In January, much to the surprise of the shooting world, Henry introduced its first-ever semi-automatic firearm, a compact 9mm rifle dubbed the “Homesteader”. Unveiled at the 2023 SHOT Show Industry Day at the Range, this new rifle impressed those who tried it. It is easy to handle, has good ergonomics, was reliable, and fun to shoot (particularly with an optic and suppressor). The Homesteader features a black-finished anodized aluminum receiver and sealed walnut buttstock and forearm. We include five Homesteader test videos below, two from the debut at Industry Range day.

We like this new 9mm Homesteader carbine. The main reason is that it can be a fun rifle used at a local range with steel targets. As it shoots a 9x19mm (9mm Luger) pistol round, it can be used at many ranges limited to pistol cartridges. The other big advantage is that you can shoot the same cartridge you use in your handgun — the 9mm Luger (aka 9x19mm). That’s a huge plus if you don’t have time to reload for your rifle. And 9mm Luger ammo is also some of the least expensive centerfire ammo you can find, available for just $0.35 (thirty-five cents) per round or less.*

To top it off, there are versions of the Henry Homesteader that can even use Glock or SIG/S&W pistol mags — so you can literally take a magazine out of your handgun and use it in this handy new Henry 9mm carbine. The stock is also designed to be ambidextrous so it works for both lefties and right-handed shooters plus the charging handle can be installed on either side.

Here’s a good video from Henry that shows all the features of the new Henry Homesteader with closeups of the sights, magwell, charging handle, tang safety, mag release, and buttstock:

With a simple change of the magwell unit, the Homesteader can use Glock mags, SIG mags, and S&W mags as well as 5- and 10-rd Henry mags. Below left is a Glock mag, with factory mags on the right.

PROS of Henry 9mm Homesteader
1. Affordable — $928.00 MSRP basic version; $959.00 with Glock, or SIG/S&W M&P magwells.
2. Uses inexpensive, readily available 9x19mm (9mm Luger) ammunition.
3. Easy to handle at 36″ overall and 6.6 lbs. (before optics).
4. Can be used on same ranges and targets as 9mm pistols.
5. Rail can be installed to mount Red Dots and other optics.
6. The blued barrel is 1/2×28 threaded to allow suppressor use.
7. Charging Handle can be placed on either right side or left side.
8. Good trigger out of the box.

CONS of Henry 9mm Homesteader
1. Only one cartridge choice at this time — 9x19mm (9mm Luger).
2. Aftermarket rail required to fit all optics (receiver has no built-in slots/rails).
3. Length of pull is not adjustable at this time.
4. Rear sight is primitive and blocked if scope rail is fitted (see frame below).

We see Henry’s 9mm Homesteader as mainly a fun plinking rifle for use inside 100 yards. But it certainly could serve for home defense and small varmint chores. Henry boasts: “For home defense, walking the fence line to protect your livestock, in the truck, at the range, or slung across your back on a deep woods excursion, the Homesteader is ready to deliver on all fronts.”

Details of 9mm Homesteader Design and Operation

The Homesteader has a semi-automatic blowback action that uses expanding cartridge gases to cycle the bolt. When the magazine is empty, the bolt will lock back, and you can see through the action port. An ambidextrous bolt release lever is positioned by the trigger guard. The ambidextrous theme continues with a central, top-mounted thumb safety switch, a bottom-mounted magazine release switch, and a movable charging handle for left- or right-handed operation.

The Homesteader is currently available in three different models — a basic model that runs 5-rd and 10-rd Henry magazines. There is second version with a magwell for Glock magazines, and there is a third model that takes SIG Sauer and/or Smith & Wesson M&P magazines. For all versions, Henry 5-round and 10-round magazines are included.

Here GunsAmerica Digest Editor True Pearce tests a Henry 9mm Homesteader fitted with optic and suppressor. Pearce was quite impressed with the new 9mm carbine:

Product Information from Henry:
“The Homesteader 9mm boasts premium materials and an adaptable feature set to provide effortless versatility for various roles, including home defense, protecting livestock from the predators that threaten them, and as a fun, approachable firearm for the shooting range using ammunition both widely available and affordable. To provide compatibility for the most common magazine patterns, the Homesteader 9mm utilizes removable magazine well adapters to accept Glock®, SIG Sauer®, or Smith & Wesson® M&P® style magazines, in addition to the included 5-round and 10-round Henry 9mm magazines.

Other notable features include a threaded barrel for suppressor use to minimize noise for neighbors at the range or at home and thoughtfully laid out, centrally located controls that will appeal to right- and left-handed users. Its compact size and lightweight frame provide maneuverability for close quarters and allow the firearm to be stored where some standard-sized rifles and shotguns may not fit. Intuitive, fast target acquisition is achieved with … reciprocating mass inside the forearm to counteract recoil and non-slip leather-like texturing on the genuine American walnut furniture.

The manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $928.00 for the version with a Henry magazine well only and $959.00 for the versions that include an additional magazine well [for Glock, SIG, or S&W magazines].”

MORE RESOURCES — Other Henry 9mm Homesteader Reviews

	New For 2023: Henry Repeating Arms Homesteader — Read the article »
	Henry Rifles First Semi-Auto, the Homesteader 9mm — Read the article »
	SHOT 2023: Henry Homesteader 9mm Rifle — Read the article »
	Henry USA’s New Semi-Auto 9mm Carbine — The Homesteader — Read the article »

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Wall of Guns — Are You Feeling Lucky?
The 2022 NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits is just a few days away. The big event runs May 26-29, 2022 in Houston, Texas at the George R. Brown Convention Center. One popular feature of NRA Annual Meetings is the Wall of Guns — a large, wood-framed display with 40+ firearms that will be awarded to lucky ticket purchasers. There will be firearms from gun-makers SIG Sauer, Henry Repeating Arms, Taurus, Diamondback Firearms, and Kel-Tec. Other guns come from online gun seller Gallery of Guns.

Stop by the NRA Foundation’s popular Wall of Guns where a $20 ticket gives you the chance to win a prize from the wall featuring over 40 firearms. All proceeds benefit The NRA Foundation and the future of shooting sports. The NRA Foundation’s Wall of Guns runs the full duration of the NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits, starting Thursday evening the 26th of May.

Drawings take place after 100 tickets are sold. Winners choose one firearm from the “Pick One” side or two firearms from the “Pick Two” side. Along with single $20 ticket sales, there are other options which increase your change to win.

$20 for 1 Ticket
$100 for 5 Tickets, 1 GX4 Reload Ticket
$200 for 10 Tickets, 3 GX4 Reload Tickets
$500 for 5 Tickets, Kel-tec P17 OR Henry AR-7, T-Shirt, 8 GX4 Reload Tickets

The firearms and shooting accessories price-search website Gun.Deals has created a useful collection of new long guns for 2021. These run the gamut from tactical rifles to classic lever-action guns. There are new super light-weight models such as the Savage 110 Ultralite and the Nosler Model 48 Carbon Mtn. Rifle with carbon-stock and carbon-wrapped barrel. For young shooters, or folks looking for a fun yet very affordable .22 LR rig, there is the Winchester Wildcat 22 Suppressor Ready. And if you like something new and very different, there is the brand new straight-pull Savage Impulse Big Game. SEE ALL RIFLES.

Gun.Deals Top Ten New Rifles for 2021:

From these 10 rifles, here are three of our favorites:

Springfield Armory Waypoint

The new Model 2020 Waypoint rifles feature optional carbon-wrapped barrels, TriggerTech triggers, and carbon-fiber, hand-painted camo stocks. The excellent TriggerTech trigger easily adjusts from 2.5 to 5.0 pounds. The base Model 2020 Waypoint has a fluted stainless barrel. The carbon-wrapped barrel is an extra-cost option, as is the adjustable cheekpiece.

Savage Impulse Straight-Pull Rifle

Savage’s new Impulse series of straight-pull bolt rifles is the first American-designed and crafted straight-pull centerfire rifle. The new Impulse features an innovative Hexlock bolt-locking mechanism with six spherical bearings that move radially outward into a ring in the barrel extension, thereby locking the bolt in place. That barrel extension is held in the receiver assembly by four cross-bolts on the lower front section. Ahead of the barrel extension is a conventional recoil lug and a familiar Savage barrel nut.

Winchester Wildcat 22 Suppressor Ready

Winchester has introduced a Wildcat SR, a suppressor-ready version of its popular Wildcat 22 semi-auto .22 LR rifle. This new Wildcat SR comes with a 16.5″ barrel threaded 1/2-28 TPI at the muzzle (with muzzle cap). This will allow the Wildcat SR to fit most rimfire suppressors as well as many muzzle brakes.