Stats Shooter
New member
I was making a point, with a crude exaggeration. I prefer the Marlin over a Henry and was only meaning to say that you could rework a Marlin but a you cannot make a Henry into a Marlin. To be more respectful, there is nothing wrong with a Henry. Not as far as I know. I am a little put off with some of the styling and front loading. Chunky styling in general but more on some than others. I would say the same about some of the gaudy Winchester 94 commemorates in the 1970s.
Being serious for a minute. Henry makes a steel frame 19" round barrel carbine with a pistol grip and rubber recoil pad. No brake or barrel holes. That looks about right for features and in good taste. Better than a ported guide gun.
As the OP on this thread, I have now handled both the Henery's and Marlin's. They both obviously have advantages and disadvantages. And all the input on this thread has been helpful. At my LGS i was able to evaluate a couple henery's and marlins side by side.
I though the fit and finish on the henery's was a bit better. I wasn't evaluating Henery's premium line, just the basic blued model on par with the marlin. They had the marlin stainless version the henery all weather versions too and those were both flat out nice!
I thought the actions of both felt pretty much the same, as did the triggers....at least not enough of a difference to remark on.
One key factor though is the way the marlin loads vs a henery. I very much like the marlin over the henery in this respect. It is a big factor to me. So much so that I would overlook finish issues because I can correct some of them, but cannot change the way a henery loads vs the marlin.
So in the end, I got a Marlin GBL with the big loop, 6 round mag, and 18" barrel. I will change the sights and probably sand the stock a bit. But otherwise I think I like it so far. The truth will be revealed later when I begin putting her through her paces with lead down range, but so far so good.
Thanks again.