Henry SPD Predator: the .223 Remington lever-action rifle with a carbon-fiber-wrapped barrel 

Henry Repeating Arms was founded in Brooklyn in 1996 by Louis Imperato and his son Anthony. The first deliveries of the H001 lever-action rifle in .22 caliber began in March 1997. The company name pays tribute to Benjamin Tyler Henry, designer of the 19th-century Henry rifle, although today’s company has no corporate continuity with the New Haven Arms Company that originally manufactured it. From its early rimfire lever-actions, Henry gradually expanded its catalog to include centerfire firearms. 

As we all know, lever-action rifle market remains extremely strong, both because of the deep historical connection this type of firearm has with our country’s past and for practical reasons. Lever-actions can deliver a substantial volume of fire, and do so very quickly in skilled hands, while generally remaining outside the scope of restrictions aimed specifically at semi-automatic firearms. 

This can make lever action guns less affected by some of the more restrictive firearm laws enacted at state level, such as Illinois’ 2024 PICA Act, upheld by the Seventh Circuit last July, aimed at lawfully owned semi-automatic firearms and large capacity magazines. 

Henry SPD Predator: a lever operated “black rifle” 

One of Henry’s latest interpretations of the lever-action rifle is the SPD Predator, derived from the Lever Action Supreme platform and developed by the American company’s Special Products Division for predator hunting and varmint shooting. 

Chambered in .223 Remington/5.56 NATO, it combines manual lever operation with a detachable magazine compatible with AR-15-pattern magazines. The configuration includes a carbon-fiber-wrapped barrel, laminated-wood furniture and an adjustable trigger. 

Henry guarantees sub-MOA accuracy with three-shot groups. 

The 18” barrel is made from 416R stainless steel and features a tensioned carbon-fiber wrap. It is free-floated inside the forend and has a 1:8" twist rate. At the muzzle, a 1/2x28 thread allows the installation of compatible muzzle devices or suppressors. 

The receiver is machined from aluminum alloy and protected by a black hard-anodized finish. On top is a forged carbon-fiber Picatinny rail for mounting optics. No iron sights are provided. 

The stock and forend are made from gray laminated wood, with checkering in the gripping areas. The stock features a pistol grip, an adjustable cheekpiece and a rubber recoil pad. 

The trigger is factory-set to approximately 4 lb  and can be adjusted by the user. A Harris S-LM bipod is included as standard equipment. Each rifle is individually inspected and certified by a technician from Henry’s Special Products Division at the company’s facility in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. 

Overall length is 38.1 inches (967 mm), while the stated weight is approximately 6.2 lb. The Henry SPD Predator manages the seemingly unlikely feat of blending elements of an Old West-style firearm with those of an ultramodern tactical rifle. In practice, the concept appears very well executed. 

We had the chance to briefly test the gun at the Boulder Rifle and Pistol Club in Boulder City, Nevada; the rifle was fitted with a Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25 scope, mounted using high quality Picatinny low rings  – just to emphasize the manufacturer’s confidence in the  Predator’s accuracy… words thrown around included “the most accurate lever action rifle today”. Be as it be, it did deliver – unfortunately, no paper to show off, but I could pick off inch sized pebbles and simply obliterate them at 100 yards. A whole lot of fun!  

And the experience definitely left us with the distinct impression that Henry’s exploration of this concept will not end with this model. 

Henry SPD Predator H023-223XCF: technical specifications

For more information:  
Henry SPD Predator product page 

Henry Repeating Arms main website 

Henry U.S. dealer locator