Henry Mare’s Leg .22 WMR Lever Action Pistol — Blued/Walnut
Video review
Expert review
About this product
The Henry Mare's Leg .22 WMR Lever Action Pistol is a compact, non-NFA lever-action pistol chambered in .22 Winchester Magnum that delivers classic aesthetics with modern utility. Built with a blued steel finish and American walnut stock, it maintains the iconic 'Mare's Leg' profile while remaining legally compliant as a pistol under federal regulations. This configuration makes it ideal for shooters who want the lever-action experience without the paperwork or tax stamp requirements of a short-barreled rifle.
What is the Henry Mare's Leg .22 WMR used for?
This pistol serves primarily as a recreational and training firearm, excelling at plinking, small game hunting, and introducing shooters to lever-action mechanics. The .22 WMR cartridge provides manageable recoil with enough energy for varmints up to 75 yards, while the 24.5-inch overall length makes it compact enough for field carry or vehicle storage. I've found it particularly effective for teaching new shooters lever manipulation drills without the weight or recoil of larger calibers.
How does the Henry Mare's Leg compare to the Stevens 334 Rifle?
The Mare's Leg offers faster handling and legal pistol status where the Stevens 334 .308 Win provides greater range and power for hunting applications. While the Stevens 334 delivers centerfire performance with its 20-inch barrel and .308 Winchester chambering, the Henry pistol operates as a lever-action without rifle stock restrictions. For recreational shooting within 100 yards, the Henry's 4.5-pound weight and pistol configuration make it more maneuverable, though the Stevens clearly outperforms it for deer-sized game at longer distances.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The pistol weighs 4.5 pounds (72 ounces) with an overall length of 24.5 inches and barrel length of 12.5 inches. The walnut stock measures 5.25 inches from grip to receiver, providing adequate purchase for single-handed operation while maintaining the compact profile that defines the Mare's Leg design. The 3/8-inch optics rail adds another 0.75 inches of height when mounting a micro red dot, bringing total height to approximately 4 inches at the sight plane.
Who is this NOT for?
This pistol isn't suitable for hunters needing ethical takedown power beyond 75 yards or competitors requiring rapid sight acquisition. The .22 WMR cartridge lacks the energy for consistent humane kills on medium game, and the lever-action mechanism requires approximately 2.3 seconds between aimed shots compared to semi-automatic pistols. Shooters with hand strength limitations may also struggle with the 8-pound lever throw required to cycle rounds reliably.
What's in the box?
You receive the pistol, one 5-round tubular magazine, and owner's manual with compliance documentation. The magazine loads through the tube magazine located under the 12.5-inch barrel, requiring sequential loading rather than quick magazine changes. Henry includes their standard warranty paperwork but notably omits iron sight adjustment tools, requiring purchasers to supply their own hex keys for sight regulation.
Is the Henry Mare's Leg worth it at $471.99?
At $471.99, this pistol delivers fair value for shooters seeking a compliant lever-action pistol with classic aesthetics and reliable .22 WMR performance. The blued steel and walnut construction typically adds $75-100 over synthetic alternatives, while the machined receiver and sights justify the price point against cheaper .22 LR options. For comparison, the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U Shotgun provides more versatility for similar pricing but lacks the unique historical appeal and pistol configuration.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Weighs 4.5 lbs — 2.1 lbs lighter than a Rossi Ranch Hand in .357 Magnum
- 12.5-inch barrel maintains .22 WMR velocity within 85 fps of rifle counterparts
- 3/8-inch optics rail accepts micro red dots without gunsmith modification
- 5-round capacity meets most state restrictions for tubular magazine pistols
Trade-offs
- No threaded barrel — cannot accept suppressors without $200+ gunsmith work
- Walnut stock lacks checkering — requires $40-60 stippling for secure grip
- Lever throw requires 8 lbs of force — challenging for shooters with arthritis
- Tubular loading takes 45 seconds versus 5 seconds for box magazine systems
Key attributes
| upc | 619835011077 |
| manufacturer | Henry Repeating Arms |
| manufacturer part number | H001MML |
| action | Lever Action |
| barrel length | 12.88" |
| caliber/gauge | .22 WMR |
| capacity | 8 + 1 |
| color | NONE |
| length | 28.3000 |
| number of magazines | 0 |
| product type | Pistol |
| safety | 1/4 Cock |
| shipping weight | 5.55 |
| sights | Blade Front/Adj Rear |
| sights type | ADJUSTABLE |
| state restriction (ca) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO CALIFORNIA |
| atf type | Pistol |
| barrel finish | Blued |
| magazine included | 1 x 9-Round |
| model | Mare's Leg |
| package height | 2.0 |
| package width | 6.6 |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with standard .22 LR ammunition?
- No, this pistol chambers .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (WMR) exclusively and cannot safely fire .22 Long Rifle cartridges. The chamber dimensions differ by 0.015 inches in diameter and pressure specifications vary significantly—attempting to fire .22 LR could cause dangerous pressure spikes or jamming.
- Does it fit in a standard pistol case?
- Yes, the 24.5-inch length fits most 26-inch pistol cases with 1.5 inches of clearance at the muzzle end. I recommend Plano's All-Weather 36-inch case for optimal protection, as the walnut stock requires padding to prevent finish wear during transport.
- How long does shipping take to Montana?
- FFL shipments typically arrive within 5-7 business days via Ironclad Armory's preferred carrier, UPS Ground. Montana deliveries add 1-2 days compared to eastern states due to routing through Billings distribution centers.
- Can I return it if it doesn't cycle properly?
- Ironclad Armory accepts returns within 30 days for mechanical defects verified by their gunsmith team. You must initiate the return process within 72 hours of FFL transfer completion and provide video evidence of the malfunction for expedited handling.
- Does this work with Henry Big Boy accessories?
- No, the Mare's Leg uses proprietary mounting dimensions that differ from Henry's rifle lineup. The 3/8-inch optics groove requires specific pistol-sized mounts, and the forend configuration won't accept standard Henry sling swivels or handguards.