comparing Leverguns

[azmark]

I'm looking at lever actions, and really like the Henry Big Boys, although they're a bit expensive.  I've also checked out the Rossi model 92s.  How would you guys compare these two?

[Lurker]

A lot of people get their panties in a wad when I down grade Henry Big Boy rifles and Rossi firearms.

The Henry Big Boys, or any other firearm put out by the New Henry corporation, have nothing to do with the original Henry Corporation which produced the original 1860 Henry rifles. All the Henry people now extant have done, under the late Lou Imparato, is co-opt a famous name in firerarm history.

If you were able to disassemble one of their 22 lever guns, you would see that everything inside of their 22 rifle is very cheaply cast (moulded in metal) without any fitting of the parts.
 
I think the Rossi guns could be built much better than they are now. The matte metal finishes and the dull, uninterestingly appearing wood, are places that Rossi, or their successor could start. Rossi rifles seem to respond well to having a gunsmith go through them, and smooth up their actions. That still costs a good sum of money.

Having worked in a full service gun shop that featured quality gunsmithing, I may understand a little bit more about quality then the normal gun owner. I have a bunch of Marlin leverguns that I like very much.

I like many of the Uberti reproductions as well. I just purchased an unfired Uberti reproduction of the 1866 Winchester. I wish Uberti would make a reproduction of the 1992 Winchester.

Browning/Winchester/Miroku has put out several models of the Winchester model of 1992. These rifles are now discontinued, and are being sold at increasing prices because of their quality and workmanship.

Bill

[quasne.inc]

I had a rossi 92 in .45 colt with the 16 in barrel and it was pretty nice.  PITA to take down though.  The only reason I got it though was because marlin doesnt make a stainless .45colt.  I love the marlins.  They are a little heavier but easier to disassemble and a marlin .30-30 was the first rifle I ever shot so it has some sentimental value.  No experience with the Henrys yet.

[azmark]

I really do like the Marlins, but it seems that they are hard to find.  Has anyone else found that to be the case?

[DEACONLLB]

Every gun show that I make in Tulsa oklahoma has at least a 100 marlins so I have never had a problem finding them except in 357 mag and when I do find one they wont more than new. I finally just ordered a new one well under the asking price for used. I have a number of Henrys but dont care for the alumibrass on the Golden boy and the painted parts on the reg 22, the big Henrys are very heavy but very smooth and shoot well but price wise you can buy two marlins for the price of one big Henry. The one thing I really like on the Henrys is the tube loading, I have never got the hang of loading a marlin without a pinched finger and yes I push one shell in with another but that last one grabs my finger.I finally learned to turn my finger over with nail to loading gate and that works pretty good.

Deaconllb

[azmark]

It's the .357 that I think I want.  I have a GP100, so I could use the same ammo.  I love the looks of the 1894.  I'm not sure how I feel about the .44 mag.  I don't care for it in revolvers and .357 or .38 spl is cheaper anyway. 

I must say, though, that I love my Henry .22.  The action is great and it's a great shooter. 

[tacklebury]

Been quite a few very positive reviews about the Rossi's lately.  Might look down in that forum.  I'm still leaning heavily towards their .45 Colt 24" octagon barrelled long tube.  

http://www.galleryofguns.com/genie/Default.aspx?item=R92-52003&mfg=Rossi&mdlno=R92+Lever+Action+Rifle

They do have the S/S .357 also.  

http://www.galleryofguns.com/genie/Default.aspx?item=R92-51011&mfg=Rossi&mdlno=R92+Lever+Action+Rifle  Price shows $525 tax and all at my location.

[Mikey]

I have a Rossi M92 in 38/357 and really enjoy this rifle.  There is hardly any recoil with 38 Spl loads and even heavy 357s don't kick.  I have only about 2-300 rounds down the tube but I have a ball with it.  The Rossi bore seems to like the same .358 diameter slugs (cast) that my revolvers like, so for me this rifle is a win-win situation.  I do not have any experience with the Henry Rifle but it would have to be way better than the Rossi for me to consider giving one up for the other, or just buying the other.  HTH.

[yukondog]

Dont care to much for the henrys but do like my marlins and I have 2 rossi a 44 mag. and a 454 and realy like them they shoot better than I can.

[quasne.inc]

yukondog  hows the .454 in that rossi?  I've been thinking about one for awhile now.  what kind of velocities are you getting?  does .45 colt cycle reliably or does it hang up being shorter?

[dpe.ahoy]

I have 2 of the Rossi 454's.  16" stainless and a 20" blued.  They both cycle 45 Colts just as easy as the longer 454's.  Haven't run any across the chrony, can't help you on speeds.  I consider them to be my mini 45-70's.  DP

[Aught Six]

I have an EMF Hartford 92 in .357, which was made by Rossi.  I shoot .38 Spl out of it, and it's the sweetest shooting, greatest handling little thing this side of heaven, and with the color case hardened receiver, it looks like a million bucks to boot.

EMF still has some of them left, but since they're no longer doing business with Rossi, when they're gone, they're gone.

[rhernandez914]

I own all of the following so my opinion is based on actual experience working with these guns. I love lever action rifles so I own lots of them. Lots of people give their opinions with no real experience with some guns. They are always knocking this brand or that without really knowing what they are talking about. Ultimately you need to try them out yourself and go with what feels and handles best for you and not bother with what other people think you should buy.

Henry Big Boys are great shooters and are the smoothest lever guns I own. The quality and finish are much nicer than my Marlin, Winchester or Rossi guns. They tend to be a little on the pricey side (Marlin cowboy cost the same) and that bull octagon barrel and brass receiver make them heavier than the other three which is something to consider.  I think they are the nicest looking of the bunch but that is subjective.

Rossi is based on the Winchester 92 and is the least expensive gun to buy. Their metal finish can be rough in some places like the bolt etc. but they shoot great and handle well with a round barrel. The octagon barrel adds some additional heft to the rifle. Rossi has more occasional Quality Control issues (I feel) than the other three makers but are a real bargain if you wind up with a good one (like I did). I hate the little safety on the top of the bolt of the new manufactured ones. Mine is an older version without the safety.

Marlin 1894 has been around forever and is very durable. I have a Cowboy version with the octagon barrel. Marlin makes a really light weight octagon barrel which handles easier to me than the Henry or Rossi similarly equipped. The Marlin is not as smooth as the Henry despite all the rounds that I have fired through it. I have had occasion QC issues with Marlins in the past and do not like cross bolt safety but you get use to it after a while. Marlin are generally better finished than the 94 Winchester or the Rossi.

My Winchester is a 94 in 44 magnum (70s manufacture) without the awful safety they put on later. It is out of production but can be had used at gun shops or shows. Sweet handling and accurate, it handles really well. The finish was very good but not as nice as they Henry or even the Marlin. I later purchased one of the later manufactured one with the ugly bolt safety and got rid of it. The QC was terrible; no wonder they stopped making them. That is a shame as the older 94s like mine are really great guns.

Winchester makes a 92 version made in Japan and finish is far superior to the Rossi but it cost twice as much! I have not bought one yet so have no experience with them so I reserve judgment.

This is just my two cents.

[GH1]

It's the .357 that I think I want.  I have a GP100, so I could use the same ammo.  I love the looks of the 1894.  I'm not sure how I feel about the .44 mag.  I don't care for it in revolvers and .357 or .38 spl is cheaper anyway. 

I must say, though, that I love my Henry .22.  The action is great and it's a great shooter.

I own an 1894 in .357 and I love it.  Like you I own a .357 revolver and I like the idea of being able to share ammo. It makes my reloading bench a little less cluttered.  If you shoot .38's through the 1894 yuo won't even feel any recoil, and even with stout .357 loads there still isn't much.
I must warn you though, the 1894 is a joy to shoot so stock up on ammo!
GH1

[SM Bob]

Every gun show that I make in Tulsa oklahoma has at least a 100 marlins so I have never had a problem finding them except in 357 mag and when I do find one they wont more than new. I finally just ordered a new one well under the asking price for used. I have a number of Henrys but dont care for the alumibrass on the Golden boy and the painted parts on the reg 22, the big Henrys are very heavy but very smooth and shoot well but price wise you can buy two marlins for the price of one big Henry. The one thing I really like on the Henrys is the tube loading, I have never got the hang of loading a marlin without a pinched finger and yes I push one shell in with another but that last one grabs my finger.I finally learned to turn my finger over with nail to loading gate and that works pretty good.

Deaconllb

No problem to find them at all. Just look on Gunbroker.com and Gunsamerica.com All kinds of them. I would go with the Marlin if I had to decide between it, the Henry Big Boy, or the Rossi. I own several Marlins and Henry rimfires. I have owned a couple of Rossi firearms.
Not any of the lever actions, but I wasn't impressed with them. Henry Big Boys might be nice firearms, but they get a lot of money for them. I think the best bang for your buck would be a used Marlin in good shape. Just my .02

                                   Robert