Henry vs Marlin 357

Countryboy90 · September 20, 2016, 05:06 AM

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.

Targa · September 20, 2016, 05:47 AM

I am a Henry fan and the Golden Boys certainly are beautiful rifles but I would keep the Marlin for the reasons you stated.

Salmoneye · September 20, 2016, 06:13 AM

I'd keep the Marlin...

Side loading is important to me (for some reason)...

mehavey · September 20, 2016, 06:23 AM

Keep the Marlin.
The `94 357's are like hen's teeth.

jackstrawIII · September 20, 2016, 10:10 AM

Marlin. Side loading FTW.

Obambulate · September 20, 2016, 11:14 AM

Give one of them to your wife - problem solved.

straightshooterjake · September 20, 2016, 11:55 AM

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.

ammo.crafter · September 20, 2016, 12:26 PM

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.

g.willikers · September 20, 2016, 12:41 PM

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).

jetinteriorguy · September 20, 2016, 01:52 PM

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.

Guv · September 20, 2016, 06:48 PM

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.

Risasi · September 21, 2016, 12:31 PM

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.

Countryboy90 · September 21, 2016, 08:55 PM

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.

Carmike · September 21, 2016, 10:57 PM

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

SHR970 · September 21, 2016, 11:23 PM

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.

PatientWolf · September 22, 2016, 05:30 AM

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.

Targa · September 22, 2016, 05:40 AM

Good choice. So do we get a picture of this Marlin?

Risasi · September 22, 2016, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Carmike said:

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

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.

g.willikers · September 22, 2016, 10:15 AM

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?

Countryboy90 · September 22, 2016, 10:19 AM

Here is a picture of the gun from aucrion. It will be here next week. I am super excited.

Targa · September 22, 2016, 10:30 AM

Very nice!

September 20, 2016, 05:06 AM	#1
Countryboy90 Junior Member Join Date: September 12, 2016 Posts: 7	Henry vs Marlin 357 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.

September 20, 2016, 10:10 AM	#5
jackstrawIII Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2016 Location: Upstate NY. Posts: 901	Marlin. Side loading FTW. __________________ In God we trust.

September 20, 2016, 11:55 AM	#7
straightshooterjake Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2016 Posts: 122	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. __________________ My blog: http://straightshooterjake.blogspot.com/ Last edited by straightshooterjake; September 20, 2016 at 12:49 PM. Reason: spelling

September 20, 2016, 12:26 PM	#8
ammo.crafter Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2006 Location: The Keystone State Posts: 1,970	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. __________________ "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading". --Thomas Jefferson

September 20, 2016, 12:41 PM	#9
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	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). __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

September 20, 2016, 05:47 AM	#2
Targa Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2014 Posts: 2,084	I am a Henry fan and the Golden Boys certainly are beautiful rifles but I would keep the Marlin for the reasons you stated.

September 20, 2016, 06:13 AM	#3
Salmoneye Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 2011 Location: Vermont Posts: 2,076	I'd keep the Marlin... Side loading is important to me (for some reason)...

September 20, 2016, 06:23 AM	#4
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,896	Keep the Marlin. The `94 357's are like hen's teeth.

September 20, 2016, 11:14 AM	#6
Obambulate Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2011 Posts: 582	Give one of them to your wife - problem solved.

September 20, 2016, 01:52 PM	#10
jetinteriorguy Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2013 Posts: 3,176	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.

September 20, 2016, 06:48 PM	#11
Guv Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2012 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,126	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. __________________ Walnut and Gloss Blue, mostly!

September 21, 2016, 12:31 PM	#12
Risasi Member Join Date: June 29, 2005 Posts: 41	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.

September 21, 2016, 08:55 PM	#13
Countryboy90 Junior Member Join Date: September 12, 2016 Posts: 7	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.

September 21, 2016, 10:57 PM	#14
Carmike Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2016 Posts: 106	A bit off topic, but you mentioned deer hunting: What's the range on a .357 rifle? (Just looking for a ballpark)

September 21, 2016, 11:23 PM	#15
SHR970 Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2011 Posts: 1,427	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.

September 22, 2016, 05:30 AM	#16
PatientWolf Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Location: NC Posts: 947	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.

September 22, 2016, 05:40 AM	#17
Targa Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2014 Posts: 2,084	Good choice. So do we get a picture of this Marlin?

September 22, 2016, 10:15 AM	#19
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	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? __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

September 22, 2016, 10:30 AM	#21
Targa Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2014 Posts: 2,084	Very nice!