Well, we’re right back at it again. Today, we’re talking about the Henry H18 X Model .410 shotgun.
It’s been a few years since I’ve really owned a .410 shotgun, and this review was originally intended to help get us through the NRA Show season while we waited to review a few new items coming out of Henry Repeating Arms. We’ll be discussing those in upcoming reviews, including the Bears’ Leg X Model in .357 Magnum and .44 Magnum, along with the X Model .22 LR.
Unfortunately, this shotgun did not arrive in time, and here we are in June talking about it instead of back in January or February. That’s perfectly fine with me because I absolutely love my Henry firearms.
Now, I’m no stranger to shotguns. I’ve been around them for most of my life. From my time in the Boy Scouts as a youth shooting instructor to my years writing within the firearm industry, I’ve handled and reviewed a wide variety of firearms. I’ve even tested a .410 AR upper that was supposed to be the ultimate .410 platform. Unfortunately, that experience was disappointing enough that you’ve never seen us discuss it on our old YouTube channel or here on GearsOfGuns.com.
Today, however, we’re talking about something much more interesting: the Henry X Model .410 shotgun.
What Makes the Henry X Model Different?
The Henry X Model lineup represents Henry’s more tactical approach to the traditional lever-action platform. Rather than beautiful walnut furniture, the X Model comes equipped with durable synthetic furniture.
The concept is actually pretty smart.
Henry knows many buyers are going to customize these rifles and shotguns with aftermarket accessories. Instead of forcing customers to remove and store expensive wood furniture, Henry provides a practical polymer stock and forend that can easily be replaced without guilt.
Let’s be honest. If you’re buying an X Model, there’s a good chance you’re already looking at upgrades from companies like Midwest Industries or Ranger Point Precision. By starting with synthetic furniture, Henry gives you a solid foundation while allowing you to create the exact firearm you want.
For shooters who enjoy customization, this platform is practically begging for upgrades.
Henry H 18 X Model .410 Specifications
Before we get into range performance, let’s take a look at the specifications.
Specifications
- Caliber: .410 Bore
- Action: Lever Action
- Chamber: 2.5-inch shells
- Capacity: 6 rounds
- Barrel Length: 19.8 inches
- Overall Length: 38.6 inches
- Weight: 8.65 pounds
- Front Sight: Fiber Optic
- Stock: Synthetic
- Choke System: Invector-style screw-in choke
- Included Accessories: Full choke and choke wrench
One thing I want to point out is that I intentionally left this shotgun completely stock for the review. While I fully intend to customize it later, I wanted readers to understand exactly what they’re getting before investing in aftermarket parts and accessories.
Ammunition Availability
If you’ve spent any time shopping for .410 ammunition, you already know it can sometimes be difficult to find.
Honestly, it feels like .410 shells have always been harder to locate than 12-gauge or 20-gauge loads. Fortunately, I seem to stumble across affordable boxes every time I visit a big-box gun store. Over the years, they’ve accumulated in my gun room, which made this review much easier.
When a new .410 firearm arrives, I don’t have to scramble around searching for ammunition. I simply grab a few boxes and head to the range.
For this review, we primarily used buckshot loads. That was my intended purpose for the gun at the time, and I wasn’t planning on spending hours shooting skeet during Texas summer temperatures.
I do intend to test the shotgun with birdshot and clay targets once things cool down a bit. Standing in 90-plus degree weather chasing clay pigeons isn’t exactly my idea of fun.
Range Performance
One of the biggest advantages of a lever-action shotgun is ammunition flexibility.
Unlike semi-automatic shotguns that can sometimes be picky about loads, the Henry X Model simply doesn’t care. Birdshot, buckshot, or slugs, if it fits in the chamber, the shotgun wants to run it.
Throughout testing, the shotgun functioned extremely well.
The only issue we encountered wasn’t actually the gun’s fault.
Several of my taller, longer-armed friends occasionally short-stroked the lever during operation. When this happened, the spent shell wouldn’t fully eject. The solution was simple: fully cycle the lever or manually remove the shell.
This wasn’t a reliability problem as much as it was a shooter-induced issue.
I suspect much of this will disappear once I install aftermarket furniture that better fits my preferred length of pull. That’s one of the advantages of the X Model platform. You can tailor the gun to fit your body and shooting style.
Other than that, the shotgun performed exactly as expected.
The action was smooth, recoil was manageable, and the gun consistently delivered the reliability I’ve come to expect from Henry.
Price and Value
Let’s talk about the price.
At the time of writing, this shotgun is available through Palmetto State Armory for approximately $865.99. Considering the listed MSRP is around $1,200, that’s a significant difference.
Personally, I don’t view this as a $1,200 shotgun.
I do, however, think it is appropriately priced around the $850 to $900 range.
At that price point, you’re getting:
- Henry’s reputation for quality
- A smooth lever-action system
- Durable synthetic furniture
- A customizable platform
- Reliable performance
- Excellent versatility
When viewed from that perspective, the value proposition becomes very attractive.
Why the Henry X Model .410 Makes Sense
One thing I really appreciate about this shotgun is its versatility.
Whether you’re chasing birds, introducing new shooters to shotguns, or simply enjoying a day at the range, the Henry X Model handles the task with ease.
The .410 bore offers significantly less recoil than a traditional 12-gauge while still providing enough performance for many practical applications.
For younger shooters, recoil-sensitive shooters, or anyone who simply prefers a softer-shooting firearm, the .410 can be an excellent option.
The synthetic furniture also deserves praise.
You don’t have to worry about scratching beautiful walnut stocks while hiking through brush or tossing the gun into a truck. If you decide you want to spray paint it, add accessories, or completely transform its appearance, you’re free to do so.
That’s something that’s often difficult with traditional wood-stocked firearms.
Sometimes it’s hard to bring yourself to modify a beautiful walnut lever action. The X Model removes that hesitation completely.
The AR-15 of Lever Guns?
When discussing this firearm with people in person, I often compare the Henry X Model series to a budget-friendly AR-15.
Not because they operate the same way, but because they encourage customization.
You don’t feel guilty about changing things.
You can:
- Add optics
- Change furniture
- Install rails
- Upgrade sights
- Modify colors and finishes
- Personalize the gun to fit your needs
The result is a firearm that becomes uniquely yours.
You and your best friend could purchase identical Henry X Models and end up with two completely different-looking firearms by the time you’re done customizing them.
Thankfully, the aftermarket support for Henry lever actions continues to grow. Companies are offering accessories at a variety of price points, making customization accessible to nearly everyone.
Recoil and Shootability
One of the things I enjoyed most about this shotgun was how easy it is to shoot.
The felt recoil falls somewhere between a .357 Magnum and a .44 Magnum rifle. That’s remarkably comfortable for most shooters.
As someone who owns Henry X Models in larger calibers, I found the .410 incredibly approachable.
It’s the type of firearm I can confidently hand to someone who has never fired a shotgun before.
Instead of worrying about whether they can handle the recoil of a 12-gauge, I know they’ll have a positive shooting experience.
That makes the Henry X Model .410 an outstanding training firearm and a great option for introducing new shooters to shotguns.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, I genuinely love this shotgun.
The Henry H18 X Model .410 combines the classic appeal of a lever-action shotgun with modern features that today’s shooters appreciate.
The synthetic furniture is durable, practical, and ready for customization. The action is smooth, reliability is excellent, and the recoil is mild enough for nearly anyone to enjoy.
While there currently aren’t any dedicated .410 shotgun suppressors available, that’s not really a drawback here. Unlike other X Models, this shotgun doesn’t feature a threaded barrel (it is threaded for chokes) because there simply isn’t a practical need for one.
Instead, Henry focused on delivering a dependable, adventure-ready shotgun that works every time you pull it out of the safe.
That’s ultimately what matters most.
Whether you’re hunting small game, introducing new shooters to firearms, building a customized tactical lever gun, or simply adding another unique firearm to your collection, the Henry X Model .410 delivers an enjoyable shooting experience.
Henry has consistently produced the accurate, dependable lever guns I’ve come to expect, and this shotgun is no exception.
Now I’d like to hear from you.
If you owned this Henry X Model .410, what accessories would you add first? Would you install new furniture, mount an optic, or keep it completely stock? Let me know in the comments below.