Henry big Boy Vs Marlin 94

savagefan · Post by **savagefan** » Fri Apr 03, 2009 11:36 pm

My young lad wants a lever in 44 mag. I automatically suggested a Marlin 94, he held a Henry and likes it. SO I would like to ask those who have used both, which is best? Thank you in advance.

jdad · Post by **jdad** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 7:46 am

You're kind of asking a Ford vs Chevy question. They both go "bang".

If he can handle the weight of the Henry there will be less felt recoil than the Marlin. The Marlin is much easier and less expensive to add a peep sight or scope if one is ever desired. Actions and accuracy are equal.

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 9:39 am

What jdad said...I also think the Marlins are prettier, but - they both go "bang" very well.

In these times, if possible, get BOTH - someone too dumb to buy a gun this year will want one badly next year, and he can sell whichever he likes least...

missionary5155 · Post by **missionary5155** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 9:41 am

Good morning
Unless the Henry is now made of STEEL then I would think the marlin has the edge on Longevity. I am limited on imformation here BUT I have not read about any Marlin 44 Mags wearing out. Brass is Brass. Steel is steel. I have no dought if One each rifle was fed the same diet of Full power mag loads the brass would stretch before the Steel frame Marlin.
The Henrys I am sure are good rifles. there a alot of them around.. but Brass is Brass.
Mikie in Peru God Bless Ya´ll

jdad · Post by **jdad** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 10:58 am

missionary5155 wrote:Good morning
Unless the Henry is now made of STEEL then I would think the marlin has the edge on Longevity. I am limited on imformation here BUT I have not read about any Marlin 44 Mags wearing out. Brass is Brass. Steel is steel. I have no dought if One each rifle was fed the same diet of Full power mag loads the brass would stretch before the Steel frame Marlin.
The Henrys I am sure are good rifles. there a alot of them around.. but Brass is Brass.
Mikie in Peru God Bless Ya´ll

A steel bolt that is held against a steel barrel, by a steel lever, is not going to have any affect, on the brass receiver. Full power loads over time will have a negative affect on any rifle.

O.S.O.K. · Post by **O.S.O.K.** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 11:40 am

Other than their .22's, I don't like the Henrys.

I would buy the Marlin over the Henry any day of the week.

They are stronger, lighter, more compact and are easier to mount an optic to if desired.

IMHO

savagefan · Post by **savagefan** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 11:45 am

Interesting posts, I have a 94 in .357 mag and really like it hence my natural inclination to the brand. the Henry sure looks nice and am glad to hear it's a shooter too.

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 12:13 pm

The Henry receiver is not made of brass. It is a three par alloy that does contain some brass but it's not all brass. There was a threat here not long ago where someone admited double charging the loads going into a Henry and the gun didn't blow up. It did lock up but it held together.

Maybe that poster will chime in again and give first hand reports about Henry's customer service.

Birdman · Post by **Birdman** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 5:08 pm

I posted about the double charge. My very own stupid mistake, and my brothers Henry. It held together and Henry fixed it at no charge. They even covered shipping. That is service you can't beat. I have a Winny model 94, and a Marlin SS 44 myself, and I like all three brands. I think the Winchester is the best looking, but is hands down the most clunky. My SS Marlin is a fantastic rifle and if they really do release a SS 357 I will be all over that. My brother loves that Henry and made it very clear that he wanted another Henry if that one was not repairable. Pick yur poison, thet're all great guns.

Bear 45/70 · Post by **Bear 45/70** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 5:50 pm

Birdman wrote:I posted about the double charge. My very own stupid mistake, and my brothers Henry. It held together and Henry fixed it at no charge. They even covered shipping. That is service you can't beat. I have a Winny model 94, and a Marlin SS 44 myself, and I like all three brands. I think the Winchester is the best looking, but is hands down the most clunky. My SS Marlin is a fantastic rifle and if they really do release a SS 357 I will be all over that. My brother loves that Henry and made it very clear that he wanted another Henry if that one was not repairable. Pick yur poison, thet're all great guns.

SureShot has a stainless 1894 in 357 Mag and 44 Mag and 45 colt and 41 Mag all with the last 3 numbers of the serial number matching, with FireSights too.

SmokeEater2 · Post by **SmokeEater2** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 9:53 pm

Bear 45/70 wrote:
Birdman wrote:I posted about the double charge. My very own stupid mistake, and my brothers Henry. It held together and Henry fixed it at no charge. They even covered shipping. That is service you can't beat. I have a Winny model 94, and a Marlin SS 44 myself, and I like all three brands. I think the Winchester is the best looking, but is hands down the most clunky. My SS Marlin is a fantastic rifle and if they really do release a SS 357 I will be all over that. My brother loves that Henry and made it very clear that he wanted another Henry if that one was not repairable. Pick yur poison, thet're all great guns.

SureShot has a stainless 1894 in 357 Mag and 44 Mag and 45 colt and 41 Mag all with the last 3 numbers of the serial number matching, with FireSights too.

Who is "Sureshot ? Link or anything?

txpete · Post by **txpete** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 8:06 am

O.S.O.K. wrote:Other than their .22's, I don't like the Henrys.

I would buy the Marlin over the Henry any day of the week.

They are stronger, lighter, more compact and are easier to mount an optic to if desired.

IMHO

+1 those rifles IMHO are fugly.
pete

WyrTwister · Post by **WyrTwister** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 8:20 am

savagefan wrote:My young lad wants a lever in 44 mag. I automatically suggested a Marlin 94, he held a Henry and likes it. SO I would like to ask those who have used both, which is best? Thank you in advance.

From what I have seen , the Henery rifles are too expensive .

I have a Marlin that I shoot . And 2 M94 Winnies , NIB . In .44 Mag .

God bless
Wyr

TedH · Post by **TedH** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 9:07 am

txpete wrote:
O.S.O.K. wrote:Other than their .22's, I don't like the Henrys.

I would buy the Marlin over the Henry any day of the week.

They are stronger, lighter, more compact and are easier to mount an optic to if desired.

IMHO
+1 those rifles IMHO are fugly.
pete

+1 and +2

Streetstar · Post by **Streetstar** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 11:15 am

I like my Henry .22, and recently added a Marlin .44 to the stable. (i just threw that in as testament that i don't have a brand agenda)

The Henry does look cool, but the Marlin and Winchester designs have been around forever -- and FWIW, i don't like loading big centerfire cartridges .22 style through the top of the magazine, i prefer side loading them (like a Marlin or Winchester) so thats one thing to think about. Another is the brass itself-- it looks great when new, but i wonder if the new generation Henry's can be polished if they start picking up a little wear or a few scratches. On a blued rifle, they just call that "character marks" but a brass rifle might turn fuggly

savagefan · Post by **savagefan** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 9:50 pm

Another good point, I had no idea the Henry was a top loader.

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 9:57 pm

Bear 45/70 wrote: SureShot has a stainless 1894 in 357 Mag and 44 Mag and 45 colt and 41 Mag all with the last 3 numbers of the serial number matching, with FireSights too.

He needs ones in .32-20, .218 Bee, and .327 Federal now...!

GoatGuy · Post by **GoatGuy** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 10:21 pm

Yeah thanks, Bear 45-70, that was really interesting.

Now to get to savagefans question. I concur with others who recommend the Marlins. Marlin 1894's are handy, accept receiver sights, ready to scope if one so chooses, easily obtainable, accurate and sturdy. They're my choice, hands down.

Nate Kiowa Jones · Post by **Nate Kiowa Jones** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 12:41 am

Rusty wrote:The Henry receiver is not made of brass. It is a three par alloy that does contain some brass but it's not all brass. There was a threat here not long ago where someone admited double charging the loads going into a Henry and the gun didn't blow up. It did lock up but it held together.

Maybe that poster will chime in again and give first hand reports about Henry's customer service.

It has some ferrous metal in it too. I D&T-ed one for a tang sight and it looked like brass shavings but was attracted to a magnet. If it was brass you wouldn't see one in 44mag. That said, the Henry action is basically a Marlin 95/336 action so it's stronger than the 1894.

claybob86 · Post by **claybob86** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 12:50 am

Henrys aren't my cup of tea, but from what I hear, their quality and customer service are excellent. I say if the boy likes the Henry, get him one.

El Chivo · Post by **El Chivo** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 3:32 am

I would like the feature of UNloading from the tube as opposed to racking the rounds through the system and out. After hunting and not firing any rounds, it would be way more convenient to dump them out.

savagefan · Post by **savagefan** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 11:09 pm

Good point claybob, just wanna get him something that works best.

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 11:18 pm

Then get him a Rossi '92 from Nate Kiowa Jones... the strongest of the three, traditional and after Nate gets done with it... pure honey!

Bear 45/70 · Post by **Bear 45/70** » Sun Apr 12, 2009 11:30 pm

AJMD429 wrote:
Bear 45/70 wrote: SureShot has a stainless 1894 in 357 Mag and 44 Mag and 45 colt and 41 Mag all with the last 3 numbers of the serial number matching, with FireSights too.
He needs ones in .32-20, .218 Bee, and .327 Federal now...!

He sold a 218 Bee, 32-20 and another 1894 in another old caliber to Blaine. Which doesn't mean he still doesn't have one in each caliber. I'm not sure he knows what he has without looking at a list.

Here is the pic of his 1894 matched set.

Streetstar · Post by **Streetstar** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:08 am

Bear 45/70 wrote:[Here is the pic of his 1894 matched set.

Pretty sexy ----

Idiot · Post by **Idiot** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 12:55 pm

My next 44 Magnum will be a Henry "Big Boy" - I think. That is unless I find a Browning B92 for cheap first; but then there's the new "Ultimate Guide Gun" (which I think is lever action perfection) that must be obtained before it's discontinued. Anyway, in leverguns, I own work horse Marlins, rattling Winchesters, finicky Savage 99's, goofy Rugers, and slick Henrys; and I think Henrys are alright. Buy the Henry first, then the Marlin.

O.S.O.K. · Post by **O.S.O.K.** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 2:13 pm

If you haven't put your hands on the big boy yet, I recommend that you do before making a decision. They are very heavy, and are slow to reload if you do run out of ammo....

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 2:50 pm

I'm not Sure-Shot hangs out here.....He is over to the Marlin Collector forum, and MarlinOwners....He has cool toys. I got my 1894s in 32-20, 25-20 and .218 Bee from him.

Levant · Post by **Levant** » Sun May 10, 2009 7:19 pm

I know this is a little late into this thread but let me give a plug for the Henry. I have one in .357 - never fired as of yet. I would also like to have the Marlin but I waited for several months without ever seeing one for sale even by special order from my local gun shop. They were able to get the Henry in a couple days so I finally bought it. I like it so far. It's a pleasure to lever, to hold, and to look at. Since there's no where to shoot close to me I haven't been able to shoot it even though I've had it for about 8 months. Hopefully in the next few weeks I'll get to Tulsa where I can shoot.

But whether you like the Marlin better or not, if you can't get one then the Henry is a great choice. After all.. one levergun in the hands is better than two on the 'net.

savagefan · Post by **savagefan** » Sun May 10, 2009 8:57 pm

Great last line levant, who could argue with that?

madman4570 · Post by **madman4570** » Mon May 11, 2009 7:17 am

savagefan,
Have your boy get a hold of the marlin, picking it up and getting
a feel for it.If he really likes its feel/looks etc.I would opt for the
Marlin but the Henry probably is an ok gun.I really have experience
only with their 22s.
If his Heart is REALLY set on that Henry after checking out the Marlin,then I would get him the Henry.
Guns are kind of like girls,you just have that feeling and know the one you like.

Either way he should have a winner!

Modoc ED · Post by **Modoc ED** » Mon May 11, 2009 11:37 am

missionary5155 wrote:Good morning
Unless the Henry is now made of STEEL then I would think the marlin has the edge on Longevity. I am limited on imformation here BUT I have not read about any Marlin 44 Mags wearing out. Have you read of any Henry 44 Mags wearing out? Brass is Brass. Steel is steel. And there's no brass on the Henry 44 Mag. I have no dought if One each rifle was fed the same diet of Full power mag loads the brass would stretch before the Steel frame Marlin.
The Henrys I am sure are good rifles. there a alot of them around.. but Brass is Brass.
Mikie in Peru God Bless Ya´ll

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Mon May 11, 2009 11:49 am

I just can't get past the idea of an 8# pistol-caliber carbine... the Marlin is 1.5# lighter...

2fewdaysafield · Post by **2fewdaysafield** » Tue May 12, 2009 2:15 am

The Henry is a great rifle, as is the Marlin. Something worth noting about the Henry....Lifetime warranty, even if you buy it second hand. And their reputation for customer service is second to none. I love my .357 Henry. As slick a levergun as I've ever worked. But as has been said, a lightweight brush rifle its not. They are heavy-close to 8.75 lbs. If the youngun has his heart set on a Henry, buy it with confidence. Would I trade my Henry for a Marlin? Never! For 2 Marlins? Sure. But then I would run out and buy another Henry!

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