1860 Henry Mods?

[Silver Creek Slim]

All you 1860 Henry users, what mods have ya done ta make the action smoother and stop the buttplate from slippin down when ya lever the action?

Slim

[Silver Creek Slim]

My two 1894 Marlins I got used and were real smooth when I got them. My Henry is very stiff compared to them.

Slim

[Terry]

First thing...back the tension off the main spring by loosening it's retaining screw...you probably won't believe how much of a difference that makes if it has a really stiff spring.  If you like that, it would be best to remove the buttstock and shim the spring so you can tighten the mainspring screw.  If it's still too stiff, back off the carrier and lifter arm springs.....just make sure you don't get them too light....

[Cheyenne]

Silver Vreek, also try the dowel or plastic shotgun follower trick. This not only keeps you from having to shift your hand, but may help you get a firmer hold with the support hand and hold into your shoulder. Also, try backing off the lever and lifter spring screws a few turns, then shoot the thing and it'll smooth out.

I hope to get another henry as I've always found them to be very accurate, and about the most accurate of the toggle link guns, which I attribute to the way the barrel is made.

[Capt. Augustus]

I had a local gunsmith convert my Henry into a carbine with a 20" barrel.  It sure changed the balance of the gun.  I still have a short stroke kit to put in it and smooth it down some.  I hope by Fall to be shooting Classic Cowboy.

[john boy]

Geez, I must be lucky this time.  My Henry is really slick.  Was a tad tight out of the box but loosened up nicely after several hundred BP loads through it.

Only mod I've made is a spacer stick for the magazine follower.  Then I drilled the hole in the buttstock deeper so as to flip the plate hinge open and put the dowel specer in the hole.

[Wes Virginian]

I glued a piece of leather(rough side out)to the butt plate to help keep it on my shoulder. I still can't shoot worth a toot! But have a lot of fun!
Wes Virginian

[Dakota Widowmaker]

There are "lighting rods" for the Henry. They have a roller that travels over the hammer and really helps "slick up" the action.

I have yet to install mine, but, I got a chance to try it out on a 66 and 73 and they make a real difference.