Decision time!

[Les]

Well, my firearms certificate has just come back from the police with permission to buy a .357 rifle and another .22RF rifle, so now I need to go shopping, BUT ........... I have a problem. Actually, two problems!

The manufacturer will obviously be Henry, so no problem there. The first problem is, what do I buy? I want a .357 Big Boy in brass, but I don't know whether to get the regular 20" or the 16.5" carbine. I like the idea of a carbine, and I like the looks of both rifles (although I don't particularly like the large loop lever on the carbine, but that's a simple matter to change).

I have a similar problem with the .22 Frontier that is on my list. I have emailed my LGS to see if they stock the 24" Octagonal barreled version yet, as they might not have made it across here yet. If they don't, then it's problem solved - I'll go with the 20" Octagonal version. Actually, I prefer the looks of the 20" version. The 24" would look a whole lot better if the magazine tube was the same length as the barrel, but it isn't. I emailed Mr Imperato, and he said that there were no plans to extend the mag tube, so that's that!

Are there any pro's or con's regarding the .357 big boys? How does the 16.5" carbine compare to the regular 20" version? Similarly with the .22 Frontier. How does the 24" version handle/compare to the regular 20" version?

Sooo ............ now it's over to y'all to decide! If it was you, what would you buy, and why?

[JEBar]

what I would prefer is irrelevant, about the best I can do is ask a few questions that might help you figure out what's best for you .... what do you want use them for .... hunting ? target shooting ? etc .... the longer the barrel, the higher the muzzle velocity, the flatter the trajectory .... does that have any significance for you ? ..... will you be carrying the rifle long or short distances ? .... will you be shooting freehand or from a rest ?

all that said, the good news is, you can't make a bad pick ..

[North Country Gal]

I will be keeping an eye on this thread because I will be getting our first Henry rifles in those calibers, come spring. Sir Henry's posts on the awesome accuracy of the SGC 22 LR makes that a no brainer for an accuracy nut like me and a 357 is the likely candidate for the other gun. Can't wait to hear about what you get, Les.

[RanchRoper]

I looked at both Big Boys and went with the classic in 20" barrel. No regrets. A great shooter and feels well balanced.

[DWD445]

the good news is, you can't make a bad pick ..

X2 on that, I prefer a longer barrel myself

[JCN]

I always recommend the brass model in the carbine length because it feels much better balanced to me. On the flip side, I like the Steel model in the longer barrel because of balance and capacity. You may feel otherwise when you hold these two in your hands. To me, the Brass in the 20" barrel is too barrel-heavy. With a few inches cut off it is a one pound reduction in weight which goes a long way to better balance and overall weight. Just my two cents....

[tractortad]

Let me get this straight - you're going to get two Henrys at the same time? Nicely done, Les.

I've got a brass Big Boy 357(20") and a brass Big Boy 44(16.25" carbine). Both great rifles - love them both. I use them both as "king sized plinkers" at 25-50 yds. They are both very accurate rifles. I put Skinner peep rears and Lyman front globes on both of them to help with my old eyes. If I had to get only one it would be the carbine - it just feels better to hold and shoot. By the way I think you may end up liking the large loop lever- I ended up putting one on my 357 because it works better (for me, anyway) than the standard lever.

I also have a Golden Boy 22LR and a Small Game Carbine(SGC) 22LR - again - love both of these rifles, but If I had to get only one, it would be the SGC. To me, it just feels better to shoot, it's just as accurate as the Golden Boy (at 25 - 50 yds), and it already comes with a Skinner rear sight. The SGC also has a grooved receiver for a scope mounts - probably easier to mount a scope.

Too bad you can't hold these rifles before you decide - I think that would help you out a lot. I also agree with JEBar - you can't make a bad pick.

On the flip side, I was thinking of picking up a Henry pump 22LR as my next Henry purchase - how do you like yours?

[CT_Shooter]

At first, the weight of the .357 Big Boy rifle (H006M) was a strain on my left arm (I shoot standing and off-hand) and I could feel the ache later in the day; but it didn't take very many trips to the range before my arm got used to it and it started to feel "just right", as in the perfect weight and balance. It's a beautiful gun and an absolute pleasure to shoot. I wouldn't swap it for a carbine or the steel version, ever.

As a side note, I shoot the Big Boy much more often than my Classic Henry H001, so whenever I do take my two .22 guns to the range, the rifle feels feather-light, even a bit awkward for the first several shots, after which I get used to it again. Then, it feels as good as it shoots.

Yours is the best type of decision to have to consider. Which of these Henrys do I want to take home with me? Let me see...

[PT7]

Les --- I'm thoroughly enjoying your thread, and the "suspense" of awaiting your final choices. I've never had the experience of "having" to choose two Henry rifles at the same time! What a blast that must be. Go for it, and ENJOY!!

Of the Henrys I've shot or owned, my very favorite is my current H001TLP, the Small Game Carbine in .22LR with a 16.5" octagon barrel.
At your final decision, you cannot go wrong with any of the Henry rifles.

[RanchRoper]

Of course, there's always a H011 1860 Original too....the new shorter carbine one might look good in your home...just sayin'

[Les]

On the flip side, I was thinking of picking up a Henry pump 22LR as my next Henry purchase - how do you like yours?

I've got a huge smile on my face just thinking about it. The only downside is that it manages to go through huge amounts of ammunition in a very short time. I have no idea why!

[Les]

what do you want use them for .... hunting ? target shooting ?

They will both be used for casual target shooting at 25 - 50 - 100 yards, mostly offhand but occasionally from a bench.

Can't wait to hear about what you get, Les.

NCG, accuracy is important to me, too, and my pump action really surprised me with how well it shoots. I knew it was going to be a lot of fun, but the accuracy was a real added bonus.

To me, the Brass in the 20" barrel is too barrel-heavy. With a few inches cut off it is a one pound reduction in weight which goes a long way to better balance and overall weight. Just my two cents....

That is what I was thinking. Fortunately, I should be able to handle both sized rifles in the shop, so I can get a better idea about which one to go for.

I think you may end up liking the large loop lever- I ended up putting one on my 357 because it works better (for me, anyway) than the standard lever.
I also agree with JEBar - you can't make a bad pick.

You could be correct about the large loop lever, but as things stand I don't like them as much as the standard lever - but I'll never say never.

I totally agree with JEBar and yourself. Whichever rifles I go for, the only regret I know I'll have is not being able to buy more!

Thank you all for your input. I really appreciate all the suggestions and help ...... even though I now want to buy 4 rifles instead of just two!!

[Les]

Update time.

I arrived at the LGS this morning about half an hour after opening time only to be told that everything I wanted had just been sold. This is great news for Henry, and it doesn't surprise me at all - it just shows how popular they are - but not such good news for me.

I now have the problem of having money that is burning a hole in my pocket, so I'll have to fight temptation and hold out until the shop gets its next consignment of Henry rifles.

To quote Yoda - 'happy I'm not'.

[CT_Shooter]

I arrived at the LGS this morning about half an hour after opening time only to be told that everything I wanted had just been sold.
To quote Yoda - 'happy I'm not'.

Aw, Les, that is such bad news. I hope they'll call you as soon as he knows they're on the way. Would they hold them for you with a down payment?

[Sir Henry]

I'm shopping for my first centerfire Henry too.

[Les]

I have actually ordered and paid for a new .22 Henry Frontier 20" this morning. The 24" versions don't seem to be available here - at least not in any sort of numbers. I would have liked to have seen one close up, but I'll be more than happy with the 20". It'll be around a 12 week wait, but I'm not in that much of a hurry.

I'm still dithering over the brass Big Boy in 357. Again, the carbine versions seem to be quite rare here, so I'm almost on the verge of just going for broke and getting the 20", which I have seen at one of the ranges I go to, and I liked it a lot. The wait on that would only be around 5 days, because the importer's have them in stock.

I'm going to give it a good dose of thinking about over the weekend, but I suspect that come Monday, I'll be on the orders hotline!

[Squatch]

I wouldn't sweat it too much. If I was woods hunting a lot the carbine makes a lot of sense. But my Brass Big Boy swings just fine. In reality most any lever gun is pretty much a carbine. Some just a little shorter than others. Short or long they are fine weapons!

I have a Brass Henry in 22LR, 44MAG, and 45/70. All of them in the standard length. They all balance just fine. I like them all just fine. For me when in doubt it's all about sight radius. The more distance between the sights the better your aim will likely be. With my old eyes sighting is more important than weight.

Dozens of folks have shot my Big Boy (aka Mr. Ambassador). Not once has anyone shot it and then said "If this was just a little shorter I'd buy one". It's never even come up. But they do have some weight compared to modern style rifles. But that weight is mighty nice when shooting hotter loads. Not that recoil will be an issue with a 357.

[DWD445]

Man 12 weeks is a long wait, 5 days sounds like a no brainer, though
Keep us posted

[Les]

Man 12 weeks is a long wait, 5 days sounds like a no brainer, though
Keep us posted

I suspect the 12 weeks estimate is just to cover themselves. They will have to order from the USA, then allow for shipping/air freight etc, and with Christmas coming up it all adds time, I suppose. At least I won't have to worry about finding the money, because it's paid for. I'm hoping it won't take quite so long, but there's not much I can do one way or the other except wait patiently. (Yeah, right!)

I have noticed that since I bought my Henry pump action, the prices over here have gone up quite a lot. I paid £530 for the PA, and they are now selling for about £580.The frontier has gone up from about £425 to £475. (+/- $729 for the PA, and $597 for the Frontier). Have the prices increased recently over there, or is the LGS just increasing their profits?

As you say, 5 days for the BB is fine. Even I can wait that long without cussing too much!

I wouldn't sweat it too much.

Squatch, you're absolutely correct. A 20" barrel is a nice size, and very easy to handle. I just would have liked to compare the two together, but I definitely won't worry about ordering the new Big Boy. I've more or less convinced myself to just phone the LGS on Monday morning and order one.

[BigAl52]

I have 5 Henrys in both links. The carbine I have is 45 colt. Its a fun gun to shoot but for me to choose one over the other I couldnt as Iike both models. Since Henry has now chambered 41 mag I will be after one in a carbine. 41 has always been a favorite of mine. Al