Henry Repeating Arms Announces Major Expansion of America’s Most Popular Rimfire Lever-Action Platform

Henry Repeating Arms just dropped the biggest news in rimfire in years, and we’ve got the first shipment headed to our shop. This isn’t just a new rifle; it’s a major expansion of the most popular rimfire lever-action platform in America, the Henry H1. For our customers in Kentucky, this means you finally have a Henry lever-action .22 built exactly for your needs, whether that’s a classic walnut sporter for the squirrel woods, a tactical-ready model for the range, or a downright fun plinker. This release turns the single H1 model into a full family of rifles, and we’re excited to put them in your hands.

Specs at a Glance

• Manufacturer & Platform: Henry Repeating Arms H1 Lever-Action
• Available Models: H1 Western Rifle, H1 Western Frontier Rifle, H1 Sporter Rifle, H1 Sporter Carbine, H1 Bandit Rifle, H1 X Model
• Caliber/Chambering: .22 S/L/LR, .22 Magnum, and select models in .17 HMR
• Action: Smooth, short-throw lever-action
• Primary Uses: Target Shooting, Plinking, Small Game Hunting, Rimfire Enthusiast Collection

Why We’re Stocking This

We handle every gun that comes through Kentucky Gun Shop, and the moment we saw Henry’s announcement, we knew we had to bring in the full lineup. For years, the question we’ve heard most after “Do you have a Henry .22 lever gun?” is “Which one should I get?” The classic H001 was often the only answer. Now, with this H1 platform expansion, we can match the right rifle to the shooter. We’re stocking these because our customers range from young folks learning on a classic to seasoned hunters wanting a dedicated small-game rig, and every one of these new H1 models serves a purpose on our wall. It’s about giving you quality choices.

Furthermore, Henry’s reputation for flawless out-of-the-box function and their ironclad lifetime warranty mean we can stand behind this product 100%. We don’t stock gimmicks; we stock reliable tools and heirlooms. The new Henry H1 platform expansion represents both. Whether it’s the rugged X Model or the elegant Western, these are guns built to last and be passed down, which is exactly the kind of value we want for our shop.

Who It’s For

• The New Shooter & Mentor: The .22 LR H1 Sporter Carbine is the perfect, manageable first rifle. Its light weight, gentle recoil, and intuitive lever action make learning safe, fun, and effective.
• The Small Game Hunter: For the squirrel hunter in the hardwoods or the rabbit hunter in the briars, the H1 Sporter Rifle in .22 Magnum or .17 HMR offers flat trajectory and decisive power in a fast-handling, quiet package.
• The Plinker & Range Enthusiast: The H1 Bandit Rifle, with its large-loop lever and side-loading gate, is pure, grin-inducing fun. The H1 X Model, with its Picatinny rail and threaded barrel, is for the modern rimfire shooter who wants to run optics and a suppressor.
• The Traditionalist & Collector: The H1 Western and Western Frontier models, with their octagonal barrels, fancy stocks, and brass hardware, are moving pieces of American firearm history. They’re for the shooter who appreciates craftsmanship and heritage.
• The “One Gun” Rural Homesteader: A versatile, reliable .22 lever-action like the H1 Sporter is a timeless tool for pest control, putting food on the table, and general-purpose use around the property.
• The Lever-Gun Aficionado: If you already own centerfire lever actions, adding a rimfire counterpart like these new Henry H1 models for affordable practice and training is a logical and enjoyable expansion of your collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What’s the real difference between all these new Henry H1 models? It’s a bit overwhelming.

A: It’s simpler than it looks. Think of it as Henry building the same reliable action into different “outfits.” The H1 Sporter is your classic, all-around rifle. The Western models are for show and tradition with fancy wood and brass. The H1 Bandit is for fast handling and that classic “cowboy” look with its big loop. The H1 X Model is the tactical/tool version, ready for optics and a can. We can walk you through each one in the shop to find your fit.

Q: I have an older Henry H001. Is this new H1 platform expansion that much better?

A: “Better” might be the wrong word—”more specialized” is more accurate. Your H001 is a fantastic, proven rifle. The new H1 platform expansion uses that same legendary reliability and smooth action but offers it in calibers like .17 HMR and configurations (like the side-gate loading on the Bandit or the rail on the X Model) that the original didn’t have. It’s about choice, not replacement.

Q: Which caliber should I choose: .22 LR, .22 Mag, or .17 HMR?

A: It depends on your main use. For pure economy, plinking, and introductory shooting, .22 LR is king. For small game hunting where you want more reach and power, .22 Magnum is a stellar choice. For the ultimate in flat-shooting, wind-bucking accuracy on varmints or targets at longer rimfire ranges, the .17 HMR is hard to beat. We stock ammo for all three, so we can help you decide based on what you plan to do with your new Henry Repeating Arms H1.

In Stock & Ready to Ship

The first shipment of this historic Henry Repeating Arms H1 platform expansion is on its way to us. We will have examples of the H1 Western Rifle, H1 Sporter, and H1 X Model available for you to handle first. Don’t just read about it—come feel the smooth action, shoulder the different models, and see which one speaks to you. Contact us now to reserve your specific model or get on the list for a notification when they hit the rack. This is the most significant rimfire lever-action launch in a generation, and we’re proud to bring it directly to Kentucky shooters.