Marlin vs. Henry vs. Winchester lever action rifles

[peacebutready]

I noticed the Henry brand of lever action rifles. Where do they stand in quality compared to Winchester and the "Remlin" Marlin lever action rifles. My guess is higher than the Marlins of recent years but not as good as Winchester. IIRC, Winchester lever action rifles are made in Japan.

Since recalling Winchester being made in Japan (or at least some of them), I'm wondering if they are made by the same company making Weatherby's lower priced rifles (Howa).

 

[ridgerunner1965]

in my opinion the jap Winchesters are prob the best and nicest of the lot. however. the prices for them are unreal high, so no thank you to them. unless of course money is no object.

the henrys don't now and have never really turned me on.not to say they are not good rifles because they are. some seem very heavy to me. no loading gate is also a problem for some people.

the recent marlins seem to be a crap shoot as far as quality.

if I was in the market for a NEW lever gun I would prob take a chance on a marlin.

if I could buy whatever I want then a nice used example of a older win or marlin would be my choice. I would go pre crossbolt safety and just find a nice lightly used example.

but im a bit of a odd duck anyway. I would rather have a nice gun fron the 60's or 70's over a new one anyday.

 

[Slamfire]

One of the forum members, DPris, stated a side loading port for the Henry is coming. Maybe Santa will bring it. Some shooters hate the loading tube arrangement on the Henry's.

I have handled Henry's and they were all smooth, well built rifles. I own a 1983 Marlin M1894 and a mid nineties M336. I like the action design. The current Marlins, I just don't know.

The Winchester M1894 is a classic rifle, but, far too complicated in take down for me to consider one. I can unscrew one lever bolt, with my Marlins, pull the lever back and remove the bolt from the receiver. Then I can clean the barrel from the breech and sort of, wipe out some of the action interior. This ease of cleaning is why I never owned a M1894 Winchester

 

[HamSlamma]

I bought a Marlin 1895GBL 45-70 about 6-7 years ago,,,,,and LOVE it. Its one of those guns Ill never get rid of!

 

[22250Rem]

I'm basically a Marlin fan but the Henry's seem awful nice. Only Henry lever gun I have is in 22LR and it's smooth and feels good. Never fired a centerfire Henry lever gun but they, too, seem to be a quality product. The difference in the way you load them doesn't make much difference to me; I worry a lot more about how it will shoot vs. whether it has a loading gate or a loading tube. That's just a personal preference so a prospective buyer would have to decide if it matters enough to influence their purchase.

 

[DDDWho]

I'm not familiar with the Henry. If I were in the market for a lever gun I would choose either a pre 64 Winchester or a Pre Remington Marlin. As mentioned before current Winchesters (Jap) are over priced and perhaps pre 64 Winchester are as well.
The "JM" Marlins and pre 64 Winchesters are built to last.... probably more than a lifetime.

 

[jmr40]

The Henry rifles are well made. But to me the only reason to own a lever action is for the nostalgia. From a practical perspective they offer no advantages. And other than the ones styled after the original Civil war era rifle in 44 caliber they don't have the same lines and features of the original 30-30's and other rifle cartridges.

I don't have any experience with the newer Marlins or Winchesters. The new Japanese 94's look good, but are out of my price range. I think concerns about the new Marlins are probably over stated, but I'm not crazy about them either. But I do own over a dozen Marlin and Winchesters made between the 1950's and late 1970's that are great. There were over 14 million of those produced and lots of them are for sale if you look around. You'll get a better rifle and spend less.

As you can see I prefer straight grips to pistol grips even on Marlins.

 

[22250Rem]

OP didn't mention being in the market for a lever gun; just quality ratings concerning Henrys, Marlins, and Winchesters. But if it was for a potential purchase of one would it be feasible to look at a Mossberg 464 lever gun? I have no experience with those but they appear to be well made and not real expensive. Not to get too far off topic but in a buyers comparison they certainly seem like they deserve a look, also. Anyone out there have one?

 

[Catpop]

The flat base Winchester 94 cradles well in hand for woods carry.
The Marlins work better for scoping in combination woods/field use.
Never touched a mossberg, Rossi or Henry! So no help there!
Personally the 1873 38 WCF is one of my favorites. So is the 1892 32 WCF.
I think the Rossi is a win 92 design

 

[Newtosavage]

The Henry rifles are well made. But to me the only reason to own a lever action is for the nostalgia. From a practical perspective they offer no advantages. And other than the ones styled after the original Civil war era rifle in 44 caliber they don't have the same lines and features of the original 30-30's and other rifle cartridges.

I don't have any experience with the newer Marlins or Winchesters. The new Japanese 94's look good, but are out of my price range. I think concerns about the new Marlins are probably over stated, but I'm not crazy about them either. But I do own over a dozen Marlin and Winchesters made between the 1950's and late 1970's that are great. There were over 14 million of those produced and lots of them are for sale if you look around. You'll get a better rifle and spend less.

As you can see I prefer straight grips to pistol grips even on Marlins.

View attachment 812795

This in spades.

 

[Riomouse911]

The best I can offer, as an owner of 13 lever guns from Winchester, Marlin, Rossi and Henry, is to look at, hold and (if possible) shoot to see what fits you, your intended purpose (and your wallet) the best.

You don’t mention what caliber you’re interested in, be it traditional rifle calibers like .30-30 or .45/70 or the pistol calibers like .357,.44 or .45 Colt. Browning and Henry still offer rimless lever rifles chambered for rounds like .223, .243,.308 etc, and some Marlins are found in .308 or .338 Marlin express that take lever guns to a different performance plane than the standard 1800’s era calibers do.

Straight grip, pistol grip; small, medium or large lever loops; loading gate on the side, under the barrel or a detachable box mag, scope compatibility or not.... the varieties are almost endless.

Go out to look and handle some lever guns and I’m sure you’ll find exactly what tickles your fancy...and I’ll get you’ll probably end up like many of us and you’ll have more than one before too long!!

Good luck with your search and stay safe!

 

[DPris]

Whoa, Nellie- DPris did NOT say side-loading Henrys are coming.
He said sometimes patience is rewarded...…..
Denis

 

[DPris]

But.....sometimes some patiences are rewarded more than others.
Denis

 

[Ks5shooter]

My Remlin came flawless and is a tackdriver.........

 

[wanderinwalker]

Ks5, is that one of the new 1894CSBLs? The local shop had one a couple of weeks ago. Seemed really nicely put together, very smooth and solid. I've been debating getting one ever since.

As for Winchester/Henry/Marlin, make mine a Marlin or Winchester with a proper loading gate please! I like both makes, so long as I can inspect them first. (Hint: not all JM stamped Marlins and pre-64 Winchesters are gems.)

 

[Ks5shooter]

It is an 1895SBL 45-70 with XS sights.Leather is by Rick Lowe

 

[frankmako]

For me it is first the older marlin that is made before Remington took over. Second is an older winchester. Third is the henry.

 

[BigBore44]

But.....sometimes some patiences are rewarded more than others.
Denis

I didn’t recall you saying that either specifically. But there is this thing called “inference”.

 

[DPris]

I can't say anything of the kind, specifically.
I am, however, not responsible for anybody's inferences they may choose to make regarding any possible future wish fulfillment at Henry.

In the same vein as our illustrious president: Maybe they will. Maybe they won't. We may never know for sure.
Denis

 

[Steve S.]

Miroku manufactures quality (period) and you pay for it.

 

[wanderinwalker]

It is an 1895SBL 45-70 with XS sights.Leather is by Rick Lowe

I suppose the round bolt should've been a give-away!

The is perhaps my favorite lever gun to date, a late JM stamped Marlin 336BL. It's a little heavier and fatter than a Winchester, but I like how it fits me and how the rifle handles.



(And yes, the new 1894CSBL is still on my possible future acquisitions list.)

 

[sabbfan]

Personally speaking I own a Henry big boy in 357 and my brother has the marlin in 44 mag. Mine has nicer fit and finish and is smoother to run, but there is nothing wrong with his Marlin and he did pay less for his.

 

[ilmonster]

To the OP, I own a JM 1894 (bought in 2006), an 1895 (a Remlin bought in 2016 IIRC) and a Henry 30-30 I bought 3 or so weeks ago. The two Marlins, although one being pre Remington and the other being a post-Remington are both well put together. The 1894 has a trigger the was just fine as is. The 1895 had a trigger that was heavy, but broke crisply. I replaced it with a Wild West Trigger and am happy with it. Both Marlins are screwed together well, have good wood to metal fit, cycle smoothly, etc. The newer of my Marlins has run fine, having run around 400 rounds of 45-70 through it.

The new Henry H009CC is built just a bit better. Everything runs very smoothly. It has a good trigger from the factory (wouldn't think of replacing it). The lumber it comes with is nice looking. The tube feeding work fine for me. I feel it is worth the few extra dollars over the Marlins. Very happy with this recent purchase.

Never owned a Winchester, so can't speak to those. Handled a few in the LGS and they seem to be beautifully made, but don't know how they would compare to the other two in real life shooting and owning.

Are current Marlins (Remington produced) well made? Well, my anecdotal sample size of one would suggest yes. Am I happy with it - you bet! Am I happy with the Henry and keeping it, yes! Horses for courses. All work well, and are fun to shoot. This is why Baskin Robbins has 31 flavors!

 

[herrwalther]

If you can find an older Marlin, say from the 1970s (if you don't like a cross bolt safety) or from the 80's (if you don't care) those are your quality bets. I have handled Henrys that go for over $1000 and was not as impressed as the used Marlin I got for 300.

 

[d2wing]

I prefer the real one, Winchester 94 in 30-30. Light, fast handling, points very well for snap shooting, near perfect for stalking, more power and accuracy than pistol calibers in my opinion. If I were to buy another I would look at the Browning BLR in a modern cartridge.