Question about the Henry Big Boy

Big John Denny · December 17, 2005, 09:27:20 PM

Just today I acquired a new Henry Big Boy in 45 Colt with the intention of using it as a back up to my 1866. However, this rifle has a monsterous lever action. It's very stiff and requires a great deal of effort to get it to open and close the acion.

Is there some way to smooth out this problem or am I stuck with it. My 1866 is smooth as butter and a joy to shoot. If possible I would like to make the Henry as smooth, or at least easier to operate.

I know it's butt ugly and loads like a 22 rifle, but I got it at a good price and it is SASS legal.

Anybody run into this problem with their own Big Boy, or do I need to move on and get rid of it. Any construtive suggestions hereby solicited.

Gold Canyon Kid · December 17, 2005, 10:34:02 PM

Gee you will have to ask all those folks with glowing reports of what a great out of the box action that butt ugly gun has. Finally a realistic report.

litl rooster · December 18, 2005, 05:33:31 PM

BJD, is this a brand new gun? i f so you might want to take it a part and take a some of the factory grease. Then take a brass brush to the metal that comes in contact with movement and smooth it off. Finally add some light coat some gun oil to these parts. If your wanting a little more out of it you might try the Mauders homested site for tips

lr

Big John Denny · December 18, 2005, 05:38:01 PM

Thanks Rooster, but it is a lot rougher then just grease. I cleaned it of course when I got it home, but it can't be levered from the shoulder, and I'm pretty strong. Maybe I should give Henry a call tomorrow and see if they have a sugestion. I've had a couple of their 22 cal lever guns and they were slick outof the box. Maybe I got a lemon.

litl rooster · December 18, 2005, 05:44:27 PM

Phone call probably good start

Big John Denny · December 19, 2005, 01:12:09 PM

To update all on this thread, I sent an e-mail to Henry Arms and they are arranging to have my rifle picked up, at their expense, for repair or replacement as needed. Their response was very quick, and appreciated.

litl rooster · December 21, 2005, 07:05:35 PM

Quote from: Big John Denny on December 19, 2005, 01:12:09 PM
To update all on this thread, I sent an e-mail to Henry Arms and they are arranging to have my rifle picked up, at their expense, for repair or replacement as needed. Their response was very quick, and appreciated.

that's a good thing to hear

Just George · May 16, 2006, 01:31:10 PM

Like I said several months ago, my Big Boy in 45LC shoots great right out of the box. The action is a little long when put against a '73 with more $ in gunsmith fees than my Big Boy cost. But I have no trouble at all levering it from the shoulder. I have had a few (2 or 3) haystacks. I must report that I think they were my fault and not the gun. After shooting 40 or 50 rounds at the same time my fingers, wrist and arm gets a little slow. So far I have kept everythig 100% out of the box on all my CAS guns. I am going to try some sort of warp on the lever of the Big Boy. (Any ideas would be appreciated). Maybe my fingers will rest at ease. After reading the post here about the SxS shotgun action, I think I'm going to try some of that chrome stuff on mine. Both my Uberti '73 45LC's are still 100% out of the box. So for now, with all my guns able to shoot better than I can make them shoot, I'll leave well enough alone. But, my Big Boy shoots at least as fast as I can operate the action and still get all 10 rounds on the target.