What Were They Thinking with this Rifle?

Published on February 13, 2026
Duration: 10:44

Hickok45 reviews a modern replica of the Henry 1860 lever-action rifle, comparing its loading mechanism to the Winchester 1892. He demonstrates the unique, albeit cumbersome, method of loading the Henry 1860 by sliding a follower tab and rotating the magazine end cap. Despite its quirky design, the rifle proves accurate and functional on the range, though historical design flaws like the lack of a handguard are noted.

Quick Summary

The Henry 1860 rifle features a unique loading mechanism where cartridges are inserted through an opening created by sliding a follower tab and rotating the magazine's end cap. While functional, this design lacks a handguard and has an open magazine tube, which were later improved upon in models like the Winchester 1866.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Winchester 1892 vs Henry 1860
  2. 00:56Loading the Henry 1860 Rifle
  3. 02:01Henry 1860 Range Performance
  4. 03:13Henry 1860 Design Flaws & Evolution
  5. 04:16Historical Context: Henry vs Winchester
  6. 08:01Modern Replica Clarification

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you load a Henry 1860 rifle?

Loading the Henry 1860 involves sliding a follower tab up the magazine tube, then rotating the end cap of the tube to expose the loading port. Cartridges are inserted through this port, and the end cap is rotated back to secure them. This process is demonstrated by Hickok45.

What are the main design flaws of the original Henry 1860 rifle?

Key design flaws of the Henry 1860 include the lack of a handguard, causing the barrel to overheat, and an open magazine tube that can easily collect debris. The follower tab could also interfere with the shooter's support hand.

How did the Winchester 1866 improve upon the Henry 1860?

The Winchester 1866 'Yellow Boy' addressed major Henry 1860 shortcomings by adding a forearm for better grip and heat protection, and incorporating a side loading gate for much easier and faster reloading compared to the Henry's barrel-end system.

Is the Henry 1860 rifle accurate?

Yes, despite its quirky and historically dated design, the Henry 1860 rifle, as demonstrated by Hickok45 with a modern replica, is accurate and functional. It was capable of hitting various targets, including steel gongs and silhouettes.

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