Hey Dumm; I see your picatinny-railed, ghost-sighted Marlin 1894c and raise you a “Big Boy.” Henry Repeating Arms’ lever gun (here in .44 Magnum or .44 S&W) is a substantial piece in every way that the Marlin is not. The Henry’s fit and finish is immaculate—from the firearms’ pristine screw heads to the bolt running straight through the stock that keeps that gorgeous hunk of dead tree attached to the gleaming action. Although the $900 Henry costs about a Franklin more than the Marlin (retail to retail), it’s on another planet quality-wise. The Big Boy’s action is a bit sticky and my OCD is pinging at the prospect of maintaining all that glassine brass, but I reckon it’s nothing a few thousand rounds and a couple of pills won’t cure. I’ll have an initial range report next week. Meanwhile, still no FedEd label from Marlin to return the split stock 1894c . . .

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

12 COMMENTS

  1. If Marlin doesn’t get their act together in the quality-control department, Henry is going to kick them right in the ass. Frankly, I think they’d deserve it too. The older Marlins are absolutely wonderful, there’s no excuse for letting things slide the way the company has recently.

  2. That Henry looks really good on you Robert. I’m anxious to see how you like it. Originally I was going for a Marlin, but your recent articles have made me a bit wary.

  3. .44 Magnum gives you a heck of a lot more versatility than .357, though 44 special ammo is a rape off the shelf. 357 shoots flatter, but inside 100 yds its hard to beat the 44 in a carbine. 10+1 in my Stainless 1894 Marlin beats a 12 guage with slugs in capacity and accuracy, while still being devastating on the recieving end for bi-pedal predators and other thin skinned game. Even with 9 rounds on the stock, it is thin and well balanced.
    I have the XS Scout rail and am saving up for a burris micro red dot like they make for shotguns.

  4. Make sure that you don’t just shoot paper with that Henry.

    Go somewhere you can shoot things besides paper, and shoot a cheap, off-brand two-liter soda, or a thin-skinned, gallon milk jug full of water. Make sure you stand at least 15 yards away unless you want to get wet.

    With 240 grain jacketed hollow points, .44 magnum results on liquid-filled plastic are absolutely spectacular.

    Also, I for one think that brass on guns looks best with that dull patina that says “age” and “use. “

  6. I really enjoy my Henry “Big Boy” .44 Magnum/.44 Special. I do target shooting with the .44 special (less recoil). The “Big Boy” is a loud ‘canon’ at the range. I’m thinking about hunting season in Colorado.

  7. Now that’s a beautiful rifle! I hope the people at Marlin are paying attention, because this is what you want to see when you unwrap a brand new rifle.

  8. When I picked up my Henry “Big Boy” at the gun shop I use for my FFL, the young lady behind the counter asked, “May I help you?” I said, “I’m here for my ‘shootin’ iron’.” She looked at her boss who was coming out of the back room with the Henry box, “Shootin’ iron?!?” The boss handed me the box and said with admiration, “Oh, yeah! Shootin’ iron!” 🙂

  10. I to just unboxed a new henry .44 and havent had a chance to shoot it yet. I was hopeing someone out there could give me some advice. I would like any info on ammo. What brand and grain bullets you have had the best results with. Im not looking for one hole groups or anything ( although that would be nice its not expected) but i would like to get the best i can out of it. The price of ammo is to high right now to go buy a box of everything and spend the day at the range experimenting so any comments to at least give me a place to start from would be nice.

    • Yea 240gr sjsp winchester or magtec for a little better value in a 50rnd box these should do anything you need to and then some

  11. Flitz Rifle, Gun & Knife wax works just fine on my Henry Big Boy. Most gun shops carry it or you can order direct from the company. I use it on Mossberg, Taurus, Remington, and Henry and get great protection – beats Brasso.

Comments are closed.