[cny3123]

So I am considering buying a .22 Henry for my first gun. Would this be a wise choice. From searching the results seem to say it is a nice .22 for the money. I am planning on going to the local gun shop a couple miles away to look and see if they carry Henry rifles.

I don't know much about firearms really though and was wondering what would be decent ammo to go take out to a shooting range for just practicing?

Also is there somewhere with a beginners guide to firearms? I have received gun safety training from my uncle with pistols before but have never handled rifles. I don't really know much about cleaning and maintaining a rifle. The only experience with owning any kind of firearm is a .177 pellet pistol.
I plan on buying a case for a rifle as well.

The main reason for deciding on a .22 rifle first is because I am 19 and cannot buy a pistol yet.

If anyone could post either some links to read up on or some other advice it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ScottG]

I guess California allows lever guns, but they may consider it a "cowboy assault rifle" and not let you have one....

I have a Henry and like it, though some will say to get a Marlin or maybe a Ruger 1022 instead. Any particular reason for the Henry? You like leverguns? The action is quite smooth and it's a very accurate rifle when you learn to shoot.

I've shot Federal, Winchester and CCI through mine and it has no problems with either.

The Henry comes with a handbook and it gives cleaning instructions. Buy yourself a standard cleaning kit and a boresnake. I've found the Henry doesn't need to be cleaned a lot each time you go out, but do it anyway. The boresnake seems to be a better fit than the regular rod, brush and jig set up. You'll need to buy the thin patches, the thicker t-shirt like patch material is too hard to get into the barrel and the force may bend the rod, use the smaller, paper thin patches like the ones made by Outers. You can find them at WalMart.

Gun safety is gun safety, doesn't matter whether you're talking pistols or rifles. Just follow the four rules and you'll be okay. Find a place that offers beginning rifle training in your area to help you get started. And don't forget to have fun shooting.

 

[Catfish]

There is nothing wrong with the Herry. I personally like the Marlin 39A better and think the Marlin is more accurate. I know, it just don`t look like what the cowboys carried. I think you`ll be happy with eather.

 

[cny3123]

No particular reason for a Henry lever rifle, more just it seemed like a lot of people recommended them. I wouldn't have a problem buying a Ruger or Marlin instead. How does it compare in accuracy to the Henry?

Thanks for all the advice and help so far.
Like I said I'm new to all of this and any help is appreciated.

 

[Txhillbilly]

If you are wanting an accurate 22,I would suggest getting a bolt action. Not saying that lever actions aren't accurate,but most bolt actions are far more accurate than lever actions. On lever guns,the Marlin 39 is at the top. On bolts look at the CZ,Savage,Marlin they are all great guns,just depends on how much you want to spend.

 

[cny3123]

I am not opposed to any kind of .22 really, the gun I get has more to do with accuracy and price point. I am looking for something in the range of about $200 or so hopefully maybe give or take $50 if it is worth it.
I will look into the bolt actions some more.
Thanks.

 

[sgtdeath66]

"cowboy assault rifle" wow what will they think of next

 

[sgtdeath66]

if you opt away from henry, i would go with marlin mod 60 or remington 597. ive heard from alot of 10/22 owners say they arent that accurate out of the box. personaly i dont know. the mod 60 was extreamly accurate otb with iron sights, plus its a good starter rifle, mpo

 

[ScottG]

"cowboy assault rifle" wow what will they think of next

Well you know the original Henry was the world's first assault rifle....

 

[ArrizX]

I shot a lever action henry today.

It was absoutely amazing. Such a smooth action. I WANT ONE!!

Don't hesitate for a second to get one.

 

[cny3123]

So I'm going to go into the local gun store today to do a simply look around and see what is available. I am primarily between the Henry lever action and a Ruger 10/22 for now.

 

[FCross7]

Can't say anything for or against the henry because I've never shot one. I did however buy a Ruger 10/22 a few days ago and shot it for the first time today. Shot great, very accurate, no misfires. As for price, I got mine for $200 but they run anywhere from $180-$600 depending on what all you get.

 

[cny3123]

Also out of curiosity I was looking at people that were modifying their Ruger 10/22s and saw the Tapco stock and was wondering if that makes it classifiable as an assault weapon by definition in California?
If this is the case what other stocks are out there that are somewhat similar but will not cause it to be an "assault weapon"?

 

[ScottG]

A stock an "assault weapon" doesn't make. It's unfathomable what strikes fear into the black hearts of criminal politicians and makes them call anything an assault rifle. Well, I guess it really is because they just don't know much about firearms....

 

[cny3123]

Just if anyone was curious today I went out to Imbert and Smithers. I came out with a receipt for a Ruger 10/22. Now I just get to wait til the 19th to go pick it up.
Thanks for everyone's help.

 

[ScottG]

Just if anyone was curious today I went out to Imbert and Smithers. I came out with a receipt for a Ruger 10/22. Now I just get to wait til the 19th to go pick it up.
Thanks for everyone's help.

Of course we're curious, just too bad you chose the wrong rifle!

John Wayne is shaking his head....

 

[cny3123]

haha.. the henry seems interesting, but I just felt the Ruger was the right choice for a first gun. Maybe the henry can be my second, though I doubt I'll want to buy more than one .22 for now

Now to just wait for the big 21 so I can buy a handgun

 

[dragunovsks]

I shot Federal in my 22 rifle, although it's not a Henry, it does fine. You'll just have to try different brands and figure out what shoots the best in your gun. Oddly enough two Henrys won't shoot the same ammo with the same amount of accuracy, this is true with any firearm and any brand. Your new Henry may shoot Federal good but someone elses might have better accuracy with CCI. It just takes trial and error to figure out.

Federal sells a box of 550 rounds for $11, most of the other brands do the same. This is by far the best value, IMO.

 

[cny3123]

I bought a Ruger 10/22 actually, but thanks for the tip on ammo. I'll keep that in mind.

 

[ScotZ]

Congrats on the 10/22. I have the 10/22 but I love my Marlin 39a Golden Mountie. No matter what you have, if you feel like you can drive a tack everytime you pick it up. That's the gun for you....ENJOY!