.357 Levers: Henry or Chiappa or...

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RielM

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Looking at .357 Magnum Lever action rifles. Id like to eventually use it for cowboy action type shooting. Looking around, I have seen the Henry Big Boy and the Chiappa 1892 LA Trapper chambered in that caliber for sale new. I haven't seen the Marlin 1894 available new in .357. Between the Henry and Chiappa, Is one better built these days? I like the idea of the 16" barrel on the Chiappa but Henrys are US made. Is there anything else around the 1K mark and available that should be on my radar?
 
I have a Chiappa 92 in 44magnum, it has a real quality finish, the action is smooth, I like that rifle and I use it for deer hunting, would not hesitate to buy the same in .357
 
RielM said:
However, just did a little more research into the Henry.. Not a big fan of the tube magazine without the loading gate on the receiver.
Click to expand...

I was the same way, until I actually tried it. For one, "tube loading" is easier to do when wearing gloves. With some practice I load my 357 Big Boy faster than my Model 94. What I really like with Henry is the service and how easy it is to get parts/accessories/upgrades. Good luck finding parts for a Rossi/Chiappa/Win94.
 
I have a Rossi in 44 and a Henry Big Boy in 357... Henry wins by far..slick action..just pleasant and beautiful but heavy asf. And is ready to put on a peep or rail for an optic.
The Rossi is light, and handy, but the action is gritty and the safety a PIA. Also no easy way to mount a peep or optic if you wanted.
I notice little difference in loading times, but the gate is simpler.
I treat the Rossi as bit of a beater bush gun, the Henry as a plinker/display piece.
 
Out of your two options, go with the Henry

However, if you like Marlin's you can find an 1894C/CS with some patience. I have an 1894C and a holy grail 1894CSS and they're both easily in my top 5 favorite rifles
 
Well I am partial to Marlins myself but the Henry is miles better than Chiappa and certainly rivals the Marlin in many ways...I just have a personal preference for Marlin. Henry is oh-so smooth and rock solid!
 
I have a couple of steel Henrys a 44 and a 45/70 they are not as heavy as the brass models, the tube loading is a pain with a .22 but in the bigger calibres it is simple and fast.
 
Here's my 3. The Henry just oozes class .
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out
 
On a side note...
You mention you wanted to use it for Cowboy Action. The 16 inch barrel will not work for you. Almost all stages require you to load 10 rounds in your rifle. A 16 inch barrel does not allow that. You will need 20 inches at least. Better check on capacity with whatever you go for.
 
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