Big Boy Revolver?
- Thread starter ahutch71
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Mark_Mark
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I think they are BEAUTIFUL!
westernrover
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Not tried it. It turns me off because of the zinc alloy frame parts, cheap design with giant gaps around the side plate and yoke-to-frame fit, coupled with high cost, and the intermediate size that offers neither low weight and ease of carry or high performance.
I'm not a Henry-hater. I have a single-shot shotgun made by Henry and it's everything I wanted - a beautiful gun that performs very well. I also like revolvers. They're the only handgun I own and I carry one everyday. Henry's quite obviously lacks any innovation. Their design didn't add anything. Yet it also seems to lack craftsmanship. What it may have is quality. It can't be worse than current Smith & Wesson.
I see them retailing in-stock for ~$729. For that price, I can get a new Ruger Blackhawk or a resold Dan Wesson double-action, either of which would be far superior.
I can't help but think they've misjudged the revolver market. They introduced neither a cheap pocket revolver (thankfully), nor a high-performance, superbly-crafted magnum handgun. I hope that their introduction to the revolver market turns out like Colt's re-entry with the 2017 Cobra -- an uninspiring gun that preceded a much more substantial effort to bring great revolvers to market.
I'm not a Henry-hater. I have a single-shot shotgun made by Henry and it's everything I wanted - a beautiful gun that performs very well. I also like revolvers. They're the only handgun I own and I carry one everyday. Henry's quite obviously lacks any innovation. Their design didn't add anything. Yet it also seems to lack craftsmanship. What it may have is quality. It can't be worse than current Smith & Wesson.
I see them retailing in-stock for ~$729. For that price, I can get a new Ruger Blackhawk or a resold Dan Wesson double-action, either of which would be far superior.
I can't help but think they've misjudged the revolver market. They introduced neither a cheap pocket revolver (thankfully), nor a high-performance, superbly-crafted magnum handgun. I hope that their introduction to the revolver market turns out like Colt's re-entry with the 2017 Cobra -- an uninspiring gun that preceded a much more substantial effort to bring great revolvers to market.
tightgroup tiger
Member
I agree, why would someone spend money on something like that, with all the quality guns we have available to us.
I shot one of their .357mag lever rifles at the range one day, my revolver was more accurate than it was. At least with the ammo we were using. I was deeply turned off.
I shot one of their .357mag lever rifles at the range one day, my revolver was more accurate than it was. At least with the ammo we were using. I was deeply turned off.
Ohen Cepel
Member
I like Henry stuff and am a revolver guy, but their revolver doesn't do much for me. However, I don't think I have even seen one on a shelf yet. Haven't been looking for one either though given the price point and what it is.
bangswitch
Member
I can't make myself get close enough to one to pick it up.
If Henry wants to make a revolver, why don't they make Western replicas to go along with their lever guns?
If Henry wants to make a revolver, why don't they make Western replicas to go along with their lever guns?
Miami_JBT
Member
I'm waiting for them to be blown out for cheap at CDNN.
NorthBorder
Member
So, what exactly on the frame is zinc? Henry advertises it as"... blue steel throughout the medium-sized frame." The trigger guard appears to be brass or their brass-lite. But, as revolvers go they aren't very appealing looking.
BLACKHAWKNJ
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No mention of anything other than steel in the frame on their website. Looks like a glorified Charter Arms to me, and a fixed sight .357-? Not very versatile.
"Henry advertises it as"... blue steel throughout the medium-sized frame.""
Looks like that this statement created confusion, and it could be the reason why some assumed that some parts might be from zinc alloy.
Nevertheless, since, so far, we do not have any evidence that Henry used zinc alloy on any part, IMHO it will be fair to remove all posts hinting that.
As for design of revolver, if I am a manager there, I would consider SA revolvers, two sizes;
- Small frame, with cylinder size no more than GP100 or 686, for 357 Magnum and smaller calibers
- Larger frame for larger calibers.
I was always puzzled why nobody picked TLA #5 Improved, although, I will reverse design and make it with right hand loading gate. Also, I would definitely make grip longer, something like on Ruger Bisley.
Looks like that this statement created confusion, and it could be the reason why some assumed that some parts might be from zinc alloy.
Nevertheless, since, so far, we do not have any evidence that Henry used zinc alloy on any part, IMHO it will be fair to remove all posts hinting that.
As for design of revolver, if I am a manager there, I would consider SA revolvers, two sizes;
- Small frame, with cylinder size no more than GP100 or 686, for 357 Magnum and smaller calibers
- Larger frame for larger calibers.
I was always puzzled why nobody picked TLA #5 Improved, although, I will reverse design and make it with right hand loading gate. Also, I would definitely make grip longer, something like on Ruger Bisley.
Speedo66
Member
As per their ad, if “classically styled” means looking like a cheap old H&R, they nailed it.
Mark_Mark
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- Jan 9, 2021
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- 17,931
I think it’s elegant! and classic
modern material meets 40’s styling! love the Henry Curves
Speedo66
Member
To each, his own.
Glad you’re enjoying it. Are you also a fan of the classic lines of the Ruger LCR?
dh1633pm
Contributing Member
I have looked at them online a lot. I can't get past their unfriendly looks. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so take my opinion with some salt.
doubleh
Member
No, an ugly gun is an ugly gun. Again I'm going to say it is the lighting instead of a dirty hand. 
Gordon
Member
Miami_JBT
Member
I congratulate Henry on jumping into the wheel-gun market. But they did not study the market correctly. Their revolver is ugly as sin. Again, this will eventually be a CDNN close-out blow-out sale.
1. A blued, fixed sight K-Frame(ish) size .357 Magnum has a market. But not at the price point it is currently listed. Especially when the consumer can purchase a Rossi RP63 for under $400 and get a satin stainless round 3" K-Frame with fixed sights or an 4" adjustable sighted RM64.
2. Brass? I get it is their "thing" with marketing. But brass on a revolver screams cheap.
3. The grips aren't that great. A Bird's Head and "Gunfighter" that replicates a Colt SAA isn't something worthwhile for a modern DA revolver. They could have modeled the frame after a S&W K-Frame or Taurus'/Rossi's frame size so there is grip compatibility on the market and buyers can add Hogues, Pachmayrs, VZ G10s, etc...
Hopefully, they release a grip frame that is blued steel and uses traditional S&W K-Frame stocks.
In the end, if Henry made a basic no-frills gun, a modern rendition and homage to the guns of yesteryear. It would have sold. Basically something that externally replicates a Colt Official Police, but made with modern springs, lockwork, etc....
They could even have continued with the way they do the sights.... thread the barrel in place, then drill and tap the front of the barrel for the front sight. Don't have to worry about alignment.
Or, if they released it as a .22LR/.22Mag combo with cheaper materials. It would sell better too. Their most popular guns are their .22LR lever actions. having a companion piece for that would make more sense.
1. A blued, fixed sight K-Frame(ish) size .357 Magnum has a market. But not at the price point it is currently listed. Especially when the consumer can purchase a Rossi RP63 for under $400 and get a satin stainless round 3" K-Frame with fixed sights or an 4" adjustable sighted RM64.
2. Brass? I get it is their "thing" with marketing. But brass on a revolver screams cheap.
3. The grips aren't that great. A Bird's Head and "Gunfighter" that replicates a Colt SAA isn't something worthwhile for a modern DA revolver. They could have modeled the frame after a S&W K-Frame or Taurus'/Rossi's frame size so there is grip compatibility on the market and buyers can add Hogues, Pachmayrs, VZ G10s, etc...
Hopefully, they release a grip frame that is blued steel and uses traditional S&W K-Frame stocks.
In the end, if Henry made a basic no-frills gun, a modern rendition and homage to the guns of yesteryear. It would have sold. Basically something that externally replicates a Colt Official Police, but made with modern springs, lockwork, etc....
They could even have continued with the way they do the sights.... thread the barrel in place, then drill and tap the front of the barrel for the front sight. Don't have to worry about alignment.
Or, if they released it as a .22LR/.22Mag combo with cheaper materials. It would sell better too. Their most popular guns are their .22LR lever actions. having a companion piece for that would make more sense.
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Gordon
Member
Got one of these in .32 Mag and it's not that bad for a $299 gun new . All steel at least !
Targa
Member
I am not sure what to think about the Big Boy. I do know that I wouldn’t pay what Henry wants for one.
