Wanting a Lever Action in .357 to play with. Locally the Rossi is $180 cheaper. 520 vs 700. I’ve heard good things about the Rossi but is the Henry that much better? Ruled out the new Marlins. Ugliest stamped wood I’ve ever seen. Older Marlins in .357 don’t ever seem to come around
Lever Action Rossi vs Henry Opinions
- Thread starter Eddietruett
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
I have had good luck with my Rossis over the years
I own five at the moment. Two are 20" rifles that include the .357 pictured above and a 45LC. The remaining three are all Ranch Hands, chambered for 22LR, 357 Magnum and 45LC
I have looked at the Henry and will most probably get one this year simply because they have offerings chambered for 41 Magnum
I own five at the moment. Two are 20" rifles that include the .357 pictured above and a 45LC. The remaining three are all Ranch Hands, chambered for 22LR, 357 Magnum and 45LC
I have looked at the Henry and will most probably get one this year simply because they have offerings chambered for 41 Magnum
MJFlores
Member
I have 2 Henry 22 rifles, both are super nice with real nice wood and blueing. Excellent rifles. However, in a centerfire rifle I just dont like a loading tube. I have no idea why Henry refuses to use a loading gate. If they did I'd buy one instantly..., heck everyone would. Im not a fan of Rossi either, and the Winchesters have a crappy safety on them these days.
HughD1
Member
I guess I am odd. I like the Henry loading tube much better than the loading gate on my Marlin. Unloading in the dark after an evening hunt is much easier to me with the Henry and the Henry tube doesn’t seem to be as hard on the ammo. Have had no dealings with a Rossi.
Erich
Member
I've had a nice Rossi .357 1892 short rifle (one of the ones Navy Arms imported) for over ten years and really like it. I may have just lucked out, but this is a darned sweet gun.
That said, Henry's goofy twenty-two-style mag tube is a good idea if you want to unload without running the rounds through the action (or ruining your thumb tricking them out of the side gate).
That said, Henry's goofy twenty-two-style mag tube is a good idea if you want to unload without running the rounds through the action (or ruining your thumb tricking them out of the side gate).
OP
So far the biggest holdback on the Rossi is the top eject. Red dot mounting gets more complicated if I go that route. Was shooting a 30-30 recently with iron sights and at 80 yards I was as accurate with my 8 3/8” 686 with red dot. I’m sure it had nothing to do with my 62 Year old eyes.
OP
What type rear sight is that. I’m sure it’s better than original.I've had a nice Rossi .357 1892 short rifle (one of the ones Navy Arms imported) for over ten years and really like it. I may have just lucked out, but this is a darned sweet gun.
That said, Henry's goofy twenty-two-style mag tube is a good idea if you want to unload without running the rounds through the action (or ruining your thumb tricking them out of the side gate).
Collo Rosso
Member
Wanted a lever gun in 44mag and looked at the Henry. Looked like it was nicely made but when I picked it up... felt like it weighed 10 plus pounds. Came across a new Marlin 1894 with plain but nice fitting wood and really nice bluing. Bought it and it has been a really good rifle.
Which ever you buy I recommend a Skinner peep rear sight.
Which ever you buy I recommend a Skinner peep rear sight.
Wyatt Burp
Member
I own a Browning B-92 .44 magnum but never owned a Rossi or a Henry. But I'd go with the rossi because it's more true in design to an actual Winchester. And it's cheaper. I'd like a 16" loop lever Rossi so I could spin it when watching the rifleman or True Grit.
Dieseltech56
Member
I own two Rossi 92 357 mags. Both are blued, one 20" and the other 16"
I frequent a lot of gun stores and local shows, good luck finding one. My 357s are the only two I've seen in two years. I have no idea about Henry. There are a lot of them out there but the mag tube loading is a turn off for me.
I frequent a lot of gun stores and local shows, good luck finding one. My 357s are the only two I've seen in two years. I have no idea about Henry. There are a lot of them out there but the mag tube loading is a turn off for me.
I have one of the older Rossi model 92 copies, in .357. It is great, but it predates the "safety" that is now being put on top of the receiver. It is a virtual clone of the original Winchester model 1892 carbine. If you can find one of these older models, I heartily recommend it. As has been noted, the new "Winchesters" being made by Miroku in Japan have a sliding tang safety and a rebounding hammer. Other than that, they are very well made, but are really pricy. Here Is a shot of my Rossi:
Sorry... Missed the part about mounting a red dot sight. This might not be the best choice for that.
Best Regards, Les
Sorry... Missed the part about mounting a red dot sight. This might not be the best choice for that.
Best Regards, Les
Last edited:
hkcavalier
US Veteran
I put together a Henry Big Boy .41 Mag for my FIL last year. It mounted a red dot really easily. I'm thinking about getting one in .44 for myself.
I don't get the hate for the tube, other than the corrosion issues.
I don't get the hate for the tube, other than the corrosion issues.
SLT223
Member
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2009
- Messages
- 3,448
- Reaction score
- 5,378
The Browning B92 and current Winchester 1892 (both made by Miroku) are the best 92's on the market. Fit and finish is a head of the rest of them. They are a bit pricey, but worth it. The current Winchester produced guns have a tang safety unlike the original 1892's. Might give them a look too if you haven't.
TomkinsSP
Member
I actually like the Rossi gate on the receiver better than the end of tube loading on the Henry.
My .38(.357) is my go-to if I need to investigate something on my property as it shares ammo with my EDC. The gate allows for more straight-forward topping off from a bandolier while being used.
My .38(.357) is my go-to if I need to investigate something on my property as it shares ammo with my EDC. The gate allows for more straight-forward topping off from a bandolier while being used.
I have both guns
I have both a Stainless Rossi ‘92 in 44/40 and a Henry Big Boy in .357. Both have their uses and both have their drawbacks.
The Rossi is light and easily carried in the hand. It is no slower to load than any other side gate lever gun but it is a bit ‘clunky’ in operation and will occasionally throw a round out instead of chanbering it (probably some operator error on my part). Sights are easy to use and adjust. I will be stripping the Rossi down during our winter and giving it a bit of an internal polishup to try to smooth out the action.
The Henry is much smoother in operation, faster to cycle the lever in competition, but much heavier. Still the weight seems to make the rifle just ‘ hang’ much better on target. The sights are a good, if anything a bit better than the Rossi to my eyes. Elevation adjustment is good but have not had to adjust them for windage as they came right on from the box.
Loading requires stopping, opening the mag tube etc, compared to just feeding the Rossi’s loading gate while walking along. The biggest issue is that the Henry needs to be loaded with .357 length rounds, .38 special length ammo will jam on the carrier and not feed into the chamber (the owners manual does warn of this).
The Henry is the nicer gun and performs better on the competition line. The Rossi is the better field gun being lighter to carry and reload.
Horses for courses.
I have both a Stainless Rossi ‘92 in 44/40 and a Henry Big Boy in .357. Both have their uses and both have their drawbacks.
The Rossi is light and easily carried in the hand. It is no slower to load than any other side gate lever gun but it is a bit ‘clunky’ in operation and will occasionally throw a round out instead of chanbering it (probably some operator error on my part). Sights are easy to use and adjust. I will be stripping the Rossi down during our winter and giving it a bit of an internal polishup to try to smooth out the action.
The Henry is much smoother in operation, faster to cycle the lever in competition, but much heavier. Still the weight seems to make the rifle just ‘ hang’ much better on target. The sights are a good, if anything a bit better than the Rossi to my eyes. Elevation adjustment is good but have not had to adjust them for windage as they came right on from the box.
Loading requires stopping, opening the mag tube etc, compared to just feeding the Rossi’s loading gate while walking along. The biggest issue is that the Henry needs to be loaded with .357 length rounds, .38 special length ammo will jam on the carrier and not feed into the chamber (the owners manual does warn of this).
The Henry is the nicer gun and performs better on the competition line. The Rossi is the better field gun being lighter to carry and reload.
Horses for courses.
Last edited:
muddocktor
Member
I've been having both the original Rossi 92SRC like les.b has and a Browning B92 since the 80's. The Rossi is in 357 and the B92 in 44 mag. The Rossi has the prettier wood of the 2 and a slicker action, but that might be because it has been shot a lot more. The B92 kills on one end and maims on the other with full power 44 Mag loads, but the Rossi doesn't mistreat the shoulder with any loading of 357 Mag (and that's to be expected with a lower powered round). Neither of them have a safety, just a half cock step. As for mounting a red dot, that would be a bit tricky I think on either, as they are pretty faithful copies of the old Winchester 1892 and are top eject.
Dieseltech56
Member
The newer Rossi's are drilled and tapped under the rear sight base. Adding a red dot would not be hard. Stevesgunz.com sells a single slot picatinny rail that would work.
Erich
Member
Marble's (it was a gift from a forum member friend). Handloaded Lil' Gun .357s are hell on wheels from that thing.
Last edited:
Similar threads
