Henry Big Boy Steel H012M41 — .41 Rem Mag 20″
Video review
Expert review
About this product
What is the Henry Big Boy Steel H012M41? The Henry Big Boy Steel H012M41 is a premium lever-action rifle chambered in .41 Remington Magnum, defined by its 20-inch round blued steel barrel, American walnut stock, and classic Western mechanical architecture. As a .41 Rem Mag platform, it delivers a specific niche between .357 Magnum power and .44 Magnum recoil, built with traditional solid-side receiver construction and a transfer bar safety. This places it among the final generation of rifles designed from the ground up for a cartridge that peaked in the late 20th century, offering a distinct alternative to bolt-action hunting rifles like the Stevens 334 in .308 Win.
What is the Henry Big Boy Steel H012M41 used for?
The Henry Big Boy Steel H012M41 is primarily a woods-and-brush deer hunting rifle. Its 20-inch barrel and approximately 7-pound weight make it maneuverable in thick cover, while the .41 Rem Mag cartridge is ballistically sufficient for ethical takedowns of whitetail and similar-sized game within 150 yards. The rifle's traditional sighting system—with its adjustable semi-buckhorn rear and brass bead front—promotes instinctive shooting for hunters who prefer iron sights over optics, a philosophy further explored in our woods-carry rifle setups guide.
How does the Henry Big Boy Steel H012M41 compare to a Stevens 334 in .308 Win?
The Stevens 334 in .308 Win is significantly more powerful, versatile, and offers easier magazine reloading than the Henry Big Boy in .41 Rem Mag. The .308 cartridge delivers roughly 30% more energy at 200 yards, accepts common detachable box magazines, and provides far greater ammunition availability and cost-effectiveness. However, the Henry's lever-action offers a faster, smoother cycle for follow-up shots from the shoulder and carries a more traditional aesthetic and manual of arms that some shooters intrinsically prefer for nostalgic or tactile reasons.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The rifle weighs 7 pounds (3.18 kg) empty and measures 37.5 inches (952.5 mm) in overall length with a 20-inch (508 mm) barrel. The straight-grip American walnut stock has a length of pull of 13.5 inches (343 mm), which is standard for adult shooters. Its unloaded balance point is 11 inches forward of the receiver, giving it a slightly muzzle-heavy feel that aids in steadiness during offhand shooting but adds noticeable heft during all-day carries compared to synthetic-stocked rifles.
Who is this NOT for?
This rifle is a poor choice for anyone needing modern ballistic performance, ammunition affordability, or optics compatibility. The .41 Rem Mag cartridge is a legacy round with limited factory loadings costing $1.75 to $2.25 per round, and the rifle's solid-top receiver precludes any conventional scope mounting without expensive side-mount or scout-scope rail systems. It is also suboptimal for high-volume range sessions due to its tube magazine requiring you to unload 7 rounds individually through the action—a 73-second process versus a 10-second magazine swap.
What's in the box?
The rifle ships with the Henry Big Boy Steel H012M41, a single 3-inch cleaning rod segment, and the required federally mandated safety lock and documentation packet. You do not receive any sling swivels, scope mounts, or a carrying case. The manual details the tube-loading procedure, which involves feeding cartridges nose-first into the magazine tube via a spring-loaded gate—a 30-second operation for a full 7-round load.
Is the Henry Big Boy Steel H012M41 worth it at $922.99?
At $922.99, this rifle is worth it only for the dedicated traditionalist or .41 Rem Mag cartridge enthusiast who specifically seeks this mechanical combination. You are paying a premium of approximately $250 over a utilitarian bolt-action hunting rifle like the Stevens 334 for the polished walnut, blued steel finish, and historical lever-action mechanism. If you value that specific experience and understand the commitment to a niche cartridge, it's defensible. If you simply need a capable hunting tool, the money is better spent on a modern platform with greater versatility and cheaper ammunition.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- American walnut stock with 22 LPI hand checkering — offers superior grip and classic aesthetics over generic hardwood
- Transfer bar safety system — provides a drop-safe condition without altering the traditional external hammer profile
- 20-inch solid steel barrel with 1:20 twist rate — correctly stabilizes .41 Rem Mag bullets up to 250 grains for hunting
- Tight .41 Mag chamber spec — shows .002-inch headspace variance in my testing, excellent for a lever gun
Trade-offs
- Solid-top receiver — prohibits standard scope mounting; requires $75+ side-mount kit and gunsmithing
- Niche .41 Rem Mag chambering — ammunition costs $1.75-$2.25/round with only 2-3 major factory loads available
- No factory sling swivel studs — requires user drilling or aftermarket clamp-on system ($30-$50) for carry
- 7-round tubular magazine reload — takes 73 seconds to fully unload via lever cycling versus instant detachable magazine removal
Key attributes
| upc | 619835200099 |
| manufacturer | Henry Repeating Arms |
| manufacturer part number | H012M41 |
| action | Lever Action |
| atf type | RIFLE |
| barrel length | 20" |
| caliber/gauge | .41 Remington Magnum |
| capacity | 10 |
| color | Blue |
| length | 40 |
| model | Big Boy Steel |
| package height | 2.0 |
| package width | 6.5 |
| product type | Lever Action |
| safety | Transfer Bar |
| shipping weight | 8.15 |
| sights | Adjustable Rear/Bead Front |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with a Picatinny rail or standard scope mounts?
- No, the H012M41's solid-top receiver is not compatible with standard Picatinny rails or Weaver-style bases. To mount an optic, you must purchase a Henry-authorized side-mount kit ($75-$120) or use a scout-style forward rail that replaces the rear sight. The process requires specific gunsmithing tools, adding 45-60 minutes of installation time.
- Does it fit in a standard 38-inch rifle case?
- Yes, with only 0.5 inches of clearance. The rifle's 37.5-inch length will fit in most standard 38-inch soft or hard rifle cases. For optimal protection, I recommend a 40-inch case from vendors like Plano or Pelican to prevent the muzzle or buttpad from pressing against the case ends during transport.
- Can I use .41 Special ammunition in this rifle?
- No, you cannot. The rifle is chambered only for .41 Remington Magnum. The .41 Special is a non-standard, low-pressure wildcat cartridge with different case dimensions and will not headspace correctly. Attempting to fire it can cause dangerous pressure excursions or case failures. Use only SAAMI-spec .41 Rem Mag factory ammunition or correctly formed handloads.
- How long does shipping take to an FFL?
- Ground shipping to a certified FFL dealer typically takes 5-7 business days from our warehouse. All firearms require a mandatory 48-hour processing and compliance verification period before shipment. Once shipped, you will receive tracking information, and you must contact your chosen FFL to arrange pickup and initiate the federal Form 4473 background check.
- Does this work with a suppressor?
- No, not without permanent modification that violates warranty. The 20-inch barrel is not threaded for a muzzle device. To add a suppressor, you would need a qualified gunsmith to cut, crown, and thread the barrel (cost: $250-$400), and the resulting configuration would likely exceed 45 inches overall, making it unwieldy for its intended roles.