Henry Rifle?

[Scout53]

I would like to know if the Henry Big Boy rifle, manufactured by the Henry company, is accepted in Cowboy Action Shooting events. Are there some events that they are used in and some that they are not allowed?
I am new to all of this and though I have tried to look up the answer I have not found it yet.
I am thinking about purchasing a rifle and do not want to buy something that will not be allowed.
Thanks.

[Shotgun Franklin]

Yes it is legal for SASS.

[Jefro]

Yes it is allowed, however you would be much better served by a Marlin or Uberti 73. The HBB is about the worst choice for this game, and is not a copy of anything from the 1800's.  I have yet to see one finish a match much less a stage. All the well known gunsmiths say run, run away. I'm sure someone will chime in and say thiers works great, and there are at least one or two Taurus T-Bolt that work also. Before buying any firearms do yourself and your pocket book a favor, go to as many matches as you can before you spend a dime. The are plenty of folks that will be more than willing to let you try thier guns. We're a weird bucnh that way, in fact folks will be tripping over themselfs to try thiers first. Better yet let us know where you are and what clubs you are near. A call to the MD will usually have you shooting a match before you know it, just be willing to pay for the ammo as most folks only want thier reloads used. Welcome and Good Luck.

Jefro

[Major 2]

as stated SASS... yes,  because the company lobbied ( read paid ) SASS and was given approval .

also as stated ...  "The HBB is about the worst choice for this game, and is not a copy of anything from the 1800's."

But you can't get one into an NCOWS event ..because " it's not a copy of anything from the 1800's."

If your buying, the Uberti 73 is the BOMB,  a Uberti 66 Yellow-Boy is a good alternative ( I use a Uberti Henry myself )
The Fish gun is a good shooter but serious gamers will be using the 73.

[Shotgun Franklin]

because the company lobbied ( read paid ) SASS and was given approval

SASS is a business and it's main purpose is to make money.
If offered enough 'lobby' they'ed have AR15s and Light Sabers on every stage.

[Daniel Nighteyes]

The Fish gun is a good shooter but serious gamers will be using the 73.

There was at least one "serious gamer" who used a 66.  He may still be using it.

Oh, his name?  Badlands Bud.  That young'un shoots so fast that he makes steel targets ring like a Big Ben alarm clock.

[Major 2]

That's my problem....I shoot so blistering fast ...I had to resort to a Hammered SXS and a Uberti Henry
just so other folks will still show up if they heard I was coming.   

[Texas Lawdog]

Roger, I just my hip wadders on.

[Daniel Nighteyes]

Nah, you can leave the waders in the closet.  Here's what I'm talking about:

http://www.spencerhoglund.com/files/BudRifle238.wmv

Ten shots in 2.38 seconds.  Obviously this is just one target, but I'm here to tell ya that he's danged near that fast with multiple targets.  I also note that he's shooting a 73, so he may have switched.

[Daniel Nighteyes]

My wife was reading over my shoulder, Daniel.

Her comment?: "That's so typical of Men - Hurry up and get it over with!"

RCJ

[Marshall John Joseph]

SASS is a business and it's main purpose is to make money.
If offered enough 'lobby' they'ed have AR15s and Light Sabers on every stage.

As an SASS member, I appreciate what SASS has done to create such a great sport and organization.  I really don't understand the negativity.  This is a fantasy sport, and yes, SASS is a privately created and owned entity that makes the rules.  We don't always agree with their decisions, and that's O.K.  They offer a voice for members to discuss, state opinions, and lobby for protest - the Wire.  The dislike for the modern "Henry Repeating Arms" design (and politics) for CAS shooting is well documented and archived.  But if it allows shooters into the game who would otherwise not be able to "play", then fine.  That's why there are different classes.  You don't like the design and politics of HRA, then let your opinion be known.  The HRA Henry is an attempt to produce something western - even if it didn't "make it".  They do support the mission of SASS, which in the long run, benefits all of us.   SASS's decision to allow HRA Henrys in a certain class can be construed to at least be within the "spirit" of the game.  The insinuation that SASS can be easily bought like a soiled dove is simply mean spirited.

MJJ

PS:

I do not own a HRA Henry, so I have no stake in this "game".  Before I dropped my hard earned cash for an acceptable rifle, I read the threads and made an informed choice.  I thank all of the Pards who put in their comments, the same type of comments we have read here - better served with a repro.  That WAS the original question that started this thread, right?  So Scout53, now you have some insight.  Whatca gonna do?

[Major 2]

I don't speak for Shotgun Franklin ,  being as how you quoted him....

But, I also, stated in the thread, SASS was lobbied (paid) by HRA and was given approval ..I stated it as a mater of fact.
Henry Repeating Arms began an advertising campaign stating they were approve, before the Wild Bunch actually gave the approval.
In addition, HRA claims a legacy, to the original Tyler HENRY & O Winchester, which is just not true.

I stated no Negativity nor any dog in the fight.

In reality HRA's little Lever Action Golden Boy 22 is a nice little shooter and I think sees use in the Buckaroo Class.
However, the BIG BOY 45 just is not a good choice for CAS....
HRA sometimes sponsors stages or maybe even a event.... you may see one once in while being used ,but their Big Boy will not win any speed trials.

[Marshall John Joseph]

I have heard of the "Henry debacle" in other threads on other sites as well.  I am not privy to "all the facts" by all involved.  I am not happy with what I have read.  Never the less, the HRA Big Boy is what it is and Pards tell it like it is.  Consensus seems to agree that the Big Boy is not condusive to SASS "speed needs" of rapid fire nor does it qualify for Classic Cowboy.  I don't know how many Big Boys are "in play", but they are few and far between.  I hope the HRA company didn't spend too much arm twisting money 

I agree that their .22 is nice.  Their Big Boy is O.K., but for SASS competition, there are better choices.  If you got one, use it. If it gets you or keeps you in the game, go have some fun.

I still support SASS and enjoy the Wire/web site "jousting" in good humor.  SASS has come a long way - in creating a fantasy sport, not a historically accurate environment.    We won't all agree on everything.  Bottom line, its all for fun.

MJJ

[Pancho Peacemaker]

I would like to know if the Henry Big Boy rifle, manufactured by the Henry company, is accepted in Cowboy Action Shooting events. Are there some events that they are used in and some that they are not allowed?
I am new to all of this and though I have tried to look up the answer I have not found it yet.
I am thinking about purchasing a rifle and do not want to buy something that will not be allowed.
Thanks.

Scout,

I rarely get up on my soap box, but this is one issue I need to.  The whole idea behind Cowboy Action Shooting (aka Western Action Shooting, SASS, NCOWS, etc...)  is to compete with weapons & gear from the era or replicas of weapons from the era. 

Benjamin Tyler Henry worked for the New Haven Arms Co. and designed the 1860 Henry from the previous Volcanic designs.  His 1860 Henry Rifle is the stuff of legends.  "That damn yankee rifle that you can load on Sunday and shoot all week" was/is one of the major technologic leaps in the evolution of modern cartridge loading firearms.

The owners of the "henry rifle company" have really done this game a disservice.  There never was a "Henry Rifle Company" till this fella from New Jersey put it together in the 1980's and began producing the "Big Boy", "the Yellow Boy", etc...  His weapons do not remotely approach any internal or external design from the 1800's.  He sells these rifles to the public under the very deceptive "Henry" title.  I associate with many a shooter outside of the CAS world who believe that the current production "henry" rifle company rifles have some lineage to the Henry Rifle, 1860 model.  They do not.

SASS has chosen to allow them in the game.  SASS is a for-profit business run by fellas who want to turn a profit . . . so be it . . . this is America and I have no beef with Capitalism.  I'm a SASS member and I do enjoy their game.  As stated above, the field reports regarding reliability of these guns is less than stellar.  NCOWS is run by it's membership who have choosen to keep our ranks as authentic as possible.  Thus, the "henry rifle company" products are not allowed in NCOWS matches as they have no historic provenance.

Now all that said, if you are looking for a nice "starter" rifle that will be compliant in all CAS venues (SASS, NCOWS, W3G, etc...), get you a nice '73 or '66, either short rifle (20") or sporting rifle (24").  The replicas that Uberti is producing now are very reliable out of the box and are as historically correct as we can get.  If you want a real Henry (the 1860 model), Uberti makes a fine replica as well.  The 1860 Henry does require a bit more finess to shoot.  Some folks, myself included, believe it is not the best "first rifle" for a CAS novice.

Just my 2 cents,

Pancho (1860 Henry carbine owner)

[Dr. Bob]

I have a 1860 Henry [Uberti] and learned to handle it well in about 100 rounds.  I have been shooting a 73 Winchester [Uberti] for about 5 years.  The 66 Winchester and 73 Winchester are great to start with!  If you really want a Henry, it is not difficult to learn to move your off hand when the carrier gets to it. 

[Federalist]

Interesting and informative comments about the Henry.  I was unaware and very new when I purchased my Henry, but through shooting it and reading more I discovered SASS and CAS.  Well I already had a Super Blackhawk and bought another at an excellent used price.  I will be shooting these in a local SASS club soon but would not be able to do so if I had to buy everything over again.  Maybe someday when the kids are grown and the bills are paid I will slowly reinvest in more authentic firearms,  So, in the meantime I will just keep shootin and having alot of fun.   

[Pancho Peacemaker]

May I suggest a name for these rifles:  "H.I.N.O." rifles

(HINO = Henry In Name Only)

[Texas Lawdog]

The Uberti Henry is still a cool looking rifle.

[Daniel Nighteyes]

The Uberti Henry is still a cool looking rifle.

Absolutely.

[ironcowboy]

The Uberti Henry is still a cool looking rifle.

I think your talkin' two different animals there. lol