Dilemma time. Sort of.
I don't know why, but I've been absolutely intrigued lately by the Henry Pump Octagon in 22LR. I've got a Golden Boy (22LR) and Big Boy Steel (357), so I'm a Henry fan. Also a huge fan of Ruger Rifles, and not long ago I had a chance to really look over an American bolt action in 22LR with the wood stock. It was the stainless barrel model, and with the wood finish it was fetching to look at and the bolt had a very pleasant action to it.
I like the bolt for lots of reasons - seemingly better lockup = better accuracy, and LOTS easier to take apart and clean. And I'm a cleaning freak, I keep my stuff ready to put back in a display case after every outing. I also like that the Ruger American will take the same BX mags I have for the RPR and 10/22.
The Henry pump gets a bit of criticism for the action being pretty stiff at first. I watched a disassembly video, and just like the Golden Boy lever action there's quite a bit more going on to tear it down and maintain it. Though I realize most of the gunk is going down the barrel with either a bolt or lever/pump so it doesn't need to be overly tended to after each outing regardless which way you go. I'm also seeing that because the pump tolerances need to be just a bit looser, accuracy isn't quite as good as the bolt option. But mag compatibility is irrelevant since it's tube-fed.
I like that the pump would seem to have quicker follow-up shots since your hand is right on the stock, where a lever takes your hand off the business end to cycle in the next round. The Ruger American would lend itself better to mounting a scope where the Henry pump is something I'd probably leave with the factory iron sights.
My head leans towards the bolt. My heart thinks the pump would be a hoot. Oh, and FWIW, I've got the RPR (bolt) and Golden Boy (lever), so the pump would sort of fill a diversity gap.
If you've read this far, sorry for the ramble... what does the "Long Guns" crowd have to say?
I don't know why, but I've been absolutely intrigued lately by the Henry Pump Octagon in 22LR. I've got a Golden Boy (22LR) and Big Boy Steel (357), so I'm a Henry fan. Also a huge fan of Ruger Rifles, and not long ago I had a chance to really look over an American bolt action in 22LR with the wood stock. It was the stainless barrel model, and with the wood finish it was fetching to look at and the bolt had a very pleasant action to it.
I like the bolt for lots of reasons - seemingly better lockup = better accuracy, and LOTS easier to take apart and clean. And I'm a cleaning freak, I keep my stuff ready to put back in a display case after every outing. I also like that the Ruger American will take the same BX mags I have for the RPR and 10/22.
The Henry pump gets a bit of criticism for the action being pretty stiff at first. I watched a disassembly video, and just like the Golden Boy lever action there's quite a bit more going on to tear it down and maintain it. Though I realize most of the gunk is going down the barrel with either a bolt or lever/pump so it doesn't need to be overly tended to after each outing regardless which way you go. I'm also seeing that because the pump tolerances need to be just a bit looser, accuracy isn't quite as good as the bolt option. But mag compatibility is irrelevant since it's tube-fed.
I like that the pump would seem to have quicker follow-up shots since your hand is right on the stock, where a lever takes your hand off the business end to cycle in the next round. The Ruger American would lend itself better to mounting a scope where the Henry pump is something I'd probably leave with the factory iron sights.
My head leans towards the bolt. My heart thinks the pump would be a hoot. Oh, and FWIW, I've got the RPR (bolt) and Golden Boy (lever), so the pump would sort of fill a diversity gap.
If you've read this far, sorry for the ramble... what does the "Long Guns" crowd have to say?
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