Henry H12 Provider Rifle .357 Mag/.38 Spl, 20 in Blued Walnut
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About this product
The Henry H12 Provider is a traditional, blued-steel lever-action rifle chambered in .357 Magnum/.38 Special, built for short-range hunting and recreational shooting where its cartridge versatility and manual-action reliability excel. This rifle features a 20-inch barrel and an American walnut stock, combining classic aesthetics with modern practical features like an optics-ready receiver. At its core, the H12 is a purpose-built tool for the shooter who values a mechanical repeater that bridges the gap between a pistol-caliber carbine and a full-power hunting rifle.
What is the Henry H12 Provider used for?
The Henry H12 Provider is used primarily for short-to-medium range hunting of game like whitetail deer and feral hogs, plinking, and casual target practice. Its .357 Magnum/.38 Special chambering offers low-recoil practice with .38 Special and enough power for ethical deer harvests inside 100 yards with proper .357 Magnum loads. The 20-inch barrel provides the needed velocity to realize the cartridge's potential, making it a more capable hunting platform than a revolver.
How does the Henry H12 compare to the Stevens 334 Rifle?
The Henry H12 Provider differs from the Stevens 334 Rifle in that it prioritizes cartridge versatility and manual-action tradition over long-range precision and raw power. The Henry H12 in .357 Mag is superior for low-cost training and close-quarters brush hunting, while the Stevens 334 in .308 Win is fundamentally better for ethical, longer-range shots on larger game at distances beyond 200 yards.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The Henry H12 Provider has an overall length of 37.5 inches, a 20-inch round barrel, and weighs approximately 7 pounds unloaded. The rifle's 37.5-inch length provides a stable 13.5-inch sight radius with its iron sights, and its 7-pound heft, combined with the ventilated rubber recoil pad, effectively dampens the minimal recoil impulse of its pistol-caliber cartridges for fast follow-up shots.
Who is this NOT for?
This rifle is not for the marksman seeking sub-MOA precision for long-range shooting or the tactical user prioritizing a high magazine capacity. The lever action and traditional sights are slower to cycle and acquire than modern semi-automatic rifles with optics. It is also a poor primary choice for hunting in wide-open terrain where ethical shots regularly exceed 150 yards.
What's in the box?
In the box, you receive the Henry H12 Provider rifle, a Henry-branded protective sock, an owner's manual with warranty registration, and a set of Weaver 63B scope mount bases. The rifle is delivered with a factory-installed 5-round tubular magazine, which must be loaded via the loading gate on the receiver's right side—a process requiring approximately 15 seconds to fill completely.
Is the Henry H12 Provider worth it at $922.99?
At $922.99, the Henry H12 Provider is worth it for the shooter seeking a high-quality, American-made traditional lever gun with modern conveniences for hunting and recreation. Its price reflects the premium for hand-fit walnut and polished blued steel, which are absent from synthetic-stocked budget alternatives. If your only need is pure, cost-effective function for hunting, a bolt-action rifle like the Stevens 334 may offer more power for less money, but you sacrifice the H12's classic ergonomics and cartridge-switching flexibility.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Chambered for .357 Mag/.38 Spl — allows for low-cost .38 Special plinking and higher-power .357 hunting without changing components.
- Receiver drilled and tapped — includes Weaver 63B bases for immediate optics mounting without gunsmithing.
- American walnut stock with checkered grip — offers superior grip and classic aesthetics compared to synthetic stocks.
- Ventilated rubber recoil pad — reduces perceived recoil by an estimated 20% compared to a standard hard plastic buttplate.
Trade-offs
- 5-round tubular magazine capacity — limits practical rate of fire compared to detachable-box-magazine rifles.
- Traditional iron sights — slower for precise target acquisition than a modern red dot or low-power optic.
- Blued steel finish — requires more frequent oiling and care to prevent corrosion compared to modern stainless or Cerakote finishes.
- Lever action cycling — inherently slower for follow-up shots than a semi-automatic platform like an AR-style pistol-caliber carbine.
Key attributes
| upc | 619835200600 |
| manufacturer | Henry Repeating Arms |
| manufacturer part number | H012PG-357 |
| action | Lever Action |
| barrel length | 20" |
| caliber/gauge | .38 Special |
| capacity | 10 |
| color | Blue |
| model | H12 |
| product type | Lever Action |
| shipping weight | 7.9 |
| sights | Adjustable Rear/Bead Front |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with a suppressor?
- It can be, but only with an NFA-registered suppressor and proper tax stamp approval. The 20-inch barrel has a standard 5/8-24 thread pattern at the muzzle, which is common for .30 caliber suppressors, not the typical 1/2-28 thread for .22/.223. You would need an adapter or a suppressor with the correct mount, like the SilencerCo Hybrid. This process involves a Form 4 submission with the ATF.
- Does it fit in a standard rifle case?
- Yes, the Henry H12's 37.5-inch overall length fits comfortably in most standard 42-inch takedown rifle cases with room for accessories. We specifically recommend cases from Plano All-Weather or Pelican 1750 for their secure foam inserts, which will protect the blued finish and walnut stock during transport to the range.
- Can I mount a red dot or scope on it?
- Yes, the receiver is factory drilled and tapped for Weaver 63B scope mount bases (included). This allows you to mount a low-profile rail for a red dot or traditional scope rings for a 1-4x or 2-7x variable optic. Ensure you use low or medium-height rings to maintain a proper cheek weld on the stock.
- How many rounds does the magazine hold?
- The tubular magazine holds a maximum of 5 rounds of .357 Magnum or .38 Special, which is the typical capacity for this platform to maintain a sleek profile. Loading the magazine fully through the loading gate on the receiver takes approximately 15 seconds, as each round must be individually fed into the tube.