Mossberg v Henry Lever 30-30

[Featureless]

Looking for opinions/experience with these two. I have a Marlin 336W bought back in 2000 that is {almost} my favorite rifle and looking to add another levergun.

The Henrys are much pricier than the Mossbergs and I wonder why? Any input is appreciated. Thanks.

[FightYouRightNow]

if you’re talking about the mossberg 464, go handle one and you’ll feel the difference. It felt like a little fragile rickety toy, not joking. Didn’t think it could be that bad and that all the negative reviews were overblown. Nope, it was that bad.

I went with a Miroku Winchester 1894 angle eject and while i’m not crazy about the rebounding hammer, it’s a solid rifle. I wouldn’t hesitate to go with a henry side gate, as i have one in 45-70 and it’s great.

Maybe Mossberg has improved, dunno, but definitely handle one. I’ve never taken issue with their shotguns. But that was by far the worst lever gun i’ve handled.

I would say for a Henry you could buy sight unseen and be confident (though check it out on delivery cause i’ve had some QC issues with Henry). One i rejected flat out, the other i was able to swap for a floor model at the store (scratches in finish). Go figure, the floor model was in better condition than the one that shipped.

[RNE228]

If I had a 30-30 and was looking for another, I'd look at something interesting like a Savage 99 Different style

[Darto]

Mossberg pretty much copied the Win 94 action, and Henry Big Boy and Sideload copied the Marlin 336 action.

Browning BLR not really a copy of Savage 99, but is a rotary bolt too, and so is the Henry Long Ranger.

[bigbossman]

Yeah - I had a Miroku 1894. Fit and finish was stunning. I couldn't get past the rebounding hammer and tang safety, so I sold it off.

[W.R.Buchanan]

Why not just buy another Marlin, maybe an 1894 in .44 Magnum or an 1895 .45-70?

I like Marlins alot and with only a small amount of work they can be made spectacular. When you are looking at "generic guns" you can expect some fine tuning to get them up to snuff. Marlins take less than any of the others and they don't have annoying Rebounding Hammers that go "BOING" everytime you pull the trigger!

Randy

[land locked]

I owned a Mossberg 464 and would buy one again if I was in the market. Esentially a Winchester clone, light weight and fed everthing I put through it. Because it is drilled and tapped on the bridge and receiver you can add skinner peep sights. It has a tang safety that is hidden and out of the way but easy to use if you want to. Barrel length is either 16 or 20 depending on the model.

The Henry will be a bit heavier but they have a good rep. The only model henry I would consider is a side loading gate. I am not fond of tube loading only.

[Sherpa1]

Henry all the way! The mossturds are crap. If you don't believe me, go find both and feel the difference. The new Mossberg is a low end lever gun. Spend the extra$ and get a Henry.

[B yond]

I have a 464 16" Davidson's exclusive with blue laminate wood, Marinecote finish, and fiber optic sights.



Action is definitely not as smooth as some of the more costly levers out there, but with some break-in it's a lot better than when the gun was new, and it is robust and accurate enough for what it is: a brush gun for deer at under 150 yards.

I find it light and handy, quick to get on-target, easy to carry, and not something I need to worry about getting dirty, wet, or dinged up.

If I'd spent more on a nicer lever gun I probably wouldn't use it the same way.

YMMV

[Supertankerm60a3]

A friend has a Mossberg 30-30. Extractor broke. Mossberg parts department was a pain. Replaced the extractor with a Marlin part. They are made differently.

Mossberg ejectors are a weak point.