Henry Big Boy 44 vs. Marlin 1894

[DDM4556]

Looking at picking up my first lever action rifle. Having not fired either of these, I'm looking for opinions on each.

I hear the Henry has better fit & finish, but it also runs a bit more. Worth it?

Are their any advantages/disadvantages of each that I should know about?

The gun will be for the range and plinking. I don't hunt, but that's not to say that I wouldn't if I ever finally get out of CA.

I'd appreciate any thoughts...

[TMB 1]

I'd get the Marlin because the loading gate is better.

[Vacaville]

I've got a Marlin 336W in 30-30. If you want a dependable, reasonably accurate utility gun then it's not a bad choice. Nothing wrong with it.

Having said that I've always been impressed by the workmanship on the Henrys. Beautiful walnut and brass (I think they call it Brasslite, whatever that is) looks stunning. And I've never handled one that didn't feel like a fine tuned machine when you cocked the lever, pulled the hammer, or pulled the trigger.

If you've got the cash, go for the gold. If not, the Marlin is a practical choice. Also, I have a scope mounted on my Marlin. Not sure about the Henry, but the Marlin takes a scope very well.

[sealocan]

The Henry may better fit and finish but the fact that it doesn't have a loading gate kills it for me, personally.

Sure, you can absolutely load a tube magazine rifle safely and quickly (and you even make homemade speed loaders out of clear plastic tubing, that hold your X amount of ammo ready to go into the tube.) It's just that after having used that in the past ( and trained new shooters on that system) I prefer other means of loading.

[Milsurps]

I'd get the Marlin because the loading gate is better.

The Henry Big Boy 44 is front loading tube I believe. PITA.
Side gate load for the Win.

Damn, the Henry Big Boy's are pretty.

[elSquid]

Marlin has a rebate offer in play:

https://www.marlinfirearms.com/resources/rebates-promotions

https://www.marlinfirearms.com/sites/default/files/Marlin_Rifle%20Rebates_Long%20Form.pdf

$75 on any 1894...

...which makes for an effective price of around $400 on Buds.

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/2084_36_323/products_id/41009/Marlin+1894+44+MAG+20+WAL

-- Michael

[Oceanbob]

Henry's are quality but heavy. Front loading. Personally I prefer JM barreled
Marlins. .44 mag is a good round and you can reload some fun plinking
rounds on the cheap.



Be well
Bob

[Vacaville]

The Henry may better fit and finish but the fact that it doesn't have a loading gate kills it for me, personally.

Sure, you can absolutely load a tube magazine rifle safely and quickly (and you even make homemade speed loaders out of clear plastic tubing, that hold your X amount of ammo ready to go into the tube.) It's just that after having used that in the past ( and trained new shooters on that system) I prefer other means of loading.

I didn't know the Big Boys had tube magazines. That sucks.

Here's my Marlin. It's my go-to gun on the farm. 7 in the mag, 7 in the cuff. That's a Redfield Revolution 2-7X scope:

[Vacaville]

Henry's are quality but heavy. Front loading. Personally I prefer JM barreled
Marlins. .44 mag is a good round and you can reload some fun plinking
rounds on the cheap.



Be well
Bob

I like that butt cuff.

Whoops, sounds sexual. "Hey baby, that's a nice butt cuff you got there".

[Oceanbob]

I like that butt cuff.

Whoops, sounds sexual. "Hey baby, that's a nice butt cuff you got there".

Yeah....it saves my weak shoulder.......have another on my KSG shotgun as well.
Don't need it for my .357 Marlin but the .44 can kick with full power ammo.


Another reason we should reload.....

Bob

[M1NM]

I didn't know the Big Boys had tube magazines. That sucks.

The Marlin also has a tube magazine. It's just the Marlin loads ala Winchester via a gate in the sideplate. The Henry loads ahead of the forestock like a typical 22LR.
I've got a 16" 44Mag Big Boy on the bucket list.

[kriller134]

I have the marlin and it's a good gun. It's accurate and loads of fun to shoot. I slicked it up a bit myself and it wasn't too hard to do. I also put a skinner rear sight on it and it's way better than the stock rear sight.

[bluzman]

I have a JM stamped Marlin .357 1894. Before buying it, I spent time at the range with a friend's Henry in the same caliber. Both are fun to shoot although the Henry is a bit heavier. Both eject from the side and are pre-drilled/tapped for mounting a scope rail. What made me decide on the Marlin was the side loading gate. Loading the Henry by detaching the magazine tube was awkward. YMMV

[RNE228]

I prefer the rotary magazine in the old Savage 99's. Or the box mag in the Browning BLR or older Win 88. Both are easier to use than the loading gates on and tube.

[jon94520]

My two Henry's, I'm very happy with both. I never minded the lack of a loading gate, they can be reloaded just as fast and is much safer to unload. I also appreciate the lack of a safety on the Henry's. If you find a nice used Marlin that would be a good option but every new production Marlin I've handled has just been meh.