Henry Homesteader vs AR-9: Which One Do You Need?

Pistol caliber carbines (PCCs) have taken the market by storm. They’re affordable, fun, and reliable, and they’re just as customizable as the ever-popular AR-15 rifle. An AR-style rifle that’s chambered in 9mm Luger and uses Glock mags is a great defense weapon because you can carry the same magazines for your rifle and pistol. But what happens when a reputable gun company makes its own PCC that also uses the highly compatible Glock mag? The answer is that you buy both, right? Well, we wish that could always be the answer. But it’s not. Usually.

Of course, I’m talking about the new Henry Homesteader 9mm semi-auto rifle. I know; it sounds weird saying “Henry” and “semi-auto” in the same sentence. But the classic lever-action rifle company is moving into a new realm of weapon making. And so far, people like what they are seeing. If you have been pondering a new PCC, the Homesteader makes the decision even harder.

Should you choose the popular AR-9 or the new, but classic-looking Henry? It’s a hard decision and I probably can’t answer it for you. But I can share my thoughts on some range time I’ve had with the Homesteader and compare it to the AR-9 rifles I like to shoot.

The AR-9 Rifle

The primary reason I like having an AR-style rifle in 9mm is because it’s great for training. Ammo has continued to climb over the years, and training with 9mm is cheaper than 5.56 ammo. There are considerable differences, of course, in how far you can shoot a 9mm compared to 5.56, but the fire controls, ergonomics, and features of the AR-9 are nearly identical to the AR-15. This means you can familiarize yourself with the AR-15 platform and enjoy a bit of tactical training at a fraction of the cost.

Muscle memory is easier when both calibers are fired from a weapon that is ergonomically the same. If you already own an AR-15 rifle, you have the benefit of a firearm that feels the same when holding and shooting but is chambered in a pistol caliber. This could be important if you plan to use a rifle for home defense. On non-AR-style guns, the safety, charging handle, or mag release could be in a different place. This can cause issues with your muscle memory when transitioning to your primary defense gun.

Customization is among the AR-9’s strongest selling points. There are more options for the AR-15 than any other rifle. Lights, lasers, pistol grips, optics, and backup sights are abundant. Other types of firearms may have options, but none will compare to the AR-15-style rifle. If you already have an AR-15, you can swap accessories between it and an AR-9.

Henry Homesteader with a Glock Magwell

As previously mentioned, it was a big surprise to see Henry making a new semi-auto, mag-fed rifle. I have always loved the classic lever-action rifles manufactured by Henry. The company manufactures other types of firearms, but this was unexpected. The Homesteader may be new, but it still has a classic Henry look to it. You can purchase the rifle with a Glock magwell conversion kit, which is what I selected for mine.

The process of switching the magwell is easy and only takes a few minutes. If you want to add a bunch of accessories to a rifle, the Homesteader won’t stand up to the AR-9. It does have four tapped holes in the upper receiver for adding a Picatinny rail or scope. Other than that, however, you can’t add much to the Homesteader rifle. I’m sure someone down the road will produce a tactical handguard that will have rails or M-LOK-compatible slots. But for now, what you see is what you get, which may be all you need with the Homesteader.

We get caught up in the idea of attaching 35 accessories to our firearms and forget that simpler is better sometimes. For a home defense rifle, I like the idea of simple and classic. With simple guns, there’s less room for error.

The Homesteader is definitely simple. It has a reversible charging handle and features a manual bolt catch just in front of the trigger guard. A two-position safety is located on the top of the stock, like the Mossberg 500. The gun also features a threaded barrel, should you choose to add a muzzle brake or flash hider. But that’s it. Solid bones without any of the bells and whistles.

Other Considerations

From my time on the range, I can’t say one gun is more reliable than the other. I have read of a few hiccups with Homesteader, but those appear to be limited. I have also had a few issues with AR-9s over the years. No gun is perfect, right?

I have never had any issues with the Homesteader or my current AR-9 pistols. Both shoot the same ammo, use the same magazines, and are very accurate and reliable.

When using a red dot, I can shoot better with my AR-9. But if I’m using iron sights, the Homesteader is the champion. The front and back sights are fixed to the barrel, so they don’t get in the way if you want to add a rail. I would like to see the charging handle a little bigger on the Homesteader, but that’s just a personal preference. I wear gloves a lot when I shoot, and I found the short charging handle was easy to miss when releasing the bolt for a new magazine.

This goes back to what your body is used to. I have extended charging handles on most of my AR-15 rifles, so I’m used to a wider handle. Others may like the slim, low-profile charging handle that comes with it. Breaking the Homesteader down to clean is a little harder than the AR-9. Three pins must be removed with a punch and hammer to disassemble the Homesteader (pictured above).

So, which do you choose?

Both guns are reliable and accurate. They both use common Glock-pattern magazines. The Henry Homesteader is more classic and simple, while the AR-9 allows for more customization, much like the AR-15. I can perform mag change drills faster with the AR-9 than the Homesteader, but that’s getting pretty picky. The Homesteader sells for about $800, and AR-9 rifles/pistols range anywhere from $500-$1500+.

If you want an out-of-the-box rifle that’s ready to go, the Henry is the best option. There’s nothing wrong with an AR-9 if that’s what you are used to and want to use, but to me, simple is better. Buying an AR-style weapon normally requires adding an optic, iron sights, or both. If you are used to shooting an AR-15, go with the AR-9. If you are used to shooting hunting rifles and shotguns, you will probably like the Henry better. As far as price and reliability, I think either option is a worthy firearm. Decide what you prefer and go with it. Or, do what I did and get both!