Henry Big Boy .357/.38 Special Recommendations

[Sandy50]

Hi again folks! I am still looking for that lever action rifle for CAS. All of you have shared your amazing experiences with various rifles I have posted for discussion. Today I am considering the Henry Big Boy, .357/.38 Special caliber. I am reading information that would suggest that this is a quality lever gun, made in the US, and at a significantly lower price than the Uberti Winchester 1866 and 1873 clones. Has anyone out there shot this rifle, or know of it's reliability? I really like to idea of buying a US made lever gun, though the name Big Boy sounds kind of goofy.

 

[cane]

Why not ask that here:SASSnet.com They aren't very popular and the general opinion is to save your money and buy something (Marlin, '92, 66, or 73)

 

[skipjack]

I haven't shot the big boy, but have shot CAS for a few years, and have sold a few Henrys in our shop. They seem like a nice rifle, but I cannot recall having ever seen one at a match.

Personally, I shoot a Uberti 73 carbine and my brother shoots a Uberti 66 carbine. I have shot just about all the Uberti models at one time or another.
They are outstanding rifles. If you look around carefully, you should be able to find a used Uberti for a reasonable price.

Another nice gun to consider is the 92 clone. The brazilian guns are decent, and are quite affordable. I started with a Rossi in 45 colt that was a great shooter. I moved to the earlier gun to more match my persona...shooting open tops and a double barrel shotgun. I have sold a number of them, used, for $400 more or less.

With the glut of guns on the market, you may be able to find a new Rossi for not much more than $400, depending on features.

Good luck and I hope I have helped!

 

[MCgunner]

I like my Rossi 92 but it's not a BP gun and I don't load it with BP. When I found out Henry uses zinc alloy cast receivers, I decided I didn't need one. My personal bias, though. Probably okay, I guess, in .22 anyway. I'm not sure they use the zinc on the .357s, haven't looked into it.

I'd ask this on the rifle forum, personally.

 

[arcticap]

The Big Boy rifles have solid brass frames and a lot of folks like them.
I know someone who has one in .44 Mag. and he said that it kicks but he likes to shoot .44 Specials with it.
There's a video showing it in action at the top right of the product page below and a Gun Tests review.
It seems to be a fine shooting rifle that anyone would be proud to own.
If Sandy50 likes it then I think that he should go for it.
And Henry is known for having good customer service too.

http://www.henryrepeating.com/rifle-big-boy.cfm