HENRY BIG BOY 44 mag vs MARLIN 1894 44 mag

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firemannw

New member
Hey guys I need some opinions on HENRY BIG BOY 44 mag($685) vs MARLIN 1894 Cowboy 44 mag($680) both have octagon barrels. I can also get a Marlin 1894 with the standard barrel instead of the octagon barrel for $500. I'm going to purchase one of them and I need your opinions on them, Pros and cons. I really like the Henry, I would like to get a Winchester 1894 44 mag. but know nothing about picking a good condition lever action. The rifle is going to be used for a brush gun deer and just shooting. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Noah
 
For hunting I'd go with the Marlin. The Big Boy with it's brass receiver is heavy as hell not to mention shiny and flashy in the sun. The Winchester 94 was designed for a rifle cartridge from the get go and with the long action many of them do not function well with pistol calibers. JMHO.
 
Marlin for all the reasons Hawg mentioned, plus, the Marlin is easier to load additional rounds in through the loading gate; whereas, you have to remove the mag tube from the Big Boy to reload/add rounds.
 
Thanks guys for the info I am going with the Marlin. What your opinion on the Marlin 1895 in 45-70 new for $660.
Thanks,
Noah
 
The Big Boy is over two pounds heavier than a comparable Marlin. The Marlin, or comparable Winchester `92 reproduction or replica makes for a fast-handling carbine that's easy to carry and shoot. The Henry just feels like a stick of railroad between my hands.
 
For an easy to carry brush gun for deer ...nothin beats a pre 64 Winchester model 94 chambered in 30/30 ...it`s taken more deer in this country than any other lever gun ....and a nice one can be had for under 600.00
 
The reason I'm buying my first lever gun in 44 magnum is because I own ruger super black in 44 mag. and though it would be fun to own a lever gun in the same caliber.
 
Go the Marlin

I love my '94 23" cowboy (octagonal barrel) I use mine for CAS. I started with a '94 Win Little Big Horn :barf:.... Win was too clunky & slow & the rounds come up from the mag at about 45 degree angle & jam or stand straight up when you try to go fast & the top eject would often land an empty back in the breach (or on your hat)

The '94 Marlin, the rounds come up flat & almost stacks the empties in a little neat pile next to your right foot :D (almost:D I should try putting an empty open range box down there, it would almost put them back in the box for me)

Love my Marlin ;)
 
No doubt haveing a lever gun in the same cal. as your pistol is a nice plus ..
Take a look at the Puma model 92 winchesters ... they can be had in 44 mag ......good light to carry easy pointing rifle too .
I`ve hunted with a 336 Marlin carbine and a pre 64 Winchester Carbine both chambered in 30/30 ...the Winchester is easyer to carry for me ..
The Marlin has a plus because of side ejection to add a scope on top if you desire .
Here`s a Puma model 92 in 44mag ...worth a look ...these are light weight easy and quick pointing ....http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=135294819
 
I am very interested in the puma, the one with the 12" barrel in 44 mag. looks very slick, I just don't know a lot of people who have owned them. I'm limited on what the gun store has (which is a lot) that I'm trading with(my CMMG AR 15 Gas Piston Quad Rail). Sportsman's Paradise is who I'm trading with and I can't say enough good things about the guy who runs it. They sell a lot of firearms on Gunbroker for really good prices and do decent trades as well. From all I'm hearing it sounds like the Marlin rifles are the best shooting levers for the money. I was really interested in getting a new Henry or good a used Winchester but everyone is saying Marlin so I think I will go with the Marlin. I will also be trading for a lever in 45-70. I will be heading over there this afternoon and will let you guys know what I get.:D
Thanks,
Noah
 
I believe you would have to get a SBR permit for the Puma 12" barrel, which I heard was like $200 and only good for that rifle:(. But they look really sweet.
 
firemannw,
I have a Marlin 1894CB in 45 Colt as well as a Marlin 1895CB in 45-70. Both are extremely fun to shoot. The 1895 just says to me, WOW, 10 rounds of 45-70 downrange without reloading! Awesome!! Word of caution/advice though, leverguns are addictive. Kinda like Lays potato chips, nobody can eat (own) just one.
Ralph
 
Well I traded my cmmg gas piston AR 15 for the marlin 1894 44 mag., marlin 1895 guide gun 45 70, and a henry arms 22LR. All the rifles are new and I hope to have time to shoot them today. I'm very excited about shooting the 45 70, the only problem is I spent $36 for just 20 rounds of 45 70 and that was the only place in town that sold it:eek:.
 
I spent $36 for just 20 rounds of 45 70 and that was the only place in town that sold it.
Click to expand...

That wasn't bad. Last 30-378 Weatherby's I bought was 8 or 9 years ago for 89.00 for 20 rounds.:eek::eek:
 
henry

i got the henry big boy in 44 and its a joy to shoot, mine really likes cast lead bullets, if your gonna use yours for hunting more go with the marlin but the henry is sure a pleasure to shoot at the range due to that extra 2 pounds weight.

Couple things to note, i have 3 henrys and for some reason all 3 broke the firing pins, replaced the pins and its been fine since.
The barrel finish on the big boy is mighty delicate, it wont stand up to any humidity at all, so if you want a gun to hurl in the back of the pickup and leave it there for a few days go with the marlin.
The marlin has a better magazine tube by far, i wish henry would get rid of that cheap rolled tube.
I'd still take a henry over a marlin any day but i hunt more soup cans than deer.
 
I went with the marlin in the end, the henry was a beatiful rifle but I wanted something rugged. A rifle that I could go in the timber with and not worry about babying it. Another thing was the weight of the henry, I did end up getting a henry 22 for my boy which is a very fun rifle to shoot.
 
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