Henry Repeating Arms
Henry Repeating Arms is an American firearms manufacturer founded in 1996 by Anthony Imperato, specializing in lever-action repeating rifles, shotguns, and related products, all produced domestically with an emphasis on quality craftsmanship.[1][2] Named in homage to Benjamin Tyler Henry, the 19th-century inventor of the first practical lever-action repeating rifle patented in 1860, the modern company has established itself as the leading producer in the lever-action category.[3][4] Headquartered in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, following the 2025 consolidation of all manufacturing operations there from prior facilities in New Jersey, Henry prioritizes American-made production under the motto "Made in America, Or Not Made At All."[5][6] The company's product lineup includes iconic models such as the brass-framed Golden Boy rimfire rifles and the steel-framed Big Boy centerfire variants, alongside semi-automatic rifles, single-shot firearms, and revolvers designed for hunting, sport shooting, and collecting.[7] Henry's defining characteristics encompass a lifetime warranty, family-owned management under Imperato, and a focus on reliable, traditional designs that appeal to enthusiasts valuing historical aesthetics and functional durability over modern tactical features.[8] Notable achievements include surpassing one million units produced of its flagship .22 lever-action rifle by 2017, reflecting strong market demand and operational growth from a startup to a top-tier domestic long-gun maker.[9] The firm's recent full relocation to Wisconsin underscores a strategic shift toward states with more favorable regulatory environments for firearms manufacturing, enabling expanded production capacity amid ongoing industry challenges.[1]History
Founding and Initial Development
Henry Repeating Arms was founded in 1996 by Anthony Imperato and his father, Louis Imperato, in Brooklyn, New York, with the aim of producing high-quality, American-made lever-action firearms inspired by historical designs but adapted for modern manufacturing standards.[4][2] The company's inception drew on the Imperato family's longstanding involvement in the firearms industry; Louis Imperato had previously owned the Iver Johnson Arms Company, providing foundational expertise in production and distribution.[10] Anthony Imperato, who had earlier established the Colt Blackpowder Arms Company in 1993 using a home-equity loan to lease a small factory, brought practical experience in reviving classic firearm reproductions, which informed the decision to focus on lever-action rifles emphasizing reliability and craftsmanship.[11][12] The initial product, the Henry H001 Classic Lever Action .22 rifle, marked the company's entry into the market when the first units shipped in March 1997, produced in limited quantities from a modest facility.[4][13] This rimfire model featured a tubular magazine, brass receiver, and walnut stock, prioritizing smooth operation and aesthetic appeal rooted in 19th-century designs while incorporating contemporary materials for durability.[11] Early development emphasized vertical integration, with all components sourced and assembled domestically to ensure quality control, a strategy that differentiated Henry from competitors reliant on imported parts amid a market dominated by polymer-framed handguns and semi-automatic rifles.[14] By the late 1990s, initial growth involved expanding the product line to include variations of the H001 with different barrel lengths and finishes, alongside tentative steps into centerfire calibers, though production remained focused on .22 Long Rifle to build brand recognition through affordability and collector appeal.[11] The company's commitment to customer service, including direct warranties and customization options, fostered early loyalty among enthusiasts, enabling steady output increases without external funding or large-scale advertising.[12] This phase laid the groundwork for Henry's reputation as a niche manufacturer prioritizing tradition over mass-market innovation, achieving viability through meticulous engineering rather than aggressive scaling.[14]Expansion and Milestones
Following the shipment of its inaugural Model H001 .22 LR lever-action rifle in March 1997, Henry Repeating Arms rapidly diversified its product lineup, introducing centerfire calibers and additional rimfire variants within the subsequent years, which facilitated initial market penetration and established the company as a specialist in American-made lever-action firearms.[11] By 2006, the firm expanded manufacturing capabilities beyond its New Jersey headquarters by initiating production of components such as receivers, bolts, and sights at a new facility in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, reflecting a strategic shift to scale operations amid growing demand.[1] A pivotal production milestone occurred in 2017, when Henry reached the one-millionth unit of its Lever Action .22 rifle series, coinciding with the company's 20th anniversary and underscoring sustained consumer preference for its reliable, aesthetically traditional designs.[15] This period also marked the transition to full rifle assembly at the Rice Lake site by 2013, enhancing vertical integration and reducing reliance on external suppliers.[1] In 2022, celebrating 25 years since founding, Henry had developed over 200 distinct models, including expansions into shotguns and rimfire revolvers, while maintaining a commitment to in-house manufacturing of core components like barrels and walnut stocks.[16] Further geographical and operational expansion unfolded in 2025, with the announcement of consolidating 100% of manufacturing to Wisconsin: enhancing the Rice Lake headquarters for administrative and production functions, constructing two new facilities in nearby Ladysmith for specialized assembly, and phasing out the Bayonne, New Jersey plant by year's end.[17] [18] This relocation was driven by New Jersey's increasingly restrictive regulatory environment on firearms production, enabling greater efficiency and alignment with pro-manufacturing state policies in Wisconsin.[1] The move supports projected growth in output, building on prior milestones like the 2017 production benchmark, without compromising the company's lifetime warranty or quality standards.[19]Recent Developments and Relocation
In March 2025, Henry Repeating Arms announced the complete relocation of its manufacturing operations from Bayonne, New Jersey, to expanded facilities in Rice Lake and Ladysmith, Wisconsin, consolidating all production in the state.[20] The move transferred approximately 200 jobs from New Jersey, boosting the Wisconsin workforce to roughly 675 employees and creating over 800 jobs overall through investments in four state-of-the-art facilities spanning 400,000 square feet.[21][22] CEO Anthony Imperato attributed the decision in part to New Jersey's unfavorable environment for Second Amendment rights and significantly higher tax rates compared to Wisconsin.[21] Company statements emphasized enhanced production capacity, efficiency, and collaboration among design teams to support future growth and innovation, with all subsequent firearms marked "Made in Rice Lake, WI."[22][23] The relocation aligned with product advancements, including the January 2025 launch of the Lever Action Supreme Rifle in .223 Rem./5.56 NATO and .300 Blackout calibers, designed for sub-MOA precision with a match-grade trigger and detachable box magazine.[24] In early 2025, Henry established a Special Products Division to drive collaborative innovations in firearms design and suppressors.[25] By October 2025, the division's HUSH Series earned the Best New Rifle accolade in the National Rifle Association's Caliber Awards, reflecting ongoing expansion in specialized offerings.[26]Operations
Manufacturing Facilities and Processes
Henry Repeating Arms conducts all manufacturing operations at four state-of-the-art facilities in Rice Lake and Ladysmith, Wisconsin, totaling 400,000 square feet of space, following the complete transfer of production from Bayonne, New Jersey, announced on March 18, 2025.[22][27] The Rice Lake headquarters, a 140,000-square-foot site acquired in 2006, serves as the primary assembly location for centerfire rifles and shotguns with non-brass receivers.[28] The Ladysmith facility, an 84,000-square-foot plant on 13.5 acres opened more recently and located less than an hour from Rice Lake, focuses on parts manufacturing to support final assembly.[28] These Wisconsin sites employ over 800 workers and enable production of more than 200 models of rifles, shotguns, and revolvers, all marked "Made in Rice Lake, WI."[22] Manufacturing processes emphasize in-house machining and assembly to maintain quality and precision, with significant reliance on computer numerical control (CNC) technology.[14] The company operates over 100 CNC machines across its facilities for cutting, turning, and shaping components such as receivers and barrels, using equipment including Brother and Haas centers.[14][29] Operators load raw materials, run machining cycles, inspect parts for tolerances, and route them to subsequent stages, incorporating hands-on finishing and rigorous quality checks.[30] Recent expansions include automation investments to boost capacity while preserving tight quality control through integrated workflows.[31] Steel centerfire rifle production began at the Rice Lake site in 2014, marking a shift toward full domestic fabrication of complex components previously partially outsourced.[14]Leadership and Workforce
Anthony Imperato founded Henry Repeating Arms in 1996 alongside his father, Louis Imperato, who served as chairman until his death.[4] Imperato has led the company as president since its inception and transitioned to the role of founder and CEO in 2021.[32] [2] In that year, Imperato appointed Andy Wickstrom, a long-time employee who had risen from director of operations, as president to oversee day-to-day management.[33] [34] The company's workforce has expanded significantly amid its relocation of manufacturing operations to Wisconsin. Henry Repeating Arms employs over 800 personnel across its facilities in Rice Lake and Ladysmith, Wisconsin, as of early 2025, following growth from 17 employees at the Rice Lake site in 2006.[35] [21] This expansion supports the consolidation of all production to these locations, with the remaining New Jersey staff transitioning accordingly.[30] The workforce focuses on skilled manufacturing roles, emphasizing domestic production of lever-action firearms and related products.[22]Products
Lever-Action Rifles
Henry Repeating Arms manufactures a diverse lineup of lever-action rifles, emphasizing traditional mechanics with modern enhancements for reliability and usability. These firearms, produced exclusively in the United States, feature smooth-operating levers, checkered American walnut stocks, and options for blued steel or brass receivers. Calibers span rimfire for target shooting and small game to centerfire pistol and rifle rounds for hunting larger species.[7][6] Rimfire models, such as the Classic Lever Action series, are chambered in .22 Long Rifle or .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire, with tubular magazines holding up to 21 rounds in .22 LR variants. These lightweight rifles, weighing approximately 6 pounds with 18.25- or 20-inch barrels, prioritize affordability and ease of use for recreational shooting. The Golden Boy variant adds engraved brass receivers for aesthetic appeal while maintaining the same functional specifications. Pistol-caliber Big Boy rifles accommodate .357 Magnum/.38 Special, .44 Magnum/.44 Special, and .45 Colt, often in carbine configurations with 16.5- to 20-inch barrels and 7- to 10-round capacities. Steel-frame models like the Big Boy Steel Carbine offer durability for brush hunting, while side-loading gates on newer iterations allow rapid top-offs without cycling the tube magazine. These designs balance historical styling with practical improvements, such as transfer bars for safety.[36] Centerfire offerings include the Side Gate series in .30-30 Winchester and .45-70 Government, with 19- to 20-inch barrels and 4- to 5-round magazines suited for deer and bear. The Long Ranger introduces detachable box magazines holding 4-6 rounds in calibers like .243 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, and .308 Winchester, featuring a geared action and free-floated barrels for improved accuracy at extended ranges up to 200 yards.[36][37][38] Recent innovations encompass the Lever Action X Model in .30-30 with synthetic stocks and Picatinny rails for optics, and the 2025-introduced Lever Action Supreme Rifle in .223 Remington/5.56 NATO or .300 Blackout. The Supreme accepts AR-15-style detachable magazines (5- to 30-round capacities), incorporates a 16.5-inch threaded barrel with 1:7 twist, adjustable trigger, and CNC-machined components for precision, marking a departure toward modular, suppressor-ready configurations while retaining lever operation.[39][40] The HUSH series extends this with integral suppression in calibers including .45 Colt and .30-30, prioritizing quiet operation for hunting.[41] All models undergo rigorous quality control, with Henry claiming over 99% of parts sourced domestically.[6]