Henry Lever Action Side Gate

ALWAYS USE THE CORRECT AMMUNITION FOR YOUR PARTICULAR FIREARM. Henry Repeating Arms Firearms are designed to function with a variety of brands and types of factory manufactured ammunition in the appropriate caliber, but not all ammunition produces the same result. Be sure the only ammunition you carry correctly matches the gauge or caliber you are shooting. Never use non-standard, reloaded, or “hand-loaded” ammunition which has not been subjected to internal ballistic pressure testing. Henry RAC recommends that after you read and understand this manual, you go to the range and fire different ammunition which is appropriate to the caliber of your firearm. Once you find the ammunition which functions best, keep using it.

This firearm is designed with an ultra-safe patented Transfer Bar Safety Mechanism. This safety system prevents the gun from being fired under all circumstances, except when the hammer is fully cocked and the trigger is pulled. If the hammer is fully cocked and the trigger is pulled, the gun would fire as normal. However, if the hammer is fully cocked and is accidentally dislodged by some other means other than the trigger being pulled, the gun will not fire. If the hammer is in the process of being cocked and is accidentally released and dropped into the fired down position, before it is fully cocked, the gun will not fire. This rifle can be safely carried fully loaded with the hammer in the fired down resting position. Please note that this rifle does not have a half cock safety position nor a crossbolt safety. If you do not have a full understanding of how the safety system works, please call us immediately at 201-858-4400 and ask for technical assistance.

Prior to loading your rifle, make certain that it is not already loaded. Point the muzzle in a safe direction, swing the lever down, and pull it back. If a cartridge ejects, proceed with directions on how to unload the magazine tube and empty the chamber.

Before using your firearm for the first time, it should be cleaned. (See the cleaning instructions.) Your firearm was treated at the factory with either a preservative or oil to protect it against corrosion during shipping and storage. Preservative and oil should be wiped from the bore, chamber and exposed areas using a clean swab or patch before using the firearm.

Purchase cleaning supplies that are specifically designated for your type and caliber of firearm. Many suppliers offer these in kit form for your convenience. Follow the instructions provided. Whenever your firearm has been exposed to sand, dust, extreme humidity, water or other adverse conditions, it should be cleaned and lubricated.

The Side-Gate can be single loaded. To load the chamber directly, first open the action by pushing the lever down.

WARNING! The firearm is now loaded with a cartridge in the chamber.

1. To Load the Magazine:

With the hammer down and the chamber empty, close the bolt by pulling the lever fully rearward. Insert a cartridge, bullet end first, by pushing the loading gate with the nose of the cartridge.

NOTE: Always check the cartridge for the correct designation before loading the firearm. Match the ammunition head stamp to the barrel markings.

2. To Load the Magazine Tube

This firearm also uses a tube feed brass inner magazine tube to hold cartridges. Cartridges are loaded into the cutout in the blued outer magazine tube located underneath the barrel. Important – when loading the action must be closed with the hammer in the uncocked position (fired down position). Rotate the inner magazine tube to disengage. Pull the inner magazine tube out until the follower (the orange part at the end of the inner magazine tube) clears the loading port in the outer magazine tube. You can either remove the brass inner magazine tube completely or keep it positioned in the outer magazine tube just past the loading port. With the muzzle pointed upward, insert the rimmed end of the cartridges into the loading port in the outer magazine tube and allow them to slide down towards the action. Do not exceed the capacity of the magazine. Next, push the inner magazine tube back down into position, and lock it into place. The rifle is now ready for operation.

The rifle will be ready to fire by moving the hammer to the cocked position and pulling the trigger. If you are not ready to fire, place your thumb on the hammer and disengage the hammer by pulling the trigger slightly rearward. Immediately release the trigger while still holding the hammer and bring the hammer into the fired down position. If you do not fire all the cartridges in the magazine, be sure to put the hammer in the safe position until you are ready to shoot again.

UNTIL A VISUAL CHECK HAS BEEN MADE, YOU SHOULD ASSUME THAT A LIVE ROUND REMAINS IN THE CHAMBER.

To unload the magazine and chamber, the hammer should be resting in the fired down position. With the rifle pointing upward, withdraw the inner magazine tube. Tip the gun downward, allowing cartridges to slide out into a container. Replace the inner magazine tube. Open the action again, by cycling the lever, to make certain that there are no cartridges in the chamber. Cycle the action multiple times to insure that no live rounds remain in the chamber.

NOTE: The lever must be completely closed and then fully opened to insure proper feeding and ejecting of all the cartridges.

Your Henry Side-Gate Lever Action Rifle is equipped with a Fully Adjustable Semi-Buckhorn rear sight. The rear sight is adjustable for elevation (shooting high and low) and for windage (shooting left and right).

High or Low (Elevation Adjustment)

In order to shoot higher, you need to raise the rear sight. In order to
shoot lower, you need to lower the rear sight. In order to raise or lower the rear sight, you need to grab the “ears” of the rear sight, and lift it up, in order to move the rear sight elevator, which sits below the ears. Your rifle can be adjusted to shoot higher by moving the rear sight elevator backward by one or more notches.

In order to shoot higher, the rear sight elevator should be moved forward. In addition, the rear sight contains a white diamond insert for fine-tuning height adjustment. This part is held in place by a screw. If you want to shoot higher, raise the insert. If you want to shoot lower, then lower the insert. Loosen the screw to the right of the white diamond, raise or lower as needed to correct elevation, then re-tighten the screw.

Left or Right (Windage Adjustment)

To adjust your for windage (left/right), we suggest that you move the rear sight to the left or right as desired. The rear sight sits in a dovetail slot cutout in the barrel. Current models will have a screw on the front of the rear sight assembly. This screw must first be loosened, prior to attempting adjustment.

To adjust your rifle for windage use a plastic mallet, or a hammer and a brass wedge to tap it in the direction you want your shots to hit. For example: if you are shooting to the left, you need to tap the sight over to the right to correct the point of impact. Conversely, if you are shooting to the right then you will need to tap the rear sight over to the left.

NEVER USE YOUR FIREARM IF IT FAILS TO FUNCTION PROPERLY, AND NEVER FORCE A JAMMED ACTION. Forcing the action could make the round explode, causing serious injury, possible death, or severe damage to your firearm or other property.

FAILURE TO FIRE. A misfire occurs when the firing pin strikes the primer and it does not fire.  IF THE FIREARM FAILS TO FIRE DO NOT PUT IT DOWN OR OPEN THE ACTION. ALWAYS HOLD THE FIREARM, KEEPING IT POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION AND WAIT 30 SECONDS. IF A HANGFIRE (SLOW IGNITION) HAS OCCURRED, THE ROUND WILL FIRE WITHIN 30 SECONDS.

If the round does not fire, remove the ammunition, eject the round and examine the shell. If the firing pin indent on the primer is light or non-existent, have the firearm examined by a competent gunsmith before firing again. If the firing pin indent on the primer appears normal (in comparison with similar previously fired rounds) assume you have faulty ammunition.  Segregate the misfired round from other live ammunition and empty cases, reload, and carry on firing.

FAILURE TO EXTRACT (FTE). This is when the firearm discharges the round and fails to extract the spent round from the chamber. This could happen because of a bad extractor or bad/damaged casings.

FAILURE TO FEED (FTF). This is simply when the firearm fails to feed another round into the chamber. Put the lever in the open position and clear the ejection port.

Note: The ejection port should face the ground; this will allow the round to easily fall out (gravity is your friend here). This will work for both left and right handed shooters.

WARNING: BEFORE PERFORMING CLEANING PROCEDURES, MAKE SURE THE HAMMER IS IN THE FIRED-DOWN POSITION, WHICH ALLOWS YOUR SAFETY TO FUNCTION AS DESIGNED. OPEN THE ACTION AND MAKE CERTAIN YOUR FIREARM IS COMPLETELY UNLOADED. KEEP THE MUZZLE POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE WARNINGS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

KEEP ALL AMMUNITION AWAY FROM THE CLEANING AREA. NEVER TEST THE MECHANICAL FUNCTION OF YOUR RIFLE WITH LIVE AMMUNITION. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE WARNINGS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

NOTICE! It is very important that the bore of your rifle be cleaned thoroughly and promptly after shooting. Do not leave discharged (empty) cases in the chambers for any length of time, as the chemical composition of many cartridges contain moisture which can “sweat” out of the shell and onto the chambers’ surfaces, and possibly cause corrosion and rust.

Regular cleaning is important in order for your gun to operate efficiently and safely. Taking proper care of it will also maintain its value and extend its life.

In order to clean it, we suggest that you first open the action by cycling the lever down/forward. Use a brand name cleaning kit and follow the manufacturers instructions.

NOTE: Use a brand name cleaning kit and clean the bore from the breech end. Then clean the bolt and oil it before replacing. To reassemble, simply do the reverse.

When storing your firearm, do not encase it in anything that will attract or hold moisture, for example, leather or heavy cloth. Also, do not store firearms with a plug inserted in the barrel because this can be a contributing factor to moisture accumulation.

If your firearm is to be stored for an extended period, the bore, chamber and internal surfaces should be oiled with a high-quality lubricating oil or preservative intended for firearms. The external parts; receiver, bolt and barrel should be coated with an anti-rust oil.

Before using your firearm again, be sure to clean it. Every time you clean your firearm, check it for signs of wear. If wear is noted, do not use the firearm, have it checked by a qualified gunsmith.

Make sure your firearm is in good mechanical condition before firing it. Periodically have your firearm checked for signs of erosion, cracking, or wear by the factory or a factory certified gunsmith.

NEVER LOCK A LOADED FIREARM AND NEVER LOAD A LOCKED FIREARM!

ALWAYS CHECK TO MAKE SURE YOUR FIREARM IS NOT LOADED BEFORE CLEANING, STORING, TRANSPORTING IT, LAYING IT DOWN, OR HANDING IT TO ANOTHER PERSON so that it cannot be fired when it is unsafe to do so.

ALWAYS KEEP AND STORE YOUR FIREARM AND AMMUNITION IN SEPARATE, LOCKED LOCATIONS, OUT OF REACH AND SIGHT OF CHILDREN AND UNTRAINED PERSONS. Safe and secure storage of your firearm and ammunition are your responsibility.

NEVER LEAVE THE KEY TO THE LOCK FOR YOUR FIREARM WITH THE STORED FIREARM!

NEVER ASSUME THAT A “HIDING” PLACE IS A SECURE STORAGE METHOD.  Others may be aware of your storage location or come upon it by chance. It is your personal responsibility to use common sense when storing your firearm and ammunition and to always make sure they are not accessible to children or other unauthorized persons.

NOTE: Do not store your firearm in an air-tight container, and do not seal or attempt to seal the barrel to exclude dust, as the internal steel surface is more likely to rust or corrode by doing this.

BEWARE OF BARREL OBSTRUCTIONS. Be sure the barrel is clear of obstructions before shooting. Mud, water, snow or other objects may inadvertently lodge in the barrel bore. A small obstruction can cause a dangerous increase in pressure and may damage your firearm and cause injury to yourself and others.

BEFORE CHECKING FOR A BARREL OBSTRUCTION, BE CERTAIN YOUR FIREARM IS COMPLETELY UNLOADED. After assuring yourself that the firearm is completely unloaded, open the action and look through the barrel to be sure it is clear of obstructions. If an obstruction is seen, no matter how small it may be, clean the bore with a cleaning cord or a patch as described in the CLEANING section of this owner’s manual.

BE SURE ALL ACCESSORIES, SUCH AS SLINGS, SCOPES AND OTHER ACCESSORIES ARE COMPATIBLE WITH YOUR PARTICULAR FIREARM AND THAT THE ACCESSORIES DO NOT INTERFERE WITH ITS SAFE OPERATION.

It is your responsibility to understand and follow all of the instructions in the safety manual that accompanied your firearm, as well as those which may be supplied with your ammunition and any accessory.

NEVER DISASSEMBLE YOUR FIREARM BEYOND THE FIELD STRIPPING PROCEDURE OUTLINED IN THIS MANUAL. Improper disassembly or reassembly of your firearm may be dangerous and can lead to serious injury or death.

NEVER MANIPULATE, ADJUST OR CHANGE ANY OF THE INTERNAL COMPONENTS OF YOUR FIREARM UNLESS SPECIFICALLY INSTRUCTED TO DO SO IN THIS MANUAL.  Improper manipulation of any other internal component may affect the safety and reliability of your firearm and may cause serious injury or death.

NEVER ALLOW ANY ALTERATION OR REPLACEMENT OF PARTS IN YOUR FIREARM UNLESS PERFORMED BY A QUALIFIED GUNSMITH USING AUTHORIZED PARTS. If you do otherwise, improper functioning of your firearm may occur and serious injury or death and damage to property may result.