Henry Axe .410 Bore
Model: H018AH-410
Henry Axe .410 Bore
Model: H018AH-410
Full Specifications
About This Firearm
The Henry Axe is a lever-action .410 with a 15.14" barrel and a pistol-grip "axe handle" stock — no shoulder stock, no buttpad. At 26.4" overall, it clears the federal 26" minimum OAL threshold that defines a "firearm" rather than an AOW (Any Other Weapon) or short-barreled shotgun under the NFA. No tax stamp, no wait, no registration. You buy it like a standard long gun. Henry engineered the OAL specifically to keep it off the NFA registry, and the federal classification is settled.
The 2.5" chamber limits it to 2-1/2" .410 shells only — 3" loads will not fit, which cuts the available buckshot and defensive load selection compared to most other .410 firearms. The .410 from a 15" barrel delivers less velocity and a tighter effective pattern window than a 24" field barrel; terminal performance at distance is limited, and this gun works best inside 15 yards. If you're buying the Axe for the lever-action mechanics and the short-format novelty, understand the terminal trade-off going in. The Invector choke system adds flexibility the Mossberg 500's fixed choke doesn't offer — swapping to a modified choke for clay work takes 30 seconds.
Best For
Strengths & Limitations
- Clears the NFA threshold at 26.4" overall — a short lever-action .410 with no tax stamp, no wait, and no registration required.
- Invector choke system lets you swap tube chokes; the full choke is included but improved cylinder and modified tubes are widely available.
- 2.5" chamber only — cannot accept the 3" .410 shells that most other .410 firearms chamber, which cuts available ammunition options significantly.
- At $1,135 MSRP and 92 oz, this is an expensive, heavy way to get a short .410 — a Mossberg 500 .410 with a sub-20" barrel costs roughly a third as much and weighs about the same.
- No shoulder stock means no cheek weld; accurate shooting beyond close range requires practice and compensation that a conventional-stock gun doesn't demand.
Where to Buy
No prices available at this time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why buy a lever-action .410 instead of a pump .410?
Two answers. First, the format: the Axe's 26.4" OAL with the axe-handle grip is unique among current production .410s and clears the federal "firearm" threshold without an NFA stamp — no pump .410 in this size class exists from a major maker. Second, the lever action: it cycles without breaking your grip on a forend, and the transfer-bar safety allows carrying with a chambered round. The trade-offs are real, though — a Mossberg 500 .410 with a 20" barrel costs roughly a third as much, accepts 3" shells, and shoulders normally. Buy the Axe if the format and the no-NFA status are the point; buy the 500 if you want a working .410 for less money.
Is the Henry Axe legal in all states?
At the federal level, yes — the 26.4" OAL keeps it classified as a firearm, not a short-barreled shotgun or AOW. However, some states have their own restrictions on pistol-grip shotguns or non-NFA short firearms (California and New York being notable examples). Check your state law before purchasing. Henry is transparent about the federal classification in their marketing materials.
What .410 ammunition runs reliably in the Henry Axe?
The 2.5" chamber is the key constraint — only 2-1/2" .410 shells will fit. Federal, Winchester, and Fiocchi all make 2-1/2" .410 loads in birdshot and buckshot configurations. The Hornady Critical Defense .410 load (in 2-1/2") is the commonly cited defensive option. Stock up before you go looking, because 2-1/2" .410 is less common on store shelves than 3" loads. If you find 3" shells on sale, they will not chamber in the Axe.
