Description
I was at the range last weekend, breaking in a new lever gun, and a guy on the next bench kept glancing over. Finally, he walked up and asked, “What in the world is that?” He was looking at the Henry Big Boy Silver, .357 Mag/.38 Special, 20″, 10rd, American Walnut. It’s not every day you see a lever-action rifle with a brilliant, polished stainless steel receiver and barrel paired with rich American walnut. That’s the kind of attention this rifle commands.
So, what is it? The Henry Big Boy Silver is a centerfire lever-action rifle chambered in the versatile .357 Magnum/.38 Special cartridge pair. It features a 20-inch barrel, a 10-round tubular magazine, and is built with a polished stainless steel frame and barrel set against a classic American walnut stock and forend. It’s a modern take on a timeless design, built for durability and smooth operation. Here’s the thing—it’s as much a showpiece as it is a serious shooter, and I’ve put a few hundred rounds of both .38 Special and full-power .357 through my own to prove it.
The first thing you notice is the fit and finish. Henry’s reputation for quality is on full display. The action is slick right out of the box, with that signature Henry smoothness that only gets better with use. The polished stainless steel isn’t just for looks; it provides excellent corrosion resistance, which is a genuine benefit for hunters or anyone storing a firearm in a humid Missouri climate. The American walnut has a deep, hand-rubbed oil finish that feels substantial and looks fantastic against the bright metal. At just over 7.5 pounds unloaded, it has a solid, balanced heft that settles nicely into the shoulder without feeling cumbersome.
Let’s talk about the caliber. The .357 Magnum/.38 Special chambering is arguably one of the most practical pairings available in a lever gun. You can run inexpensive, low-recoil .38 Special for plinking and small game, then switch to full-house .357 Magnum for deer-sized game within reasonable ranges. The 20-inch barrel gives you a good sight radius and helps wring out extra velocity from the .357 rounds. The tubular magazine holds 10 rounds of .357 or 9 rounds of the slightly longer .38 Special, giving you plenty of capacity for range sessions or in the field. The rifle’s overall length is a handy 38.5 inches, making it maneuverable in a blind or thick cover.
Specifications
| Caliber | .357 Magnum / .38 Special |
| Barrel Length | 20 Inches |
| Overall Length | 38.5 Inches |
| Weight | 7.68 lbs |
| Magazine Capacity | 10 Rounds (.357 Mag) |
| Stock Material | American Walnut |
Pros: The stainless and walnut combination is stunning and highly durable. The .357/.38 chambering offers incredible versatility and ammo availability. Henry’s fit, finish, and customer service are top-tier. The action is smooth and reliable from the first lever throw. It’s a classic American design executed with modern precision.
Cons: The polished steel is a fingerprint magnet—keep a cloth handy. It’s a side-loading tube magazine, so unloading requires cycling every round. The MSRP of $846.55 positions it as a premium firearm, though the quality justifies the cost for many shooters.
Who is this rifle for? It’s for the shooter who appreciates heritage but demands modern reliability. It’s a perfect companion for Missouri whitetail hunters who want a brush gun with authority. It’s for the recreational shooter who wants one rifle that can do it all, from casual plinking with .38s to more serious work. It’s also for the collector who simply wants a beautiful, functional piece of American firearm craftsmanship. This rifle is available at firearms-missouri.com for Missouri residents and nationwide, with an FFL transfer required for firearm purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use a .357 Magnum scope mount on this rifle?
A: Yes. The Henry Big Boy Silver is drilled and tapped for scope mounting. It uses a standard .357 Magnum/.44 Magnum side-mounting scope base, which is widely available from brands like Henry Repeating Arms themselves, Warne, or EGW. No gunsmithing required for installation.
Q: Is the barrel threaded for a suppressor or muzzle device?
A: No, the barrel on this specific model is not threaded. It comes with a classic blued steel front sight and a semi-buckhorn rear sight dovetailed into the barrel. If you want a threaded model, you’d need to look at the Henry Big Boy X-Model or have a gunsmith thread this barrel.
Q: How does the .357 Magnum perform for deer hunting?
A: With proper shot placement and within its effective range (typically 100 yards or less with a rifle barrel), the .357 Magnum is a capable deer cartridge. The 20-inch barrel gives it a significant velocity boost over a revolver, making it a legitimate choice for hunting in wooded areas. Always check your local regulations.
If you’ve been looking for a lever gun that blends classic aesthetics with practical, all-weather performance, the Big Boy Silver deserves a close look.
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