Henry Big Boy Steel Side Gate .357 Mag/38 Spl 20in 10rd
About this product
The Henry Big Boy Steel Side Gate is a full-size lever-action rifle chambered for .357 Magnum/.38 Special with a 20-inch round blued steel barrel and American walnut stock. It features a side-loading gate and tubular magazine system allowing for 10-round capacity while maintaining traditional lever-gun ergonomics. This configuration bridges historical design with modern manufacturing tolerances, delivering reliability that meets contemporary sporting and defensive standards.
What is the Henry Big Boy Steel Side Gate used for?
This rifle serves as a multi-role platform for hunting, ranch work, and recreational shooting within 150 yards. Its .357 Magnum chambering delivers approximately 1,400 fps muzzle velocity with 158-grain loads, making it effective for deer-sized game while remaining controllable with lighter .38 Special practice rounds. The 20-inch barrel provides optimal sight radius and velocity retention compared to shorter carbine variants.
How does the Henry Big Boy Steel Side Gate compare to the Stevens 334 Rifle?
The Henry offers faster follow-up shots and higher ammunition compatibility than the bolt-action Stevens 334 in .308 Win. While the Stevens delivers superior long-range energy with its .308 Winchester chambering (2,800 fps muzzle velocity versus 1,400 fps for .357 Magnum), the Henry's lever-action cycle time of approximately 1.5 seconds between aimed shots exceeds the Stevens' 3-second bolt cycle. For medium-game hunting under 150 yards or defensive use where rapid engagement matters, the Henry proves superior; beyond 200 yards or for larger game, the the Stevens 334 Rifle dominates.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The rifle weighs 7.0 pounds with an overall length of 37.5 inches. The 20-inch barrel features a 1:16 twist rate optimized for .357 Magnum's typical 110- to 158-grain projectiles, while the walnut stock measures 13.5 inches length of pull. These dimensions balance maneuverability in brush or vehicles with sufficient mass to mitigate recoil—the .357 Magnum generates only 6.5 foot-pounds of felt recoil compared to 18+ foot-pounds for full-power .30-30 loads.
Who is this NOT for?
Avoid this rifle if you require optics compatibility or long-range precision beyond 200 yards. The semi-buckhorn sights limit precision to approximately 4 MOA compared to scoped rifles achieving sub-MOA, and the curved buttplate exacerbates recoil with heavy magnum loads during extended range sessions. For precision shooting at distance, consider the Stevens 334 in .243 Win — our editorial take with its drilled and tapped receiver.
What's in the box?
You receive the rifle, one 10-round tubular magazine, and a factory manual covering maintenance and safety protocols. Notably absent are cleaning tools or snap caps—budget $35 for a .357/.38 caliber cleaning rod and patches. The manual includes specific torque specs for sight adjustments (15 inch-pounds maximum) and lubrication points.
Is the Henry Big Boy Steel Side Gate worth it at $933.99?
At this price point, it delivers exceptional value for shooters needing a versatile, fast-handling lever action. The side-gate loading system alone justifies the premium over tube-load-only models, reducing reload time from 45 seconds to under 10 seconds for a full 10-round tube. Compared to custom-built lever guns costing $1,500+, this factory offering provides 90% of the performance for 60% of the cost.
Specs at a glance
Video review
Pros & cons
What works
- Side-loading gate enables 10-second full reloads versus 45+ seconds on tube-load models
- 7.0 lb weight balances maneuverability and recoil management—1.2 lb lighter than Marlin 1894
- 1:16 twist barrel stabilizes 110-158 grain .357 Magnum within 2 MOA at 100 yards
- American walnut stock features 22 LPI checkering for positive grip in wet conditions
Trade-offs
- No drilled/tapped receiver for optics—requires $200+ gunsmithing for scope installation
- Blued steel shows holster wear after 500+ draw cycles—cerakote adds $300 refinishing
- Tubular magazine prohibits pointed bullets—limits ballistic coefficient options
Expert review
Key attributes
| upc | 619835200365 |
| manufacturer | Henry Repeating Arms |
| manufacturer part number | H012GM |
| action | Lever Action |
| atf type | RIFLE |
| barrel length | 20'' |
| caliber/gauge | .357 Magnum |
| capacity | 10+1 |
| color | Blue |
| length | 37.5'' |
| model | Big Boy Steel Side Gate |
| package height | 2.0 |
| package width | 6.6 |
| product type | Lever Action |
| safety | Transfer Bar |
| shipping weight | 7.8 |
| sights | Adjustable Rear/Bead Front |
| sights type | Adjustable Sights |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with .38 Special +P ammunition?
- Yes, the rifle handles .38 Special +P safely, generating approximately 18,000 PSI versus the 35,000 PSI maximum for .357 Magnum. Always verify ammunition headstamps and avoid reloads exceeding SAAMI specifications.
- Does it fit in a standard rifle safe?
- The 37.5-inch length requires a safe with at least 40 inches of interior clearance. For comparison, the Stevens 334 measures 41 inches overall—plan for 42-inch minimum safe depth accounting for door clearance.
- How long does shipping take to FFL dealers?
- Ironclad Armory processes orders within 3 business days, with transit times of 5-7 days via FedEx Ground. All shipments require signature confirmation at your selected FFL holder.
- Can I return it if it doesn't cycle properly?
- Returns require inspection within 30 days for manufacturing defects. Cosmetic issues or ammunition-related malfunctions don't qualify—test with at least 100 rounds of factory 158-grain FMJ before requesting evaluation.
- Does this work with Henry Big Boy scope mounts?
- Yes, it accepts any Henry Big Boy Series scope mount (part #H009), though the curved receiver requires medium or high rings to clear the semi-buckhorn sight. Expect to spend $45-75 for a quality mount setup.