Opinion on Henry rifles

[Will]

I've really been wanting to pick up one of the Henry big boy carbines. My only fear is the 1-38" twist barrel on the 44 mag and I think 45 colt too.

Has anyone done much shooting with the big boy?
I know the safe bet would be to just buy a Henry in 45-70 but I really like pistol caliber carbines.

 

[Ian]

That is a legitimate fear.

 

[freebullet]

Asked similar some time ago. Was looking at the 357 & the responses here weren't favorable toward Henry's.

I'd stay away from the brass frames based on advice from several knowledgeable folks.

Have yet to get a 357 lever. Still thinking about the m92 based on price & recommendations of folks opinions I value.

 

[KHornet]

Have been very pleased with my 94Win in 357, but they are scarce.

 

[Will]

I thought that someone might have tried the big boy steel.

I want a lever gun in either 44 mag or 45 colt. Just wish Winchester, Marlin, or Henry would make one with a proper twist. I have read that some of the Marlin 1894CB 45 colts had a 1-16" twist.

I really just can't get into the Rossi 92's. I don't actually have a good reasoning for it.

The older I get the more I can't get into anything but single shots and lever guns. The other day I thought I wanted a 38-55 lever gun until I looked at the price tag.

 

[Winelover]

There are things I like about the Henry Big Boy Steel carbine (made in USA, warranty, oversized loop lever) but the "deal killer" is the front loading tube magazine. I am not concerned with the twist rate. I don't load heavy for caliber cast bullets.....the "wrong twist" Marlin 1894, I own shoots less than 2MOA @ 50yards, as long as bullets are kept at or less, than 265 grains. I don't consider a "carbine" a "rifle"..... so consequently I don't expect MOA at 100 yards, either. When I expect to encounter 100 yard shots, I'll opt for a bottle neck center-fire rifle.

 

[Brad]

Yep, the front loading magazine is a deal breaker for me.

 

[Will]

The front loading magazine is not really that big of a turn off for me.
The twist is the big problem I have with them. I guess I've just had so much trouble getting my 1894 44 mag to shoot the twist really concerns me.
And as far as the accuracy expectations of a "carbine" I really don't see why the 44 mag and 357 carbines shouldn't shoot MOA considering the 30-30's and 45-70's I've shot have no trouble once the right load is found.

 

[Winelover]

And as far as the accuracy expectations of a "carbine" I really don't see why the 44 mag and 357 carbines shouldn't shoot MOA considering the 30-30's and 45-70's I've shot have no trouble once the right load is found.

Rifles versus carbines....long sighting radius, versus short. Then there's the debilitating factor of the crummy buckhorn sights.....not to mention old tired eyes.

 

[Will]

I still have to disagree. My 1894 and 1895 GBL have pretty much the same size barrel and both of them are scoped. There is no comparison in the accuracy department.
Pretty much anything I can put in the chamber of the 1895 shoots good. The 1894 I've put about 500 reds through to try and find something that shoots decent. I put that project on hold for now I couldn't take the frustration any more.

 

[Winelover]

I still have to disagree. My 1894 and 1895 GBL have pretty much the same size barrel and both of them are scoped. There is no comparison in the accuracy department.

Rarely do two firearms behave the same. The only thing they have in common is the manufacturer. They say the only interesting rifle is an accurate one. I disagree.......after I find the "load" for mine.....load development is at a stands still. Then they collect dust till called upon, while I play with something else. Took me two years and several thousand rounds to develop a satisfactory load (10 in little over 1 MOA) for my AR-10, with cast. And.... there is still room for improvement, considering it will put J-words in one hole, if I do my part.

 

[Minute Of Berm]

I shoot a Big Boy in 44 mag, and have a thousand or so rounds down range, mostly 240-250gr cast. I have experienced zero issue because of the brass frame and tend to load fairly hot because I like IMR4227 and it burns cleaner under compressed loads. Accuracy has been no issue, 4" circle at 100 yards off a rest head shooting squirrels out to 40yds, the eyes sorta lose it after that. These are actually facts, not opinion, but you're welcome none the less.

 

[Ian]

Good grief. 4 moa at 100 yards? I understand eyeball and sighting limitations, but I have revolvers that shoot groups half that size...wanna guess what twist rates they have? Shouldn't expect better? Really? Bothered by the magazine tube?..a personal thing, I can give you that, but it is a good system that works very well. Crummy sights?..that can be fixed to your individual liking, or glass added? PCCs are only good for close range? So much I don't understand.

How about "blocky", has as much character and soul as a Tupperware storage container, has no half-cock safety position, same stupid slow twist rates many other makers use, and really lousy wood-metal fit. And the brass Big Boy seems very heavy to me compared to a steel Marlin.

What I DO like: Made in 'Murica by proud, hard-working 'Muricans living the dream. Superb, in fact superior metal-to-metal fit and finish. Action is smooth like glass, trigger pull hard but not gritty, magazine system very convenient and doesn't damage cartridges like a side-gate does. Loads FAST. Mechanically head and shoulders above anything I've seen from domestic makers in a long time.

If a person re-barreled it and cut a tight chamber, and finished shaping the wood down to blend with the butt plate and receiver, they would really have something nice.

Oh, and the brass never did scare me a bit. The right kind of brass actually makes an ideal receiver material.

I still want one in .45 Colt, BAD. I just want it to be right, and until it is, I won't actually buy one.

 

[Minute Of Berm]

What's your point Ian?

 

[Ian]

Um, how about everyone stop telling Will his first premise is wrong? That's probably the whole reason that five major makers of .45 Colt carbines STILL haven't fixed this glaring, 100-year-old problem.

 

[Rick]

I have read that some of the Marlin 1894CB 45 colts had a 1-16" twist.

You read correctly. Mines does have 1/16 twist. Pity the brand new barrel was rifled with a hammer and chisel. I bought it used in near unfired condition and the bore was a nightmare, sent back to Marlin on my dime and got it back with a new barrel that is as bad or worse than the one I sent to be replaced. Don't buy a borescope unless you really really want to know because it will tell you things you might not want to know.
.

 

[Minute Of Berm]

Um, how about everyone stop telling Will his first premise is wrong? That's probably the whole reason that five major makers of .45 Colt carbines STILL haven't fixed this glaring, 100-year-old problem.

Thank you, my intention was not to tell the OP he was wrong, which I did not do. I was more of the opinion you were taking a shot at my facts because the 4moa doesn't fit your crieria as acceptable. Should I have been mistaken, forgive me, but if not, it is all opinion, isn't it?

 

[freebullet]

Jeez it's like this one took a contentious turn. You fellers sure get riled up about some lever guns.

I never claimed there'd be a problem with the brass frames but, I wouldn't buy one.

4" circle at 100 yards

No thanks. I'd expect that to be a start point for ninja type weapons but, for USA made slightly pricey arms I'd expect near moa.

really just can't get into the Rossi 92's. I don't actually have a good reasoning for it.

Yeah, I get that. Same here, it's why I ain't bought one.

 

[Rick]

Will, found the picture of the Marlin Cowboy 94 45 Colt, I couldn't find the right folder for my last post but here it is, 1-16 twist & all.

 

[Brad]

Is that the 20'or 24 inch barrel Rick?. Mine has a 24 inch barrel and I love it. That rifle handles like a shotgun in the field. I have a receiver sight with the factory front sight with brass bead and it just works. I must have 3-4K rounds thru it. Action is smooth as can be.