Thanks for your info. I've got two Henry .22 Magnums. Both are accurate and smooth. I also have a Marlin 45-70 Guide Gun with which I got a black bear in southern Canada back in 2008. I'll definitely see if I can locate (Bass Pro/Cabella's) a big bore Henry and do some touchy feely with it prior to ordering one. God bless!Their guns are nice. Generally Patterned after the marlin style of lever guns with changes but with common styling cues,
Fit and finish is on the whole better than the early Remlin guns, equal to or better to the end time before marlin got bought out. However I still recommend getting it in person and making sure all is good. I have held and owned a few and the QC varies like every modern manufacturer. One 45-70 was gritty, the next was smooth. One had great furniture fit, the other looked like a remlin. So don't think just because it is a henry it is heads and shoulders above everyone else.
They can be a little on the pricey side. They finally put in a side loading gate which is a plus for me.
In rifle calibers they are about the same weight as their wood stocked marlin equivalents. The tactical Black versions are substantially heavier. Their Black 30-30 is about 8.5 lbs. A far cry from the 6.5lb marlins or the 6lb winchesters.
In pistol calibers they weight difference is also substantial. An 1892 Win is around the 5.5lb mark, A marlin 1894 in the 6-6.5 mark depending on furniture and barrel length. The henry 7lbs+. This is from them using a shorter action of their standard design as opposed to marlin and winchester using a smaller frame/action. This should not be construed as a "weaker" action as both are at least as strong as the henry. The 1892, probably the strongest.
As far as caliber, for anything with reaching out ballistics like the 308 I would say stick with a bolt gun. They are cheaper and inherently more accurate for that purpose.
For the heavy lobbers like 45-70, 444, or the pistol calibers, that is where the lever gun shines as a 'lightweight' fast handy rifle. To me if you take away the lightweight and handiness, there isn't much point to them.
But if you want one, then get whatever you want. 308 lever gun is definitely different, although it shares a lot in common with a bolt gun except for how the bolt is extracted and looks.
Not with the Henry brand, but I have both rifles.I've gotta get me a .45-70. I've got lever guns and love them. Do I need a lever gun in .45-70? What about that Henry break open single shot .45-70? Anyone have any experience with one of these rifles?