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Henry big boy.


Gator4838

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I have the carbine in .357/.38spc. It's a blast to shoot and very high quality. I also like that it is made in Rice Lake, Wisconsin.

 

Some don't care for tube loading, but it's safe and easy. They are now making combo tube/side loaders, but only certain calibers. Might be ages before we see that option on a .357 carbine in steel.

 

http://www.tacomaguitarforum.com/tgf/h1.JPG

 

http://www.tacomaguitarforum.com/tgf/wrap2.JPG

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I have a Henry Big Boy Steel in both 357 Mag/38 Spcl and 45 Colt. I also have a Marlin Guide Lever in 45-70 and a Mossberg carbine Brush Gun in 30-30, for comparison.

 

I have the full length Big Boys, i.e. 10 rd mags.

 

Both Henrys have smooth actions. Unlike other current made leers NOT over $1K street, you won't have to do anything to them. Marlin and Mossberg above, needed some working in.The all MIA rifles are extremely well-made. The hardwood is great, you name it.

 

The 357 is actually, a phenomonal choice for home defense. Small enough to maneuver, and you really don't even notice the 357 rds as far as muzzle rise and kick.

 

To be fair, I will list the few 'cons'

 

They are loaded from the front of the mag, no side load port. The only time that is a real issue, is if you were ever in a heavy, and I mean heavy gun fight, that more than 10 rds are needed, and single loading into the breach isn't fast enough. That and if you were hunting in a state that limits number of rounds you can have loaded, and you miss. Basically, when you want to 'top off'. Then again, I can load a full mag on the Henry as fast or faster than the other two I have. AND, it's much easier/safer to unload.

 

The action is basically a Marlin 336 action, improved. As such, certain extreme orientations of the reciever can cause cycling/feeding issues of the rounds (like upside down, or barrel straight up..

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The sticking point for me, personally, is the lack of a side loading gate. I'm not a fan of the time/work it takes to load the mag. With the exception of my bedside handgun and my HD shotgun (which I keep in "cruiser ready" condition), I don't keep my firearms loaded in the safe(s) so a side gate on lever would make it more convenient in the event I needed to use it on short notice (say, shooting a varmint in the back yard).

 

Luckily, Henry just released a .357 with a side loading gate. I just wish it was cheaper.

 

https://www.henryusa.com/rifles/big-boy-x-model/

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The sticking point for me, personally, is the lack of a side loading gate. I'm not a fan of the time/work it takes to load the mag. With the exception of my bedside handgun and my HD shotgun (which I keep in "cruiser ready" condition), I don't keep my firearms loaded in the safe(s) so a side gate on lever would make it more convenient in the event I needed to use it on short notice (say, shooting a varmint in the back yard).

 

Luckily, Henry just released a .357 with a side loading gate. I just wish it was cheaper.

 

https://www.henryusa.com/rifles/big-boy-x-model/

You can breach load 1 round for that varmint. AAdditionally, I made loading tubes, from cheap pvc water line tubing from the hardware store. Cut to length for whatever many rounds. Seal one end. load the tube, plug loading end with removable plug (Foam ear protecters work.. I can speed load an entire mag in 2-3 seconds. Loading end can also be cut on an angle, to put to the loading opening, but just putting it to the end is easier imho.

 

Or just buy em pre made for ya https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07J9LC5SD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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The sticking point for me, personally, is the lack of a side loading gate. I'm not a fan of the time/work it takes to load the mag. With the exception of my bedside handgun and my HD shotgun (which I keep in "cruiser ready" condition), I don't keep my firearms loaded in the safe(s) so a side gate on lever would make it more convenient in the event I needed to use it on short notice (say, shooting a varmint in the back yard).

Luckily, Henry just released a .357 with a side loading gate. I just wish it was cheaper.https://www.henryusa.com/rifles/big-boy-x-model/

 

You can breach load 1 round for that varmint. AAdditionally, I made loading tubes, from cheap pvc water line tubing from the hardware store. Cut to length for whatever many rounds. Seal one end. load the tube, plug loading end with removable plug (Foam ear protecters work.. I can speed load an entire mag in 2-3 seconds. Loading end can also be cut on an angle, to put to the loading opening, but just putting it to the end is easier imho.

 

Or just buy em pre made for ya https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07J9LC5SD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

There are certainly solutions beside a loading gate, I won't argue that. I've heard of the loading tubes, but it still involves more than just using a side gate IMO. The nice thing is, we have options in the market for both of us. :D
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