Henry Repeating Arms has brought the classic appeal of lever-action firearms into the modern era with its innovative line, including the Lever-Action X Model .410 Shotgun and the compact Axe .410 variant. Lever-action shotguns like Henry’s X Model .410 and Axe .410 combine the nostalgia of Westerns with practical, updated features. These firearms evoke a sense of history, drawing inspiration from iconic on-screen guns like Steve McQueen’s “Mare’s Leg” in Wanted Dead or Alive. While the Axe .410 isn’t an exact replica, its design cues resonate with fans of classic Western firearms.

Anthony Imperato founded Henry Repeating Arms in 1996, during a rebirth of the classic Western. Beginning with the production of the H001 Classic Lever-Action .22 caliber rifle, Henry became the largest, and arguable best, lever-action rifle company, breathing new life into the .22 LR lever-actions and bringing the joys and advantages of lever-action riflery to thousands of shooters outside of the world of Cowboy Action Shooting.

Henry’s commitment to quality and reliability has earned it a top spot in the industry, appealing to traditionalists and modern shooters alike. Their firearms retain the styling of early American rifles, offering a retro feel without sacrificing modern performance. The X Model .410 and Axe .410 lever-action shotguns are practical, reliable, and designed with a nod to America’s rich firearms heritage.

About the Henry .410 Axe

The .410 Axe comes in three different finishes. The Lever Steel Axe, featuring American walnut stocks and a blued barrel and receiver, along with the Brass Axe, featuring Henry’s trademark polished brass receiver, American walnut stocks and blued barrel, offer shooters the maximum in Old West impressions.

I opted to test the third option: the X Model Axe, a more tactical version of the Axe models. The X Model features synthetic stocks and a blued barrel and receiver. Instead of a brass bead front sight, the X Model features a green fiber optic sight that stands out nicely against the blued steel barrel. The black synthetic stocks increase the 21st-centry tactical appearance and include a molded-in section of Picatinny rail for the addition of a tactical light/laser sight.

All three Axe models are smoothbores chambered strictly for 2 ½-inch .410 Bore shotgun shells. The Axe will not accept .45 Colt rounds like the Bond Derringers, Taurus Judge or Smith & Wesson Governor revolvers. That is not a limiting factor as the .410 is wildly popular these days with many different loads available. Carry capacity is 5+1.

Henry X Model Axe .410 Bore Specifications

Action type: Lever/large loop
Gauge: .410 Bore/2 ½-inch shells/invector-style interchangeable choke tube/full-choke tube included (should not be used with slugs)
Safety: Transfer bar
Barrel type: 15.14-inch round blued steel
Receiver type: Blued steel/drilled and tapped for weaver 63b scope mount
Overall length: 26.4 inches
Weight: 5.75 pounds
Front sight: Fiber optic green
Rear sight: None
Stocks: Black synthetic/swivel studs, M-lok mounts, Picatinny rail mounts
Price: $1,124

At the Range

Henry recommends the Axe .410s for target practice, plinking or as a utility firearm, but it is also loads of fun. The .410 chambering is powerful but offers only light recoil, and the solid weight of the rifle and good ergonomics make it easy to shoot and control.

The .410 Axe series can be loaded by undoing the locking end cap on the underbarrel magazine tube and removing the brass inner magazine tube. Once the brass tube is partially or fully withdrawn, shells can be inserted brass-end first into the exposed loading port. After placing five rounds, reinsert the brass inner magazine tube and gently press down on the shells until it is reseated. Then lock it in place. While this method is satisfactory for initially loading the Axe, it is time-consuming to top off a depleted magazine. Fortunately, side-loading gates have been added to all of Henry’s modern lever-action rifles in recent years, enhancing their ease of loading. You can now load a Henry from a prone shooting position and easily top off a partially depleted magazine tube.

In an earlier dry firing session, I learned bracing the end of the pistol grip against my hip while working the lever made it easier to cycle the action. Holding the lever perpendicular to the ground, as I would with a full-length rifle, was difficult. However, if I turned the lever outward while holding the forend in my left hand, cycling was much easier and didn’t require bracing the Axe. Tilting the Axe while cycling the action provides a clear view of the chamber and ensures proper feeding of rounds.

I brought a box of Winchester 3-pellet 000 buckshot shells and a box of Federal Top Gun Target sporting shells loaded with #9 shot to the range. Aiming at a plain white silhouette target, I tested the Federal Top Gun loads first. Firing from 15 feet and holding it up with both hands straight out so that I could see the front sight, the #9 pellets delivered groups in the 4.5- to 5-inch range. The full choke kept the patterns tight and the shots were dead on to the point of aim.

The 000 Buck groups were also tight, with groups around 3 inches. Firing using one hand and extended straight, I still easily hit the target at the point of aim. The fiber optic sight on the X Model Axe stood out nicely from the black barrel as well as against the white target. With some initial help, my 10-year-old son was also able to easily handle the Axe and found it fun to shoot.

Henry Axe .410: A Stand Out in Lever-Action Shotguns

The Henry Lever-Action X Model Axe offers more than just a nod to Western nostalgia. It would make a practical, compact defensive carbine. Ordering the improved cylinder replacement choke from Henry would allow owners to shoot more serious loads, such as the Hornady Critical Defense. It’s a capable option for personal defense without the stigma or legal concerns of AR-style firearms. The Axe is accessible for family members of all skill levels, easy to stow in vehicles or RVs, and built to last for generations with Henry’s reliable construction. Add a tactical light/laser combo for enhanced self-defense, and even consider blank rounds for emergency signaling. Whether bugging out for storms or securing your home, the Axe is a versatile, resilient addition to any emergency kit.

Sources:

Henry: HenryUSA.com
Federal: FederalPremium.com
Hornady: Hornady.com
Winchester: Winchester.com