Anyone had a chance to compare new production rifles side-by-side? Fit, finish, action operation? It seems the Marlin is $200-300 more and of course has the lock, but I much prefer the Marlin aesthetic so I'm still leaning that way. But if the Henry's are equally built, with no lock and a tube to unload... Also wondering how each works with shorter specials. Thanks.
New Marlin v. Henry...and specials
- Thread starter JumboJVT
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troy fairweather
Member
Last few Henry's I've looked at looked like they used 320 belts to finish the steel, you could see the corse finish from 10 feet away and could about catch your fingernail.
That kinda what I was afraid of.
I will take the Marlin over the Henry every time whether it is JM, Remlin, or Ruglin. Luckily, my Marlins are all pre takeover by anyone. 94-44, 336-30-30, 336-444, 39A. I've seen a few Ruger made and they beat anything Remington had their shaky hands in.
Where I worked we sold a ton of Henrys. I was impressed with their ingenuity in copying earlier designs and they did have good finishes but lots of those finishes were paint. Never cared for the 22 whether in original Erma, Middle Iver Johnson or final Henry form.
My opinion only but unless Browning is still making one, nobody makes a quality lever 22. Nor a pump.
Flame away. I'm almost 80 and have been criticized by the best.
Where I worked we sold a ton of Henrys. I was impressed with their ingenuity in copying earlier designs and they did have good finishes but lots of those finishes were paint. Never cared for the 22 whether in original Erma, Middle Iver Johnson or final Henry form.
My opinion only but unless Browning is still making one, nobody makes a quality lever 22. Nor a pump.
Flame away. I'm almost 80 and have been criticized by the best.
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Riomouse911
Member
Personally I would go with the Marlin. I really like my pre-safety 336 .35 Rem. The gun handles well and shoots like a dream. (I have four Marlin and three Henry rimfire levers.)
YMMV.
Stay safe.
YMMV.
Stay safe.
hunt127588
Member
- Joined
- Mar 12, 2006
- Messages
- 76
I've had a chance to shoot both, new production. The Henry was smoother and with a better trigger. The Marlin had a little better finish on the metal. Feeding and extraction has been flawless on the Henry. The Marlin has had some issues presenting the cartridge to the elevator at times.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Marlin any day of the week. After years of denigrating their rimfires as pot metal junk, I finally broke down and ended up with two Henry rifles. With way less than 500rds through them, both need factory service and if I ever do send them back, I'll get rid of them afterwards. Now I'm thinking about trading my Big Boy steel .357 for something else. My later Remlin 1895 is a much better gun.
I got to handle some Henry's yesterday. The action on them seems nice, (weird not to have a half-cock notch) but the "bluing" on the receivers made me scratch my head. I'd swear it was a black coating of some sort, clearly not the same as the obviously blued barrel; swear it was Cerakoted. Curious. But I didn't like the feel of the gun at all and the forearm seemed really short to me. I'll be holding out for a Marlin. Last couple Ruger's I've bought prevent me from ordering online. I'll need to handle the particular example before plunking down my shekels. Based on what the owner of the LGS told me yesterday, it may be a while. Ruger seems to be playing favorites with the big retailers, including the online sellers. He's not happy that he can't get and hasn't been able to get ANY Marlins since the reintroduction, but they are all over on the net.
CarJunkieLS1
Member
My LGS owner who is a Ruger Authorized dealer, and I've known him for years and have no reason not to believe him, he told me that to be able to get 1 Marlin rifle you have to buy any 5 Ruger guns. He had 5 Marlin 45-70s and said he had to buy 25 Ruger guns to be able to get them.
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Frulk
Member
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2018
- Messages
- 1,594
I’ve been happy with the Henry’s I own. Nice wood, respectable accuracy, better than average wood to metal finish. Have never had any issues with them. However, my next lever will be a Marlin. Not due to any shortcomings on Henry’s part but because I like the 1894’s in pistol calibers.
Just holding out and hoping for the Cowboys to come back. If anyone has heard ANY news on that PLEASE share it.
I just keep assuming Marlin has that as a goal but have never heard any reliably sourced info validating it.
Just holding out and hoping for the Cowboys to come back. If anyone has heard ANY news on that PLEASE share it.
I just keep assuming Marlin has that as a goal but have never heard any reliably sourced info validating it.
dh1633pm
Contributing Member
Henry is like a super high quality Marlin copy, with excellent workmanship missing out on the history aspect. Got two Henry levers. One in 45 Colt and another in 22 lr. Have a couple Marlins and a couple Winchesters. Will I buy another Henry, sure will. Buy a Ruger lever, yes. Muroku of course.
The Henry 22 regardless of configuration is either a painted sheet metal cover or a faux brass plated sheet metal cover over a Zamak pot-metal zinc alloy works copy of the old Ithaca .22 lever. No Marlin ever made with a lever on it was made from Zamak.
The MSRP between comparable models is not all that much and the 1996 Henry company All Weather is chrome plated, not stainless steel. Here is typical of Henry:
Notice that the exposed wood on the Henry above is not even fully finished. This is exactly what Remington got bashed on except this looks worse. Here is a (my) new Marlin SBL1895:
The MSRP for the equivalent chrome plated Henry All Weather with rail is $1,333 and black painted beech stock. The MSRP for the stainless steel and laminate SBL with rail is $1,479 for a difference of $146.
www.henryusa.com
OP, you should go and inspect the rifles yourself. I would not purchase something expensive that I had not held and inspected. Purchase the one you like best and are most comfortable with.
The MSRP between comparable models is not all that much and the 1996 Henry company All Weather is chrome plated, not stainless steel. Here is typical of Henry:
Notice that the exposed wood on the Henry above is not even fully finished. This is exactly what Remington got bashed on except this looks worse. Here is a (my) new Marlin SBL1895:
The MSRP for the equivalent chrome plated Henry All Weather with rail is $1,333 and black painted beech stock. The MSRP for the stainless steel and laminate SBL with rail is $1,479 for a difference of $146.
All-Weather Picatinny Rail .45-70 | Henry Repeating Arms
In the 1980’s, a pioneer in the world of firearm training instruction named Jeff Cooper began to promote the concept of the scout rifle, an easy-carrying rifle that “will do a great many things equally well.” Strictly speaking, these were mostly .308 bolt action rifles, so we set out to make our...
www.henryusa.com
OP, you should go and inspect the rifles yourself. I would not purchase something expensive that I had not held and inspected. Purchase the one you like best and are most comfortable with.
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dranrab
Member
IIRC the accuracy reported in that Rifle Shooter magazine was abysmal.The Henry 22 regardless of configuration is either a painted sheet metal cover or a faux brass plated sheet metal cover over a Zamak pot-metal zinc alloy works copy of the old Ithaca .22 lever. No Marlin ever made with a lever on it was made from Zamak.
The MSRP between comparable models is not all that much and the 1996 Henry company All Wearther is chrome plated, not stainless steel. Here is typical of Henry:
Notice that the exposed wood on the Henry above is not even fully painted with the brown shoe polish. Thi si ecatly what Remington got bashed on except this looks worse. Here is a (my) new Marlin SBL1895:
The MSRP for the equivalent chrome plated Henry All Weather with rail is $1,333 and black painted beech stock. The MSRP for the stainless steel and laminate SBL with rail is $1,479 for a difference of $146.
All-Weather Picatinny Rail .45-70 | Henry Repeating Arms
In the 1980’s, a pioneer in the world of firearm training instruction named Jeff Cooper began to promote the concept of the scout rifle, an easy-carrying rifle that “will do a great many things equally well.” Strictly speaking, these were mostly .308 bolt action rifles, so we set out to make our...
"Henry" has no historical lineage and is really a copy of the Ithaca for the 22 and the Marlin for centerfire.
Frulk
Member
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2018
- Messages
- 1,594
I get the point about the Zamak. I had my run in with it on a Walther P22 with a cracked slide. The Henry .22 rifle obviously was/is built to a price point. It was the company's first and only offering when they started from scratch and tried to break into a difficult market with many multi-generational companies with established reputations which all but had a choke hold on said market share. Mr. Imperato gets props from me at least for having the stones to start a manufacturing business on American soil based on firearms with nothing more than a historic name to draw from. Ironically even that (resurrecting a historic and somewhat revered American firearms name) is held against him...there is no lineage connection...models Henry never made and so on. Seems folks keep forgetting Henry does in fact currently make 2-3 period correct ALL STEEL versions of "that damned Yankee rifle that can be loaded on Sunday and fired all week". For the brands detractors, here's the historical legitimacy requirement tying the current owners to a gun that was produced in the 1800's and which the original designer's name was associated with.
I own one of those initial 1st year release .22 Henrys with the ZAMAK receiver. Was somewhat disappointed in the 'plastic' barrel band. However, considering the amount of money that changed hands I was ok with it. Bought for my youngest daughter and shot little over the years. Still looks and functions good and always felt rather smooth cycling with the ratchet gear internals. No, the receiver isn't forged. It's not a JM stamped 39A. I accept that and don't necessarily fret over it. It was bought for a young girl to stomp around a NoDak farmstead with her father. If I wanted a 39A for that purpose I would have bought one.
I'm not a Henry fan boy. I like them. However, Henry did somewhat endear itself to me by being the one and ONLY lever gun company to bring a .327 FM to the market. The Henrys I own have never let me down in my expectations. That's the end of my commitment to the brand. I agree wholeheartedly that the metal finish is not as appealing as the other brands bluing but its durable and has held up well.
I just took pics of the wood/metal fit on some of my Henrys, Marlin and Winchesters. I wouldn't call the pics above a typical representation as my guns don't show this. I will say that there shouldn't be that type of inconsistency in the end product between Crows and my guns since apparently, they're capable of making them at higher tolerances as my pics show. I'll post them up probably tomorrow as my phone is plugged into the stereo right now. Playing music for the dogs to drown out the fireworks.
Hope everyone on THR is having a great holiday season and experiences a prosperous and healthy 2024.
I own one of those initial 1st year release .22 Henrys with the ZAMAK receiver. Was somewhat disappointed in the 'plastic' barrel band. However, considering the amount of money that changed hands I was ok with it. Bought for my youngest daughter and shot little over the years. Still looks and functions good and always felt rather smooth cycling with the ratchet gear internals. No, the receiver isn't forged. It's not a JM stamped 39A. I accept that and don't necessarily fret over it. It was bought for a young girl to stomp around a NoDak farmstead with her father. If I wanted a 39A for that purpose I would have bought one.
I'm not a Henry fan boy. I like them. However, Henry did somewhat endear itself to me by being the one and ONLY lever gun company to bring a .327 FM to the market. The Henrys I own have never let me down in my expectations. That's the end of my commitment to the brand. I agree wholeheartedly that the metal finish is not as appealing as the other brands bluing but its durable and has held up well.
I just took pics of the wood/metal fit on some of my Henrys, Marlin and Winchesters. I wouldn't call the pics above a typical representation as my guns don't show this. I will say that there shouldn't be that type of inconsistency in the end product between Crows and my guns since apparently, they're capable of making them at higher tolerances as my pics show. I'll post them up probably tomorrow as my phone is plugged into the stereo right now. Playing music for the dogs to drown out the fireworks.
Hope everyone on THR is having a great holiday season and experiences a prosperous and healthy 2024.
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I have 5 lever action rifles. I Marlin 39A 22LR from the early 1960's, a 357 Magnum Marlin 1894C from the early 1980's, a Winchester 1873 chambered in 32-20 from the early 1890's, a 357 Magnum Miroku/Winchester from a few years ago and a Henry 327 Fed Mag from a few years ago.
The Marlins and the Miroku/Winchester rifles perform well. With the vintage Winchester 1873, I had to replace some magazine oarts but it has performed well since. It was refinished at some point in its life before I bought the rifle.
I've been pleased with my Miroku firearms, besides the Win 1873, my skeet Citori shotgun was made by Miroku.
I've had the Henry fir several years and have yet to out a round through it. Fit and finish is good and it seems to function well. I need to put some rounds through it. At this point in time, I'd buy another Henry, particularly with the side gate loading and a traditional old wild west cartridridge.
The Marlins and the Miroku/Winchester rifles perform well. With the vintage Winchester 1873, I had to replace some magazine oarts but it has performed well since. It was refinished at some point in its life before I bought the rifle.
I've been pleased with my Miroku firearms, besides the Win 1873, my skeet Citori shotgun was made by Miroku.
I've had the Henry fir several years and have yet to out a round through it. Fit and finish is good and it seems to function well. I need to put some rounds through it. At this point in time, I'd buy another Henry, particularly with the side gate loading and a traditional old wild west cartridridge.
troy fairweather
Member
Henry = Lipstick on a pig
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
The original company was Winchester, of which Benjamin Tyler Henry was an employee.
Frulk
Member
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2018
- Messages
- 1,594
CraigC.
Thanks...I get that. Members on this site in other threads have stated that the current Henry made no historical models which were originally produced. Apparently using it as justification to further delegitimize the current owners use of the name. That was my only point. My wording was poorly structed to relay that fact. I'll amend the post.
Thanks...I get that. Members on this site in other threads have stated that the current Henry made no historical models which were originally produced. Apparently using it as justification to further delegitimize the current owners use of the name. That was my only point. My wording was poorly structed to relay that fact. I'll amend the post.
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The center fire Henry branded rifles are made from forged steel or ordinance brass. Just making sure it is understood that only the rimfire lever guns are of the low melt zinc alloy. The centerfire Henry rifles are comparable to Marlin but as well they are different. The OP can see there is some passion involved in the choice. He will just have to choose which features, asthetics and feel are important to him.
If Henry made that 22 in a special edition of the solid brass I think I would need to own one.
On the subject of grind or sanding marks on the receivers. Some consider that to be correct. There is a fine line there between too much and not enough. My JM Marlins have vertical grind marks still visible on the receiver sides. I like it that way. So does my Remington SBL and 336SS. My Ruger SBL is nearly a mirror polish. Did Ruger get that asthetic right or did they simply decide to leave no marks, at least on that model. I am just saying that visible grind marks, well, they can be attractive to the finish. The rifle has to look finished to the purpose to be authentic.
If Henry made that 22 in a special edition of the solid brass I think I would need to own one.
On the subject of grind or sanding marks on the receivers. Some consider that to be correct. There is a fine line there between too much and not enough. My JM Marlins have vertical grind marks still visible on the receiver sides. I like it that way. So does my Remington SBL and 336SS. My Ruger SBL is nearly a mirror polish. Did Ruger get that asthetic right or did they simply decide to leave no marks, at least on that model. I am just saying that visible grind marks, well, they can be attractive to the finish. The rifle has to look finished to the purpose to be authentic.
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I have a Henry 30/30 (with side gate) and a new Ruger/Marlin 30/30, both are great rifles. You wouldn’t go wrong with either. The Marlin is “prettier”. Both shoot well, as for fit/finish…. They look good to me but I bought them to shoot/hunt with so I don’t get too wrapped up in that.
I have a Henry 30-30 with the color case hardened finish and it is finished as well as any rifle I own. Mine is 4 years old, and does not have the side gate. Has very nice wood, good wood to metal fit and cycles super smoothly. Would happily buy another.
I also own a JM Marlin 1894 in .357 and a late Remlin 1895 in 45-70 and both look excellent and function great. For me, the choice would be 6 of one and half a dozen of the other. Let us know what you decide!
I also own a JM Marlin 1894 in .357 and a late Remlin 1895 in 45-70 and both look excellent and function great. For me, the choice would be 6 of one and half a dozen of the other. Let us know what you decide!
I got to hold and look at a 44 mag Ruger era Marlin the other day and was pretty impressed with the fit and finish of it. The lever was smooth and easy to throw, and it had a decent trigger. What impressed me most was the weight. It felt light and easy in the hand. The Henry's I have looked at all seemed heavy for what they are, especially for a handgun cartridge.
