bedbugbilly
04-28-2019, 09:50 PM
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.
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.