Henry Rifles

[InkEd]

I was wondering the overall opinion about Henry rifles? I am thinking about getting one in .357magnum for my collection. (I want the .357 to match my Vaquero.) Basically, I have always thought they are some of the best looking rifles ever. However, I want a rifle that shoots well too. Please share your experience/thoughts abouth the Henry rifles. Also, I open to suggestions for alternative .357 leveraction rifles BUT they need to be around the same price or less and be legal for cowboy shooting, in case I ever talk myself into another shooting sport. Thank you for your help and input on this subject.

 

[CraigC]

Are you talking about new Henry Repeating Arms rifles or replicas of the original Henry 1860? Big difference.

 

[Onmilo]

Uberti doesn't make the 1860 in .357 Magnum.
Henry Firearms lists a Henry Big Boy in .357 Magnum.
I have no opinion on the rifle.

 

[bigfatdave]

I like mine in rimfire.
You may miss the loading gate, I don't think that Henry has them on the PCC leverguns.
Oddly, their site isn't loading for me, check later to be sure.

 

[jmr40]

If you want a decent 22 shooter the Henry levers are good guns for the money. I can't like the centerfires however. Leverguns, especially in pistol calibers, are supposed to be trim lightweight rifles. The Henry centerfires are huge heavy beasts. Everything a lever action is not supposed to be.

 

[InkEd]

What other .357 leverguns would you suggest as an alternative?

I saw stainless Marlin 1896 at my LGS that looked pretty nice and had a decent feeling action. What about something like it compared to the Henry Big Boy?

I am not overly concerned about weight in guns that aren't for regular ccw carry. My Vaquero, Mil-Spec 1911 and Redhawk are all in stainless. Also, my prefered "black rifle" is my Sig 556. Heck, even my .22s are "heavier" models. I have a 22/45 slab side and a GSG-5 carbine.

 

[epijunkie67]

I love my Henry .22 mag but I've never shot their large bore guns before. I do have the Marlin in .357 and can't say enough good things about it. I also have a Marlin in .41 magnum cowboy with octagonal barrel that seriously rocks the house. I'd say for any serious shooting with a lever rifle you should at least look over the Marlins and give them serious consideration.

 

[karlsgunbunker]

Marlin and Rossi both make nice lever guns.

 

[Moose458]

I have 2 Henrys. The .22 Golden Boy and the .45 Long Colt Big Boy. Yes the Big Boy is a little on the heavy side but not that much heavier, and it is one solid rifle with the smoothest action of any lever action rifle I've used. I'm comparing that to my Marlin 1894 Cowboy in .45 LC and my Winchester 94 30-30. Both of my Henrys are good shooters and I would recommend them.

 

[CraigC]

I'll go for the Marlin 1894 or Winchester 1892 (or 1860, 1866 & 1873 for that matter) every single time. The Big Boy is a full two pounds heavier than a comparable Marlin 94 or Winchester 92 and their build quality is unimpressive. Overpriced and ugly to boot.

 

[gearjammer-2000]

I got a big boy in .44 and love shooting it.
it is solid, REAL smooth feeding and pretty accurate.
the added weight doesn't bother me and the recoil is surprisingly mild.

when I take friends out shooting with me they invariably end up shooting the Henry more than any of the other guns I take with me, well that is not entirely true, if I take the AR along it usually goes thru the most ammo.

 

[250-3000]

I have a Henry pump 22, works well, but I don't care for the buckhorn sights.

I picked up a new Rossi 92 in 38/357 a couple of weeks ago. Have run about a 100 rounds thru it, mostly 357's. Works like a charm, and is a blast to shoot. Very light and quick handling.

 

[Welding Rod]

250-3000 - Any other thoughts on the pump? I happen to be considering one myself.

 

[scotjute]

I have the Big Boy in .357. It feeds easily and reliably. I prefer the tube feed of Henry. The action is very smooth. The gun is accurate. The factory told me that all of their guns will shoot 2 moa or better. Mine appears to be better, but I haven't actually checked it on a bench rest. The weight is about right for me to hold the barrell steady, but is more than some other guns.
I have owned a Rossi before this. The Henry beats it hands down in my opinion.

 

[dtk1952]

I don't understand why almost everyone complains about Henry Repeating Firearms being heavy. I have a Model H009 .30-30 and I find the weight to be perfect. The weight helps with the recoil.

 

[handyman163]

If you pick up a Henry Big boy in 45 LC, it feels very well balanced. Heavier with the brass receiver but feels right. Now pick up the big boy in 357, and good Lord that thing is heavy. The octagon barrel is the same size as the 45LC, but with a MUCH smaller hole through it for the 357. That throws the balance way off for me. They just dont feel near as handy as they should. I know I'd get tired of holding it up before I was ready to be done shooting, and that defeats the purpose for me.

 

[SilverCat]

I've got an uberti Henry fed from the front end. It's what they would use in the 1860s. (Not common). It's the proper .44-40 caliber and shoots like a dream. No recoil, very accurate.

 

[Deog]

Marlin 1894C

The Marlin is the least expensive rifle, easiest to scope, lightest to carry and the fastest handling. For the serious hunter or back packer it is the most practical choice

 

[HexHead]

Marlin 1894C

The Marlin is the least expensive rifle, easiest to scope, lightest to carry and the fastest handling. For the serious hunter or back packer it is the most practical choice

Marlin 38/357 lever actions haven't been made for over two years since Remington took them over.

 

[HellTrain]

I think Henry is the top lever gun

 

[Ks5shooter]

Quote-If you want a decent 22 shooter the Henry levers are good guns for the money. I can't like the centerfires however. Leverguns, especially in pistol calibers, are supposed to be trim lightweight rifles. The Henry centerfires are huge heavy beasts. Everything a lever action is not supposed to be.-quote



I approached Henry and asked if they were going to make their pistol caliber lever guns in a Winchester Trapper configuration,16 in barrel etc.They said no,and no plans to do so.I wanted a 45LC that was about the same as my .357 trapper Winchester.

 

[hughie]

I own a Henry Big Boy in 357 and love it. No recoil and accurate. It's my fun gun. Action is very smooth. I highly recomend you check one out.

 

[buckman11]

there is not a lever action on this earth that can out shoot a henry.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

OK, I will be the naysayer. I do not care for the Henry Repeating Arms company or their products.

My main complaint is their advertising is misleading and deceitful. They have absolutely nothing to do with the historical Henry rifle that was produced from 1862 until 1866 by the New Haven Arms Company, which later became the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. Yet their advertising continues to try to pull the wool over unsuspecting buyers eyes by allowing misleading photos and print to remain in their catalog linking them to the historical Henry rifle. The name Henry was simply in public domain, and they adopted it because of the recognition factor.

Besides that, personally I think the Henry Big Boy is butt ugly. Mis-proportioned and not at all like some of the famous rifles of the 19th Century.

My last point is, although there are a few Cowboy Action Shooters who shoot the Big Boy in competition, they are few and far between. And you seldom see a Big Boy in the winner's circle. That says something right there. OK, flame away.



I picked up this nice little Marlin 1894CS (the bottom rifle in the photo) a few years ago for my wife. She did not like the weight of my full sized Winchesters and Winchester replicas. It is chambered for 357 Mag/38 Special. When choosing a lever gun for CAS you want to be sure it will hold 10 rounds in the magazine because most stages call for that. With its 18 1/4" barrel this gun would hold 10 38 Specials, but only 9 357 Mags, which is fine because it only sees 38 Special cowboy ammo in matches anyway. A friend cut the mag spring and follower down a little bit so now it will hold 10 357 Mags if I want.

It is a really nice little rifle, unfortunately Marlin's quality has been really spotty since they moved into the Remington plant in Ilion, NY. Dunno if they are up to snuff yet or not.

 

[Onmilo]

You guys do know the OP posted this question three years ago,,,Right??