I'd take the Henry because it has no crossbolt garbage added. Then again, from what I've seen, lots of modern people (aka DANGEROUS RETARDS) won't bother to spend one minute learning how to safely use a gun with a hammer and a half cock safety (or, similarly, the transfer bar in the Henry) and for them, they need the Marlin, because they'll actually walk around carrying a lever gun with the hammer at full cock. Actually they need to be kept in a rubber room away from pointy sticks and anything else but I won't comment on that.

 

Henry. Because brass frame and metal but plate.

 

I'd also add that the Henry side gate .45/70 offers both side gate loading and loading / unloading via the port on the magazine tube.

If you've ever picked up both a Henry .45/70 and a Marlin .45/70, there are some differences in the stocks. In theory the differences are minor but I think Henry's stock is more comfortable.

 

I'd also add that the Henry side gate .45/70 offers both side gate loading and loading / unloading via the port on the magazine tube.

If you've ever picked up both a Henry .45/70 and a Marlin .45/70, there are some differences in the stocks. In theory the differences are minor but I think Henry's stock is more comfortable.

Ok...rant mode on.

Why does every lever action rifle have to have a big loop lever on it?. Is the Lucas McCain/Rifleman fan club that big? I can operate a small loop lever just as fast, with no need to spin it around.

I can't stand the Henry rifles mainly because they have both the side gate and the magazine tube port. Makes it look like a .22LR on steroids.

Don't get me started on "Tactical" Lever Action Rifles.

I love the .45-70 Cartridge, and if buying a new rifle in .45-70 it would be 1. Winchester/Browning/maybe Chiappa Model 1886, 2. Marlin 1895 Cowboy with 8+1 capacity, 3. standard Marlin 1895.

Rant mode off.

 

Marlin 100% in that category. I have some Henry's in .22 and they are amazing shooters. But the full size Henry's just look off to me. And they are HEAVY. Not a bad thing with a 45-70, but not nearly as sexy as the Marlins. I certainly don't want a metal butt plate with full power 45-70 either.

 

I vote for Marlin especially if its a current manufacture.

 

I've got two Henrys, my late wife's .44 Magnun Big Boy with brass receiver and my Steel carbine in .41 Magnum.
I just got a Marlin 1894 in .357 Magnum.
The Henrys are good rifles and the Marlin is well made. you couldn't really go wrong with either.
The Marlin may not appeal as much to those with a long acquaintance with the brand because of the changes.
If I had to choose i'd go with the Henry.

 

Both great choices.

I sure do like the Henry X (and the “all weather”)

Something about it, a 45-70 is on my shortlist. Best of luck in your decision!

 

Id probably find an old JM stamped Marlin from the 1960s or so. Of current lever guns, the Henrys are looking pretty good to me.

 

I‘ve had a few of both, more Marlins than Henrys. Both are real fine rifles, though with Marlins you kInda should inspect before you buy if you’re going used.

I think with Henry you lose a round compared to Marlin because of the mag tube. Henry has super nice people working there when I called, and seems to have great customer service.

I honestly would prefer a Marlin if forced to pick, but you can’t really go wrong with either. They both do pretty much the same thing, after all. If one fits you better or you like something in particular about it more, that’s probably the one for you.

Nice recoil pads are your friend with these 45-70s. Especially if you’re going to shoot the BB or Underwood stuff. Some of the unfriendliest little beasts I‘ve ever shot, and I’m including 338RUM, 416s, and 458s in that mix.

 

I likem both.

 

I dont think you can go wrong with either its a win/win for you. I honestly thing anymore for me its a coin toss or just what ever has the better sale/discount/rebates on it. Im looking at lever guns.. not a 45-70 no real need for that but in a 38/357 Mag same deal there

 

In 45/70 I would say Marlin no contest. The Marlin 1895 is one of the strongest actions out there. You can shoot some pretty stout loads that other manufacturers can't handle. I have one of the original guide guns and it is probably my favorite rifle ever.


I don't think you would be hurting with Henry either. I have been eyeballing several of them as well. But lever gn prices are stupidly high.

 

Buck Elliot kaboomed some lever actions for Freedom Arms decades ago because they wanted to do a .454 in a levergun. You can dig up the results somewhere online if you like because he posted the results on I forgot what forum under his real name. Modern Henry rifles didn't exist yet. Marlin people won't like the results.

 

Buck Elliot kaboomed some lever actions for Freedom Arms decades ago because they wanted to do a .454 in a levergun.

Fun fact, Rossi R92 handles .454 with no issues.

 

Try to get your hands on both and go from there. They're both excellent rifles but holding and handling one may sway you one way or the other.

I own one of each. I have one of the new Marlin "Trapper" 1895's and just picked up a Henry Big Boy All Weather in 44 Mag. My personal recommendation is towards the Henry for the trigger alone. When I got my Henry, I handled the Henry, a Marlin and the new S&W levergun side by side. The Henry was the sweetest by far. Felt great and that trigger... whew! Nice!

My Marlin's trigger is quite literally one of the worse rifle triggers I own. Maybe from the cross bolt safety, maybe not? Either way, it is not a nice trigger.

 

Try to get your hands on both and go from there. They're both excellent rifles but holding and handling one may sway you one way or the other.

I own one of each. I have one of the new Marlin "Trapper" 1895's and just picked up a Henry Big Boy All Weather in 44 Mag. My personal recommendation is towards the Henry for the trigger alone. When I got my Henry, I handled the Henry, a Marlin and the new S&W levergun side by side. The Henry was the sweetest by far. Felt great and that trigger... whew! Nice!

My Marlin's trigger is quite literally one of the worse rifle triggers I own. Maybe from the cross bolt safety, maybe not? Either way, it is not a nice trigger.

Sound advice all around.

 

I have the Henry X in 357, 44 and 45-70 and haven’t had any issues. Love shooting them suppressed.

 

I have a Henry 44 Mag 20" sidegate and a Marlin 1895 22"
I like them both equally. I can find no fault with either.

 

Probably Henry these days

 

Have an older Henry BBS in .357. Put a Skinner sight on it and it's been a fine shooting rifle. When Marlin puts out a stainless .357 I'll take a good look at it.

I did handle several lever action rifles in the gun shop last week. A Henry X, a couple of Rossi's, a Chiappa, maybe a Marlin, don't remember all of them. Didn't come home with anything other the revolver I had ordered in, money spent for the time being. Last week Marlin website said the SBL series .357 was due this spring. Well spring came and went. Now the website says summer........I'll watch the fire flies in the meantime and save some money for some day when........

 

I'm a Winchester guy to the bone and the Chiappa looks, to me at least, like it might be a better 1892.

 

I own both and prefer the older Marlins but the 45-70 SBL is one sexy beast.

 

Have both. It's a coin flip if the feature sets are the same. But there are some functional differences.

 

I've owned both throughout the years and both are fine rifles. I do like the fact that Henry has both the side gate and tube so unloading is safe as can be. I think you have to spend quite a bit more to get a Marlin with the beautiful Walnut furniture.

 

My daughter has a brass Henry in 45-70. IIRC, she said she can not shoot Garrett type loads in her gun. Maybe an all steel Henry can, so, verify what you can and cannot do with the brass Henrys.

Good luck in your quest and post pics once you buy something.

 

While I've handled Henrys and think they're a decent rifle, nothing against them, my vote goes Marlin. I've had, shot, competed with and hunted with Marlins for 40+ yrs. JM (mostly) or Ruger/Marlins have never let me down. 1894s and 1895s and 336s. 44 mags, 45 Colts, 45-70s, a 38-55 and several 30-30s. I do have a Remington built 45-70 GBL that is quite well made. My newest Trapper from Ruger/Marlin (45-70) is amazing.

That stated, my 30-30 336s have been tried and true performers for decades.

Doesn't mean the Henrys won't also be in 40+ years, but my experince with Marlins is top shelf.

The new Ruger made Marlins in 44 mag and 30-30 I've seen at Sheels are some of the nicest I have ever handled.

 

Henry is good, I really like them.

But in my opinion, Marlin is better, especially for the field.

 

I like my Marlin SBL , though I don't think I'd want anything shorter than it for 45-70. Stout modern rounds kick quite hard to the put after 2 or 3 I'm done. I even bought a box of Buffalo Bore, yea 1 round was enough, 2 was dumb. It is a joy to shoot though suppressed with Hornady subsonic ammo, and a lot of ppl were impressed with how quiet it was.

Though I also own abouts 7 Henry's, none in 45-70 though. I'd probably still think about a Henry X model and swap out the furniture for the All Weather furniture