Help deciding on a Henry

Georgian · March 3, 2020, 04:30 AM

Hey yall. I recently began reloading .45 Colt for two handguns I acquired, an Uberti Cattleman II and an Uberti 1875 Remington, both with 7 1/2" barrels......and absolutely love this cartridge. I have now been looking into a .45 lever gun. At first, I thought of Marlin, but I've heard they haven't completely recovered their previous glory, and probably never will. Then I set my sights on Henry, as I have yet to hear anything bad about them. I'm leaning towards one of their steel big boys, but can't decide on whether I want to go with their 20" rifle or 16.5" carbine, color case or standard steel. This rifle will be more of a fun gun, but I may use for hunting at some point. Any suggestions?

Schlitz 45 · March 3, 2020, 06:21 AM

I have the same story & have been looking at a Big Boy All Weather model (20”) at the LGS down the street for $850

stagpanther · March 3, 2020, 08:05 AM

First off, my opinion is that Marlin has largely recovered from the "mediocrity" in their lever guns. I've had a couple of Henry's and still have one of my favorites from them, the brass big boy in 45-70 with 22" octagonal barrel. It's not a haul in the woods all day gun or as quick as a shorter barreled trapper style carbine--but it has what it takes to get the most (or least) you want out of the cartridge IMO. It's definitely a "pounder" with full-power loads with that brass butt-plate, but if your going to do sustained shooting with it you can add a buttpad. My personal opinion is the extra length barrel is worth it, even with the weight penalty. Mine is very accurate as well.

cw308 · March 3, 2020, 09:01 AM

Georgian
Good choice , in 45 Colt would be the best of two world's . If your a reloader and want to shoot it just for the fun of it , you could shoot a medium load . As far as what barrel length I would go with the 20" just looks more balanced to me but you must like the 16.5" . For hunting , your not hunting mountain goats at long range , either one you can't go wrong. Go with your gut . Be well.

Chris

jetinteriorguy · March 4, 2020, 07:00 AM

I have two BBS’s in .357 and .41 and love them. These are the rifle length. The balance is perfect and they just seem to fit me like a glove. As easy and natural as these handle I just can’t see any real advantage to the carbine length, especially the loss in capacity. Now, I don’t have any experience with a carbine length and maybe with some experience I would change my tune, but I doubt it.

cecILL · March 4, 2020, 07:39 AM

The carbine lengths carry easy on ATVs.

Prof Young · March 24, 2020, 06:56 PM

I had the Henry 45 colt big boy with the octagonal barrel. It had a break in period before it shot well . . . but I think most of the break in was me leaning to shoot the thing. It was a fun gun and is one of the few that I regret having sold.

Life is good.
Prof Young

CurtisPerry · March 25, 2020, 09:23 AM

agree with you

kilotanker22 · March 26, 2020, 09:56 PM

I would buy a 20" barrel and color case receiver. For no other reason than, they are cool.

Eazyeach · March 27, 2020, 09:27 AM

^^^^ this. I have the rifle length steelbig boy in .357. Two weeks after I bought it the case colored receiver came out. I love mine but if I would’ve waited for the case colored option I would’ve loved it a little more.

ilmonster · March 27, 2020, 09:52 AM

I can vouch for both recent Marlins and Henrys. I bought a Marlin 1895 a few years ago and it is put together as well as my 2006 1894C (pre-Remington), so I wouldn't hesitate in buying a Marlin. The sights are straight, wood to metal fit is good, action cycles smoothly, etc. I have 300-400 rounds through it and am very happy.

That being said, variety is the spice of life and for S&G's two years ago I bought a Henry H009CCH, which is a 30-30 with a 20" octagonal barrel and color case hardened receiver. Really well put together and a super smooth action. Given that, I would suggest you look at the color case hardened 20" Big Boy. Super cool rifle. Let us know what you decide.

McShooty · March 27, 2020, 05:06 PM

Add me to the list of those who favor the 20-in bbl. In general, it will handle better and not add much weight to the Henry, which is a pretty heavy gun to begin with. Also, the .45 Colt is probably the best 157-year old human contraption still in regular use. I suppose because it is accurate, it throws a heavy chunk of lead with great penetration, it doesn't rattle your teeth like a 44 mag, and quality guns are available. Gosh, I think I need another one. Since you handload, you will be having fun testing loads for accuracy. The heavy Henry is very good for this at the bench, and good bases are available if you want a scope.

March 3, 2020, 04:30 AM	#1
Georgian Senior Member Join Date: October 12, 2004 Location: SE Georgia Posts: 208	Help deciding on a Henry Hey yall. I recently began reloading .45 Colt for two handguns I acquired, an Uberti Cattleman II and an Uberti 1875 Remington, both with 7 1/2" barrels......and absolutely love this cartridge. I have now been looking into a .45 lever gun. At first, I thought of Marlin, but I've heard they haven't completely recovered their previous glory, and probably never will. Then I set my sights on Henry, as I have yet to hear anything bad about them. I'm leaning towards one of their steel big boys, but can't decide on whether I want to go with their 20" rifle or 16.5" carbine, color case or standard steel. This rifle will be more of a fun gun, but I may use for hunting at some point. Any suggestions? __________________ ~"Speak softly and carry a big stick"~T. Roosevelt God Bless

March 3, 2020, 08:05 AM	#3
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,787	First off, my opinion is that Marlin has largely recovered from the "mediocrity" in their lever guns. I've had a couple of Henry's and still have one of my favorites from them, the brass big boy in 45-70 with 22" octagonal barrel. It's not a haul in the woods all day gun or as quick as a shorter barreled trapper style carbine--but it has what it takes to get the most (or least) you want out of the cartridge IMO. It's definitely a "pounder" with full-power loads with that brass butt-plate, but if your going to do sustained shooting with it you can add a buttpad. My personal opinion is the extra length barrel is worth it, even with the weight penalty. Mine is very accurate as well. __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!*

March 3, 2020, 09:01 AM	#4
cw308 Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2010 Location: Plainview , Long Island NY Posts: 3,863	Georgian Good choice , in 45 Colt would be the best of two world's . If your a reloader and want to shoot it just for the fun of it , you could shoot a medium load . As far as what barrel length I would go with the 20" just looks more balanced to me but you must like the 16.5" . For hunting , your not hunting mountain goats at long range , either one you can't go wrong. Go with your gut . Be well. Chris Last edited by cw308; March 3, 2020 at 09:07 AM.

March 24, 2020, 06:56 PM	#7
Prof Young Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2007 Location: Illinois - down state Posts: 2,404	Mine had a break in period but . . . I had the Henry 45 colt big boy with the octagonal barrel. It had a break in period before it shot well . . . but I think most of the break in was me leaning to shoot the thing. It was a fun gun and is one of the few that I regret having sold. Life is good. Prof Young

March 26, 2020, 09:56 PM	#9
kilotanker22 Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2012 Location: North Central, PA Posts: 2,117	I would buy a 20" barrel and color case receiver. For no other reason than, they are cool. __________________ “We do not seek peace in order to be at war, but we go to war that we may have peace. Be peaceful, therefore, in warring, so that you may vanquish those whom you war against, and bring them to the prosperity of peace. – St. Augustine

March 3, 2020, 06:21 AM	#2
Schlitz 45 Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2018 Location: Colorado Posts: 385	I have the same story & have been looking at a Big Boy All Weather model (20”) at the LGS down the street for $850

March 4, 2020, 07:00 AM	#5
jetinteriorguy Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2013 Posts: 3,175	I have two BBS’s in .357 and .41 and love them. These are the rifle length. The balance is perfect and they just seem to fit me like a glove. As easy and natural as these handle I just can’t see any real advantage to the carbine length, especially the loss in capacity. Now, I don’t have any experience with a carbine length and maybe with some experience I would change my tune, but I doubt it.

March 4, 2020, 07:39 AM	#6
cecILL Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2001 Location: central IL Posts: 769	The carbine lengths carry easy on ATVs.

March 25, 2020, 09:23 AM	#8
CurtisPerry Junior member Join Date: March 25, 2020 Posts: 1	agree with you

March 27, 2020, 09:27 AM	#10
Eazyeach Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2014 Posts: 706	^^^^ this. I have the rifle length steelbig boy in .357. Two weeks after I bought it the case colored receiver came out. I love mine but if I would’ve waited for the case colored option I would’ve loved it a little more.

March 27, 2020, 09:52 AM	#11
ilmonster Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 180	I can vouch for both recent Marlins and Henrys. I bought a Marlin 1895 a few years ago and it is put together as well as my 2006 1894C (pre-Remington), so I wouldn't hesitate in buying a Marlin. The sights are straight, wood to metal fit is good, action cycles smoothly, etc. I have 300-400 rounds through it and am very happy. That being said, variety is the spice of life and for S&G's two years ago I bought a Henry H009CCH, which is a 30-30 with a 20" octagonal barrel and color case hardened receiver. Really well put together and a super smooth action. Given that, I would suggest you look at the color case hardened 20" Big Boy. Super cool rifle. Let us know what you decide.

March 27, 2020, 05:06 PM	#12
McShooty Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2012 Location: Northern Missouri Posts: 480	Add me to the list of those who favor the 20-in bbl. In general, it will handle better and not add much weight to the Henry, which is a pretty heavy gun to begin with. Also, the .45 Colt is probably the best 157-year old human contraption still in regular use. I suppose because it is accurate, it throws a heavy chunk of lead with great penetration, it doesn't rattle your teeth like a 44 mag, and quality guns are available. Gosh, I think I need another one. Since you handload, you will be having fun testing loads for accuracy. The heavy Henry is very good for this at the bench, and good bases are available if you want a scope.