Henry Repeating Arms is an American firearms manufacturer founded in 1996 by Anthony Imperato, specializing in lever-action rifles and shotguns. Based in New Jersey with additional manufacturing in Wisconsin, Henry operates under the slogan "Made in America, Or Not Made At All." Henry is a SAAMI member and operates three U.S. manufacturing facilities.

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The modern Henry Repeating Arms has no corporate connection to the original 1860s Henry rifle company (which became Winchester). Anthony Imperato revived the name in 1996 as an entirely new company. This generates occasional purist criticism — but Henry has earned its reputation on its own merits, becoming the largest lever-action rifle manufacturer in America through quality, customer service, and genuine domestic manufacturing.
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Key milestones:

• 1860 — Original Henry rifle patented by Benjamin Tyler Henry (Civil War fame; became Winchester)
• 1996 — Modern Henry Repeating Arms founded by Anthony Imperato (no corporate lineage to original)
• 2000s — Growth through H001 Classic, Golden Boy, Big Boy lines
• 2010s — Added side loading gates (addressed major criticism); launched Long Ranger series
• 2020s — Three manufacturing facilities (NJ + two in WI); hundreds of thousands of rifles produced
• Present — SAAMI member; largest lever-action manufacturer in the US

Product Lines

Henry's lineup spans rimfire trainers to big-bore hunting rifles, all lever-action:

Rimfire models (entry-level):

Pistol-caliber lever actions (Big Boy series):

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The pistol-caliber Big Boy in .357 Magnum is Henry's most versatile rifle. Shoot cheap .38 Special for plinking (works in the same gun), step up to .357 Magnum for deer-capable power at 100 yards. Share ammunition with a .357 revolver for a classic lever-action/revolver pairing that's been a proven combo since the 1800s.
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Centerfire hunting rifles:

Specialty and collectible:

Innovation & Technology

Henry focuses on refining traditional lever-action design rather than revolutionary new technology:

Manufacturing approach:

• Brass receivers are cast (not machined from billet) — reduces cost while maintaining aesthetic
• Steel receivers are conventionally machined
• NJ facilities handle centerfire production; WI handles rimfire
• American walnut stocks across the lineup
• Every rifle test-fired before shipment

The loading gate story:
Henry's original models loaded only from the front of the magazine tube (historically accurate but annoying in practice). The addition of side loading gates — allowing shooters to top off the magazine through the receiver like a traditional Winchester — was Henry's most significant design improvement and addressed years of customer feedback.

Community & Reputation

Common praise:

• Actions are among the smoothest of any production lever gun
• Customer service is excellent (lifetime warranty, responsive support)
• Genuine American manufacturing at every step
• Beautiful fit and finish, especially brass-receiver models
• Wide model range covers every lever-action niche
• Most affordable entry point for quality lever actions

Common criticism:

• No corporate lineage to original Henry rifle (name appropriation debate)
• Brass frames scratch and show wear easily (cosmetic, not functional)
• Some rimfire models use plastic/zinc components (cost-cutting concern)
• Original models' front-loading magazine was cumbersome (largely fixed with side gates)
• Frequent special editions may dilute collectible value
• Not as robust as Marlin 336/1895 for hard-use applications

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Henry vs. Marlin: With Marlin now under Ruger's ownership and rebuilding production, Henry became the dominant lever-action manufacturer by default. Henry actions are smoother, finish is better, and availability is superior. Marlin (Ruger) has the historical pedigree and arguably more rugged construction. Both are good — Henry is easier to buy right now.
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Buyer's Guide

Which Henry should you buy?

Henry pricing reality:

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Bottom line: Henry makes the best production lever-action rifles available today — smooth actions, gorgeous finishes, genuine American manufacturing, and excellent customer service. The H001 is one of the best first rifles ever made, and the Big Boy in .357 Mag is the most versatile lever action on the market. If you want a lever gun, Henry is the safest bet for quality and availability.
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References

• Henry Repeating Arms official site: henryusa.com
• Guns & Ammo: "Henry Repeating Arms: 25 Years of American-Made"
• The Truth About Guns: Henry rifle review compilation
• Chuck Hawks: Henry rifles consumer survey
• The Firearm Blog: Henry Original review

Read the original article in The Handbook | By Boise Gun Club Editorial Team

Join the Discussion

If you've shot one of Henry's lever guns, how does the accuracy stack up compared to what you'd expect from that classic design—are you getting match-grade precision or is it more about the fun factor?