Worth $300 price difference

[Iwsbull]

I am thinking about getting a lever action 44 and that is about the price difference between a Rossi and a Henry. Is the Henry worth it or just spend some time slicking up a Rossi?

[Uncle Jimbo]

You are the only who can answer that. buy the one you want and after a while tell the forum which you bought and why.

[osteodoc08]

$300 is a lot of components. We have a lot of folks here that are satisfied with their Rossi. If “All American made or not made at all” suits you, the Henry is your huckleberry. Both will serve you well.

[frogleg]

If there is any way you can test drive both of them that would be best. I know its not as easy to do as with a car but try to get a hold of both and handle them better yet shoot one of each. I have had both and feel that they are VERY DIFFERENT. that being said I like them both.

[Iwsbull]

The American made and warranty is one of the reasons that I am in this situation. It may take awhile before I decide but I always take my time and try to do my due diligence to prevent buyer remorse and picking the brains and experience of others is a great aid.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

I do not have a Henry, but do have 3 Rossi levers. They all needed some TLC to work properly. After the refinements, I consider them to be a good value.

[sghart3578]

I would go with Henry just based on future availability of parts, accessories, responsive customer service, etc.


Steve in N CA

[kungfustyle]

If you want to shoot heavier boollits, the Rossi has a better twist rate. I do have to put the plug in for Roze bullets. http://www.rozedist.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=RZD&Category_Code=ZBJ-44MAG They shoot great out of my Rossi and super Backhawk. Now back to the gun. Rossi has a .432 bbl that means you'll have to get a new mold, size die and seat and crimp in separate steps. I bought my Rossi at Budsgunshop.com with a lifetime warrenty. The Henry comes with one. Rossi shot 12" high and the forearm screw is inserted with a press good luck getting it back in without filling it down. I had to send mine back to Buds to have them get the screw back in and they fixed the 12" high shooting. That took 4 months but they did a good job. All and All I would spend the extra and go with Henry. They don't have any love for customer service at Rossi.

[Texas by God]

Marlin? Just my opinion but Henry’s are heavy and Rossi’s need tuning so why not a Marlin- I’ve owned two Marlins and 3 Rossi’s but no Henry’s. Once the Rossi’s are lined out they are a delight.

[kungfustyle]

By the way its 177 difference in price. https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/360/henry+big+boy+steel+44mag+carbine

[Drew P]

177$ doesn’t get you too far at the gunsmiths trying to make the Rossi work. So unless you are a gunsmith or are sleeping with one, get the Henry.

[smithnframe]

I'm not a fan of the silly safety on the Rossi.........I have a Henry in 44 magnum and 45 Colt that have both operated flawlessly for the past 8 years!

[chuckerbird]

If you want one that works out of the box, buy the Henry. If there is a problem with it, it will be fixed fast.
Can't say that about the Rossi.

[Handloader109]

FWIW, my .357 Rossi works. Out of the box. 2018 new manufacturing plant production.
The Henrys I've handled were NO more smooth than the Rossi and in my opinion, rougher action. BTW, different guns.
I've done nothing to my Rossi to make it 'better' than shoot it. Just my opinion. I think you are paying the difference in name recognition and US manufacture which is good for the most part

[rbuck351]

My 454 Puma has worked well from day one. I did remove the silly safety and install a home made peep. I have never handled or shot the Henry so I can't compare them.

[T_McD]

The Rossi is a Honda Accord. The Henry is a Cadillac.

If it is for use, get a Rossi (or Marlin). If you want it to look good while you use it get the Henry.

[Winger Ed.]

You're buying something that will hopefully last a lifetime, then become a family heirloom.
I'd choose wisely.

I'm not big on imports in general, and imported firearms in particular.
With my 5 Marlins (One in .44Mag.) and an old Winchester, I've never felt they were "almost as good as" some import.
Or had to make excuses for them.
Nor have I ever had buyer's remorse with them.


There used to be a bumper sticker that read:
"Buy American. The job you save may be your own".

[Iwsbull]

Thank y’all for your info it helps getting as much of other people’s experience as you can to decide. Kungfustyle I agree with you on the Zero bullets or Roze distribution before I started casting my own I used the 240 j bullet and they were excellent. The other thing that helps is that they are less than an hour from my house. Those are most likely what I will use when I get a lever gun.

[BMW Rider]

They're priced about the same ~ $100/lb...

:kidding:

[chuckerbird]

FWIW, my 357 Rossi NEVER worked out of the box. Two trips to the Rossi repair shop in Florida, a 3 to 4 month turn a round, and it still won't work. It hides in the closet now.
My 357 Henry was flawless from day one.

[dverna]

I had a Marlin in .44 Mag and I liked it but was not using it so sold it.

I had a Rossi in .45LC and did not like it nearly as much as the .44 Marlin.

I have two Marlins in .38/.357 and an Uberti, and love them all.

You will never get a Rossi to run as slick as a Marlin but that may not be important to you.

Never owned a Henry (except for their .22) so cannot comment on their pistol caliber rifles. When I was in the market, the Henry loaded like a .22 (slot in magazine tube) and that was a turn off for me. Not sure if they offer a model with a loading gate...but something to consider.

[hanleyfan]

it amazes me how so many say rossi don't work out of the box, I have owned 6 in my life time and they all worked out of the box, some the action was a little stiff but smoothed out with use. I wonder how many really even owned a Rossi. They are not beautiful works of art, but they work and are the best option for a poor working man wanting a lever.

[Drew P]

Curious why people dislike the safety? It’s very tiny, and it works. What’s not to like?

[Peregrine]

Curious why people dislike the safety? It’s very tiny, and it works. What’s not to like?

Just plain wrong on a levergun.

One of the great things about lever guns are slick aesthetics and handling. If you've spent a significant amount of time shooting lever actions, and are therefore completely comfortable using the half cock position on the hammer, then suddenly manufactures get concerned about liability and cludge a safety onto your beloved classics of course you're going to hate it.

It implies there was something wrong with your old 1895/94/336 that had to be "fixed" and of course they were perfect the way they were. Now there's something on there for you forget when you want to fire and it takes away from the aesthetics because of lawyers. What's TO like?

[rbt5050]

rossi are junk, but the henry.

[chuckerbird]

it amazes me how so many say rossi don't work out of the box, I have owned 6 in my life time and they all worked out of the box, some the action was a little stiff but smoothed out with use. I wonder how many really even owned a Rossi. They are not beautiful works of art, but they work and are the best option for a poor working man wanting a lever.

I want to take you with me the next time I buy some lottery tickets.

[sparky45]

I have 3 Rossi's and a 336. All benefited from stoning and use, love them all.

[HawkCreek]

Henry's are butt ugly and I've never had a safety on any firearm move without my knowing it. Buy whatever one you like more.

[rbuck351]

I am looking at a Marlin 1894 JM in 44mag in about 99% condition. I have shot it a bit with several different cast and factory loaded jacketed ammo. It shoots poorly and worse it won't load through the loading port. My Puma 454 (paid $375 for it) has been flawless since I got it. Other than the Henry 22lr, I have no experience with Henrys. The 22 works well but accuracy is less than stellar.

If you can, handle both and see what feels best to you and decide from there.

[KCSO]

Look at the features and see what you need. Are you into history or not, do you need a loading gate or are you satisfied with a tube? Rossi runs some oversize on bore can you live with that? Do you like real walnut wood, this is a lot of the price difference. Do you mind having the gun smoothed up after buying it? You will want your Rossi tuned up at some time. American parts available, Henry shines here.

[Smoke4320]

I have had 2 Rossi's and 2 Henrys .. The Rossi will work out of the box but needs some stoning to get it smooth .. Their warranty repair time and general work sucks most times
the Henrys work, work well and their warranty service is second to none if you ever need it

[Life Member]

Nothin prettier than a golden boy.

[Kraschenbirn]

I've got both; a JM Marlin 1894 in .44 Mag and a Rossi 92 in .38/357. The Marlin is smoother and (to me) better handling but is picky on OAL (won't feed .44 Spl, at all) and the Microgroove barrel needs .432/.433 boolits to obtain any real accuracy with cast. The Rossi doesn't cycle as smoothly as the Marlin (but has 'worked in' some with use) and doesn't 'feel' as comfortable' when shouldered...probably due the balance of its full octagon barrel. On the other hand, it feeds whatever I stuff in magazine so long as the rounds don't exceed max. OAL and will print 2" 50-yd. groups (iron sights) all day with my 162 gr. RNFPs. So far as the Henry, the only one I've ever actually shot didn't impress me; in my hands it had all the balance of a slab of 2x6 and accuracy (with the owner's handloads) was marginal at best. Also, the .22-style magazine tube was a definite turn-off.

Bill

[Drm50]

I would take my money and look for a mint JM Marlin 1894 made before safety. You will have a much better gun and have the value built in if you decide to sell it. It will cost you about the same as a Henry. I wouldn't own a Rossi, I've taken several on trades but never keep them. I have nothing bad to say about Henry but it's not the rifle that a JM Marlin is. I have several Marlins made between 1946-1970 and have never had a problem with any of them. They don't like SWC bullets and you do have to watch OAL but that is no big deal. Mine feeds 44sp fine and bullet dia. depends on individual rifle like any other.

[Shawlerbrook]

Like said above they both have their advantages and disadvantages. They are very different guns and only you can decide.

[Ramjet-SS]

All my Henry Rifles are worth every penny. They are really nice firearms. Worth the difference we’ll only you can really answer that. For if I have the money it’s Henry all the way.

[John Boy]

I you will ever need parts for the Rossi - they are scarcer than hens teeth. If you ever need to send the the Roosi to a gun smith, there are only 2. Henry will turn your rifle around lackity split.They even re-engineered my Golden Boy for free to be able to chamber the UMC Match 22 bullet with a larger ogive - for free and turned around a new rifle with the mods in less than 2 weeks

[Ed in North Texas]

It seems my Taurus (Rossi 92) is an aberration. .45 LC, octagon 24" bbl (model no longer made) I changed the sights with Steve's green front and safety replacement aperture rear. Getting old, so I switched the stock for one for the Win 92 with a pad. It shot out of the box, nothing I did "needed" to be done. I also have an older Marlin in .45 LC and may have to settle for only using it as the next door grandson will fight me for the Taurus. Inconvenient that the model isn't made any longer, else I would have bought one for him and not had the hassle of his bugging me to use it.