Marlin 1894 vs Henry Big Boy

[Dellboy]

Just bought a brand new old 1894 IN 44 MAG sat in a safe since purchased new in 1998 so is it worth that much ??

[GeeRam]

I welcome peoples thoughts, especially those who have shot both.

I've shot both, and wouldn't buy either.

If I wanted a '92 action, I'd buy a Rossi, the Rossi's I've used have been better than any of the Marlins I've used.

But, if you have a £1k budget, as a couple of others have said, buy a Uberti 1873 Carbine..........they are beautifully made, and the '73 toggle action is super-slick.

[greenshoots]

73 toggle action is super-slick.

agree smooth but only suitable for blackpowder level loads

greenshoots

[jdwoodbury]

That Uberti looks stunning...

I think my big sticking point is that the Marlin allows a scope mount which could be useful should I be serious about gallery rifle competitions. My local RFD now has these in so I will going to take a look today. I believe the Henry is also now drilled and tapped for a scope mount, with only the loading mechanism being contentious.

Decisions, decisions....

[GeeRam]

73 toggle action is super-slick.

agree smooth but only suitable for blackpowder level loads

Can't really think why you'd need more unless you are going to hunt with it......which the OP didn't seem to indicate he would?

[GeeRam]

That Uberti looks stunning...

I think my big sticking point is that the Marlin allows a scope mount which could be useful should I be serious about gallery rifle competitions. My local RFD now has these in so I will going to take a look today.

I'm too old fashioned for that, scopes just look soooooo wrong on a lever action to my purist eyes, but yes, the '73 doesn't allow for that.

You can get scope mounts for the Rossi though, and my point still stands, I'd still buy a Rossi rather than a Marlin (maybe its just all 3 x different Marlins I've shot have been lemons, but the 2 x different Rossi's I've shot were much nicer than any of the Marlins, and half the price!)

[Les]

Henry for me any day. Their actions are silky smooth, they are accurate - and they really look the part, too!

[WelshShooter]

That Uberti looks stunning...

I think my big sticking point is that the Marlin allows a scope mount which could be useful should I be serious about gallery rifle competitions. My local RFD now has these in so I will going to take a look today. I believe the Henry is also now drilled and tapped for a scope mount, with only the loading mechanism being contentious.

Decisions, decisions....

Not sure about the Big Boy but the Marlin is a side eject rifle too, so no need to worry about spent cases bouncing off the scope and jamming the action.

[Sim G]

I'm afraid I wouldn't buy a new Marlin today. Supposedly SMK have had a delivery of 50 new .44 Marlins. Seems the street price of these in the Gunshop's is a pound under a grand!

I've never owned a Henry, but shot one on several occasions. If not well practised with a gate loading lever gun then the tube system won't cause you too much trouble. They are very made and finished, but utterly over engineered.

Looking for a new lever gun today and had a £1k to spend, I'd be looking at Uberti without a doubt. Rossi are not to be sniffed at. We have a 10 year old carbine in the club that still sees 2-300 rounds a week go through it. They're tough.

[Whizzbang]

If gallery rifle competition is something you might consider, I would go for a pre-Remington Marlin. I've had three and still shoot two (.357mag and 45Colt Cowboy). They have proved a joy to use: accurate, slick and handy. One wears a scope, the other peep sights.

As previously mentioned, the "Remlins" were troubled guns, though that may have improved more recently.

Pre-Remington Marlins have "JM" stamped on the side of the barrel, Remington Marlins have serial numbers beginning "MR", I believe. However, there were some produced in the changeover period that have JM stamp and "pre-Remington-style" serial numbers that were made by Remington and had faults. These were around 2008-9 (serial no.s beginning 91xxxxx and 92xxxx).

I expect SimG could tell you more (and correct my errors.)

I hope this doesn't put you off Marlins, they are great guns but Remington has put a huge dent in their well-deserved good reputation.