Henry .44 Big Boy

[Cpo1944]

Ever since I bought my Marlin 1894 I got infected with some kind of disease and I`ve started looking at lever guns .
I`m thinking those Henrys look pretty juicy any one here know much about them are they more than just a pretty face???
Looking fwd to some good/bad replies.
Jack

 

[Beruisis]

I've been studying them as well. Check out the selection at buffaloarms.com.
Me thinks the 44-40 long barrel number with the steel frame would be the ticket. Some guys have been shooting them at matches using black powder. I wouldn't go that route but they are accurate.
Beruisis

 

[Thuer]

Buy one with a steel frame. They are much sturdy than a brass one.

 

[Alpo]

He asked about the Big Boy.

That is not the "brass or iron framed 1860 Henry, made in Italy by Uberti". That's the coyote-ugly beastie made in New York by the Henry Rifle Company.

I don't know if they are worth a flip or not. They are just too ugly to shoot.

http://www.shootersforum.com/attach...henry-big-boy-44-magnum-h006bigboys_large.jpg

 

[Andy Griffith]

You need to try the action first, as you may like it or may not. It is quite different from a Marlin. I've handled them, but they just don't feel quite right...maybe it's the look.

I would advise to try a Rossi 92, Uberti 1860 Henry, Uberti 1866 or 1873 in addition.

I've got a couple of Rossi 92 carbines, Uberti '66 and '60 rifles as well as a few original Winchesters...all have their advantages and disadvantages. Carbines are handy, rifles swing easier and are easier to shoot, but certainly not carry up a mountain!

The one lever action I have little love for is the Browning BLR 81 with the pistol grip and aluminum receiver. I wouldn't mind an old steel Belgium made 1st generation BLR, but I never see them.

 

[Cpo1944]

It`s all in the eye of the beholder, and who knows how long it will take to tire of it, but for now I think they look good, especially if one gets very nice grain Walnut.
Anyway I`m still just at the looking stage, and I have been called Mercurial in the past and might get over the "lever sickness" soon.

Jack

He asked about the Big Boy.

That is not the "brass or iron framed 1860 Henry, made in Italy by Uberti". That's the coyote-ugly beastie made in New York by the Henry Rifle Company.

I don't know if they are worth a flip or not. They are just too ugly to shoot.

http://www.shootersforum.com/attach...henry-big-boy-44-magnum-h006bigboys_large.jpg

 

[BigBill]

I just picked up a Henry carbine lever action in 22 / S, L, LR and it feels great. I'm interested in a 45/70 lever action too. My next Henry will be the golden boy with the 20" octagon barrel in 22 wmr too.

 

[Cpo1944]

Tell me why the 45-70?

I just picked up a Henry carbine lever action in 22 / S, L, LR and it feels great. I'm interested in a 45/70 lever action too. My next Henry will be the golden boy with the 20" octagon barrel in 22 wmr too.

 

[BigBill]

I'm really interested in a bigger caliber like a 45/90, a 45/120, a 50/90 and a 50/120. I emailed Henry about maybe a longer barrel 45/70 but they told me there not interested in doing custom orders for builds. I'm thinking of a larger caliber with a longer barrel for a long range bear rifle. I do have a few options with different companies. It's on the back burner right now due to my illness. But once I'm cured I'm a looking.

At my camp up north it's in the heart of bear country and I would like to take one doing it the old way with an older caliber and a lever action rifle. Once I do this my next wish is to get a Quigley sharps with a 32" barrel and hunt with that next. This could be my bucket list too. I been hunting for many decades looking for that one record breaking bear. I know what where one is.

 

[Smokin' Iron]

The Big Boys are too heavy and awkward for me. The Marlin 94 or Winchester 92 just seem to feel lighter and handle better.

 

[doublesharp]

Too heavy for me. I've got a Winchester 92 in 44mag that suits me. I do like the looks and am a big fan of the .22s but seems like the Henrys weigh in at 8lbs plus.

 

[ultra45]

I received a Big Boy in 44 as a gift in March. Took it out a few weeks later and must say, I am impressed. The only other lever gun I own for comparison is a Marlin 336 in 35 Rem, which in itself is a great gun with heavy recoil from the 35. I shot both 44 Special and 44 Mag, which the Big Boy digested without complaint. The 44 Specials felt like shooting 22's and the 44 Magnums were just as mild IMO. It's all probably due to the rifles weight, it is heavier than my Marlin and for that matter a few other levers I've handled. The action is SMOOTH as others have stated regarding Henry Rifles.

After receiving my Big Boy, I figured I'd fire it and make it an occasional shooter and safe Queen. It has the fancy walnut stock, but now that I shot it, well I'm thinking of taking it out this season for deer. I'm looking for some brass sling mounts for it.

 

[Roadtrash]

One of my nephews has a 22 Henry and it is a fine shooting little gun. Never shot one of the larger caliber ones so really can't comment on them.

Someone mentioned wanting a Sharp's and that is something I would love to have. But between the price and the long waiting period I may not live long enough to get one.

 

[BigBill]

My new Henry carbine in 22 s/l/lr lever action is very light and robust.

 

[Alpo]

Jack, absolutely, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

As for getting over your "lever sickness". Back in the early 80s I bought a Winchester 94. It would be a transition gun, 'cause Winchester had just become United States Repeating Arms. My gun is marked Winchester, while the box said USRA.

Anyway. I'd been shooting for, maybe, ten years. And felt the need for a lever action. Just one. That's all I needed.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/205577-heres-mine-show-me-yours-2.html

page 2, post # 46

It don't go away.

 

[J. R. WEEMS]

Too bad they don't make them in 38/40.

 

[Frank46]

My lever sickness has lasted quite a few years. 1895 in 30-40 krag, win 94 big bore 375 win, marling 336 444 marlin, and about 4 or 5 others. Back before I moved down here you could get a decent 94 or 336 for about $125 and most of them were in nice shape. Folks up there just didn't want them and they sold for practically for peanuts. Course now today you cannot even touch a nice one for less that $350. I did luck out and get a 94 in 357 mag for $160 and my 44 mag only cost me $240. Some slight pitting on both where they were normally hand carried. Bores are pristine and haven't been shot very much. Frank

 

[Mule Packer]

I have a Henry .22 with the octagon barrel. The action is butter-smooth, the wood is very nice...but the receiver is made out of zinc or something. It's not steel. Still, I really like it. It's not a bad .22.

As for the Henry Big Boy, I came close to buying one and then talked to a buddy who had one. He couldn't get rid of it fast enough. It was forever jamming up on him. Of course, he was doing Cowboy Action Shooting with it, so he was working it pretty fast, but still...

Anyway, he sent it back to Henry to see if they could correct the problem. When he got it back, it would still jam occasionally.

I found out later that he wasn't the only person that had that problem with the Henry Big Boys. Of course, your mileage may vary. They sure look nice, though.

On the other hand, I had a beautiful black gelding that looked nice too. Real stylish. But when "push came to shove," he was worthless as a horse. Pretty to look at, but worthless. Of course, there were plenty of people who wanted to buy him, just because he was a looker. I say, if you want a good-looking rifle, buy a Henry Big Boy.

 

[Cpo1944]

AL,
Wow what a collection!!
Very nice. Thank you for posting them.
Jack

Jack, absolutely, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

As for getting over your "lever sickness". Back in the early 80s I bought a Winchester 94. It would be a transition gun, 'cause Winchester had just become United States Repeating Arms. My gun is marked Winchester, while the box said USRA.

Anyway. I'd been shooting for, maybe, ten years. And felt the need for a lever action. Just one. That's all I needed.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/205577-heres-mine-show-me-yours-2.html

page 2, post # 46

It don't go away.

 

[Hack]

I've got two Henry's in .22LR. Both are Boy Scout Commemoratives, so I probably will never shoot them. They are nicely constructed rifles, heavy in comparison to my scoped Marlin 336CS (.35 Rem). I've been eyeing the Big Boy in .44 Mag...