Trying to decide between Henry and Marlin lever guns

[afret]

I have a .357 Henry and like it a lot so I just ordered a .22 WMR Henry since I have a lot of .22 WMR ammo to use. My next gun will be a 45-70 lever gun. I'm wondering if I should give a Marlin a try or just stick with Henry. The advantage of the Henry for me would be the option to load or unload by the mag tube. I don't think you can do that with the Marlin. How important is this ability? Thanks.

 

[Mark M.]

In my opinion, it's a non issue, if it were up to me, I would go with the Marlin, when handled, they just have a feel better about them, and they're certainly very well built.
but at the end of the day, you can't go wrong either way, it's all personal preference.
I

 

[Ron IA]

Henry for me the quality and craftsmanship is great I have a 44 Mag. and getting ready to get one in 357 mag.

 

[afret]

Thanks for the replies. I might give the Marlin a Trapper or Guide version a try but they sure are hard to find.

BTW, is the Hornady brass sold at retailers the shorter brass made for their pointy bullets?

 

[M-61]

BTW, is the Hornady brass sold at retailers the shorter brass made for their pointy bullets?

Certainly in 45-70
I purchased a Marlin in 45-70 right after Remington bought them. Barret stamped Ilion NY. Fit and finish are superb.

 

[FNSafari]

I was in a gun shop prior to Christmas and the clerk took a call from a chap looking for a Marlin guide gun. He told the caller that he could order one but had no idea if and when he might get it. He said most of Marlins production is going to big distributors and places like WalMart? For what its worth.

 

[afret]

Might have to go on Gun Broker.

 

[vonb]

I have used both Marlin and Henry of recent production. The Henrys I've used are the big Boy .357 the Frontier 22 WMR. The Marlins are the 1894 Classic in .44 Mag and the Marlin 1895 SBL Guide gun in .45-70.

Without a doubt, the Henrys are the smoothest of them all and also have the best triggers. They aren't the classic Marlin or '92 style lever. Therefore, people tend to ignore them. Accuracy with the .357 as cutting holes @ 50 yards with a tuned load. They are a great product.

The Marlins (Rugers) are hit and miss. The 1895 .45-70 was tight out of the box and the stock came with a blemished mark in the laminated stock. Accuracy seems great. The 1894 had some feeding issues from the mag tube out of the box and the ejection port is sharp as a razor. You'd think they would have beveled the action to some degree.

I want to like the Marlins as much as the Henry. However, they need to show me more than they currently are.

 

[nakneker]

I have the Marlin trapper and new Dark in 45-70, both are new Ruger Marlins. I also have a Henry big boy in 45 Colt. I like the Henry but my personal preference is the Marlins. I’m shooting the Dark suppressed and the trapper as is. They also come threaded which is nice in case you ever want to tame the recoil with stout loads or shoot suppressed. Either brand will serve you well though.

 

[CJ6]

Does Henry make their lever in 45-70?

 

[nakneker]

Does Henry make their lever in 45-70?

They do

 

[Big Mc]

I have a .357 Henry and like it a lot so I just ordered a .22 WMR Henry since I have a lot of .22 WMR ammo to use. My next gun will be a 45-70 lever gun. I'm wondering if I should give a Marlin a try or just stick with Henry. The advantage of the Henry for me would be the option to load or unload by the mag tube. I don't think you can do that with the Marlin. How important is this ability? Thanks.

Ford / Chevy Thing. Tommy Mc

 

[quest450]

Tacti-cool Henry in 45-70
I’m doning my asbestos flame proof suit

 

[shortgrass]

Tacti-cool Henry in 45-70
I’m doning my asbestos flame proof suit

View attachment 1622799

What! No laser or night vision?

 

[crowsnest2002]

I have a Rem Marlin 30-30 youth, and man is it awesome for in the ladder stand. Overall I'm satisfied with it. Figured I'd mention it due to the multiple owners over the course of time of Marlin.

 

[joshb]

Tacti-cool Henry in 45-70
I’m doning my asbestos flame proof suit

View attachment 1622799

A travesty!!!

 

[ebb]

That flame proof suit is not going to be enough. Maybe a grocery bag over your head when you go to the range.

 

[ebb]

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/449797081504380517/

Maybe I could take this gun and go with you!

 

[LVLAaron]

The new Marlins made by Ruger are really excellent. I have one in 357 and a friend has one in 45-70.

 

[JSH]

After handling Marlins and Winchesters since a young chap, I am biased.
You could hand me all three in a dark room and I could tell you who made them just from the feel.
The Henry rifles just don’t balance or feel right to me, fyi I have tried to like them.