Big Boy Revolver

[ditchparrot]

S&W would never make something as ugly as the henry.......Wonder how many they've sold......3? 4? maybe.

Yep, it's all about the beholder's perspective. To me, that Picatinny rail on the top of the new S&W 1854 is nothing short of hideous!

It still wouldn't stop me from buying it if I thought I had a good use for it, but the last thing I need is another lever gun.

[BigAl52]

Need has never entered my mind when buying another gun of any kind. But want sure has

[Travlin]

There is good evidence that Wyatt Earp used a top break S&W at the famous gunfight. Don't think for a minute that most of the western gunmen would not have used a swing out cylinder double action revolver if they could. My grandfather got his first electric circular saw when he was almost seventy and he sure didn't let it sit at home while still using a handsaw to build houses . The written records show that "Doc" liked a nickel plated Colt.Even the Texas Rangers started using Colt 1911's as soon as there were enough made for the non military market. Maybe H.R.A. should consider making a muzzle loading rifle after all it's traditional.

[North Country Gal]

Agree. The 1873 SAA or Peacemaker wasn't the only revolver used in the Old West, not by a long shot and hey, I love the Colt.

As for the Henry revolver, true, S&W and Colt wouldn't make that style of DA revolver these days, but they sure did in the past, so Henry's attempt to go retro on a DA revolver is pretty authentic. Where Henry may have made a mistake as far as marketing is overestimating the interest in that retro style of DA revolver. Historically, though, that style of DA revolver was carried right along with lever guns in the 1890s and early 1900s. Remember, too, that old style DA revolver nearly killed the single action market until the TV westerns became popular in the 1950s. At the start of WW II, Colt ceased production of the SAA and had no plans to resume production. They changed their minds, though, when TV westerns hit the scene in the 1950s and Bill Ruger beat them to the punch with Ruger single actions.

No, I probably won't buy a Henry revolver. If I want to go retro DA, I'll look for an early Smith or Colt DA to add to the collection. I rate the Henry's retro look to be fairly authentic, though, so if you don't like the looks of the Henry revolver, you sure wouldn't like the looks of an early Smith or Colt DA revolver. Personally, I'd like to see more reviews on how the Henry revolver shoots and performs rather than all the belly aching about its looks. Each to their own, as always, though.

[BigAl52]

Agree. The 1873 SAA or Peacemaker wasn't the only revolver used in the Old West, not by a long shot and hey, I love the Colt.

As for the Henry revolver, true, S&W and Colt wouldn't make that style of DA revolver these days, but they sure did in the past, so Henry's attempt to go retro on a DA revolver is pretty authentic. Where Henry may have made a mistake as far as marketing is overestimating the interest in that retro style of DA revolver. Historically, though, that style of DA revolver was carried right along with lever guns in the 1890s and early 1900s. Remember, too, that old style DA revolver nearly killed the single action market until the TV westerns became popular in the 1950s. At the start of WW II, Colt ceased production of the SAA and had no plans to resume production. They changed their minds, though, when TV westerns hit the scene in the 1950s and Bill Ruger beat them to the punch with Ruger single actions.

No, I probably won't buy a Henry revolver. If I want to go retro DA, I'll look for an early Smith or Colt DA to add to the collection. I rate the Henry's retro look to be fairly authentic, though, so if you don't like the looks of the Henry revolver, you sure wouldn't like the looks of an early Smith or Colt DA revolver. Personally, I'd like to see more reviews on how the Henry revolver shoots and performs rather than all the belly aching about its looks. Each to their own, as always, though.

Belly Achin and age go together NCG

[daytime dave]

I hate to say it, but when I saw the first photographs of the Henry revolver last year, it was right around the first part of April. It was so ugly I thought it was an April fool's joke. A year hasn't changed much of my opinion on it's looks. I have yet to see one in person, so I can't comment on that aspect of the gun.
If it shoots nicely, has a good trigger and handles .357 magnums with a nice felt recoil, I wouldn't say no to purchasing one. Since it's a Henry product, I would certainly give it the benefit of the doubt. I want to believe it's performance is top notch.

It took me a very long time to warm up to the looks of Ruger revolvers, especially the double action ones. It's taken even longer to warm up to Charter Arms revolvers. Sooooo............ there is hope for the Henry revolver with me.

As NCG said, the early Colt and Smith and Wesson revolvers look vastly different from the current models.

[markiver54]

For anyone interested, the new issue of "American Handgunner" features the Big Boy revolvers including some nice pics of them.

[Vaquero]

For anyone interested, the new issue of "American Handgunner" features the Big Boy revolvers including some nice pics of them.

Hey Mark, I got my copy today. Pretty good write up.
And it made the Centerfold...

RP

[Mags]

Online Article from the May/June 2024 Issue
https://americanhandgunner.com/top-slid ... 57-magnum/

[Tailgunner]

All these comments about Henry's "ugly" revolver, consider Glocks....I don't own any now, and being ugly is just one of the reasons I don't. The ones I had left the fold mainly because they never fit my hands...but the machinery was there, and they always worked. My Henry Big Boy 357 revolver works too, and quite well, and it is completely unlike my Smiths, Rugers and Colts. The brass, wood and blued steel speaks of old school stuff, and is not pleasing to everyone, but it is to me. I'm glad Henry took the chance to make a unique handgun like this, and I hope it's a success for them.
Keep the Faith

[North Country Gal]

I would like to see more reviews on the Henry revolver, but I think some owners don't want to get trashed about their revolver being ugly, so they don't post. Haven't seen it too much on this forum, but I have on other forums. I think that is a real shame.

[Tailgunner]

My Big Boy Birdshead is a gem...I have about 300 rounds through it now, mostly 38s, but some really hot 357s.
It has handled all of that very well, and it's smoothing up enough so my double action rhythm is good, and the holes end up where I want them.
It has a feature that is not available in my other revolvers, and that is the crane and cylinder is removed with a button inside the trigger guard, and I can clean the cylinder much easier that way. Balance is good, and the trigger press is straight back, as it should be, not always the case with some revolvers. It reminds me of older Colt Army Special revolvers and the Colt Lightning as well with the backstrap hump. The hump, by the way, keeps the gun anchored during recoil, which aids in follow up shots. It comes with 3 different front sight blades, and can be changed for elevation if necessary. The cylinder locks up at the front, with a ball detent in the crane, a nice touch.
This is a beefy heavy duty gun, and with a lifetime warranty, a safe bet I think. It's also a shooter, not a safe queen. Brass grip frame is just cool. I like it!

[North Country Gal]

Now, that is the kind of review I like to see. Well done, Tailgunner.

I do appreciate the ball detent lockup. I had a couple of recent S&W magnum revolvers that use it. Great modern upgrade. I did not know the Henry had it.

Also did not know about the crane and cylinder release or the straight back trigger pull. Very interesting and informative.

These modern touches also help to explain the price of the Henry. Yeah, I think I'm going to take another look at the Henry when I can find one, locally, to inspect. Thanks, again.

[zaitcev]

My Taurus has a removable crane and I agree that it's a convenience feature.

BTW, I finally handled a Big Boy Revolver at a gun show. It is surprisingly chunky, almost feels like Ruger Redhawk. The trigger guard is enormous, set up for people in gloves. Very nice feeling all in all.

[Bake]

Does the Henry's 357 Big Boy Revolver remind anybody of the old Colt Trooper, which wasn't all that popular back 'In-the-Day' ? ? ?

[North Country Gal]

Does me, even with some even older S&W and Colt revolvers. A lot of folks don't realize that what you see in the Henry revolver styling was standard for vintage DA revolvers for many, many years.

Here's my highly collectible 1937 vintage Colt Officers Target 22 LR and believe me, this 22 revolver was at the very top of the heap in 22 DA revolver competition in its day. It won more national match competitions than any other revolver in its day. No one ever complained about its looks. That's the way all DA revolvers looked in back in that day. I'd feel right at home shooting the Henry.

[Travlin]

I have an old model Colt Trooper 6 inch .357 that I bought in the late sixties. It has about 3K rounds through it and is still in time withe no end shake in the cylinder. The action is the old Vee spring the same as the Pythons and it is now very smooth. I really like the very wide hammer spur it has and wish that Ruger would take the hint.

[North Country Gal]

I'd love to add a vintage Colt from the Trooper series. For whatever reason, though, there's not many vintage Colt revolvers that come up for sale in our area. Vintage S&Ws are much more common. Got very lucky on the above vintage Colt.

[Tailgunner]

Again, what I see with the Big Boy revolver is 1920-30's DA revolver styling (which I like) with contemporary upgraded features and present day metallurgy and machining advantages. That's a good combination for an old revolver shooter like me, and it's the best of both worlds. The lifetime warranty is a real plus. And, it's a shooter to boot. Keep the Faith.

[Travlin]

I love the old Colt Trooper and it is the one that started me in reloading. However, my best example of vintage Colt is 1937 Colt 1911 National Match .45 that I bought in the late sixties and as I am now going through radiation therapy, I will most likely be finding it a new home.