Henry Big Boy

Name: Henry Big Boy
Model: Henry Repeatng Arms Big Boy
Caliber: .44 magnum
Type: lever action rifle
Scale: character
Skill: firearms
Ammo: 10
Ammo Container: internal magazine tube
Weight: 3.94kg
Cost: $900
Ammo Cost per Round: $0.88
Availability: 2
Fire Mode: lever action
Rate of Fire: 5 per round
Range: 1-21 / 144 / 207 m
Damage: 5D

Capsule: The lever action Henry Big Boy was introduced in 2001 as a .44 Magnum caliber carbine. It was widely acclaimed for its beautiful brass receiver, octagon barrel, and smooth action. That year the Big Boy was awarded the Guns and Ammo "Gun of the Year Award."

The .44 Magnum Big Boy was followed by a .45 Long Colt version, appearing identical except for caliber. And in 2006 the .357 Magnum Big Boy was introduced. All three share the same basic features, including a select walnut stock, octagon barrel, a mirror polished brass receiver, brass "carbine" style butt plate, and brass forend/barrel band.

They also share an exceptionally smooth lever action. This action has much more in common with a Marlin 336 action than with anything designed by B. Tyler Henry. Key features include a round breechblock, rear locking bolt, two piece firing pin, Marlin type ejector, side ejection, and solid top receiver. The mechanics of the lever system are very similar to a Marlin 336, including the lever plunger and trigger lock system that requires that the action be fully closed and locked before the trigger can be pulled.

But while the Marlin action uses a hammer half-cock notch and a crossbolt safety, the modern Henry action uses a transfer bar located in the hammer face to keep the rifle "safe." The transfer bar positively prevents discharge unless the hammer is first fully cocked. That can be accomplished by thumb cocking if the chamber is loaded or working the lever action if it is not.

The rifle automatically returns to a safe condition after firing or if the hammer is manually lowered. Be sure to remove your finger from the trigger as soon as the hammer is released so that the gun cannot fire accidentally if your thumb should slip while lowering the hammer.

Henry stocks their rifles in select black walnut. If you notice the photos in the 2006 Henry catalog you will see that most of the rifles pictured are stocked in handsome walnut, and a few are exceptional. The Big Boy rifle that we reviewed (that article is on the Product Review Page) came with spectacular walnut, far better than average, and average for a Henry Big Boy is pretty darn good.