Henry Rifle Forums

Here’s a picture of my collection so far. I have a 22LR Golden Boy, a 357 magnum Big Boy Brass and a brand new 357 magnum Big Boy Steel Carbine. I haven’t had the opportunity to shoot the carbine yet but hope to go Saturday. I was surprised to discover the steel model has a smoother, lighter action than the brass model.

Congrats on a great looking collection - nice pic, too! Hard to get, in my experience.

Interesting to read your comment about the action of the BBS vs. the Brass, especially in the same 357 caliber. All I've got are steel versions, and the action in all of them lives up to the Henry reputation.

Wondering if anyone has any thoughts about why these would "feel" so different? Could it be that the difference in weight overall and handling of the BBS Carbine sets up a difference in perception? Seeing them side-by-side, I'm also struck by the ejection ports' exposing the bolt. Does the fact that the BBS has a stainless, unblued finish have anything to do with it, or is it just the way that action move inside the steel vs. the brass receiver?

deano5150

nice collection .... do you plan on adding any other 357's to your collection .. ..


ESquared

great questions .... I'm looking forward following reports based on using both

To be honest, pictures never do those brass Henrys justice.

Nice collection deano, uh 5150............

JEBar wrote:deano5150

nice collection .... do you plan on adding any other 357's to your collection .. ..


ESquared

great questions .... I'm looking forward following reports based on using both

Not at this time. If I ever do I’d love to get a Colt 1873 SAA. I could probably buy 3 more Henry’s for the price of a Colt SAA!

Henry88 wrote:To be honest, pictures never do those brass Henrys justice.

Nice collection deano, uh 5150............

deano5150 wrote:Not at this time. If I ever do I’d love to get a Colt 1873 SAA. I could probably buy 3 more Henry’s for the price of a Colt SAA!

understood on the $$$$ .... have you considered adding any in a different caliber ..

JEBar wrote:deano5150

ESquared

great questions .... I'm looking forward following reports based on using both

Deano,

Any thoughts on the differences in the feel of the actions, brass vs. Steel?

other than holding a 22, I don't have any experience with a brass Henry .... I can see how one type of finish could have an impact but don't have any idea just how much of one

Careful...Sir Henry started that way...

RanchRoper wrote:Careful...Sir Henry started that way...

I learned long ago to never say never .. .. I have a longstanding natural resistance to buying more than one rifle or handgun that fires the same bullet .... the only caliber revolver I have the slightest interest in obtaining is a 357 and we already have a 357 Henry .... if Henry ever offers a 30-30 Long Ranger, I'd stand in line to get one .... sadly, that doesn't seem likely ....

JEBar wrote:

deano5150 wrote:Not at this time. If I ever do I’d love to get a Colt 1873 SAA. I could probably buy 3 more Henry’s for the price of a Colt SAA!

understood on the $$$$ .... have you considered adding any in a different caliber ..

I did consider 44 magnum and 30-30 because they’re more powerful. My decision to go with 357 magnum again came down to two issues: money and intended purpose. At this point the only hunting I do is small game (with a 22LR). 99 % of my shooting is plinking or target. I love to shoot for fun. Therefore, I chose the least expensive factory loaded centerfire round to shoot in a Henry. Hopefully that means I can shoot a lot more. At some point I may get into reloading. It would be nice to find a load to maximize the potential of the 357 in a rifle.

deano5150 wrote:I did consider 44 magnum and 30-30 because they’re more powerful. My decision to go with 357 magnum again came down to two issues: money and intended purpose. At this point the only hunting I do is small game (with a 22LR). 99 % of my shooting is plinking or target. I love to shoot for fun. Therefore, I chose the least expensive factory loaded centerfire round to shoot in a Henry. Hopefully that means I can shoot a lot more. At some point I may get into reloading. It would be nice to find a load to maximize the potential of the 357 in a rifle.

very well understood .... our 357 is fun to shoot and performs well ....

ESquared wrote:

JEBar wrote:deano5150

ESquared

great questions .... I'm looking forward following reports based on using both

Deano,

Any thoughts on the differences in the feel of the actions, brass vs. Steel?

After comparing them again I think it could have to do with the large loop lever. Pardon the pun but it could be just a matter of leverage.

Also, brass is softer than steel so it may create more friction. It’s probably difficult to see in the picture below but there is some brass “staining” on the black bolt. Either way, the action is still pretty smooth. No complaints here. Also, I don’t have anything to compare my Henry’s to because I haven’t had the opportunity to cycle any other brands. I considered a Marlin 94 in 357 but they’ve not had the best reputation for quality since Remington bought them. Also, they are more expensive. With Henry I know I’m getting quality with customer service that will stand behind its product. Win-win.

5150...That is a great group of Henry shooters! My only Henry lever rifle....so far. Top is the 1873 Uberti/Winchester .45 Colt. Middle is the 1885 High Wall .45-70 and the new Henry .44 Carbine.

fortyshooter wrote:5150...That is a great group of Henry shooters! My only Henry lever rifle....so far. Top is the 1873 Uberti/Winchester .45 Colt. Middle is the 1885 High Wall .45-70 and the new Henry .44 Carbine.

Nice collection! I”ll bet that 1873 is fun to shoot, too!

Great hanging plaques, too.

ESquared wrote:Great hanging plaques, too.

I have a bit of well seasoned walnut rough planed boards and had a few with bark from an edge cut.
They make great rifle hangers and the middle one looks like the rolling mountains in a desert scene!

fortyshooter wrote:

ESquared wrote:Great hanging plaques, too.

I have a bit of well seasoned walnut rough planed boards and had a few with bark from an edge cut.
They make great rifle hangers and the middle one looks like the rolling mountains in a desert scene!

Yeah, the live edges are what makes them so unique and cool. Very nice!