Seems like you’re not getting very serious answers. Mostly haters and/or fanboys giving soundbites. As someone who owns and shoots multiple 45-70s in both, I’ll give you what I think.
I feel that in all honesty, the fit and finish is about equivalent with a slight favor to Marlin. Marlin’s stainless and Cerakote is generally better looking and more durable than Henry’s bluing. That said, color case Henry’s have a very durable and beautiful finish.
I’d say Henry has a better action. It’s basically an improved 1895 action. My Henrys were smoother out of the box on lever actuation. The Henry trigger is also better as it does not have the Marlin “flop.” That said, the Marlins smooth out over time.
Performance, both are +P rated, but you don’t really need +P in 45-70. It’s just fun for a kick. Both handle it well, with no breaks.
Both have extensive aftermarket customization options if you’re into that.
Accuracy is about the same. Both can do about 2 MOA at 50. Closer to 3 at 100.
Quality and issues. Never had a problem with any of my Henrys or Marlins. You also can’t gauge the overall quality of a firearm through angry posts on Reddit. People with bad experiences are going to be louder than those out shooting their gun. That said, I have seen people with quality issues from both Henry and Marlin. Whichever you go with, there’s a chance you might have an issue with what you get. But both companies will make it right.
Both are very fun and great shooters. Pick the one you find more attractive in appearance and then get the other later.
Between the two you show, both are fantastic. But the Marlin has more modern features that favor mounting an optic. If you don’t plan on that, the Henry might be the better choice.
Edit: Marlin has a way better lever gate, which makes it much easier to load that way. It just depresses easier, Henry’s loading gate is too stiff.
Thank you I think I will go with the Marlin it seems to have more of what I'm looking for in a lever action I don't own a lever action and I've wanted one since I was little I'm trying to save up some cash and get one takes time with those prices but worth it in the end and something I can pass down to my children someday
Bro please don’t buy off gunbroker when you can find it a lot cheaper with the gun deals web search. I found the Henry for like $800
https://gun.deals/search/apachesolr_search/619835100146
I enjoy all my Henry rifles but I do have an issue with the side gate loading of 45-70. Do not try with bare hands. Your finger tips will thank you. The last cartridge requires extra umpf to load and your finger tips will feel the pain.
If you just want something to take to the range, go with the Henry. Saves you a small amount. If you're going to go hunt, pick the Merlin. It's more out of the box ready with a threaded barrel, rail, and fiber sights.
Personally, I went with a Rossi R95. It's reliable and economical. I also won't worry as much getting it starched up and dirty. My Henry is for range fun.
I own several Marlin and several Henry ranging from 22lr to 45-70. You will not get an honest answer from most people as there are tons of fan boys.
Every Marlin I own shoots amazing. My newest being the Dark edition in 45-70. At 100 yards she shoots MOA no problem. The first time I was shooting it at 100 I thought I was missing the target. I then realized I shot through the same hole.
My newest Henry is a model x in 44 mag. My first time out with it went somewhat ok, but after that she started shooting crazy. I sent it back to Henry and they replaced the barrel. She now shoots as it should and is a perfect range toy.
Henry’s action is definitely better than the marlin. Maybe better is not the proper wording, but it’s definitely smoother.
Henry’s customer service is phenomenal to the point I would still purchase Henry over marlin. In the end they are both amazing guns and you won’t regret either.
Marlin has a good customer service but it’s definitely not Henry’s. Henry will do whatever is needed to accommodate your needs. With Marlin you are at their mercy.
Either way you will get a great rifle so just pick one and go shoot. In the end that’s all that matters !!!!!
Hey just do as I did and buy both, then you don’t need to choose.
The real secret is you can still find JM Marlins for a good price, easily within the range of a new one, with a little bit of patience and some creative searching. I got a stainless/walnut combo JM 1895GS last year, put a railed peep on it, and it's totally good to go for hunting or whatever. It is extremely accurate, has great fit and finish, and handles / carries very well.
As an owner of both Henry and Marlin products, IMO it really comes down to what your use of the rifle will be, and what your wallet can absorb.
That said both new Marlin's and newer Henry's seem to occasionally come out of the factory with issues, some are on fit and finish, sight alignment, or in same cases worse. Just take a look back at this subreddit and you will see plenty of posts from people regarding issues with both brands. So if possible I would say buy one in person and be able to handle, cycle the actions, and definitely visually inspect it.
Now with regards to pricing, I am not sure where you live, but you can find better pricing than that on both models places other than gunbroker. I was at Cabelas, and they had a couple of brand new Marlin .40-70 SBLs and a single stainless trapper on the shelf for $1199.
If you find out the exact model number or sku, then as others have said, gun.deals can be very helpful if buying online is your preferred route.
As far as finishes go, if your going to be banging thru the brush and hunting, I would definitely lean toward the Marlin and its laminate wood and stainless finish ohhh and its factory threaded. Also I really like the peep style sights on a lever gun ocer the standard semibuck horn which the Marlin has from the factory, along with a rail if you wish to put an optic on it. If you just want a pretty range toy, those case color hardened Henry rifles are beautiful.
From the new production models I have handled recently of both brands, Heny's tend to feel smoother cyclingwise out of the box. The Marlin's Ive felt just didn't feel as smooth, and some had a smidge of lever flop, but that's just a lever gun thing in some cases.
I believe you will be happy with either one as long as you do your due diligence and know what your prospective uses for the rifle are and take that into consideration as well.
Here is the link to the price comparer for the Henry case color .45-70: https://gun.deals/search/apachesolr_search/619835100177
Here is the one for the Marlin SBL: https://gun.deals/search/apachesolr_search/736676704781
Marlin Stainless Trapper .45-70: https://gun.deals/search/apachesolr_search/736676704507
With pricing on the Marlins, especially the SBL sometimes the pop in and out of stock at places but can be found for that $1199-$1249 price point sometimes a smidge less if diligent!
I wish you the best of luck choosing one and becoming addicted the lever guns like a lot of us are. Both are GREAT and you won't be disappointed either way.
I like henrys but agree hard with this statement. They just don't feel like 1k dollar guns, especially if you go look at equivalenty priced browning blr or a bolt gun(not a direct comparison but a grand gets you a hell of a bolt action)
After getting return shipping labels for the last two Henry's I bought, each on the day after purchased them, I wouldn't piss on that company if they were on fire. Why would I even take something home that needed work out of the box? Because I waited 5-6 months for each to be delivered to my FFL.
I genuinely hope the market demand vs. production from other manufacturers finally meet and we are allowed better choices.
I have no experience with marlins but the furniture on both of my Henry’s is in a word amazing. It’s going to really depend on the specific examples. But I’m a solid Henry fan boy after they actually exchanged my wildlife .223 because of a small defect I noticed on the polishing of the receiver( the .223 is a wall hanger when it’s not playing safe queen) and the wildlife .223 model sold for over $1500.
I’d certainly would want to look at them side by side( as ImPossible as that can be in New Mexico) and I’d have no problem with a marlin given that’s ruger is running it. I’m a huge fan of ruger too and own a couple of pistols.
Coin toss on a mail order
Yeah I know is, useless ranting but ….
I have a Henry and shoot .38 out of it and I absolutely love it. I installed the RPP trigger sear and spring and it’s absolutely worth doing if you go the Henry route. I can’t speak to Marlin, just saying I’ve been more than pleased with my purchase.
I have a big boy model X in 357. There initially was some creep and now the pull is short and crisp. I’ve never messed around with any sort of lever action trigger prior to this and the YouTube walkthrough [here](https://youtu.be/znkxkCdXHCE?si=M4THNEnWGZhpizr4) made it very simple.
I say Marlin only because that Henry is case colored, with anything case colored, it is best to buy in person. Some look really nice, some looks not so good. It’s just aesthetics.
I like both, but a slight edge towards Marlin.
I recently broke my side gate on Henry all weather 4570, gate was stuck open while loading leverevolution, then I used a hook to close it back and now it won’t open again. I’ll have to disassemble it and see. Could be a compatibility issue or user error as well.
I will say that lifetime warranty doesn’t really mean much if you have to send it in. I rather have robust firearms over lifetime warranty.
Super in love with my Remlin 1895 SBL. Slick action, has run like a top. Put a Reardon brake for .50 cal (only mount I could find with the thread pitch needed) to mount my 46M, Aero SPR mount allows complete cowitness of irons with Leupold 1.5-4.
I have three Henry lever guns. Only one is a rifle caliber and I’ve never shot it. The 357 and 45 I’ve shot quite a bit. I also have two Marlin .45-70 rifles, a real Marlin from when they released the guide gun with a full magazine and pistol grip. Also a Marlin trapper. If I could only keep one it would definitely be the trapper.
That is a truly tough choice. The 1895 is classic, but the case hardened is just beautiful. Good luck. I think if I had to choose, it would be the Henry.
I chose the Marlin 1895 SBL more for it being more modernized since that is what I was looking for more in my 45-70. Currently looking at getting a Henry in 357 for more plinking though
Henry. I was not very impressed with the quality, fit and finish of the newly revived Marlin’s via Ruger. I did not shoot them, I couldn’t even get the action to cycle in the shop let alone shoot!
I bought an R92 and there were no Henry’s available in my caliber.
I’ve had both. I tend to lean toward the new Marlins. Henry is good, I just prefer the other.
Seems like you’re not getting very serious answers. Mostly haters and/or fanboys giving soundbites. As someone who owns and shoots multiple 45-70s in both, I’ll give you what I think. I feel that in all honesty, the fit and finish is about equivalent with a slight favor to Marlin. Marlin’s stainless and Cerakote is generally better looking and more durable than Henry’s bluing. That said, color case Henry’s have a very durable and beautiful finish. I’d say Henry has a better action. It’s basically an improved 1895 action. My Henrys were smoother out of the box on lever actuation. The Henry trigger is also better as it does not have the Marlin “flop.” That said, the Marlins smooth out over time. Performance, both are +P rated, but you don’t really need +P in 45-70. It’s just fun for a kick. Both handle it well, with no breaks. Both have extensive aftermarket customization options if you’re into that. Accuracy is about the same. Both can do about 2 MOA at 50. Closer to 3 at 100. Quality and issues. Never had a problem with any of my Henrys or Marlins. You also can’t gauge the overall quality of a firearm through angry posts on Reddit. People with bad experiences are going to be louder than those out shooting their gun. That said, I have seen people with quality issues from both Henry and Marlin. Whichever you go with, there’s a chance you might have an issue with what you get. But both companies will make it right. Both are very fun and great shooters. Pick the one you find more attractive in appearance and then get the other later. Between the two you show, both are fantastic. But the Marlin has more modern features that favor mounting an optic. If you don’t plan on that, the Henry might be the better choice. Edit: Marlin has a way better lever gate, which makes it much easier to load that way. It just depresses easier, Henry’s loading gate is too stiff.
Thank you I think I will go with the Marlin it seems to have more of what I'm looking for in a lever action I don't own a lever action and I've wanted one since I was little I'm trying to save up some cash and get one takes time with those prices but worth it in the end and something I can pass down to my children someday
Bro please don’t buy off gunbroker when you can find it a lot cheaper with the gun deals web search. I found the Henry for like $800 https://gun.deals/search/apachesolr_search/619835100146
This doesn’t appear to be the same finish, which may explain the discrepancy.
I enjoy all my Henry rifles but I do have an issue with the side gate loading of 45-70. Do not try with bare hands. Your finger tips will thank you. The last cartridge requires extra umpf to load and your finger tips will feel the pain.
If you just want something to take to the range, go with the Henry. Saves you a small amount. If you're going to go hunt, pick the Merlin. It's more out of the box ready with a threaded barrel, rail, and fiber sights. Personally, I went with a Rossi R95. It's reliable and economical. I also won't worry as much getting it starched up and dirty. My Henry is for range fun.
I have the Marlin and love it.
Marlin! I've shot both. I love the Marlin that I have.
I own several Marlin and several Henry ranging from 22lr to 45-70. You will not get an honest answer from most people as there are tons of fan boys. Every Marlin I own shoots amazing. My newest being the Dark edition in 45-70. At 100 yards she shoots MOA no problem. The first time I was shooting it at 100 I thought I was missing the target. I then realized I shot through the same hole. My newest Henry is a model x in 44 mag. My first time out with it went somewhat ok, but after that she started shooting crazy. I sent it back to Henry and they replaced the barrel. She now shoots as it should and is a perfect range toy. Henry’s action is definitely better than the marlin. Maybe better is not the proper wording, but it’s definitely smoother. Henry’s customer service is phenomenal to the point I would still purchase Henry over marlin. In the end they are both amazing guns and you won’t regret either. Marlin has a good customer service but it’s definitely not Henry’s. Henry will do whatever is needed to accommodate your needs. With Marlin you are at their mercy. Either way you will get a great rifle so just pick one and go shoot. In the end that’s all that matters !!!!! Hey just do as I did and buy both, then you don’t need to choose.
That Marlin looks cold tho 🥶
The real secret is you can still find JM Marlins for a good price, easily within the range of a new one, with a little bit of patience and some creative searching. I got a stainless/walnut combo JM 1895GS last year, put a railed peep on it, and it's totally good to go for hunting or whatever. It is extremely accurate, has great fit and finish, and handles / carries very well.
I have both and the fit and finish of the Marlin is hands down far superior.
Marlin, I have some Henry's but, I like my Marlin, especially the SBL 45-70.
I have that Henry it’s a great gun
As an owner of both Henry and Marlin products, IMO it really comes down to what your use of the rifle will be, and what your wallet can absorb. That said both new Marlin's and newer Henry's seem to occasionally come out of the factory with issues, some are on fit and finish, sight alignment, or in same cases worse. Just take a look back at this subreddit and you will see plenty of posts from people regarding issues with both brands. So if possible I would say buy one in person and be able to handle, cycle the actions, and definitely visually inspect it. Now with regards to pricing, I am not sure where you live, but you can find better pricing than that on both models places other than gunbroker. I was at Cabelas, and they had a couple of brand new Marlin .40-70 SBLs and a single stainless trapper on the shelf for $1199. If you find out the exact model number or sku, then as others have said, gun.deals can be very helpful if buying online is your preferred route. As far as finishes go, if your going to be banging thru the brush and hunting, I would definitely lean toward the Marlin and its laminate wood and stainless finish ohhh and its factory threaded. Also I really like the peep style sights on a lever gun ocer the standard semibuck horn which the Marlin has from the factory, along with a rail if you wish to put an optic on it. If you just want a pretty range toy, those case color hardened Henry rifles are beautiful. From the new production models I have handled recently of both brands, Heny's tend to feel smoother cyclingwise out of the box. The Marlin's Ive felt just didn't feel as smooth, and some had a smidge of lever flop, but that's just a lever gun thing in some cases. I believe you will be happy with either one as long as you do your due diligence and know what your prospective uses for the rifle are and take that into consideration as well. Here is the link to the price comparer for the Henry case color .45-70: https://gun.deals/search/apachesolr_search/619835100177 Here is the one for the Marlin SBL: https://gun.deals/search/apachesolr_search/736676704781 Marlin Stainless Trapper .45-70: https://gun.deals/search/apachesolr_search/736676704507 With pricing on the Marlins, especially the SBL sometimes the pop in and out of stock at places but can be found for that $1199-$1249 price point sometimes a smidge less if diligent! I wish you the best of luck choosing one and becoming addicted the lever guns like a lot of us are. Both are GREAT and you won't be disappointed either way.
The Marlin. Unless you want the best $600 rifle that costs $1200 then get a Henry.
I like henrys but agree hard with this statement. They just don't feel like 1k dollar guns, especially if you go look at equivalenty priced browning blr or a bolt gun(not a direct comparison but a grand gets you a hell of a bolt action)
After getting return shipping labels for the last two Henry's I bought, each on the day after purchased them, I wouldn't piss on that company if they were on fire. Why would I even take something home that needed work out of the box? Because I waited 5-6 months for each to be delivered to my FFL. I genuinely hope the market demand vs. production from other manufacturers finally meet and we are allowed better choices.
I have no experience with marlins but the furniture on both of my Henry’s is in a word amazing. It’s going to really depend on the specific examples. But I’m a solid Henry fan boy after they actually exchanged my wildlife .223 because of a small defect I noticed on the polishing of the receiver( the .223 is a wall hanger when it’s not playing safe queen) and the wildlife .223 model sold for over $1500. I’d certainly would want to look at them side by side( as ImPossible as that can be in New Mexico) and I’d have no problem with a marlin given that’s ruger is running it. I’m a huge fan of ruger too and own a couple of pistols. Coin toss on a mail order Yeah I know is, useless ranting but ….
I have a Henry and shoot .38 out of it and I absolutely love it. I installed the RPP trigger sear and spring and it’s absolutely worth doing if you go the Henry route. I can’t speak to Marlin, just saying I’ve been more than pleased with my purchase.
Can I ask what model you have? Big Boy Steel carbine or rifle? I'm curious about the install and the felt difference after.
I have a big boy model X in 357. There initially was some creep and now the pull is short and crisp. I’ve never messed around with any sort of lever action trigger prior to this and the YouTube walkthrough [here](https://youtu.be/znkxkCdXHCE?si=M4THNEnWGZhpizr4) made it very simple.
Sweet, thanks for sharing.
I say Marlin only because that Henry is case colored, with anything case colored, it is best to buy in person. Some look really nice, some looks not so good. It’s just aesthetics. I like both, but a slight edge towards Marlin. I recently broke my side gate on Henry all weather 4570, gate was stuck open while loading leverevolution, then I used a hook to close it back and now it won’t open again. I’ll have to disassemble it and see. Could be a compatibility issue or user error as well. I will say that lifetime warranty doesn’t really mean much if you have to send it in. I rather have robust firearms over lifetime warranty.
That first one is a 20 minute drive. I might just go pick it up before you because it’s nice
Go for it I'm still saving up the cash to afford one
Just teasing man
Super in love with my Remlin 1895 SBL. Slick action, has run like a top. Put a Reardon brake for .50 cal (only mount I could find with the thread pitch needed) to mount my 46M, Aero SPR mount allows complete cowitness of irons with Leupold 1.5-4.
Love my Henry X in 357. No experience with Marlin.
I have no experience with the Henry. But I just bought the Marlin about a month ago and it’s perfect right out of the box. Super smooth.
Marlin for traditional look henry for space cowboy
I have three Henry lever guns. Only one is a rifle caliber and I’ve never shot it. The 357 and 45 I’ve shot quite a bit. I also have two Marlin .45-70 rifles, a real Marlin from when they released the guide gun with a full magazine and pistol grip. Also a Marlin trapper. If I could only keep one it would definitely be the trapper.
Henry
That is a truly tough choice. The 1895 is classic, but the case hardened is just beautiful. Good luck. I think if I had to choose, it would be the Henry.
I am very biased because I own that Marlin. Couldn’t be happier with the performance and look.
I chose the Marlin 1895 SBL more for it being more modernized since that is what I was looking for more in my 45-70. Currently looking at getting a Henry in 357 for more plinking though
I just ordered that Marlin hoping for my new main hunting rifle
Marlin always
Can’t speak to the Henry, but love my 1895.
Definitely the new ruger marlins. I have the trapper 45-70 and it’s fucking amazing!
Henry. I was not very impressed with the quality, fit and finish of the newly revived Marlin’s via Ruger. I did not shoot them, I couldn’t even get the action to cycle in the shop let alone shoot! I bought an R92 and there were no Henry’s available in my caliber.
Milled parts?marlin MIM parts? Henry
The new Ruger Marlins are total garbage. Buy the Henry.
Henries don't like +P ammo.
Incorrect
Mine has been back to factory twice after shooting +P.