The .22 rifles have a cast zinc "Zamac" receiver with a brass plated sheet steel outer cover slipped over it.
Could you tell us more about this and provide a link please?
I found this...
Servo,
I was told by the president of Henry R.A.C., Mr. Anthony Imperato, that the Golden Boys, H001-series leverguns, and the pump rifles have aluminum alloy receivers. The Big Boy uses a solid brass receiver. The singleshot rifles have stainless steel receivers. I think the AR-7/ Survival rifle has an aluminum alloy receiver.
Now, if zinc is predominantly used, instead of aluminum, then the alloy would be called "zamac". Zamac is an acronym for:
Zinc Aluminum Magnesium and Copper
Depending on the percentages, zamac can be quite strong. Some are stronger than some steels.
If you want to see how they hold up, then go get yourself a 35-year-old Ithaca 72. ...or, a 25-year-old Iver-Johnson Saddlegun. ...or, a 30-odd-year-old Erma 713 levergun. They hold up fairly well, alright!
Forum member "Fugger Nutter" fired over 10,000 rounds through his Henry levergun. Unfortunately, his site is no longer around.
BigLoop22
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=183653&highlight=zamac
Here's another post from the same thread:
VA PLINKER
As I understand it they are made of Zamak 3. After shooting thousands of rounds through my Henry's it really doesnt matter to me anymore, whatever it is made of, it works and holds up. Im not about to question a good thing. I dumped a CZ 452 magnum for a Henry magnum just for the handling and accuracy chacteristics although the 452 does a little better in the LR accuracy department.
Ive always stayed away from the 22 mag on coyotes threads, it seems to be a hot topic around here, but for once I will speak up. The 22 mag works. The Henry 22 mag has droped a few bang floppers in your neck of the woods John H C, or should I say southern Illinois near New Baden, Trenton, Alvers and Highlands. The winchester 40 grn jhp's have always worked fine for me.
Right now I have one barrel sent off to be threaded for a can. If the gun wasnt reliable, accurate and expected to hold up this additional money would have never been spent.
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=183653&highlight=zamac