Which gun to buy?

[ratdz]

Ok, I know that Henry will be releasing a 45-70 next year.
Marlin has a few of them now.


I really love the 45-70, I own a NEF one and love it!


I bought my oldest son a Henry 22 for CHRISTmas last year.
Let me tell you it is a smooth, sweet shooting piece!


SO....here is my dilema.....


Which one should I buy, the Marlin 1895 or the Henry?
The only thing I'm not sold on for the Henry is the way you load it. I really like the way the marlin loads.
But I love the fact that a Henry is 100% american made.


Does anyone have any opinions or insights to help me decide?
I'm also going to post this in the marlin forums as well.


Thanks for your input!

[ratdz]

I realized I should have posted this in the lever action section, can it be moved there?

[T.R.]

Henry is much heavier than Marlins due to the outside diameter of the barrel.  Plan to be carrying a heavyweight.  I no longer own this Henry 30-30 due to employment factors and heavy weight. 
 

[STUMPJMPR]

The heavier Henry may soak up some of the 45-70 recoil.  I just read on Henry's site they market the 30-30 as light 7.0-8.3 lbs.

[Rangr44]

I just read on Henry's site they market the 30-30 as light 7.0-8.3 lbs.

OMG !  My .30-30 levergun weighs well under 6lbs ! !   
 
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[STUMPJMPR]

I just read on Henry's site they market the 30-30 as light 7.0-8.3 lbs.

OMG !  My .30-30 levergun weighs well under 6lbs ! !   
 
.

That's what I was thinking.  My Winchester is around 5lbs.  My scoped Marlin is probably about 6.5-7.  The Henry looks like a nice rifle, but they could trim some fat on it.  It probably makes range sessions a little more enjoyable, but not long walking hunts.

[ratdz]

I have seen two different versions of the Henry 30-30. The first one had a plastic butt plate, very heavy round "bull" looking barrel, and a forearm where the wood extended in front of the barrel band.
The second had a rubber butt plate, thinner barrel, a forearm that stopped at the barrel band, and it had sling swivels already installed. The second gun was substantially lighter in feel. Maybe it was just my perception.


After doing lots of looking around on different forums, I'm pretty concerned with Marlin's quality at this time.
I hope they bring back the level of quality they once had.
I've been emailing Henry and I'm certain that I'm going to wait until they get the 45-70 produced.
My only draw back was I'm not a straight stock fan, I much prefer a pistol grip rifle.
Henry told me that the 45-70 will be a pistol grip gun.
They are pretty tight lipped about any other info on the gun yet though.
I sure hope they do it justice and produce a great shooting lever action 45-70, with a reasonable weight.


I can't wait!

[keith44]

Whom ever produces a strong .45-70 levergun and has the BAxxs to not put a safety button or lever or extra bs on the gun will get my money.  All others will stay on the shelf.

[ratdz]

I agree with the button safety/lever whatever. Just give me a basic lever action with a half cock safety and I'll be happy.