OLDE RETIRED COASTIE
Member
would ya'll choose 1886 with 18.5 inch barrel or Henry all weather with loading gate with 18 inch barrel?
45-70
- Thread starter OLDE RETIRED COASTIE
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nofendertom
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A no-brainer for me --- the 1886 with 18.5 barrel. I had a Browning Winchester 1886 in 45-70 and loved it.
Of the two, the 1886. That being said, the new Ruger/Marlins are looking pretty good. If you can find one. I really want an 1886, but I want the 45-90.
stigfender
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I would pick the new Marlin 1895 trapper. I have the 1895 Guide Gun, but the trapper looks like a neat gun!
If you plan to shoot it, I would go for the Henry.
I remember when the first Miroku M1886's came out, the 24 inch versions, and they weighed a ton. The rifles also had this smooth crescent buttplate, antique buckhorn sights, and no way to scope the thing.
My Marlin 1894 in 44 Magnum hurt to shoot with its straight plastic buttplate, so I added a rubber buttplate. I have no desire to shoot a higher recoiling caliber with one of those thin, curved, 19th metal buttplates. Yes they look period, and there are very good reasons they went on the ash heap of history.
I don't know what rear sights are on the short 1886's, but if they are true to period, the buckhorn is an awful rear sight. I do not recall if the receiver is drilled and tapped for a rear aperture sight. I did put a Williams on my Marlin 1894, a much better rear sight than some wacko period open sight on the barrel.
I looked at the Henry, it is a seven pound rifle, a scope will bring it up to at least 8 pounds,
The website shows these with a scope on top, and it has a nice rubber butt pad. I cannot say enough about having an optical sight on top, especially in low light conditions. I will say, you can scratch stainless and you won't cry because you can polish minor scratches out. One of those high polished blued 1886 replicas, the finish will wear and scratch. It costs hundreds to have the things re blued. You will be leaving it in the rack so you don't damage the thing walking through the woods. Living in Mobile, you better oil and grease up any blued rifle as the salt air environment from the Gulf and bay will rust up any blued finish. There are so many mosquitos in the area, that yellow fever wiped out the town of Blakeley. Humidity, fungus and molds ate the wood buildings and really nothing original is left at Blakeley.
Of course, if you are only going to play cowboy, might as well get the one that looks period. The most damage a 1886 will see is when the case is unlocked, and locked at the games.
I remember when the first Miroku M1886's came out, the 24 inch versions, and they weighed a ton. The rifles also had this smooth crescent buttplate, antique buckhorn sights, and no way to scope the thing.
My Marlin 1894 in 44 Magnum hurt to shoot with its straight plastic buttplate, so I added a rubber buttplate. I have no desire to shoot a higher recoiling caliber with one of those thin, curved, 19th metal buttplates. Yes they look period, and there are very good reasons they went on the ash heap of history.
I don't know what rear sights are on the short 1886's, but if they are true to period, the buckhorn is an awful rear sight. I do not recall if the receiver is drilled and tapped for a rear aperture sight. I did put a Williams on my Marlin 1894, a much better rear sight than some wacko period open sight on the barrel.
I looked at the Henry, it is a seven pound rifle, a scope will bring it up to at least 8 pounds,
The website shows these with a scope on top, and it has a nice rubber butt pad. I cannot say enough about having an optical sight on top, especially in low light conditions. I will say, you can scratch stainless and you won't cry because you can polish minor scratches out. One of those high polished blued 1886 replicas, the finish will wear and scratch. It costs hundreds to have the things re blued. You will be leaving it in the rack so you don't damage the thing walking through the woods. Living in Mobile, you better oil and grease up any blued rifle as the salt air environment from the Gulf and bay will rust up any blued finish. There are so many mosquitos in the area, that yellow fever wiped out the town of Blakeley. Humidity, fungus and molds ate the wood buildings and really nothing original is left at Blakeley.
Of course, if you are only going to play cowboy, might as well get the one that looks period. The most damage a 1886 will see is when the case is unlocked, and locked at the games.
Varminterror
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When it comes to using leverguns - Make Mine a Marlin
(and BTW, I did).
(and BTW, I did).
troy fairweather
Member
1886 no question
PistoleroWadcutterGANG
Member
Without question. 1886.
OP
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OLDE RETIRED COASTIE
Member
the 1886 I was looking at has skinner sights, brushed chrome, and 18.5 barrel, and is called the Kodiak, after Kodiak , Alaska, where I was stationed 5 and 1/2 years.
I had to send a golden boy henry to the company and the factory and warranty people are first rate. I really have to debate if the 1886 is worth the 400 dollar difference
I had to send a golden boy henry to the company and the factory and warranty people are first rate. I really have to debate if the 1886 is worth the 400 dollar difference
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OLDE RETIRED COASTIE
Member
thing about the 1886, been around so long , a lot of gunsmiths can work on em, the Henry I do not know about. Could be, that is so similar to the Marlin, it too can be considered to be around a long time
dh1633pm
Contributing Member
I like my 1895G year 2003 Marlin. Lighter than a Henry but very handy. Henry’s are cool enough, but I think Marlin’s even the new Ruger ones are a good choice. I too want an 1886. Just something about them.
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OLDE RETIRED COASTIE
Member
I will wait and see atter the weekend on which one I get,
Ugly Sauce
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Aside from the 24" barrel, the butt-plate, buckhorn sights, and no way to scope the thing would be a plus for me.
dobedo
Member
I love my Henry's I have a 45-70, 30/30 and 22. I have had mine for over 15 years take it hunting every year. In MD we can now use straight wall cartridges for hunting deer in the entire state. I love the big bore guns and also hunt with a BFR revolver .500 S&W along with a BHA .500 S&W carbine.
dobedo
Member
I ordered some Skinner Peep sights for my 45/70 Henry. I really liked them on my BHA .500 Carbine.Aside from the 24" barrel, the butt-plate, buckhorn sights, and no way to scope the thing would be a plus for me.
Obturation
Member
1886 for looking at. Henry or marlin for real use. Haven't handled a ruger marlin but Henry makes very nice rifles. Sight unseen I'd go Henry if I planned to use it in the woods. Winchester isn't my favorite brand but they still make some gorgeous rifles ... Off shore. I like the simplicity & smoothness of henry, my best marlin is close.
That is an Italian made Chiappa Firearms.
I easily shot a thousand rounds through my M1903's service rifles, and they have an aperture rear sight in the same location.
And that is a pretty poor location for an aperture. Particularly in poor light and for fast target acquisition. This is a great aperture rear sight, one of these best made, and the proper location for one.
It is fully adjustable for windage and elevation.
Skinner claims that their sights are fully adjustable for windage and elevation. They did not state how much they would move.
Ugly Sauce
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One inch at 100 yards with Peeps. No scopes for me. !!! 80 grains 3fg Swiss, Speer 400 grain JSP.
hawg
Member
1886 all the way.
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OLDE RETIRED COASTIE
Member
I think after experiencing the warranty with a Henry rifle, I have decided to go with the Henry ALL WEATHER (BRUSHED CHROME) 18 inch barrel, with the side loading gate, and with that they are so much like a MARLIN, could almost mistake it for a Marlin. Do any of you have any experience with that model of Henry?
Pat Riot
Contributing Member
Well, I started my research before reading all the way through, so I will just say what I was going to say anyway.
When it comes to considering old guns and gun designs the very first thing I do is check for availability of parts.
If the 1886 in question is a Miroku Winchester there are spare parts available.
https://www.gunpartscorp.com/gun-manufacturer/winchester/rifles-win/1886-japan
If we’re talking about an original Winchester 1886 parts are harder to get. Especially parts that wear and break more than others, like; screws, springs, carriers, links, etc.
https://www.gunpartscorp.com/gun-manufacturer/winchester/rifles-win/1886
I would pass on an original 1886 if the plan is to shoot it often.
When it comes to considering old guns and gun designs the very first thing I do is check for availability of parts.
If the 1886 in question is a Miroku Winchester there are spare parts available.
https://www.gunpartscorp.com/gun-manufacturer/winchester/rifles-win/1886-japan
If we’re talking about an original Winchester 1886 parts are harder to get. Especially parts that wear and break more than others, like; screws, springs, carriers, links, etc.
https://www.gunpartscorp.com/gun-manufacturer/winchester/rifles-win/1886
I would pass on an original 1886 if the plan is to shoot it often.
