And then there’s this development:
The Henry SPD HUSH Series is a bold evolution in lever-action rifle design, purpose-built to be run suppressed. Developed by the Henry Special Products Division—our new R&D initiative focused on forward-thinking innovation—this inaugural release reimagines what a lever gun can be in modern hunting and shooting applications. Offered in five time-tested calibers—.45 Colt, .357 Magnum/.38 Spl, .44 Magnum/.44 Spl, .30-30 Win, and .45-70 Gov’t—the HUSH Series strikes the perfect balance of traditional feel and modern performance.
Lever actions already offer excellent balance and speed, with the added suppressor-friendly benefit of a closed action during firing. Our HUSH Series takes this a step further. Every component forward of the receiver is optimized to minimize weight, keeping the rifle’s natural center of gravity intact—even when a suppressor is mounted. The result is a no-compromise suppressor host that retains the instinctive handling and quick follow-up shot capability that lever guns are known for.
So far, so good. Then we see what this new paragon of balance and innovation looks like:
As Reader Mike S. (who sent me the link, thankee) says:
Just give me a threaded muzzle and leave the blue steel and walnut alone!
Can’t much argue with that. But that wouldn’t make the SPD HUSH more popular with the Tacticool Set, would it? And that means no additional rifle sales.
Still, I can’t fault Henry for doing this kind of thing — from a marketing perspective. But let me tell you: if they start discontinuing any of their existing models in favor of this new flavor-of-the-month, they deserve everything they get.
You see Henry already makes a wood ‘n steel that’s ready for a suppressor:
…but Alert Readers will notice that it’s for their rimfire models only.
So why not just extend that concept to the Big Boy and Side Lever models, I ask?
(They don’t have to do that to the Original Henry rifles, of course — I don’t think anyone would support that.)
Some things just shouldn’t be tinkered with.
I’m glad there are options for people out there. If the public doesn’t like it, they product will be ended. Remember that Taurus Curve pistol? It was a pistol that was curved for better concealment. I think it lasted three years. Or how about Remington’s R1 when they tried to get back into the pistol market. That didn’t last long.
I think it would look better with a black polymer stock rather than wood, but that’s just me. Anyway, variety is always better.
You’ve got an alternative in blued-steel/walnut with a threaded barrel, in your choice of .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum, or .45-70 from Smith & Wesson as their Model 1854:
https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/sw-model-1854-traditional-walnut-lever-action-rifle-44-magnum
They’re not bad looking, either.
I’ve got a Marlin lever gun in .357 Magnum in blue/wood that I found used a long time ago to go with my old Taurus (built on S&W machinery in Brazil) 6″ SST revolver.
It goes back to the original and often forgotten Murphy’s Law (no relation): “Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.”
This reminds me, I have three guns on my wishlist, but since I have a mortgage for a few more years and taxes up the ass in a liberal blue state to pay for freeloading adult fuckers and to fund the schooling for other people’s crotch fruits – my wishlist has to take a back seat, while I pay for other people’s laziness and orgasm’s.
My wishlist as follows, in no particular order:
1 – Henry Model X in 357 MAG (no suppressor ready model needed)
2 – Ruger GP100 Match Champion 4 inch stainless 10MM
3 – Ruger Alaskan 454 / 45 COLT OR the Ruger Redhawk 4 inch stainless 45 ACP / COLT
solid bucket list