BOO-YAH: Henry’s NON-NFA Lever-Action Axe .410
Quick Answer
The Henry Lever Action Axe .410 is a compact, non-NFA .410 firearm with a distinctive axe-handle grip. Because it has a 15.14-inch barrel and a 26.4-inch overall length (and was never a shoulder-fired shotgun), it is classified as a firearm, not an NFA short-barreled shotgun — so no tax stamp is required. It holds 5 rounds of 2.5-inch .410, weighs about 5.75 pounds, and has a threaded barrel for Invector chokes.
Henry Axe .410: quick facts
Is the Henry Axe .410 NFA-regulated?
No — its 15.14-inch barrel, 26.4-inch overall length and axe-handle grip make it a non-NFA firearm, so it needs no tax stamp.
How many rounds does the Henry Axe hold?
Five 2.5-inch .410 shells, fed through a side loading gate and topped off as you go.
What are the Axe key specs?
A 15.14-inch blued barrel, 26.4-inch overall length, about 5.75 pounds, a brass-bead front sight, and a barrel threaded for Invector-style chokes.
What is the Henry Axe used for?
It is a handy .410 for snakes, pests and close-range use that skirts NFA paperwork thanks to its firearm (not shotgun) classification.
Every so often, I see a new gun or gadget that I want so badly that it turns me into your grandpa and sticks my caps-lock key in place, and today the gun that has induced this transformation is Henry Repeating Arms‘ new non-NFA lever-action gun featuring a side loading gate, an axe-handle grip, and I WANT IT RIGHT NOW. Ahem. It’s not regulated under the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ National Firearms Act and will not require a tax stamp to purchase, which is good because MINE.
Commonly known as a “Mare’s Leg” pistol, the Axe sports a barrel length of just under 16 inches and an overall length of just over 26 inches. That compact nature means I can store it easily, but it still boasts a five-round magazine for 2½-inch .410 shells. If five rounds turns out to not be enough–and IT WON’T BE BECAUSE I AM GOING TO BE SHOOTING THIS BAD BOY ALL DAY ahem–I can top it off continuously through the side loading gate without having to remove that tube magazine.
This is not just such a badass looking gun that it’s causing me to WHY IS THIS NOT IN MY GUN SAFE RIGHT NOW. It’s also a right-out-of-the-box solution that comes complete with a removable front choke; it’s also threaded for invector-style chokes. Naturally, it features the same shot-to-shot dependability for which both Henry and the lever-action platform are known. Here’s what a recent reviewer had to say:
“At the range, the Axe proved to be a smooth operator that was enjoyable to use. It fed, fired and ejected all of the test ammunition without any issues. The 590 Shockwave 12-ga. is a real handful due to the stout levels of felt recoil it produces with most loads. However, the Axe weighs in at 5 lbs. 14.6 oz., unloaded. The gun simply soaks up the kick of the 2½” .410 Bore shells, resulting in recoil levels ranging from mild to modest.” (Much credit is due to the editor for editing out the ALL CAPS THAT I AM SURE THE TEXT ORIGINALLY ARRIVED IN. )
Anthony Imperato, President and owner of Henry Repeating Arms explains, “Our Mare’s Leg lever action pistols have been a popular choice among shooting sports enthusiasts for many years now, mainly because they’re so fun to shoot and the fact that they look like they came right out of a Western movie.” Imperato continues, “The Axe shares a similar form factor to our Mare’s Leg with some added features for more versatility.”
The Axe is available at dealers right now with an MSRP of $970. You can have one AS SOON AS I HAVE MINE. Click here for more information!
Naturally, we would be remiss if we didn’t tell you that Henry Repeating Arms has donated a beautiful Golden Boy lever-action rifle to help support the future of the Second Amendment with our Second Amendment, First Defense $2K Guns & Gear Giveaway! From now through midnight on May 9, you can enter to win this awesome prize package featuring that rifle, a Glock 43 by Rainier Arms, ammo from Federal, holsters and gear from N8 Tactical and so much more! Click below to enter.
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I’ve done extensive shooting and hunting with my Circuit Judge with multiple types of ammo. I love this gun. You can shoot shot shells with the bullet insert. It’s just an extension of the barrel. You will have a wider distribution of shot at close range without the choke tube. Do not shoot slugs or bullets with the choke tube installed.
This gun looks cool and probably works well. I love my Henry 45-70. But I would not consider this for home defense. A pump action is superior in those situations in that both hands remain fully on the gun and you’re not taking your hand off the trigger as you would with a lever action.
While less than full choke is recommended for slugs and Henry may “require” it, I believe I’ve seen videos of reviewers firing slugs with the full choke in place without issue. But since you can put in any of several chokes, it’s a moot point. Also self defense rounds aren’t necessarily slugs, so what’s the issue?
Should be a great defensive firearm and snake killer and even a short range hunter.
No, I don’t own one, yet, gotta wait for Trace to get HIS……..but do own the Henry 410, UNFORTUNATELY WITHOUT THE SIDE GATE!
I own a Rossi Circuit Judge, 410/45 LC, 5 round utterly reliable revolver single or double action. To me this is only a self defense gun as sighting for hunting would be almost impossible. However it does sound like fun shooting.
We purchased 2 Rossi Circuit Judges, a wood stock for me and synthetic stock for my wife (shorter gun). Unlike the Judge revolver, you cannot “Mix & Match” .410 GA and .45 LC rounds without changing the chokes on the rifle/shotgun. Just wondering if you tried shooting shot shells with the bullet choke or bullets with the shotgun choke?
Does this take Self Defense Ammo? Approx. cost of gun?
As long as it’s 2 1/2 inches, yes. And the MSRP is $970. You can have it after I get MINE!
Talk to Henry. You need a different choke for slugs.
Would prefer 12 or 20 ga, .410 is so expensive.
I own several Henry’s and they are great rifles. I also own a Mossberg 590 Shockwave in .410 (2 1/2 & 3″) that I’m awfully fond of too. I did also own the 12 Ga. 590, but it found a new home as it was like trying to pet a wolverine when you shot it.