rifles yet. A 357 would be fun I guess.
 
#8 ·
I think I got mine for less than $200 if I remember correctly. Also the forend was loose. I called henry and they sent me a beautiful brand new forend that fit. They couldn't have been more solid or easier to deal with. I really like henry but the mag tube thing is a deal breaker for me on a hunting rifle and I can't afford mantle rifles yet. A 357 would be fun I guess.
Em:

1. This thread is a follow up rant to my previous about magazine tunes. I refer to that thread in my OP here. I contend that the loading gate issue is a dead horse. Do you disagree with me?

2. There are ​entirely valid reasons to not buy a Henry because of the magazine tube, including that a person may simply not like the lack of a loading gate. I'm confused, though. What does that lack of a loading gate have to do with hunting? What would you be hunting with a lever gun that would require you to reload?
 
#9 ·
I like Henrys quality, workmanship and customer service but the fact is I haven't seen a Henry firearm yet that I liked.
That's why I don't own one to date.
 
#11 ·
What is it that you don't like? Have you found substandard mfg in their rifles?

The only Henry rifle I would buy would be the H010 45-70. The Brass receiver lever guns would sit in my house and never see the range; they're much too pretty. I already have more 30-30's than I want or need, and I don't have any use for a 22. So, the H010 would be my choice if I was going to buy a new lever gun.

Marlin has had a lot more models and calibers over the years so they have been my preferred rifle when hunting for JM Marlins at Estate Auctions and other places to buy used firearms.

So, what's your reason Pricedo?



Cheers!


Mike T.
 
#13 ·
The brass Receiver Henry's never struck me as a rifle to use for hunting. It would probably stand out a mile or more away. But we have to wear 300 square inches of Florescent Orange during rifle season here in PA so we are not exactly incognito. Yep.

The lack of a loading gate doesn't bother me as much as it does some other folks, everyone has their priorities. However, I do like having the loading gate on my Winchesters and Marlins.

I doubt that a company like Henry would buy out Marlin. I'd guess that Henry is profitable, Freedom Group has dug a huge hole for both Marlin and Remington. Being that their rifles are finally coming up in quality, maybe they can dig themselves out. But I'm with you in principal on Marlin, I would prefer to have a firearms company running the show than Freedom Group. Of course, none of us have a say. :biggrin:



Cheers!


Mike T.
 
#14 ·
The rifle designs of John Browning & John Marlin are immortal.
A company like Freedom Group may tarnish the reputation of the Marlin Firearms Company as a corporate entity by shipping inferior products but they will never destroy the brilliance and simplicity of the Marlin design from the engineering aspect.
A space alien in 10,000 years upon finding an intact Marlin rifle buried in the ashes, rubble and dust of what is left of Earth at the time would no doubt say to his colleagues, "wow what a brilliant piece of engineering".
The current host companies might not survive but the Browning & Marlin designs will.
There will be Marlin & Winchester leverguns being made by somebody somewhere for some time to come (until mankind blows itself & half the word to bits).
Somehow I don't think the current Henry designs share that same kind of distinction.