Henry Big Boy or Marlin 1894 (.45 Colt)

[Eddie Southgate]

Look for one of the earlier Cowboy Marlins . I bought the .45 Colt version not long after they came out and my only regret is that I didn't get one in .44 at the same time.

Eddie

[starmac]

Hylander the henrys I have checked out I liked, and the tube feed does not bother me, especially in a hunting application.
My only 45 colt is a jm marlin cb with the long barrel and I could not ask for a sweeter rifle.

All that said it does my heart good to see you are deciding between 2 AMERICAN made rifles.

[georgerkahn]

I have both -- for target/range, the Henry is the one I grab. However, for field carry, it is ONLY the Marlin. One addition, of which I'd be most remiss in not mentioning, is my Marlin has a sling while the Henry does not; as you noted, the Henry is (at least!) a couple of pounds heavier. Tough choice you have, but both are generally desired firearms. If it were me, I'd endeavor to buy them both, writing the cheque for the Marlin first . As long as crown was not harmed in Henry, I'd think cleaning would not be an issue. However, I'd surely like to test-fire it at range if that would be my choice. BEST!
geo

[rickys2]

I to have both. The new Marlins have come a long way in the past year, but still like the JM Marlins better. The Henry has a better warranty and very smooth action. What kills the deal is no side gate on the center fire rifles. The rim fire are the best in their class, I like 17HMR as my go to rifle for small game. Shoots flat and with a lot of power.

[Drm50]

I have a 1894 JM from 1970. Nothing wrong with fit and finish. I have had several other JM 94s
and in middle 80s fit and finish was sliding- about the time they added safety. The recoil of a 44
never bothered me, being use to large magnum rifles. I have only had one Henry, I didn't care
for it and it was heavier. The Marlin I use for hunting with 240JHPs and it clover leafs at 75yds.
I have seen the newer ones that don't do well with cast. This is because owners are buying cast
at .429, if they got some .430-.432" cast they might do better. Most around here have 44 for deer
don't load and shoot 240JSP factory. They almost all have scoped them and sight for 100yds.
They are getting average 3" at 100yds, not target guns but good enough for deer. As far as Henry
vs Marlin ( today-new) I wouldn't buy either one. I would be looking for a early JM 1894.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Thanks or the input.
I have decided on the Marlin.
Reasons:
#1 reason: Henry just does not feel as good to me.
Of the few I have tried the Marlins have fed and ejected the snap caps great
while the Henry's barely ejected the rounds and on the last round did not eject at all.
The Henrys are better fit and finished, but just don't feel as good to me.

I hope you will post how your NEW marlin works out for you.

It's interesting what you found about the Henry and cycling snap caps.
Most everyone sings a grand song about how their Henry will cycle anything, including SWC ammo.
I have posted about my 2017 purchase of a Henry and it's troublesome cycling. I love the rifle, and I hope Henry can make it cycle ammo successfully, it's in their hands right now.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...-Big-Boy-fussy

[vzerone]

Hey guys on those Henry Big Boys, how much of a copy are they of the Marlin 336?

[wrench man]

Henry must have really upped their game in the last few years??, their finish on an octagon barrel was hideous!, the corners were not sharp and the paint they put on them seems to be thick in the middle and thin on the corners?, they might as well be round barrels.

I have Marlin 1894's in 25-20, 357, 44Mag and 45 Colt, I don't see any henrys coming home with me?, was quite serious about getting one in 327 Federal, but since they only made about 10 of them and they're not available, I've moved along from them.

[MyFlatline]

Hey guys on those Henry Big Boys, how much of a copy are they of the Marlin 336?

Very close,,only the trigger is different. Should have no issue with disassembly .

I won't address the blast on quality on the Henry, it is not warranted.

[Jedman]

" Paint they put on them ". Where ? Jedman

[hylander]

I hope you will post how your NEW marlin works out for you.

It's interesting what you found about the Henry and cycling snap caps.
Most everyone sings a grand song about how their Henry will cycle anything, including SWC ammo.
I have posted about my 2017 purchase of a Henry and it's troublesome cycling. I love the rifle, and I hope Henry can make it cycle ammo successfully, it's in their hands right now.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...-Big-Boy-fussy

Will do a full report when I get it and range report.
I may also pick up a Henry this week

[hylander]

Well I may have changed my plans for the moment.
I just could not pass up a deal on a Henry Big Boy large loop in .45 Colt today
Being California I will pick it up in days.