Henry’s done it again, folks. Under the motto of “Leading Where Others Follow,” Henry has modernized the lever gun with their all-new Special Product Division (SPD) firearms while still (somehow) maintaining that classic appeal we’ve all come to love. And, my goodness, they’re quite the sight to behold. Darn tootin’.
The crew and I had the opportunity to chat with the folks over at Henry during SHOT Show 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada, specifically looking at the new-fangled beauties under the SPD banner. Built atop a modular stock system (some with interchangeable 1911 grip panels) and carbon fiber-wrapped barrels, the rifles were unlike anything I’d ever seen from the likes of Henry.
Usually, when you see something like this, it looks kinda silly and sounds more like a gimmick than something of quality. But these are made in-house, and they actually look good, like something with a little bit of thought behind it, worthy of the Henry name. That says a lot, especially coming from a snob like me.
While Henry couldn’t give us an exact release date during the show, they indicated that the rifles would likely be hitting dealer shelves in spring 2025.
And let me just say I just can’t wait. Now, I’m not typically a lever gun guy. There’s nothing wrong with a lever-action rifle, don’t get me wrong; they’re just not my particular cup of tea. These new SPD rifles, though, are a horse of a different color. Let me explain why.
A Welcome Break Away From “Same Ole, Same Ole”
The Special Products Division has placed a heavy emphasis on modernity, using advanced materials and metallurgy (think carbon fiber-wrapped barrels and modular stocks and receivers), cutting-edge manufacturing processes, and, above all else, collaboration with other players in the industry to bring new, practical firearms for an increasingly diverse customer base.
I mean, one look at the Lever-Action Supreme, Henry’s all-new mag-fed lever gun, is enough to tell you that Henry is making changes, both big and small.
This break away from the “same ole, same ole” breathes a new life into lever guns, appealing to shooters like myself, who’ve typically shied away from lever guns for one reason or another. No doubt, Henry is pushing the envelope, and I, for one, am here for it.
Until now, it felt to me like the industry was lacking in ingenuity. Like engineers had stagnated, and we were in some sort of slump. I’d grown tired of seeing “new” guns that were only new in chambering and stock colors. I got tired of feeling kind of “meh” about those new releases. But with these new SPD offerings, I’m sitting here feeling more like a little kid at Christmas, counting down the days until I finally have one of those lovelies in my hands for some real range time.
Entering A New Golden Age
I should say, too, that this new SPD banner isn’t the only thing Henry is doing to spur innovation and appeal to the masses. No. Though the lever gun has always been Henry’s bread and butter, the company has released a set of revolvers. Obviously, revolvers are nothing new. However, there’s been a growing desire for a return to those classic revolvers we’ve all grown to know and love.
Much like Smith & Wesson and their new No Lock Classics, Henry is attempting something that, while not new in terms of technology, is new in a market saturated by Glock clones and AR-15s. Further, while Henry is an established name in the industry, the break away from lever guns and the introduction of a new-to-them platform could be a catalyst for some really unique firearms in the future; room for Henry to listen to their customers’ wants and needs, and opportunities to collaborate with other manufacturers to bring about the next golden age of firearms.
I think that’s what has me all excited about this Special Products Division: Henry’s willingness to collaborate. And not just with other manufacturers. This new division, ultimately, is a collaboration with customers who’ve asked for Henry-made quality and prestige, but in a new package, in a new design that blends the modern era with the guns of yesteryear.
That is, Henry isn’t just focusing on making a better lever gun; they’re focusing on meeting the demands of a rapidly diversifying customer base where shooters are more interdisciplinary than ever before. In this modern era, rarely do you find a shooter who is just a hunter, just a tactician, or just a home defense shooter. We want guns that can be used across a wide swath of applications, and Henry’s new SPD guns are likely to fit the bill for a lot of us.
A Short, Worthwhile Wait
While the SPD line officially launched at SHOT Show in January, we won’t see the guns hitting dealer shelves until spring 2025. So, yes, it’s a bit of a wait still, but I think the upcoming SPD-series rifles (and whatever else comes next) are likely to drive some pretty incredible shifts in the industry, finally punching through the stagnation of technology and innovation we’ve been feeling the past few years or so.
Be ready for it, friends. Henry’s entering into a new golden era, and it’ll be interesting to see what else they come up with under the SPD banner.
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