My Boys Want a Lever Action

[Will D]

I recently acquired Henry X Models in 44 Magnum and 30--30. Their polymer furniture make them all-weather. Each have soft rubber butt pads coupled with weight to reduce recoil to minimums with heaviest loads. Best of all is the removal of ONE screw allows easy access to the bores for cleaning.

Henry X Models all have steel receivers and side gates as well as tubular magazines that can be loaded and unloaded from the muzzle, rather than having to always unload by running cartridges through the action..

A red dot sight on the 44 Magnum helped my aging eyes reduce groups from 3.5" groups to 1.5" with Buffalo Bore 255 gr JHP ammunition. A 2-7 Redfield Widefield scope is mounted on the 30-30 that helps produce .75" - 1.25" groups with various 150 gr. and 170 gr. bullets.

These guns are in high demand, so you may not find on your local dealer's racks. I obtained mine through Cabela's by placing a special order and had both within a month.

 

[mercerbear]

My experience with lever guns is mostly with Marlin and Winchester models.

Between the two, I like the design of the Marlins because you only have to remove the lever screw and remove the lever to pull out the bolt to clean the rifle.

My Dad has an old Winchester 94 and I don't like messing around with it. Too many parts have to come off to remove the bolt.

 

[JWhitty]

Personally I'm a sucker for a lever gun. I love all my 336's, 1894's, and 1895's new&old. The 308 ME being one of the top. All my marlin guns are shooters, no problems accuracy wise. My mxlr is a hybrid remlin, in that it was made in the old marlin factory after remington took over. I recently won a newer production 336 in 30-30 full on remlin, made in the New facility and have 0 issues and is also accurate.

I know there was some QC issues during the transition and new factory....but to me you can't go wrong w/ a marlin.

That being said.....a solid Model 99, sexy BLR, or the stand by rugged Win 88 offer more in the way of caliber choice and options but carry a more hefty price tag. I like the 94's, but not a fan of the side mount scope if that's the route you plan on going.
Not very experienced in the henry line only having a golden boy in 22lr, but the action is like glass and runs as fast as I can make it.

 

[xsn10s]

I just bought my first Winchester 94 this year and agree with your observations, including the cool factor! Thanks again!

I saw a really neat leather recoil pad just after I sold my Win 94. No changes needed on the buttstock, it wraps around the butt stock and has a pad. Very cool looking!!!

 

[Will D]

See # 71 above.

 

[436]

I think levers are great rifles and fun to shoot, I shot my biggest Idaho whitetail in Winchester Idaho with my old Win 94 manufacture date 1942 in .30 WCF aka .30-30 Win This rifle is like new and shoots very accurate. Another Win 94 that I've killed Deer with my Win 94 manufacture date 1972 in .44 Mag, never sell the .44 Mag short in those types of rifle. My go-to for most bushbucks today is my 1970s Marlin .44
I've had Marlins 94's and 336's in about every caliber over the years one of the best was .35 Rem Of course the Savage 99 is well respected as a lever gun as is the Winchesters M 88 but I try to stay with the 94 style frame these days although I've had both the aforementioned in the past. The Win M 71 is the one I let go of about four years ago I'm still having nightmares over it. Oh, side note; I have a pair of Win 9422 in .22 LR and .22 Mag couple of the best .22 rimfires I've owned.
But I digress, I'd say look for a good used Win or Marlin and buy, their value doesn't seem to go down, sooner or later it will be worth more than what you paid for it. Good Luck Cheers!

 

[Milt Morris]

My 11 and 14 year old learned about lever actions in their hunter safety training.

Are Marlin 336s worth a dang anymore with Remington going belly up?

Should I get a Henry?

In the long run, they'll be much happier with a bolt action rifle. Get them either a Savage or Ruger 223 with a 10-round magazine.

 

[redleg1013]

Should I get a Henry?

Yes.

And never look back.

 

[flassen]

One advantage to a side loader is, your rifle is not out of commission when you load it. Very handy for topping it off in a dangerous game scenario. The advantage to a tube loader is safety in unloading it. It can be more dangerous to load if the operator is not careful. I don't own a Henry but I have several lever guns. I also have considered purchasing a Henry that loads from the side gate and tube. Henry has a very good reputation. All of my lever guns are in 45-70. You can load wimpy loads like the one posted earlier or hotter loads that have more recoil and better Ballistics. I have shot 45-70 in competition out past 1000 yards. It does drop a lot but that's a good way to learn to shoot. I believe that your boys will do well with whatever you purchase for them. Best of luck to you!

 

[Carlos88]

Levers are stupid money right now as mentioned previously. If you can find one I'd certainly grab it or if you can be patient the new Ruger Marlins should be really good. Ruger is a great match for Marlin IMO and Marlin fills a hole in their line.

I have a 45-70 1885 Remlin that is very nice and problem free. It's one of my favorites. My eyes almost necessitate an optic. I find the LPVO a perfect match. I would like to try the hammer bullets for it. It likes 325 FTX bullets and will cloverleaf them at 100yds.
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My son now has my pre64 Winchester 94 in 30-30. That is also a fun rifle and super smooth. Scopes on those don't work too well and I prefer the Marlin. He loves and appreciates the rifle so that's a win both ways.

I have several BLR takedowns and they are also really cool. I'm in process of rebarreling two with one being a two barrel set. They are less traditional but can shoot modern pointed bullets for better long range performance. Triggers on those aren't great but can be made decent. The BLR safety is one of the best designs out there, second only to the Winchester 70 with 3 position IMO.

That looks like so much fun. Nice rig!

 

[Scooter 45ACP]

My 11 and 14 year old learned about lever actions in their hunter safety training.

Are Marlin 336s worth a dang anymore with Remington going belly up?

Should I get a Henry?

Stay away from the Remington made levers somehow they never did get it right, I know a lot of guys that own them since I live in a state that only allows straight wall cartridge rifles for deer hunting and they have all had feeding problems action lock ups and all sorts of problems, time will tell how the new Ruger made Marlins will be, on the other hand I've never heard anyone knock a Henry other than being overpriced. Depending on what you're going to be using it for they'res lots of other choices, Browning,Winchester or the cheaper note Rossi makes a decent lever gun, it may even be that a used gun like the older Winchester 94 or Savage 99 would be a good choice, whatever you choose I'm sure your boys will have fun and build lots of lasting memories.

 

[Bill in AZ]

Depends on what you need to do and like to do with the rifle. If you are an accuracy nut like me step up to a decent bolt action rifle first and then a lever gun second. If 3 or 4" grouipsat 100 yards is okay, then a lever gun will do. I have opportunit to shoot on a range almost every week and getting 4" groups at 100 yards is not much fun and it prevents one form improving when the gun has these limitations. Also unles you are buying it for hunting get a mild recoiling cartridge so the boys can perfect trigger control and breathing. I shot this 0,257" group this morning from my 6x45 bolt action rifle, 6x45 is simply a 223 case necked up to 6mm.

 

[Muddyboots]

If you ever cycle a Henry in comparison to other Levers, they are smoothest of them all IMO. You pay for quality of materials and really good machining.

 

[xsn10s]