Henry Repeating Arms has thrown its hat into the ring of high-performance backcountry arms with the launch of the SPD CRUSR Rifle. This is a result of a creative partnership between Henry's Special Products Division (SPD), an advanced R&D collective focused on setting new standards, and the gear aficionados at Field Ethos. The mission, it seems, was to forge a lever action that professional guides and genuinely adventurous hunters—those who treat a bush plane as a taxi—could genuinely rely on when the stakes are high and the weather is worse.

The foundational brief for the CRUSR appears simple: build a rugged, compact, and ultralight rifle capable of shrugging off severe environmental abuse. The result, weighing in at a relatively svelte 6.7 pounds with an overall length of just 35.25 inches, suggests they took the mandate seriously. This weight reduction, while significant for a rifle meant to be carried for days on end, was achieved without compromising structural integrity or necessary functionality—a balancing act that often eludes manufacturers chasing the 'lightest possible' title.

Chambered in the venerable .45-70 Government, the CRUSR maintains a 4+1 capacity, bringing enough proven thump to the table for, as the company ambitiously claims, 'all seven continents.' While the possibility of hunting polar bears and penguins with the same rifle seems logistically complex, the underlying message is clear: the chosen cartridge provides serious stopping power for large game encounters, and the rifle’s construction offers the structural overhead to confidently handle modern, high-pressure (+P) hunting loads. This blend of manageable weight and potent payload caters perfectly to the 'guide's gun' role, where quick, decisive action is key.

“The CRUSR Rifle was developed because we wanted the lowest maintenance, lightest, most compact lever gun ever made in .45-70 Gov’t,” said Jason Vincent, Founder and CEO of Field Ethos. “The cartridge will kill anything on earth, and the ammo is available globally. We wanted a rifle you’d never have to think about, and this is it.”

The collaboration with Field Ethos—subtly acknowledged by a ghosted "FE" logo beneath the ejection port—was key to translating high-level concepts into practical, field-ready features. The Field Ethos team, leaning on their real-world experience, had a hand in scrutinizing every part, ensuring that material choices and finishes were made for practical, enduring utility, not simply for aesthetics. This focus is clear in the choice of a 16.5-inch match-grade 416R stainless steel barrel that is tension-wrapped in carbon fiber. This arrangement serves to dramatically shed weight, enhance cooling during sustained fire, and maintain commendable accuracy—attributes vital for expeditionary work.

To fend off corrosive elements, a Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) coating, known for its superior wear and corrosion resistance, is applied to all exterior moving parts, including the bolt body, trigger, hammer, and the side loading gate. All other external surfaces are then protected with Cerakote, split between Midnight Bronze for the aluminum M-LOK handguard and synthetic buttstock, and a subdued Midnight Blue for the receiver and barrel components. This extensive, two-stage protective treatment signals a rifle designed not to be babied, but to be strapped onto an ATV or jostled around in the cargo hold of a small plane without complaint.

Furthermore, a detail often overlooked in rifle design—the exposed inner mechanics—was addressed. Unlike many traditional Henry lever actions, the outer magazine tube of the CRUSR is devoid of the typical cartridge cutout. This simple yet intelligent modification serves two primary purposes: it maximizes the protective Cerakote coverage and, crucially for use in genuinely harsh conditions, prevents dirt, debris, and grit from finding their way into the action. It also cleverly eliminates the tell-tale shine of the inner brass tube, contributing to the rifle’s overall subdued, mission-focused field appearance.

For those who enjoy a quieter firing experience, or who simply prefer the ballistic advantages offered by modern muzzle devices, the CRUSR is suppressor-ready with a 5/8 x  24 threaded muzzle. While the rifle comes factory-equipped with a Picatinny rail for mounting optics, the Field Ethos influence is again clear in the choice of standard sighting system: a dependable, quick-to-acquire ghost ring rear sight paired with a traditional brass bead front sight. For those using in remote areas, the simplicity of quality iron sights can be a comforting fail-safe against the inevitable bumps and battery issues that plague electronics.

“The Field Ethos team brought an undeniable energy to the product creation process, and the CRUSR Rifle is a direct result of that energy,” said Anthony Imperato, Founder and CEO of Henry Repeating Arms. “With the Special Products Division, we set out to create truly specialized, out-of-the-box configurations for specific use cases, and this rifle achieves that mission by setting a new benchmark for modern expedition-grade lever guns.”

The rifle's compact form is ideal for navigating the close quarters of dense timber, the steep angles of mountain ascents, or the constraints of limited space on a bush flight. Every CRUSR is built and certified in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, a reassuring stamp of American manufacturing and mindfulness. This commitment is underpinned by Henry’s notably generous Lifetime Warranty and 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, suggesting a strong belief in the product's ability to withstand the trials it was designed for.

With an MSRP of $2,499, the SPD CRUSR Rifle is positioned as a premium, purpose-built tool for a specialized clientele. It’s an evolution, not a revolution, in the lever-action category, taking a time-honored design and equipping it with the necessary modern materials and protective coatings to excel in the most challenging environments. Henry and Field Ethos have succeeded in delivering a genuinely robust, high-performance option for those who believe a successful expedition starts with reliable gear—and perhaps a classic American rifle with a distinctly modern twist.