The video opens at an outdoor ranch range with a western-themed setup and a focus on Henry Repeating Arms. The host explains a long personal history with Henry lever and pump-action .22 rifles and how those guns sparked an early interest in shooting and plinking. The main focus is a matched .357 Magnum pair: the Henry Big Boy .357 side gate lever action rifle and the Henry Big Boy revolver. The revolver is carried in a Henry leather holster, with a cartridge cuff on the belt holding extra .357 rounds. The lever gun has been upgraded with an extended lever loop to better accommodate gloved shooting, while the rest of the configuration remains close to factory form.
Attention turns to the Henry Big Boy revolver chambered in .357 Magnum and .38 Special. The original standard walnut grips have been replaced with darker gray grips available from Henry, giving the revolver a different visual style. The revolver is a double-action/single-action design, and the host notes that it cannot be fan-fired, likely due to its double-action mechanism. The hammer is relatively short, which would be a concern on a single-action-only gun, but is less of an issue here because the trigger can be run in double action. The double-action pull is described as smooth with a steady squeeze, while the single-action break requires very little pressure. Overall fit, finish, and appearance are praised, and the revolver is presented as a natural companion to the Big Boy lever gun in the same caliber.
The Henry Big Boy .357 side gate lever action rifle is highlighted as part of a unified .357 setup for both rifle and sidearm. The rifle features a brass frame, octagonal barrel, and wood furniture, with an extended lever loop installed for gloved use. The host loads the tubular magazine with .357 Magnum rather than .38 Special, noting that .38 Special in a lever gun feels similar to a louder .22 with almost no recoil. Even with .357 Magnum, the heavier octagonal barrel, brass frame, and overall weight keep recoil very manageable. The side gate allows convenient loading without removing the magazine tube, and a simple technique is described: push on the base of the preceding cartridge with the tip of the next round to avoid pinching fingers in the loading port. The rifle is set up to run on steel targets, including a Shooting Targets USA velociraptor silhouette.
With the Henry Big Boy lever action loaded to about ten rounds in the tube plus one in the chamber, a timed run is conducted. The goal is to send all eleven .357 Magnum rounds downrange as quickly as possible, using the target mainly as a reference point rather than for precision. Working the lever aggressively results in a total time of 6.06 seconds for all shots. During the sequence, the extended lever loop proves comfortable with gloves but also leads to a moment where the shooter’s finger gets caught when the lever closes, requiring a quick grip adjustment. The extended loop is recommended for gloved shooting, while the standard, narrower lever may be better for bare-handed, high-speed work. The steel velociraptor target is eventually knocked down, likely from repeated impacts and movement rather than a direct hit on an anchor point.
After resetting the velociraptor steel target, the focus returns to the Henry Big Boy revolver for a double-action string. Firing six .357 Magnum rounds quickly in double action produces a recorded time of 1.68 seconds. The revolver’s brass trigger guard and grip frame are noted, along with the dark gray aftermarket grips that replace the traditional walnut panels. The host compares the bird’s head grip option to the gunfighter-style grip, stating that the bird’s head looks appealing but the more conventional grip is preferred for running the revolver hard with .357 Magnum. Recoil is described as very manageable, making it easy to keep sights on target even when shooting quickly at roughly 20 feet. The unusual velociraptor target shape and bright sun are mentioned as factors that make precise hits more challenging, contributing to some misses during the fast sequence.
The video closes with broader impressions of Henry’s current lineup, especially the brass-framed side gate models like the .357 Big Boy shown. The idea of adding a no-drill sling that attaches around the stock and magazine tube is mentioned as a future upgrade for the lever gun. The leather cartridge cuff on the rifle’s stock needs to be tightened and may be darkened with saddle soap or mink oil to better match the overall look. A friend’s Henry .357 Super X model is referenced as an example of a more tactical configuration, and a potential friendly competition is suggested between that rifle and the more traditional “Arthur Morgan” style Big Boy. Viewers are asked for opinions on Henry’s new offerings, preferred grip styles, and interest in seeing a Henry, possibly in .45-70, featured in a future Classic Firearms contest.
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