Mare's Legs - Chiappa or Henry???

Gun-adian

Gun-adian

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At my bench, reloading ammo
Now that these things have been out for a fairly decent amount time for people to get a good feel for them, I'm looking for honest opinions from owners and former owners. Please don't bother with the "useless gun" comments. I own a Ranch Hand because it's fun to shoot and I like the look of it. I rarely buy guns based on practicality. If I did, I'd only own three and that's no fun at all!!!

My Rossi is in .45 Colt and I'm seriously considering getting another one from either Henry or Chiappa. Not that these things were ever designed to be tack drivers, but is one more accurate than the other?? Which one has better fit and finish?? Take-down models, yes or no?? Reliability?? Other calibers?? .357?? .44?? .45 again??

Ammo availability isn't an issue because I cast and load for all three calibers.

What say you, CGN???

Thanks.
 
Had the chance to compare both side by side. The Henry is much better in terms of fit and finish and functions smoother out of the box so I got the Henry.
 
I'd go with the Henry, everyone I've owned and handled has been excellent as far as fit and finish go. Butter smooth. On top of that my experience with their customer service department had convinced me that this is a company I will happily spend my hard earned money on their products. The owner seems like a great guy who stands behind his products and does a lot for the shooting community.
 
Another vote for Henry. I have a Big Boy Steel Carbine, so almost a Mares Leg. Mega smooth action and nice quality.
 
Gun-adian said:
...........
A: I'm looking for honest opinions from owners and former owners.
B: I rarely buy guns based on practicality.
Click to expand...

A: A waste of fine ammunition. If you like spraying lead into the atmosphere...this is your gun. Yes I owned the Chiappa 44 mag..
A-1: Are not owners and former owners (experiences) one in the same?

B: This is definitely the gun for you.
 
I bought the 1892 Chiappa in .44 mag. Its a mare's leg with a full stock though. The thing is a beauty, action is smooth, case hardened steel on wood with the large loop is cats ass. Fit and finish is superb. Calibre did a huge write up on it (check their website) and I would have to say they were bang on the money. My only complaint is that I love shooting it (as do my buddies) and .44 is so damn expensive....
 
Really? Dang I'm torn now..

I've got the Henry in a .22 & .357. The .357 has a gorgeous fit and finish and functions great, but I want a .44 too.. #itsaslipperyslope haha

I've got a couple buddies with .357 Rossi's, and the Henry is definitely a big step up (and they both want to trade for mine every time it comes out). Like the OP, 75+% of my collection is based around fun vs practicality so I usually bite the bullet and find the funds for whatever I like better - or I just pass if I can't.

Never seen a Chiappa mare's leg in person, but I have their triple threat & 1887 mares leg shotguns, and the Rhino revolver. Overall very impressed by the quality.

Wanstalls recently brought in a couple .357 and .44 Chiappa take down mare's legs. Was going to jump on the .44 but missed out by a couple days. Can still place an order with 25% down ($1,089 msrp) and they said it'll take about 3 months to get in; probably what I'll do. The nice thing about the chiappa/rossi is the side gate loader. The Henry has the tube, so no topping up unless you want to stop and unscrew it. Also wanted the take down feature this time round.
 
HadEnuff said:
I bought the 1892 Chiappa in .44 mag. Its a mare's leg with a full stock though. The thing is a beauty, action is smooth, case hardened steel on wood with the large loop is cats ass. Fit and finish is superb. Calibre did a huge write up on it (check their website) and I would have to say they were bang on the money. My only complaint is that I love shooting it (as do my buddies) and .44 is so damn expensive....
Click to expand...

D@mn..aight I'm sold. Probably calling Wanstalls in the am :D
 
Gun-adian said:
Now that these things have been out for a fairly decent amount time for people to get a good feel for them, I'm looking for honest opinions from owners and former owners. Please don't bother with the "useless gun" comments. I own a Ranch Hand because it's fun to shoot and I like the look of it. I rarely buy guns based on practicality. If I did, I'd only own three and that's no fun at all!!!

My Rossi is in .45 Colt and I'm seriously considering getting another one from either Henry or Chiappa. Not that these things were ever designed to be tack drivers, but is one more accurate than the other?? Which one has better fit and finish?? Take-down models, yes or no?? Reliability?? Other calibers?? .357?? .44?? .45 again??

Ammo availability isn't an issue because I cast and load for all three calibers.

What say you, CGN???

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Here's my Henry Mare's Leg with a full length stock installed: https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1456690-Henry-Mare-s-Leg-44-Mag-with-full-length-stock

29505598140_fdfa9d33a8_b.jpg
 
Thats where I bought mine. I suggest you read the article about them at Calibre's site (good review). The wood is beautiful compared to the more mundane solid of the Henry and Rossi (my opinion), the case hardened steel gives it a real old feel (like its been in the saddle for a few years) and man, does it go bang. Its a great shooter. Fun as hell....
 
Had both at same time and prefer the Chiappa takedown 44 mag. Had to send the Henry 44 mag on warrantee for an apparently common defect on the loading tube that splits at the top end. Took them 9 months to have it back in my hands. Lost my confidence in the Henry and sold it.
 
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