Marlin, no loading gate on the Henry.

 

How many times have you needed to reload "quickly" while hunting?

Because I sure haven't, and the tube load can be pretty quick and is an awful lot easier with gloves on anyway.



I'd go the Henry, no doubt about it.

 

I don't hear anything but bad about later Marlins but I don't have any first hand knowledge.

I think @Vart had one and it had some issues that needed to be corrected.

Regards,
Happyguy

 

With the new Marlins it's a roll of the dice. You might get a decent one that will work OK for a while but at some point a part may fail because of poor heat treatment.

Either shop for a used pre-2007 JM stamped Marlin or get a Henry. The henry's are very well made and have some of the best customer service in the business where Remington and Marlin's customer service is the absolute worst and they are back ordered on parts and constantly having to do repairs.

As far as tube loading vs. loading gate, Cowboy action shooters want a loading gate because it's faster to reload and it's more "Traditional" but the tube loading doesn't take much more time to reload once you get used to it and there is a major advantage when it comes time to UNLOAD the gun, that you don't have to cycle the cartridges through the action. You just unscrew the tube and carefully tilt the gun downward to dump the cartridges into your hand.

 

The tube is easier to unload. You don't have to cycle live rounds through the chamber to unload it.

The Henry is a better looking gun in my opinion.

 

I’d go with an older Marlin

 

My feelings too.

 

I’ve never handled a Henry but I have some experience with the basic 1895 from over 15 years ago. It was a fine rifle. I too have read lots of comments about how the quality and customer service has declined since Remington bought them.

One thing I can say about the Henry rifles is that the owner stresses that his rifles are MADE IN AMERICA! He also looks like he cares about making his customers happy and satisfied with their purchase. I watched a YT video yesterday where one of their dealers said that if it’s at all possible or feasible, Henry will build it for you.

It is a beautiful rifle and I think I would like the tube loading more than the loading gate. I always seemed to catch the end of my thumb on it when reloading. Several times it hurt pretty darned good.

Thanks all for your info.
Have a great week everyone!!
Larry

 

How do the repro lever actions from Uberti, Cimarron, Taylor’s & Co., Navy Arms fit into this discussion?

I don’t know if they offer any rifles in 45-70, well Taylor’s does and it’s a short carbine in like a brushed stainless. Nice looking rifle but most of those repro rifles are priced double what the Henry or the Marlin is.

Not sure I see what the really high prices go for. Yeah, they’re really pretty and you can have octagon barrels, but it’s made in Italy and you’ll have to shell out $1,400 or more to get one.
I’d like to see and handle a couple of them though.

Larry

 

How do the repro lever actions from Uberti, Cimarron, Taylor’s & Co., Navy Arms fit into this discussion?

I don’t know if they offer any rifles in 45-70, well Taylor’s does and it’s a short carbine in like a brushed stainless. Nice looking rifle but most of those repro rifles are priced double what the Henry or the Marlin is.

Not sure I see what the really high prices go for. Yeah, they’re really pretty and you can have octagon barrels, but it’s made in Italy and you’ll have to shell out $1,400 or more to get one.
I’d like to see and handle a couple of them though.

Larry

The Browning 1886's made by Miroku in Japan are probably better than any of the Italian made guns. They are no longer in production, but are not hard to find. The guns that are available have rarely seen much use and have almost always been well taken care of. They go for about $12-1400 about the same as the new Italian guns.

I was able to shoot one of these guns an das much as I've enjoyed shooting the pre-safety JM stamped Marlins, the Browning 1886 is on a whole other level. I've shot a few of the originals both 86's and 71's and the Browning is like a brand new Winchester.

 

Winchester would be best, but its about 2x the price of the henry, which is 2x the price of the marlin. Like bac said, get an older JM stamped marlin or the henry. I wouldnt buy anything new that comes from the Remington conglomerate of investment firms.

 

My wife used her cowboy action marlin 45-70 last deer season. she was successful with it and intends to continue to use it for deer seasons here in NY. That being said if you zoom in on the gun you will notice that the loading gate is actually missing in this picture. That's because it broke and Jammed the gun. I had to remove it to clear the jam. However Marlin sent a replacement with in a few days at no cost and I installed it and she hasn't had any additional issues since.

 

I would chose the Marlin over the Henry because of the loading tube. I've noted that on the instruction manuals I've read for other Henry's that they specifically state not to load it pointing straight up and down but at an angle. That raises concerns for me.

I've heard of problems with the Marlins, but then I've also heard they've turned things around. Part of the problem they claim was old tooling that has been modernized.

If I had my druthers though, and you didn't need to mount a scope, I'd save and buy a Winchester.

 

I've noted that on the instruction manuals I've read for other Henry's that they specifically state not to load it pointing straight up and down but at an angle. That raises concerns for me.

Why? The solution is simple. . . Don't load it pointing straight up and down but at an angle. Tilt it 30 degrees or so off center and load it. .

 

I’ve got the older Marlin .45-70 Guide Gun and love it!

 

Was just looking at the trapper 45-70 from Marlin yesterday. Man what a neat carbine.

 

My only lever gun that's not an antique is a Marlin in 45-70, an Acusport model 1895ABL, w/6 shot tube and large lever. The laminated furniture is good looking and seems inpenetrable, I appreciate the thick buttpad, and the "larger loop" works well with my large hands.

I considered the Henry's at the time, but even with their outstanding furniturè the loading tube design caused me pause.

Anyway, I've had zero issues with the Marlin either mechanically or otherwise. It's finished well and operates nice. If I remember correctly I paid around $650+ for it new, probably at least 6 years ago(?).

 

+1 for older Marlin.

 

I like everything about the Henry except how it loads, so my .45-70 is a Marlin, as is my .44 Mag. lever action.

While it would not be true to their tradition, if Henry would introduce a model with a Marlin/Winchester-style loading gate, combined with their "all made in USA from US materials" advertising, everybody who shoots rifles would buy one.

 

If I HAD to choose between those two, I'd pick the marlin because I prefer the loading gate...but the Henry is the finer gun.

 

Definitely Marlin! I have owned Marlins sense the early 70's. Great rifles 30-30, 22, 357, and today 45-70. Currently Big Loop Alaskan Guide STAINLESS STEEL. Never ever had issues. Dependable accurate.
Henry Rifles are attractive but sights are terrible, actions rough.
IMO.
Good Luck.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

Henry Rifles are attractive but sights are terrible, actions rough.
IMO.
Good Luck.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

I have several Henry rifles and would not describe the actions as rough. All 3 of mine have smoooth actions and are accurate as H*LL. Sights are a personal thing. I'm good with buckhorns, some folks aren't. Very easy to throw some Skinner Peep Sights on if your not a buckhorn enthusiast. For a hunting gun a loading tube is not a big deal and much easier to unload at the end of the day. Now if I had to fight off some ****** I'd want a loading gate. The older Marlins were nice, had a few of those too. I can't speak regarding the newer Marlins as I have not had any. Several friends use the Henry 45-70 down here in FL to hunt pigs and love the gun. Quite frankly I believe you could get a Marlin, Henry, Miroku Winny, etc. and with a little work they would all be fine guns. Me my next one is gonna be a Uberti just because.

 

I've read all the Internet crap about the new Marlin rifles and don't buy any of it. I actually OWN those rifles and have absolutely NO complaints about fit, finish or overall quality! In fact, I own old and new style Marlin rifles and can compare them directly side by side. It's true that metal finish is highly polished on the older Marlins, but the new rifles are attractive and are high quality!

I like the cross bolt safety even though it gets trashed by Internet Commandos.

The 45-70 is the top dog in hunting Texas wild pigs. In east Texas, we don't have long shots on pigs, so the 45-70 is perfect!

I used to think that it's a sin to "scope" a lever rifle, but two cataracts demand otherwise.

Flash

 

If I were going to buy a 45-70 lever again I’d get a guide gun a second time.

I’m sure the Henry is a fine weapon. But the lack of a loading gate rules it out for me.

 

Hey all.

Quick question. If you were going to get a .45-70 Rifle for hunting, which one would you choose, the Marlin 1895 in the various configurations or the Henry Rifle in .45-70?

Quality wise, is one better than the other? Is one the overall better choice or is it pretty much a wash??

Thanks all.
Larry

Got the Marlin 45/70 1895 CB years ago, long barrel, nicely accurate, holds 9 rounds of 45/70. Don't like the loading gate prefer the tube load but the Henry 45/70 wasn't around then. Cost about the same, Henry is better looking but the Marlin has the accuracy edge. Both fun to shoot.
I had to have the Packmeyer decelerator placed on my Marlin as shoulder became uncomfortable after 4 or 5 rounds it smoothed it right out. I've seen them with tang sights, ladder sights, red dots, and scopes. all seem to work well.

 

I've read all the Internet crap about the new Marlin rifles and don't buy any of it. I actually OWN those rifles and have absolutely NO complaints about fit, finish or overall quality! In fact, I own old and new style Marlin rifles and can compare them directly side by side. It's true that metal finish is highly polished on the older Marlins, but the new rifles are attractive and are high quality!

I like the cross bolt safety even though it gets trashed by Internet Commandos.

The 45-70 is the top dog in hunting Texas wild pigs. In east Texas, we don't have long shots on pigs, so the 45-70 is perfect!

I used to think that it's a sin to "scope" a lever rifle, but two cataracts demand otherwise.

Flash

Aimpoint red dot on mine.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

I have an older JM Marlin 1895 Cowboy with the sweet 26" octagon barrel in that high quality finish and love shooting it. I have two loads for it...a mild with a 350g bullet at around 1300 fps and a wild with a 405g bullet at 1975fps. One is fun to shoot all day long and the other has a fun factor of around 3-4 shots and then you've had enough. The mild load is fun to shoot at super long distances when the sun is right and watch the vapor trail that the bullet leaves. The wild load would handle most if not all critters in North America.

Mine was bought for me by a client as a gift and if I had it to do over I would be searching for an older model Marlin. Some would prefer the Guide model and I guess that would depend on your purposes for buying the gun. The Guide model certainly would be quicker to hand in tight situations ......but I love to carry my 1895CB in the field and feel the nostalgia from that type of rifle.

I've had some RemMar firearms since the merger and they have all made trips back to the shop for repairs that stretched out to a long period. I sold them.

 

I wouldn’t buy a new Marlin but I would buy a new Henry. Just shot a new Henry .22 the other day and what a smooth, accurate little rifle it was.

 

Since I work p/t in a gunshop here's what I see...

The new Marlins (Remlins or Marlingtons how ever you see it) have had quite a lot QC issues, to the point Ive sent quite a few back in all calibers.

Like a bunch here has already mentioned the older ones that were still built in Connecticut are the ones to have... with that said most people are holding on to thier older models.

The new ones built in Ilion NY are just not really selling and plus with its well known the problems Remington is and has been having.

Henry's are selling more and more. Seen a lot go out the door last season, but have had zero Henry's sent back for any issues.

 

Since I work p/t in a gunshop here's what I see...

The new Marlins (Remlins or Marlingtons how ever you see it) have had quite a lot QC issues, to the point Ive sent quite a few back in all calibers.

How about recently like in the past 6-12 months. Seen any improvements?

 

Ive had Marlins and they are great guns but next one up has to be a Henry because they are so purty. I wan't that long barreled one with the octagonal tube. The balance is wonderful on it.

 

I’ve had the Henry 45-70 for 3+ years. Nothing but good to say about it. Cosmetically it’s a beautiful gun. I hunt with it. I don’t do cowboy shoots so I load it when I go hunt, and unloading it after the hunt is quick and simple. Accuracy is amazing fro the little tank. I liked it so much that this spring I bought the Henry steel 357. Another amazing example of Henry. Like my marlins, but love my Henry’s