Help with leverguns in 22LR

J

Jack O'Conner

New member
Mossberg vs Henry

Both USA companies offer levergun carbines in 22LR. Features are similar. The Henry is approx $100. less money. But I've had great luck with my Mossberg 500 since I bought it in 1977. I watched a couple video clips on you tube about the Henry and was impressed. Yet almost no info on Mossberg's model 464 in 22LR.

I'll be hunting small game and plinking with shots limited to about 35 - 45 yards.

Please share your experience and insights. Thank you in advance for your replies.

Jack
 
I've had very good experience with a variety of Henry models. The base model does not have such a great rear sight, it is better with a compact low power scope. Something like a Leupold rimfire scope works nicely. Golden Boys are great looking and work well, but no groove if you want a scope. The octagon barrel version has a much better rear sight and you will be able to dial that in to be spot on at your chosen range using whatever round you want. I know because I've done it too many times. Shorts, sub-sonics, standards, high velocity. I find a very good number of brands do quite well. Sorry I've had no experience with a Mossberg lever. I did go out of my way to try a higher price brand (Browning BL-22), but that gun did not perform as expected for my particular plan. Sold it to a rabbit hunter at a loss. I have so much good experience with Henry, I don't know that I'd even bother to try any others.
 
I believe the Henry has a zinc-based metal action with an aluminum cover. Does the cover have to come off for complete cleaning? If so, does a scope retain zero if the cover is removed/replaced?

I'm more inclined to go with a one-piece receiver for scope use for that reason. Zinc based parts are quite common in .22 LRs these days, including many semi-auto handguns, but I don't trust it for guns that will be used a lot. I've seen many guns made of soft steel wear out rather quickly and zinc is softer than most steel.
 
The Henry action is steel; only the receiver cover is an alloy.

Henry has the smoothest action and possibly the best customer service in the firearms industry. I sent a question to the website on a Sunday and the President of the company answered me 15 minutes later.
 
I can't comment about the Mossberg, but my Henry has been stellar. Very smooth, one of my favorites.

Probably true of every tube fed 22, but take my advice...don't put a once-struck, dud round back in the tube to be fired again. It jams up the action.
 
+1 on the Henry Golden Boy. An action slickern snot on a porcelain doorknob right out of the box and accurate too
 
I have a Henry H001T Frontier, and have put close to 6000 rounds through it in the last four years.

henry_h001t_01.jpg
 
Not being familiar with the Mossberg, I took a few minutes to see what I could find out about them. What I did discover were a couple of things you may want to consider as you make your decision. First, the Mossberg appears to have a tang safety. This may not make a difference to you one way or the other, but after seeing the way they incorporated it I dont think I'd be interested in purchasing one. Second is the wording in their description of the stock. It's advertised as "hardwood", which in my experience has always implied something less than walnut, usually birch.

For me, this information coupled with the fact that the Mossberg is $100 more expensive, would seal the deal for a Henry. The Henry's are great little rifles backed up by fantastic CS. I have two of them (a GB and a standard model) and I truly believe they are well worth the money.
 
Not to be off topic but y'all have left out the clear winner of the two..and that is browning...they make a extremely fine lever action 22lr and it shoots everything shorts longs whatever...had it since I was 9..and have shot tens of thousands of rounds through it....also like to add that It was extremely rare to have a failure to eject and that was because of extreme fouling and operator error..not rackin the lever hard enough..and it is very accurate as well :)
 
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I don't know about the Mossberg or the Henry. I would suggest looking for a used Marlin 39A.

Mine dates back to the 70's and will shoot s, l, or lr. The only thing I've ever shot through it was lr and it is a tack driver.
 
I have had my .22lr Henry for 8-9 years with no complaints or problems really........until two weeks ago. Was doing a little target shooting, when the firing pin broke. Not really a big deal, its probably got 15-20,000 rounds thru it in the time I have had it, and that the first problem I have had.

But, Henry has been ignoring my emails and calls for two weeks now in my quest to obtain a new firing pin. I get put on hold until they decide to hang up on me when I call, and get no response to emails.

I have no issues with the rifle (even with the firing pin breaking) it has always been accurate and reliable, and overall has been a great gun for the $186 I paid for it new.

My issue right now is their customer service, or lack of. If they had answered my emails/calls, about selling and shipping a new pin, I would not hesitate to buy another, or recomend them again, but if this is the norm for their customer service, I think its the last I will be dealing with them.
 
Henry is known for excellent customer service... What you describe is very abnormal..
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Thats what I had heard as well..........but they just keep ignoring me. I am hoping they were all on vacation for the holliday, and will respond to my latest email from tonight ;) I haven't gotten mean and nasty, just keep trying to contact them and get info on prices and shipping..........hope it gets better.

I really love the gun, and just need a firing pin so I can get back to shooting it.
 
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