follower binds

[KWK]

I've handled (but not fired) two Uberti Henry rifles. In both, the follower tended to drag badly as I slid it forward with my thumb. Perhaps the edges of the slot in the magazine tube hadn't been properly polished at the factory. Does this tend to work itself out?

[Tuolumne Lawman]

It does smooth out eventually.  You can fold emory cloth around a piece of cardboard and run it up and down the slot to smooth it.  Also hit the sides of the thumb piece where it rubs on the slot.  The HRA 011 New Classic 1860 Henry is much smoother, but you pay more....

[Coffinmaker]

Nope.  Basically the edges of the Magazine portion of the barrel come out rough (Uberti) and stay that way.  Brass won't smooth steel.  Some are rougher that others.  If it's your rifle, pull the follower into the turn sleeve and turn it out of the way.  Then follow the Lawman's recommendation to smooth it out.

[KWK]

Once you've rubbed out the roughness on the slot in the magazine (along with its bluing), does the follower always run up smoothly, or is the geometry such that some binding will be possible?

[Tuolumne Lawman]

My Uberti always ran smoothly after polishing.  My pre-Uberti, US made 1970s vintage Navy Arms di bind, though, even after polishing.