Can anyone tell me about the Henry rifle?

F

FoghornLeghorn

New member
I'm reading a review here:

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2011/08/chris-dumm/gun-review-henry-big-boy-44-magnum/

..and it seems really positive except for the procedure to reload. I'd prefer a more traditional reloading gate like the Winchester 94 or Marlin 336.

But there is no external safety?

Also, I was concerned about brass plating flaking off, but the above review says the receiver is machined out of solid brass.

Any other pros or cons?

Previously I had been leaning toward a 1893 Winchester/Miroku in 44-40, but the Henry is an eye catcher at less cost. Plus, I already reload the 44.
 
I had the 44 mag with octaganol 20" bbl. Heavy, but well balanced. A couple lbs heavier than Marlin.

Wonderful trigger. Rcvr is solid brass-like alloy, AFAIK - good stuff.

Did not care for the loading tube either. Much nicer on my Marlin.
 
But there is no external safety?
Click to expand...

The WORST thing you could ever do to an external hammer rifle is put a safety on it. Winchester did that to their Model 94 only because their lawers made them.
 
That model is slick, accurate & heavy.
No brass plating, as noted.
I argued the tube-loading setup with the owner a while back, but he likes it & it's his company, so.... :)

Very few knowledgeable levergunners, aside from younger people new to them, want a safety.

Crossbolts have been known to get themselves inadvertently activated, besides looking oogly, and sliding tang safeties get in the way.
The tang safeties on the Miroku Winchesters also leave an opening up alongside the hammer for dust & debris to get inside.

And, the Henry's heavy.
Otherwise, a very decent levergun.
Denis
 
I know the .22lr Henrys have a "quater cock" safety on them, where once the hammer is placed in this position, the trigger wont move the hammer until released from 1/4 cock.

Does the Big Boy have this type of safety, or is it just the standard transfer-bar type?
 
Henry lever guns have extremely smooth actions. The smoothest I've ever seen in a lever action. Well made in the USA and also very accurate. No need for an external safety IMO.
 
Same deal, usually called a "half-cock" notch & not referred to as a safety.
No transfer bar on Henry, Marlin, Winchester, Rossi/Taurus, Chiappa leverguns.
Denis
 
I stand corrected, been so long since I've shot one the Big Boys I'd forgotten.
It DOES have a transfer bar. :)
Denis
 
My customer service experience was great,,,

My customer service experience was great,,,

I "bubba'd" the teeny screw holding the rear sight on my Acu-Bolt,,,
The lady I spoke with was very helpful and sent me not one but two screws.

There was no charge and they wouldn't even accept postage.

A friend had a similar experience with his H001 rimfire rifle,,,
Apparently they have consistently good customer service.

Aarond

.
 
CAS starts lever actions with the chamber empty. It does not take long to stroke the lever as you shoulder the rifle. I would have to retrain to use one with the chamber loaded and hammer at half cock.

The big advantage of the safeties on the current crop of lever actions is when unloading.

I don't know why Henry went with slip-tube magazines in centerfires. Cheaper than designing and machining a loading gate, I suspect.
 
I assume you meant to type "1873" when referring to the Winchester/Miroku in .44-40?

I would brown bag my lunch and save up for that rifle rather than buying a Henry Big Boy.
 
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