cougar14
US Veteran
Looking at adding the above to my collection, interested in any personal experience/ recommendations. Henry looks nice, made in America. Not a lock-in though.
Lever rifle in .44 Mag, recommendations?
- Thread starter cougar14
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Had pretty good luck with a Marlin 1894. Early 80's model with no safety. Easy to carry, but recoil was pretty stout as well. Weighed about 6lb as I recall.
amazingflapjack
US Veteran
much more recoil than I expected, and crescent butt plates are painful.
Collo Rosso
Member
Bought a Marlin 1894 in 44mag new about 2 years ago. Marlin/Remington looked to have their $%!* back together as fit and finish looked rather good. Looked at the Henry and really liked it till I picked it up. Heavy!
Yes, recoil will surprise you with full on magnum rounds. Do yourself a favor and hit a pumpkin with one at around 25 yards! I reload so I've got some reduced loads that are accurate and fun to shoot.
Could NOT get along with the buckhorn rear sight. Putting a Skinner rear peep on it made all the difference.
Yes, recoil will surprise you with full on magnum rounds. Do yourself a favor and hit a pumpkin with one at around 25 yards! I reload so I've got some reduced loads that are accurate and fun to shoot.
Could NOT get along with the buckhorn rear sight. Putting a Skinner rear peep on it made all the difference.
I looked at a Henry .357 at a gun show. Thought seriously about buying it until I picked it up. That sucker was heavy. Had the octagonal barrel. I guess the round barrel models are lighter, but they don't have the sex appeal the octagonal models do.
inspcalahan
Member
If I were going to buy one today, I'd go for the Henry. As you stated - Made in America and it really is a great product as well. Most Henry firearms are worth the money.
That said, among the Henry's I do own, I don't have one in .44.
My only .44 is a 16" Winchester 94 with the large loop. I bought it after an unusually large paycheck working at a cannery during summer break in college. I didn't know what I wanted, but I wanted a gun and I had some cash. Drooling around the gun shop on a precious day off, I finally narrowed it down to a Garand they had listed for about $300 and the Winchester for $395.
The decision was easy since I had just picked up a CMP Garand a few weeks earlier for about $200. The Winchester went with me. While I would have preferred it in .45LC to go with future six guns, it was there and I was there. Young, dumb and in a hurry.
Turns out I got lucky. I absolutely love that rifle!! It's very accurate and is kind of a short cannon with heavy .44 loads. .44 Special loads are like plinking. It's taken a few hogs back when I lived in California.
I haven't shot it much these past few years, but this thread is making me want to bring it to the front of the safe and maybe even a trip outside.
The Winchesters are pricey though, when you can find them. Too bad I didn't buy three back then.
That said, among the Henry's I do own, I don't have one in .44.
My only .44 is a 16" Winchester 94 with the large loop. I bought it after an unusually large paycheck working at a cannery during summer break in college. I didn't know what I wanted, but I wanted a gun and I had some cash. Drooling around the gun shop on a precious day off, I finally narrowed it down to a Garand they had listed for about $300 and the Winchester for $395.
The decision was easy since I had just picked up a CMP Garand a few weeks earlier for about $200. The Winchester went with me. While I would have preferred it in .45LC to go with future six guns, it was there and I was there. Young, dumb and in a hurry.
Turns out I got lucky. I absolutely love that rifle!! It's very accurate and is kind of a short cannon with heavy .44 loads. .44 Special loads are like plinking. It's taken a few hogs back when I lived in California.
I haven't shot it much these past few years, but this thread is making me want to bring it to the front of the safe and maybe even a trip outside.
The Winchesters are pricey though, when you can find them. Too bad I didn't buy three back then.
South, but still... 
Fishinfool
Member
Yea, don't discount the South American made model 92 copies - most get rave reviews from their owners, and the 92 is a slick & strong action. A browning 92 copy would be real nice as well, for more $$.
Owned several Marlin 1894's in 44 mag., as well as a model 94 Win. Much preferred the Marlins. Not sure of how the Henry centerfire rifles are made, but the internals of their .22 versions do not inspire confidence, smooth lever travel aside. The Marlins are all forged steel.
Larry
Owned several Marlin 1894's in 44 mag., as well as a model 94 Win. Much preferred the Marlins. Not sure of how the Henry centerfire rifles are made, but the internals of their .22 versions do not inspire confidence, smooth lever travel aside. The Marlins are all forged steel.
Larry
Last edited:
Targets Guy
US Veteran
Henry's are nice and American made. I own a Winchester Model 94AE (post 64) and love it. 44REM.
I like it better with the scope removed.
I like it better with the scope removed.
Roberto Renauld
Member
Rossi 92 in 44Mag ia a good shooter!!! very good for brush hunting up to 50yds ( 200pounds animals) ,and good companion of a S&W Model 29!!!.. it is a fun gun to shoot in "Cowboy Shooting" too, the Model 92 is a very strong action designed by Browning!! The best carbine is the original Winchester .44mag (USA made) or Browning 92(Belgium made) but they are priced high if you can find one!!....
Regards
Roberto Renauld
Regards
Roberto Renauld
I have a 94 in .44 and have not had any problems with it in a few hundred rounds.
roscoepc
Member
Many years ago I had a Model 94 Winchester in .44mag and loved it! At 100 meters a fist could cover a pattern of 6 rounds using the iron sights!! After checking the Winchester site the only new model I see in production with the .44 is the 1892. I'd be all over that one if I didn't already lust after a lever action in 500 S&W Mag caliber..... 
silentflyer
Member
An older Marlin or if you want a new gun, hard to go wrong with a Henry...
My 44mag is a Winchester Trapper carbine. I also have a Henry 357mag. The thing a lot of guys don't like about Henrys is there's no side loading gate. Makes reloading a bit more of a problem. Because of that, much as I like my Henry, the edge goes to the Winchester.
DWalt
Member
Back in my Cowboy Action Shooting days, I also had the 16" Trapper Model 94 Winchester in .44 Mag (similar to the pictures shown in #10). A very sweet and handy carbine, and it shoots a good group with my Cowboy lead bullet reloads (in .44 Special) out to 50 yards with open sights. I still have it, but don't shoot it very often these days. If I couldn't have a handgun, I would take that Trapper or a .30 Carbine. I can't say anything about the Henry, Marlin, or Rossi lever action carbines, as I have never owned nor fired any. The .44 Mag M94s are not often seen these days. If you find one at a good price, buy it.
Last edited:
Brian in Oregon
Member
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2015
- Messages
- 678
- Reaction score
- 914
Looked at a new Marlin 1894 carbine in .44 Mag last week. Fit and finish were excellent. However, the rifling is incredibly shallow. I'm concerned with lead bullets stripping across the lands after a few rounds. Passed on it until I can get more feedback from anyone who has bought one this year.
Ivan the Butcher
Member
Since the early 80's I have owned several. The best modern production is a Browning B-92. I let that get away for profit in 1995 but I still am sorry! The next best would be the fairly rare Marlin 336. I believe they were made for one year. Next best would be Marlin 1894 (the much older ones with the gold trigger.) very, very smooth actions. After that, Winchester 94, newer Marlin 1994, Rossi 92 or Henry- pretty much all about equal, with the Rossi having an advantage in being unbelievably strong!
Ivan
Ivan
Similar threads
