Henry vs Marlin 357

C

Countryboy90

Inactive
Hey all, I have a predicament. So last week I bought a henry 357 big boy with the brass receiver in 357. It is super smooth and I love the way it looks. Well over the weekend I lucked out and got a real nice Marlin 1894 pre safety in 357. Now I have an issue because I think the wife is only going to let me keep one. Which would yall choose if you had to keep one. I love the henry but the marlin is lighter and has a more western look and side loading gate. I also know these pre safety 1894 357s are getting harder to find and are starting to go up in value. Decisions, decisions.
 
I am a Henry fan and the Golden Boys certainly are beautiful rifles but I would keep the Marlin for the reasons you stated.
 
As others have said, you should keep the Marlin. The Henry will be much easier to replace in the future. Older Marlin pistol caliber rifles are in high demand, and I don't see that changing in the foreseeable future.

I do think that the Henry is one of the nicer lever actions that is currently being manufactured. But for my own use, I really require that centerfire lever actions have a loading gate. It is unfortunate, because I like everything about the Henry rifles except their method of loading.

In fact, the loading gate was an important patent in the history of rifle development. And it was widely considered to be a significant improvement when it first became available on the 1866 Winchesters.
 
Last edited:
Marlin magic

Obambulate hit the nail on the head!

Give one to your wife; make a big deal about the presentation. You know, package it up with wrapping paper, ribbon, get her a nice card, etc.

Let us know if you survive.
 
What can ya' say about a gun company that moves from anti-gun Brooklyn, NY to the progun state of ....New Jersey! :)
(They also have a manufacturing facility in Wisconsin, much to everyone's relief).
 
I have Henry Big Boy Steel's in both .357 and .41 mag. As much as I like them, if I could have gotten Marlins at or slightly above what I paid for my Henry's I would have the Marlins in my collection. Meanwhile I just shoot the heck out of the Henry's and have no regrets whatsoever.
 
My first deer rifle was a Model 94. From when I was a kid I have always thought that the loading gate was such a sweet feature, just really cool. Too bad it doesn't lend itself to the little rim fires, but I still love my old M39.
 
Option 3. Man up and tell the wife you're keeping them both. If she gives you any flack point to the excessive collection of shoes, purses and/or knick-knacks hanging on the wall.
 
Thanks for all the advice. I was able to sell the henry today for what I paid for it. I will get a henry later down the road. I just couldn't pass up the 1894 pre safety. Hopefully i can get a deer with it this fall.
 
A bit off topic, but you mentioned deer hunting: What's the range on a .357 rifle? (Just looking for a ballpark)
 
I would keep both. If I HAD to lose one I would lose the Marlin ( I own one). Reason is The Microgroove rifling doesn't do so well with lead / cast bullets driven to higher speeds. The Henry will likely do better with a wider range of ammo. If you try B.B. lead for deer hunting, you will VERY Likely be disappointed in the accuracy in the Marlin.
 
Keep the Marlin. No question.

Edit

Oops. I see you already made the right decision. When you are ready for they Henry, if that is something you want in the future, I believe the Big Boy Steel (blued version) is light Er weight than the brass model.

You may also want to consider a '92 some day. The action can be very smooth.
 
Carmike said:

A bit off topic, but you mentioned deer hunting: What's the range on a .357 rifle? (Just looking for a ballpark)
Click to expand...

The average shooter probably about 75 yards. Someone who really knows their rifle maybe out to about 125 yards, with the right cartridge load. Past about 100 yards the bullet path really starts to look like a rainbow. Energy sheds too pretty quickly.

I'm sure there are other guys who can go (and have gone) well beyond that, but that's not most people. Nor should it probably be either.
 
Marlins with the micro groove rifling can shoot lead bullets pretty good, but the bullets have to be slightly oversized.
And that can require making reloads.
Do any ammo manufacturers make suitable ammo for them?
 
Here is a picture of the gun from aucrion. It will be here next week. I am super excited.
 

Attachments

  • 1516.jpg
    1516.jpg
    23.6 KB · Views: 129
  • 1516(2).jpg
    1516(2).jpg
    23.7 KB · Views: 116
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top