m41
Member
I am looking to buy a lever action in 45 colt and I have narrowed down to the Marlin 1894 or the Henry Big Bore Classic or the Henry Big Boy in steel. I would appreciate any information anyone has on these 3 rifles.
Henry or Marlin in 45 Colt
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I can’t comment on the specific rifles. But my BIL had a Henry, and it was OLD. He had some problems with it, called customer service. They took his information. Got back with him, and sent him a new rifle!
You can’t beat that kind of customer service.
You can’t beat that kind of customer service.
Harrison
US Veteran
Unless they have changed, I have on objection to the way the Henry loads through a port in the bottom of the magazine tube. OK for rimfire, but not center fire.
Marlin 1894 in 45LC with 20/24" octagon barrel.
Ivan the Butcher
Member
I currently have the Marlin Cowboy Special with the 24" Octagon barrel I have had 3 or 4 of the regular 1894's both with Micro-rifling and the Ballard rifling. Lead bullets at normal pistol loadings do just fine in either type of rifling. If you want to shoot jacketed ammo use a regular 1894 (the action will handle anything you stuff in it!) The Cowboy is made for LEAD BULLITS! Mine has never seen a copper jacket.
All later models have the push button safety as well as the original hammer half cock safety. JM knew that some idiots would have trouble figuring it out so (From the factory) there is a set screw to lock the button in the FIRE position. (You could lock it in the safe position, but why?) To access the set screw, you remove the two tang screws (They hold on the butt stock) and you use a small Allen wrench to tighten the set screw in the rear of the frame. This also keeps somebody from messing with your safety button during a competition.
The regular model comes drilled and tapped for scope mounting or Williams receiver sights. There are tang sights available for either model. (I have always just used the standard mid-barrel sight for Cowboy Action Shooting, but have a 32-20 with a tang sight and a 45-70 GG with a red dot scope, both work very well also!)
Marlins cost a little more than Henrys but it is around 2 or 3 percent and well worth it! I'm down to 4 Marlins from a high of 9.I have been buying new and used Marlins since 1980 and had around 30 total, I have been sorry that I sold every one I did! (and made money on all but one that got severely water damaged!)
Ivan
All later models have the push button safety as well as the original hammer half cock safety. JM knew that some idiots would have trouble figuring it out so (From the factory) there is a set screw to lock the button in the FIRE position. (You could lock it in the safe position, but why?) To access the set screw, you remove the two tang screws (They hold on the butt stock) and you use a small Allen wrench to tighten the set screw in the rear of the frame. This also keeps somebody from messing with your safety button during a competition.
The regular model comes drilled and tapped for scope mounting or Williams receiver sights. There are tang sights available for either model. (I have always just used the standard mid-barrel sight for Cowboy Action Shooting, but have a 32-20 with a tang sight and a 45-70 GG with a red dot scope, both work very well also!)
Marlins cost a little more than Henrys but it is around 2 or 3 percent and well worth it! I'm down to 4 Marlins from a high of 9.I have been buying new and used Marlins since 1980 and had around 30 total, I have been sorry that I sold every one I did! (and made money on all but one that got severely water damaged!)
Ivan
Kiwi cop
Member
I really,liked my.357 Henry Big Boy. It was nice with a smooth action, drilled and tapped for a scope.But it was not allowed for some competitions I shoot so I got a Uberti 150th anniversary 1866 model in .45 Colt and sold the Big Boy.
shouldazagged
Absent Comrade
Lifelong Marlin fan here. I would look for a nice older 1894, if I were doing the shopping.
The Norseman
Member
jag312
Member
Neither? I have a new Winchester Model 1892 in .45 Colt, 20 inch octagon barrel. I love it.
Because the Henry uses a tube magazine, you'll want to use only ammo that has a flat or hollow point bullet to avoid having a point hit the primer on the next round.
The threads on this always seem to settle to side gate vs. tube loading.
I bought a .38 /.357 Henry, and am disappointed in the limits on .38 that it will actually handle well. The promotion displays and materials did not disclose those limits.
I've not sold it off yet, but will at some point.
The threads on this always seem to settle to side gate vs. tube loading.
I bought a .38 /.357 Henry, and am disappointed in the limits on .38 that it will actually handle well. The promotion displays and materials did not disclose those limits.
I've not sold it off yet, but will at some point.
carpriver
US Veteran
I have the golden boy, the big boys on 38.357, 45colt and 44spl/44mag. I don't mind the tube reloading, I have had onw problem with the tube missing a o ring which Henry send to me. the action is smooth. I like them and recommend them. I have found several different loads for the 38 spl. and the 44 mag can be a thumper.
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Both are fine rifles.I have never had an issue with either
I really like Marlins. I bought my first 1894 (.44 Magnum) new back in ‘77 (as a companion to my new S&W Model 29-2). Since then I’ve bought several more (to include an 1894 Cowboy .45 Colt) and I won’t part with any of them. I haven’t purchased any Remlins so I can’t tell you about them, I just really enjoy my JM Marlins.
Ivan the Butcher
Member
Marlin 357's and 44 Mag 1894's are advertised as shooting 38 and 44 Specials is the guns also. 45 Colt models are not advertised to shoot any other round, but I have used 45 S&W (Schofield) in several of mine. (that will allow you one extra shot in a 10 round magazine and sometimes 2 rounds in a 14 round Magazine). None of these guns will allow the shooting of full wad cutter target ammo (Minimum length problem!) I have tried 38 S&W and 38 Short Colt, but they just jamb the action up. But 38 Long Colt ammo worked in my 357.
Ivan
Sorta depends on what or how you wish to use it.
You will find many more Marlins in the SASS game than Henry Big Bores...Uberti clones of '66 and '73 Winchesters and Marlins dominate that game.
For recreational/occasional use the Henry would be a fine choice. Henry does have a fabulous Customer Service Team in place.
Randy
You will find many more Marlins in the SASS game than Henry Big Bores...Uberti clones of '66 and '73 Winchesters and Marlins dominate that game.
For recreational/occasional use the Henry would be a fine choice. Henry does have a fabulous Customer Service Team in place.
Randy
Echo40
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I don't own either, so take this for what it's worth.
If I were going to get a lever action rifle in .45LC, (which I'd like to someday) then I would sooner opt for the Henry, simply because Henry seems to have a better track record than Marlin in recent years.
However, I'm saying this as someone with no immediate need for such a rifle, ergo I can afford to wait for Henry to introduce a new model chambered in .45LC with a loading gate on the receiver. If for whatever reason I needed on immediately, then I'd probably go for a Marlin, but I would buy one in person and go over it with a fine-tooth comb before buying it to ensure that there were no visible manufacturing defects and that the action could at least cycle dummy rounds without issue.
If I were going to get a lever action rifle in .45LC, (which I'd like to someday) then I would sooner opt for the Henry, simply because Henry seems to have a better track record than Marlin in recent years.
However, I'm saying this as someone with no immediate need for such a rifle, ergo I can afford to wait for Henry to introduce a new model chambered in .45LC with a loading gate on the receiver. If for whatever reason I needed on immediately, then I'd probably go for a Marlin, but I would buy one in person and go over it with a fine-tooth comb before buying it to ensure that there were no visible manufacturing defects and that the action could at least cycle dummy rounds without issue.
silentflyer
Member
Either an older Marlin or a new Henry, my 2 cents worth..
With my limited knowledge, I think I'd prefer the Winchester or Browning or perhaps Uberti in a 92 model. Between the 2 you mentioned, probably Marlin. I'm sure Henry's are nice but their loading method turns me off. And from what I've heard/read, Rossi needs work to make them reliable.
Lots of my opinion comes from taking my oldest g-kid to CAS events.
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