John. Practical?!!!!, No but if we all were practical I guess we would be shooting those black plastic stocked production guns!!! What fun is that??? The rifle does feel a bit strange when sighting it but I do think I can get used to it. Uberti did make a few transitional rifles. As I understand it there were few original "transitional" Henry rifles made with a side loading gate. Uberti made a few but added a forearm also.

Original side loading gate Henry, at bottom of page.

https://www.rarewinchesters.com/gunroom/1860/model_60.shtml

Uberti Side hate with fore arm

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/894500889