Henry Big Boy Mare’s Leg H006GML .44 Mag/.44 Spl 12.9″

About this product

What is the Henry Big Boy Mare’s Leg H006GML? It's a legally-defined pistol built from the classic lever-action rifle platform, featuring a 12.9-inch octagon barrel and chambered for both .44 Magnum and .44 Special cartridges. This configuration allows it to be sold without the federal paperwork required for a Short-Barreled Rifle (SBR), while delivering a unique blend of classic aesthetics and modern handgun handling. The build centers on Henry Repeating Arms' polished hardened brass receiver and genuine American walnut furniture, creating a piece that's as much a collection centerpiece as it is a functional shooter.

What is the Henry Big Boy Mare’s Leg used for?

This firearm serves three primary roles: a novel range toy, a distinctive collector's item, and a highly effective trail gun for backcountry defense using potent .44 Magnum loads. The lever-action chambering allows it to function with the hard-hitting .44 Magnum cartridge—which delivers over 900 ft-lbs of muzzle energy—making it suitable for close-range defense against large predators in states allowing pistol hunting for predator control. Its compact form factor is excellent for handling and transport in a vehicle or ATV, but its 12.9-inch barrel prevents it from being a practical concealed carry option.

How does the Henry Big Boy Mare’s Leg compare to the Stevens 334 rifle?

The Mare's Leg is fundamentally different from a bolt-action like the Stevens 334 Rifle in .308 Win; it excels in fast handling and rapid follow-up shots at inside-50-yard distances, while the Stevens is the superior tool for precise, longer-range shooting. Where the .308 Win Stevens platform is built for accuracy from a rest or bipod with a cartridge effective out to 800 yards, the Mare's Leg is about instinctive point-and-shoot capability with a heavy, large-diameter projectile. You buy the Henry for its unique manual-of-arms and historic flavor, not for punching tight groups on paper at 100 yards.

What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?

With an unloaded weight of 5.79 lbs (92.6 oz) and an overall length of precisely 25 inches, this is a substantial handgun. The 12.9-inch octagon barrel contributes significantly to the forward weight bias, which helps manage the stout recoil of .44 Magnum loads but makes one-handed shooting tiring beyond a cylinder or two. For comparison, a standard steel-framed 1911 pistol in .45 ACP typically weighs around 38 oz, making the Mare's Leg nearly two and a half times heavier—this is not a gun you'll forget you're holding.

Who is this NOT for?

This is not the right choice for a new shooter seeking their first or only handgun due to its specialized manual-of-arms, significant felt recoil with full-power loads, and lack of a traditional pistol grip for instinctive control. The buyer looking for a utilitarian, high-capacity home defense tool should look at a modern semi-automatic platform; the Mare's Leg's 8+1 round tubular magazine capacity and slower reload process are distinct disadvantages in a defensive scenario compared to a box-magazine-fed firearm. It also demands active safety discipline, as the transfer bar system requires the lever to be fully closed to engage, unlike a manual thumb safety found on many other handguns.

What's in the box?

You receive the Mare’s Leg pistol, a single 8-round capacity tubular magazine that is integrated into the barrel assembly, and the factory hard case. Henry does not include a cable lock, cleaning kit, or any additional accessories as standard with this model, which is typical for their Mare's Leg series. The manual covers the specific takedown procedure for this lever-action pistol, which requires removing a single takedown screw—a process that takes about 90 seconds once familiar.

Is the Henry Big Boy Mare’s Leg worth it at $1062.99?

At this price point, you are paying for exceptional craftsmanship, premium materials, and a unique shooting experience that a mass-produced polymer pistol cannot provide. If your goal is sheer utility per dollar, a Stevens 555 Sporting O/U 12 Gauge offers more versatility for less money. However, for the collector or enthusiast who values the polished brass, hand-fitted walnut, and the pure mechanical satisfaction of a smooth lever-action in handgun form, the Henry justifies its cost as a specialized, high-quality implement with lasting value.