A ? for those who have a Henry Big Boy with tubular magazine & carbine ?

[bedbugbilly]

This is a question for those who own/shoot a Henry Big Boy - either rifle or pistol cartridge. Let's to our this in to a debate over tube magazines versus loading gates . . . .

I'm consolidating the calibers I load and am "thining things out". I plan to add a Uberti lever gun or two in pistol calibers but am also thinking about henry Big Boy in 357 or 45 LC - likely a carbine - haven't decided on steel or brass which doesn't matter in regards to my question. I'm thinking one of the carbines would make a good "car/truck/woods/plinker/SD" gun that would be capable of shooting both cast and jacketed - same caliber as my carry revolvers depending on what caliber I decide to get the carbine in.

I have one of the Henry lever 22's - actually the "youth model" with the Brooklyn address that I bought NIB from a friend. An excellent rifle and even though the youth model - a perfect little woods gun for plinking when I was shooting 22s before the shortage - haven't shot it since then. On the 22 lever gun - at least the one I have - the magazine tube is inserted and turned to lock in place and a "O ring" on the tube provides enough pressure so that the tube insert remains in place. Over time, the O ring wears and it was no big deal - I just kept a supply of the correct size on hand that I got at the hardware store to replace it when it got worn and the magazine tube tension got to where it wasn't enough to keep it in place.

MY QUESTION / S -

On the Big Boy rifles/carbines in rifle 30-30 for example) or pistol (357 - 45 LC for example) are the magazine tubes designed in the same manner with an O ring under the knurled end of the magazine tube insert to put pressure on the end of the magazine tube to help put pressure on it and keep it in place when the insert tube is turned and locked into place? I'm guessing it is and that the larger diameter of the tubular magazine on the Big Boys make it easier on the fingers as opposed to the smaller diameter knurled tube head that are on the 22s. i.e. - any frustration in keeping the magazine tube insert tube in place or having it turn and "let go" while using the rifle/carbine?

Some like apples . . some like oranges . . . one of the complaints I see on the Henry is in the weight of the riffle - and the brass frame is heavier than the steel frame models with the 20" barrels. If you have one of the carbines - IIRC the barrel length is 16" - do you find them to be well balanced and "handy" when shooting them or carrying them in the field? Right now, I'm leaning towards a steel carbine in 357 or 45 for a knock around carbine for several reasons - lighter than the brass frame - less chance of light reflection that is a given with a brass frame,e and the provisions are already on it for the addition of a sling if desired. I would probably be putting a Skinner peep on it. I'm also thinking the carbine model with the larger lever loop would be pretty handy and easier on the old hands.

For those that have or have had one of the carbines, your thoughts are appreciated. The lack of a side loading gate is not an issue with me given the purposes that I am looking for the carbine to fulfill.

Thanks.

[wrench man]

The mag tube isn't any issue any more than any 22, I' have two (327 and 41 Mag's) and haven't had any issues.
Mine are both rifle length, steel, I don't notice any balance issues?, the 30-30 I handled when they fist came out had a FRIK'N! axle shaft barrel!??, but the seem to have fixed that issue.

[dangitgriff]

Not sure if you’ve heard, but Henry is introducing loading gates on a couple of their rifles, though I believe only on the brass receiver models at this time. Hopefully they’ll extend the idea to all their steel receiver line. Looks like the mag tube will remain as well.
The tube mag on my .41 locks in very tight and I don’t recall it having an o-ring. The technical term for the locking system on the tube magazine is ‘bayonet’ style—similar in function to BNC 75 ohm video cable connectors.
My next Henry rifle will very likely be the .327 Federal magnum in 16.5” carbine version. Unless I change my mind.
R/Griff

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

A couple years ago, I bought a new blued steel BB in 41 mag rifle (20")
and recently bought a new plain blued steel 22LR.

Yes, the tube on the 22LR is kind of tough to open, while not a problem for me, I fear when my granddaughter turns 5 and is given this rifle, she may have a tough time turning the knurled knob.

The 41 Mag tube has the Oring. It opens very easy, but I have NOT had any "frustration in keeping the magazine tube insert tube in place or having it turn and let go while using the rifle."

I handled a 357 BB with the Brass frame, it felt way too heavy for my liking. My 20" 41 Mag feels well balanced in my hands. I prefer the Rifle over the carbine,,,that's just my preference.

As to the loading gate debate, I am not a fan, you can have it, I'll take the tube loading.

[country gent]

Not sure on Henrys but mist tube loaded rifles the groove in the tube is slightly recessed deeper making a mechanical lock to hold it in place. You can feeo this when youturn the knob. My Henry is the original in 44-40 so its tube is different but it even has a lock on the turn mechanism. I actually prefer the tube loading as I have a concern of the loading gat "bending" the nonger rounds loading as the round dosnt go into the tube straight but at an angle and only straightens to the tube as its inserted

[bedbugbilly]

Thanks all - greatly appreciate the information - is helpful.

country gent - on my old Brooklyn address Henry 22 lever, the "notch" is there but not very deep and it depends on the cushion of the O ring to press up on the knurled knob to keep the stud in the shallow recess. Sometimes it gave a problem, when the O ring got a little worn - usually when out in the woods, etc. where I didn't have a new O ring to slide on it! LOL :-) I "parked" the rifle when the 22 shortage hit and was going to take a dremel and deepen the indent in the outer tube slot so it would hold better - just never did it and I need to before I pull it out again. Not a "biggie" though - it's a great little rifle.

I haven't had the chance to handle a BB to see how the loading tube was designed but your reply clears that up - I have to imagine the larger diameter,eter tube mag for the larger cartridges has to be easier on the fingers when turning the knurled knob to get ready to load.

I like loading gates - but the tubular mag is not a "killer" for me either. I have seen the combination tube load/gate load that Henry is coming out with - I applaud them for working to meet what customers say they want but if I had one of them - I'd probably use the tubular mag for the ease of loading and unloading anyway. A Henry Firearms design in a Henry Firearms design - it's not a 73, 92 or 94 Winchester nor a Marlin design - it's a "Henry Firearm" and I do appreciate their quality, customer service and the good wood they use. As I had hammered in to my head in design class in college - Louis Sullivan said "form follows function" . . . and while we all have our ideas of what the perfect "form" is - in the end, "function" is the most important aspect and in my limited experience with Henry Firearms rifles - the do function very well.

Thanks for the info - I think there is a LGS about 15 miles away that has some of the BB in stock where I can go and handle them - unfortunately, they seem to sell most of their guns at MSRP so once I decide on what one I want, I'll probably order off of GB and have it shipped to my FFL that I use.

[dannyd]

Traded my 1873 but kept My HBB :)