Unexpectedly Picked up a Henry "Big Boy" in 45 Long Colt Today. I'm Impressed!

[Dthunter]

Hi guys! I was out the other day looking for a nice little rifle in 45 Long Colt. At first the LGS didn't seem to have much, but then I spotted a nice little trim Chiappa Half Pint Sharps in 45 Long Colt!

The rifle was absolutely gorgeous! The wood/metal finish was exceptional! Colour case hardening was very well done! So I paid for the little gem and headed home.

When I got home, I prepped a pile of brass, and loading supplies. Linseed oiled the wood to make the grain pop a little more, and wiped the bore clean to get ready to shoot the next day. I decided to have a close look at the muzzle and bore to inspect the rifling. What I saw when I looked into the bore almost made me run for the door screaming in horror! The rifling from the muzzle and back to towards the chamber for about 8-9" was butchered! The rifling had MAJOR tooling gouges in a spiral down the muzzle end! The rifling was intermittently gouged out to leave no grooves at all! I haven't seen such bad damage like this in a LLLoong time! The rest of the rifle was perfect, but the heart of the fire arm was useless!

Feeling very disappointed, I returned the rifle to the LGS, and pointed out the problems with the rifling damage. I was very disappointed in losing out on such a nice little firearm!
While I was standing there waiting for the manager to access the rifles condition, I spotted another rifle that piqued my interest. After the manager returned my purchase amount, I had look at the other rifle.

It was a Henry "Big Boy" in 45 Long Colt. Octagon barrel, and very nice wood! The rifle was surprisingly heavy for its size, but balanced very well. The overall quality of wood to metal finish was amazing! One of the nicest levers I ever had the chance to closely look at! I never realized how nice these Henrys looked! I was very impressed!

Here are some pictures of each of the rifles I mentioned. hope you like the pictures. It is still such a shame to miss out on the Chiappa Half Pint Sharps! It felt so right in my hands!


http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a629/darcytyndall1/IMG_5938_zpsi7nrpqrp.jpg (http://s1287.photobucket.com/user/darcytyndall1/media/IMG_5938_zpsi7nrpqrp.jpg.html)

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a629/darcytyndall1/IMG_5939_zpsd546vy6e.jpg (http://s1287.photobucket.com/user/darcytyndall1/media/IMG_5939_zpsd546vy6e.jpg.html)

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a629/darcytyndall1/image1_zpsvyrnks8y.jpg (http://s1287.photobucket.com/user/darcytyndall1/media/image1_zpsvyrnks8y.jpg.html)


http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a629/darcytyndall1/IMG_5965%202_zpsovluplge.jpg (http://s1287.photobucket.com/user/darcytyndall1/media/IMG_5965%202_zpsovluplge.jpg.html)


Here is the Henry Big Boy

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a629/darcytyndall1/IMG_6025_zpskfkzgtji.jpg (http://s1287.photobucket.com/user/darcytyndall1/media/IMG_6025_zpskfkzgtji.jpg.html)

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a629/darcytyndall1/IMG_6021_zpsuv57jhhr.jpg (http://s1287.photobucket.com/user/darcytyndall1/media/IMG_6021_zpsuv57jhhr.jpg.html)

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a629/darcytyndall1/IMG_6013_zpslfcxgcg4.jpg (http://s1287.photobucket.com/user/darcytyndall1/media/IMG_6013_zpslfcxgcg4.jpg.html)

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a629/darcytyndall1/IMG_6012_zpsf7nlh7nk.jpg (http://s1287.photobucket.com/user/darcytyndall1/media/IMG_6012_zpsf7nlh7nk.jpg.html)

http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a629/darcytyndall1/IMG_6011_zpsnq1vpxbp.jpg (http://s1287.photobucket.com/user/darcytyndall1/media/IMG_6011_zpsnq1vpxbp.jpg.html)

[runfiverun]

they forgot to put a loading gate on it.

that little sharps is pretty neat, too bad they jacked up the barrel.

[Dthunter]

This is the first tube fed rifle I have ever owned. It will take a while to get used to the different loading procedure.

[Mossy Oak]

Dthunter,
The Chiappa Sharps is a beautiful rifle, to bad barrel was junk. Henry makes a fine gun!

Joe

[35 shooter]

Very nice lever gun. You'll have a ball with that one.

[Bzcraig]

Have one in 44 and love it even without the loading gate......it would nearly perfect if it did.

[Sean357]

I've looked at these every time I'm in my LGS, great rifles that feel well put together. The lack of a loading gate doesn't bother me, reminds me of my model 60. Looks good, have fun!

Sent from my XT1030 using Tapatalk

[BigAl52]

I have 5 Henrys. Seems like every Henry thread the tube feed seems to be an issue with some. I have no issue with it and own both Marlin and Henry. I will buy more Henrys. I have one in a carbine model of 45 colt and love shooting it. Al

[starmac]

Has anyone actually had a problem with the tube feed, or is it just a matter of preference?

[Jack Stanley]

I've never had a problem with any tube fed rifle I've used . Loading through a gate is faster and does seem more natural to me though . The lower cost of going without the gate doesn't seem to hurt the rifles performance in my mind .

Jack

[sghart3578]

To Dt hunter,

What an odd coincidence. I just returned a Henry Big Boy Steel Carbine in 357 mag for almost the exact same issue.

I loved that rifle. Well made, light, agile. The tube doesn't bother me.

But when I cleaned the bore thoroughly and got a light in there the gouging was obvious. I was disappointed. But I figured that with the demand for guns the way it is right now a bad one is bound to slip through occasionally.

Mr Imperaro gladly refunded my money so I will try again after the Christmas rush. I am in no way put off of Henry, in fact it made me more of a fan.

Several years ago Rossi could have had me as a customer for life if they had treated me like Henry treated me. I got a '92 with a bad barrel and they jerked me around for 7 months before I got my money back. No more Rossis for me, ever.


182449

[Soundguy]

Have one in 44 and love it even without the loading gate......it would nearly perfect if it did.

Are the brass frames safe with commercial 44 magnum? That's alot of cartridge.

[runfiverun]

I would be more inclined to trust it over a toggle link 73 in 44 mag.

my issue with the tube feed is when I am deer hunting it's also grouse and rabbit season.
I can slide a 165gr rnfp on top of 4.5grs of pistol powder in the gate.
and quietly snipe one of them in the head without making a ton of noise, or having to fidget around a bunch.

[OverMax]

Have to wonder if Chiappa has a final inspection procedure?
Heard allot of good things about Henry. Congratulations on that new lever purchase.

[starmac]

I would be more inclined to trust it over a toggle link 73 in 44 mag.

my issue with the tube feed is when I am deer hunting it's also grouse and rabbit season.
I can slide a 165gr rnfp on top of 4.5grs of pistol powder in the gate.
and quietly snipe one of them in the head without making a ton of noise, or having to fidget around a bunch.

I can sure see your point on the grouse and bunnies.

[Bzcraig]

Are the brass frames safe with commercial 44 magnum? That's alot of cartridge.

Absolutely because it is not a pure brass receiver. It is some sort of alloy that allows a brass finish some how. Mine was a gift and was engraved and I recall the engraver being concerned about going completely through the brass.

[Ramjet-SS]

Outstanding guns and yes the 45 will handle +P 22 grains of H110 and a 300 grain GC has been shot in mine many times. It is accurate and I have taken Elk with mine.

[Soundguy]

Nice, thanks

[charlie b]

I thought the 'brass' frames were actually steel with a brass finish. Can anyone verify?

To me the tube loading isn't an issue. Downsides are, you have to get the rifle upright to load and you could lose or bend the spring tube. I think both would only be an issue only if someone was shooting back at you :)

[jmort]

The receivers are brass alloy and real strong, steel strong. The rimfires receivers are an above average "pot metal" with a brass plated cover.

[Soundguy]

The receivers are brass alloy and real strong, steel strong. The rimfires receivers are an above average "pot metal" with a brass plated cover.


So the receivers are not red brass / bronze ( Gun metal ) ? ( alloy of copper, tin and zinc.. usually about 88% copper, 9% tin, and 3% zinc. )


??

[Soundguy]

Well moot point. I emailed henry about the use of full power 44 magnum loads and they responded indicating that any saami spec 44 magnum or 44 special, including +p was safe, but to avoid full and most semi wad cutters and balistic tipped ammo due to feeding issues. And projectiles up to 260 gr were fine.

Glad to hear it.

[Rattlesnake Charlie]

That little Sharps is cute.

[rondog]

Somebody drilled a buncha holes in the top of that Chiappa's barrel too.

[Multigunner]

High Strength Yellow Brass is actually a Silicon Bronze. The distinction between brass and bronze is sometimes blurred when the most modern alloys are sold commercially.
Silicon Bronze and Berylium Bronze can be several times stronger than carbon steel.