Uberti Henry

kevinasch

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Hi. Still looking at options for CAS shooting.

Any opinions on Uberti's Henry?

I read a review of various CAS rifles where the author (Curtrich) reccommends that you only use light SASS loads. Why? Will the Henry not stand up to a normal .45 Colt?

Kevin
 
The only thing I don't like about the Henry rifles is the front loading tube mag. I'm much rather have a side loader. Uberti, Winchester, Marlin (if you can find one!), Chiappa, Taylor & Co. and Rossi would be my picks. I've seen mixed reviews on Rossi's fit and finish and rough actions but when they're tuned up, they supposedly work well.
 
First off, have you decided which category that you are going to shoot in IAW the SASS manual? Different categories require different firearms. Why buy twice? Very few Cowboy action shooters use a Henry of any sort. They are slow to load, especially if you have to "top them off" on the clock. The new Uberti's are very strong rifles, in fact these days it appears that the rifle of choice is a clone of the Winchester M73, a copy is made by Uberti and very durable.
 
The Henry models make very good CAS rifles if used with a safety regiment that no other Cas rifles mentioned will require.

the first problem is with the already mentioned loading tube. It is well documented in other SASS sites of instances where the follower was uncontrolled and released against the rounds in the tube (either by just flipping the tube closed or by dragging the gun from the loading table with the finger catch hooked on the far side of the table) causing an A.D. in the tube.

The second reason is that they don't have the trigger safety block ( prevents the trigger from being pulled until the action/lever is fully closed) that the 73's or 66's have. They are very prone to "out of battery discharge" before the round is fully chambered, especially "at speed" as we are prone to do in a timed sport. Touch the trigger before the bolt is closed and it's going to go "bang" Personally I've seen consequences from this that goes from "no damage to gun or shooter/timer operator... to powder burns/brass shrapnel to the face... to guns damaged to the extent that they are paperweights now (frames bent & stretched).

If used judicially, I've seen a lot of people have fun with them but if not, it can turn into a sh##t show real quick. My advise would be "if you see yourself as being one of the people that wants to be quick with your rifle" I would pass on the Uberti Henry and go with the 73 or 66.
 
I shoot cowboy action with a Henry. The 1873 is the better gun for many reasons. But, many of shoot for the historical accuracy aspect as well. Since I shoot Frontiersman it works for me. If you are careful loading the Henry is very safe. As to reloads on the clock I load through the top of the receiver (it can be done). I have also heard people mention the barrel getting hot (no forearm), but I find it only gets warm. The only real issue I have with the Henry is the so called "Henry Hop". When the magazine follower hits your hand, and you have to change your hand's position. I am going to cure that with a rod designed to go done the mag tube after your 10 rounds are loaded. Then you do not have to move your hand. There are references to this on the "CAS City Forum".
If you are interested in shooting fast get the 1873, but if you are not then pick whatever fancies you.
There are guys who shoot matches with Spencer carbines which only hold 7 rounds in the butt, and have to be manually cocked each time...
 
Well. I am not sure that I will ever be fast. I have talked to many people who reccomend the 1873 because you can be fast with it. So I may go for one of those. The local winchester dealer said that it would take a year to get a Miroku 1873. I see a few sponosrs have the Uberti model in stock. I have also found one shop that can order in a Commanchero, but a pricey one.

I will most likely shoot the cap and ball remingtons for pistols. I do have a schofield 38spl, but only one. So the Henry would look better with the cap and balls.

Hmm??

Kevin
 
That Henry got me a second place finish in the Frontier Cartridge Duelist category at the SASS Western Canadian Nationals last year. You can shoot fast with it. It does of course have it's quirks. As I mentioned the lack of a forearm, and the mag follower. Loading is different, but easier then people make it out to be. There have been magazine tube detonations, but those were preventable. Reloads on the clock, again there is a technique that helps there. I got the Henry because it was a far better choice then a Spencer. I want to be competitive, and historically accurate.
 
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