New Henry Side Gate models

[GunnyGene]

Henry has announced new sidegate pistol caliber BBS models. Including the ever popular .44mag, and .38/357. These are traditional Henry's with walnut furniture and none of the "tactical" stuff. Also available in CCH w/Octagon barrel.

Take a look:

https://www.henryusa.com/rifles/big-boy-steel-side-gate/

https://www.henryusa.com/rifles/big-boy-color-case-hardened-side-gate/

 

[kmoore]

I have handled and looked over Henrys several times, most recent is the long range model with detachable magazine. I may get 1 in 6.5 CM someday. I have a yellowboy .22 caliber 20 inch bbl and enjoy shooting it as much as the 10-22 sportier I own.
Henrys always have a great fit and finish. I just never could get over a center fire lever without a side gate. It's such a simple thing, but makes reloading so much easier and faster. If I did not have a 1892 clone imported from Rossi by Navy Arms in the early 1980s in .357. That still looks new and shoots great. I would be all over that case hardened with the standard size lever. The over size lever look cool, but I finger the lever not grabbing it to return the action closed. I am not sure how others use them, I tried in a store with the John Wayne 94s and found it difficult to do fast and smooth.

 

[ProfessorWes]

I'll take the BB Steel side-gate carbine in .357, please.

And the BB CCH sidegate carbine in .44. Yeah, I know: greedy. :mrgreen:

Would have liked the BB-X better if they'd fitted it with All Weather-style black laminate stocks instead of polymer. I've seen at least one guy online who did so retrofit his BB-X with All Weather furniture, and last I heard he was trying to fit the BBX rails to the forestock. Looked pretty good.

 

[Valmet]

A friend of mine owns two and likes them. I’ve fired them a few times and they’re very nice rifles, likely the best their is in a contemporary lever gun- at least until Marlin returns to their glory (fingers crossed).

 

[32magfan]

I have three Henry’s and one more on the way. I have the two 327 steel Big Boys (rifle and carbine) and the Big Boy steel rifle in 41 Magnum. I have a brass carbine in 327 en route that I just purchased today. I decided to get it after they did not announce the new side gate rifle in 327. I get it... doesn’t mean I have to like it!!

They are nice rifles. I would have some rimfires if I didn’t have several 10/22’s and two good Marlin 39’s. I drooled on a brass rifle in 35Remington yesterday at Gamaliel Shooting Supply in south central KY. Very nice.

If Ruger fixes Marlin, I may be drawn back to them. 327 would be a no-brained for me to buy- I have so few, you know? :mrgreen:

32Magfan

 

[powder smoke]

A friend of mine owns two and likes them. I’ve fired them a few times and they’re very nice rifles, likely the best their is in a contemporary lever gun- at least until Marlin returns to their glory (fingers crossed).

Never had a lick of trouble with my Winchesters One in 30 30 the Other 45colt.
Ya I want a Henry maybe in 44mag. See how things pan out this spring. I like pistol
calibers in lever guns only need to carry one caliber of ammo for both side arm and long gun.ps

 

[GunnyGene]

Henry Video about the new and future models.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzPOuGoTvgA

 

[jack black]

Why do I still see a cut out on the mag tube?

 

[diffy40]

Why do I still see a cut out on the mag tube?

Quote from the brochure; "For added versatility, we included a side loading gate and retained the removable tube magazine for easy top-offs, and quick, safe unloading."

 

[eveled]

Pretty neat to have both options.

 

[RICHP]

Why not the .41 and .327?

 

[toysoldier]

Why do I still see a cut out on the mag tube?

So you can empty the magazine without having to work all the cartridges through the action.

 

[paboxcall]

Why do I still see a cut out on the mag tube?

Quote from the brochure; "For added versatility, we included a side loading gate and retained the removable tube magazine for easy top-offs, and quick, safe unloading."

Thanks - that answered my question as well.

 

[GunnyGene]

Why not the .41 and .327?

I asked the company about that regarding the .41. I expect the answer would be the same for the .327.

Email reply to my question:

Thank you for your interest. We are making the .41 as always in our Big Boy Classic model only. I will link you below. If you need further assistance, please feel free to give us a call. Have a great night and stay well.

There will not be any new .41 Mag BBS's. Side gate or otherwise. It will only be offered in the Brass receiver with no side gate, and only octagonal barrel for the Classic Rifle and Classic Carbine. So those of us with a BBS or Carbine .41 mag have just become owners of collectible (or obsolete) Henry's. Such is life.

I have no doubt it was a business decision, since the .41mag and the .327 are not big sellers (profit margin isn't good), and at least for the .41mag, ammo has always been a niche caliber, even tho it is a superior round in several ways to both the .357mag, and the .44mag.

 

[kmoore]

I quick safety talk on unloading a lever action and some others. Yes it is dangerous to unload a firearm by working the action to chamber a live round and then eject it.
Proper way; While pointing the firearm in a safe direction, open action fully so it picks up the round from the magazine. Return lever about half way closed. Doing so the round is not chambered and will not fire. Pick up the round from the open action or fully open the action if it will eject the live round. You can also turn the gun over so the round falls out.
I have read about accidents and witnessed one were the unknowing owner of a lever action fully cycled the action and chambered the live round from the mag. to unload it while pulling the trigger.
The advantage of the side gate Henry's keeping the magazine tube load/unload option will be a safer way to unload IMO.

 

[toysoldier]

I quick safety talk on unloading a lever action and some others. Yes it is dangerous to unload a firearm by working the action to chamber a live round and then eject it.
Proper way; While pointing the firearm in a safe direction, open action fully so it picks up the round from the magazine. Return lever about half way closed. Doing so the round is not chambered and will not fire. Pick up the round from the open action or fully open the action if it will eject the live round. You can also turn the gun over so the round falls out.
I have read about accidents and witnessed one were the unknowing owner of a lever action fully cycled the action and chambered the live round from the mag. to unload it while pulling the trigger.
The advantage of the side gate Henry's keeping the magazine tube load/unload option will be a safer way to unload IMO.

This is why I like the safety on my Rossi 92. I can quickly empty the magazine with very little chance of accidental discharge. That's the only time I use the safety.