Henry Big Boy Deluxe Engraved .44 Mag/.44 Spl 20″ Rifle
Video review
Expert review
About this product
What is the Henry Big Boy Deluxe Engraved .44 Mag/.44 Spl 20" Rifle? It is a limited-production, 1,000-unit lever-action rifle chambered in .44 Magnum/.44 Special with a polished brass receiver, octagon barrel, and traditional walnut stock, designed as a collectible modern interpretation of a classic Western firearm. The rifle emphasizes mechanical craftsmanship with modern usability features like a drilled and tapped receiver for optics, while maintaining the authentic lever-action cycling and loading manual of arms that has defined this platform for over a century.
What is the Henry Big Boy Deluxe Engraved .44 Mag/.44 Spl 20" Rifle used for?
This rifle is used primarily as a collectible, mid-range hunting, and informal target shooting firearm. Its .44 Magnum cartridge, with a 38.5-inch overall length and 20-inch octagon barrel, offers an effective range of approximately 100-125 yards for game like whitetail deer or feral hogs. The substantial 8.68 lb weight, walnut stock, and open sights provide a stable platform for deliberate shots, not rapid defensive engagements.
How does the Henry Big Boy Deluxe Engraved .44 Mag/.44 Spl compare to the Stevens 334 Rifle in .308 Win?
The Henry Big Boy Deluxe is categorically better for collectors and hunters who value traditional aesthetics and a smooth lever-action, while the Stevens 334 Rifle in .308 Win is objectively superior for precision and longer-range hunting. The Stevens 334 offers a more powerful, flatter-shooting .308 Winchester cartridge effective beyond 300 yards, a modern bolt-action for potentially greater accuracy, and a synthetic stock that weighs approximately 2.5 lbs less, making it more practical for backcountry carrying. The Henry's value is in its limited-edition presentation, polished brass, and engraved receiver, which the utilitarian Stevens does not attempt to match.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The rifle weighs 8.68 pounds (approximately 3.94 kg) and has an overall length of 38.5 inches. The 20-inch octagon barrel contributes significant forward weight for shooting stability, and the straight-grip walnut stock measures approximately 13.75 inches in length of pull, accommodating most adult shooters. Compared to a synthetic-stocked bolt-action like the Stevens 334, the Henry is nearly 40% heavier, which is a tangible trade-off for its classic feel and construction.
Who is this NOT for?
This rifle is not for a first-time gun buyer seeking a general-purpose or defensive firearm, nor for a budget-conscious hunter prioritizing maximum performance-per-dollar. The $1,832.99 price, significant weight, and limited-edition nature make it a poor choice for someone who plans to heavily modify, abuse, or treat it as a tool rather than a functional artifact. It is also a suboptimal choice for long-range shooting beyond 150 yards, where a scoped, high-velocity cartridge rifle would dominate.
What's in the box?
In the box, you receive the rifle, one 10-round tubular magazine pre-installed, a Henry BB-RSM scope mount base for attaching a 1-inch tube optic, and the factory manual. Unlike some competitors, Henry typically does not include a lockable hard case for a rifle at this price point; expect a cardboard box with foam inserts. You will need to supply your own ammunition, optic if desired, and a suitable case for transport.
Is the Henry Big Boy Deluxe Engraved .44 Mag/.44 Spl worth it at $1832.99?
Yes, but only if your primary criteria are owning a limited-edition, aesthetically distinct lever-action rifle that blends traditional craftsmanship with modern mounting capability. The price reflects the polished brass, engraving, semi-fancy walnut, and capped 1,000-unit production run—not ballistic superiority. For a shooter who simply wants a reliable .44 Magnum lever gun for hunting, a standard Henry Big Boy without the Deluxe engraving and brass saves several hundred dollars for the same mechanical function. This model pays a premium for presentation, similar to choosing an engraved Stevens 555 Sporting in .410 over a basic field model.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- True limited edition of 1,000 units — tangible collectibility with serialized production
- 8.68 lb weight and 20" octagon barrel — provides extremely stable off-hand shooting platform
- Includes BB-RSM scope mount base — enables optic mounting without aftermarket purchase
- Polished brass receiver and engraving — elevates it above standard blued steel finishes
Trade-offs
- No factory-supplied hard case — requires an additional $75-$150 purchase for proper transport
- Barrel not threaded — eliminates easy suppressor or compensator attachment without gunsmithing
- Significant weight at 8.68 lbs — over 2.5 lbs heavier than a synthetic-stocked Stevens 334, less ideal for extended carry
Key attributes
| upc | 619835060860 |
| manufacturer | Henry Repeating Arms |
| manufacturer part number | H006GD |
| action | Lever Action |
| atf type | RIFLE |
| barrel length | 20" |
| caliber/gauge | .44 Magnum |
| capacity | 10 |
| color | Brass |
| length | 38.5'' |
| magazine included | 1 x 10-Round |
| model | Big Boy |
| package height | 2.0 |
| package width | 7.0 |
| product type | Lever Action |
| safety | Transfer Bar |
| shipping weight | 8.4 |
| sights | Adjustable Sights |
| sights type | Adjustable Sights |
Frequently asked questions
- Is this rifle threaded for a suppressor?
- No, the 20-inch octagon barrel is not threaded from the factory. The front sight is a fixed brass bead, and the barrel's tapered octagon profile makes aftermarket threading complex and costly, often requiring a certified gunsmith and potentially compromising the barrel's aesthetic lines. Henry does not offer a factory-threaded version of the Big Boy Deluxe Engraved model.
- What scope mount does it use?
- It uses the Henry BB-RSM (Round Scope Mount) base, which is included. This base attaches to the drilled and tapped receiver and accepts standard 1-inch scope rings. I recommend using a low-profile, lightweight optic to avoid disrupting the rifle's balance; a scope exceeding 12 ounces can make the already muzzle-heavy 8.68 lb rifle feel cumbersome off-hand.
- Can I use .44 Special ammunition in it?
- Yes, the rifle is chambered for both .44 Magnum and .44 Special. Using .44 Special will result in significantly reduced recoil and report, making it ideal for informal target shooting. The tubular magazine safely cycles both cartridges, but you must load only one cartridge type per tube; do not mix .44 Mag and .44 Special rounds in the same magazine tube.
- How long is shipping to an FFL?
- For in-stock items, Ironclad Armory processes and ships within 2-3 business days via FedEx or UPS. Transit time then depends on your location relative to our Nevada warehouse; expect 3-7 additional business days for ground shipping. The rifle must ship to a licensed Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder for the mandatory background check and transfer.
- Does it come with a hard case?
- No, it ships in a manufacturer's cardboard box with protective foam inserts. For secure transport and storage, you will need to purchase a separate hard or soft case. I recommend a locking hard case with a minimum interior length of 40 inches to accommodate the 38.5-inch rifle with the lever action cleared.