Henry Woes

[Grenadier]

Was at a small display this weekend and sat my Henry out for display, along with several other Civil War firearms. (never again) When I went to retrieve my Henry, I noticed the lever was about 1/3 of the way down. I tried to cycle it and it would not move forward, but it would close. I am assuming someone racked the lever too hard and done something to the internals 

The bolt will retract about the same as the lever opening, just about 1/3 the way before it binds up.

Any ideas before I tear into it?

[major]

Sounds like one of your leaf springs is broken or maybe the lifter that controls the shell elevator is broke.  I think that you will have to take it apart to find the problem.  
My bet is on the lifter.

[Coffinmaker]

Look to see if the Breach Block is running into the relief cut on the Carrier Block.  That would indicate a lose/broken lever side spring.  However, it really doesn't matter.  Speculating is a waist of time as you are going to have to take it apart anyway.  You can't fix it from the outside

Coffinmaker

[Coffinmaker]

Forgot.  Never do a display without first tie wrapping the lever.  Big ol HEAVY tie wrap.

Coffinmaker

[Grenadier]

Finally got around to breaking it down and poking around to see what was wrong. My suspect was wrong, one of the pins in the right side "elbow" had broken and was preventing the joint from pivoting properly. Appears to be an easy fix. Gonna have to see if my machinist friend has any stock to make a pin from. I am guessing it should be relatively hard to prevent wear?

[Coffinmaker]

My personal suggestion would be for a "third" generation Short Stroke kit.  Knee pivot pin "broken."  How.  That is a little short hard pin thru the knee.
If your interested in the SS kit plan, contact Pioneer Gunworks in Oregon.  While the gun is apart you may also want to replace the lever side springs with " Slixsprings."  Less wear on the action parts.

Coffinmaker

[Grenadier]

Thanks for the advice, but I am a bit of a historical snob when it comes to period accuracy. I will probably lighten the springs some and polish the parts, but it has to be "period correct" for me in my line of thinking.

[Pettifogger]

I always like historical snobs that shoot Italian Henry copies and center fire ammunition.

[major]

I always like historical snobs that shoot Italian Henry copies and center fire ammunition.

Since Uberti is the only company making 1860 Henrys we are kind of stuck with them. And since rim fire ammunition is not available and can't be made (at least not with out a lot of specially designed equipment and skill) we are stuck with center fire ammo.
We get as close to the original concept as we can with what we have available.  I would not call anyone a snob for trying to get as close to being historically correct as possible.

[Pettifogger]

Since Uberti is the only company making 1860 Henrys we are kind of stuck with them. And since rim fire ammunition is not available and can't be made (at least not with out a lot of specially designed equipment and skill) we are stuck with center fire ammo.
We get as close to the original concept as we can with what we have available.  I would not call anyone a snob for trying to get as close to being historically correct as possible.

I didn't call him anything.  He described himself as an "historical snob."  Yes, I know all about Italian Henry's being the only game in town and that there isn't any rimfire ammunition.  Apparently you didn't see the smiley face.  This is a sad face because you didn't get it.   

[Coffinmaker]

Grenadier,
I don't know what kind of "playing" you plan to do with your Henry, but if your going to shoot it a lot, you'll want to reduce the main spring, reduce or replace the lever side springs and reduce or replace the firing pin return spring.  Those spring changes will really extend the life of the rifles innerds.
The suggestion for the "third" generation short stroke kit was to provide positive slam down to the Carrier Block (very important if the rifle is a .45) and better links.  It also improves the user interface (more fun).

Coffinmaker

[Coffinmaker]

I was tired last night and almost forgot.  Had I the power I would remove the words/phrases:  Clone, Period Correct and Politically Correct from the CAS lexicon.  Those descriptive words simply would not be allowed to exist <};-)

Coffinmaker

[wyldwylliam]

Fwiw, Grenadier, I also have a similar orientation to things as you do. Have never figured out the rationale behind shooting old timey guns and then going out of your way to obviate their inherent limitations. If you're always looking for the easy way out, then a Remington 700 in a glued-in plastic stock and a range-finding 40x scope make more sense.

Hang in there.