Best Henry Rifles (2026): Big Boy, H24, Supreme & More

The best Henry rifles cover more ground than most people realize. Henry Repeating Arms built its name on rimfire lever guns, but today the lineup runs from brass framed .45-70 bear guns and a faithful copy of the 1860 Henry to an AR magazine fed lever gun, a 9mm semi auto carbine, a .410 lever shotgun, a single shot hunting rifle, and the floating AR-7 survival rifle. Made in America and backed by strong customer service, Henry has become the default lever gun for a lot of shooters.

Our writers have tested much of that lineup. We hit steel at 1,045 yards with the Lever Action Supreme, ran 325 grain .45-70 loads through an H24 Signature, carried a New Original Henry to hunt camp, chronographed a .327 Big Boy carbine and a Homesteader 9mm, tested the .410 Side Gate as a survival shotgun, and floated an AR-7. For a wider look across brands, see our best lever action rifles guide.

This is a lineup guide. We rank the Henry rifles our writers have reviewed by what each one does best, so you can pick the right Henry for hunting, plinking, home use, or the truck. We tell you what each did on the range and what it cost at the time of review, since Henry has adjusted prices and models over the years.

Read the buyer’s guide first if you are not sure which Henry fits your needs, or jump straight to the picks.

Buyer’s Guide: How To Choose The Best Henry Rifles In 2026

Henry makes so many models that the hard part is narrowing it down. Here is how to choose.

Caliber And Purpose

Start with the job. Pistol caliber lever guns like the Big Boy in .44 Magnum or .327 Federal are handy, mild, and ideal for brush hunting and pairing with a revolver. The .45-70 is a big game and bear country round. The Lever Action Supreme runs AR-15 cartridges with more reach. Rimfires and the AR-7 are for small game and packing. For ammo selection, see our best lever action ammo guide.

Side Gate Or Tube Loading

Traditional Henry rifles load through a removable tube at the front of the magazine. Newer Side Gate models add a Winchester style loading gate on the receiver while keeping the tube. Side gates let you top off without pointing the muzzle toward you, which many hunters prefer. The H24 Signature and .410 use side gates.

Brass, Steel, Or Aluminum

Henry’s polished brass receivers are beautiful but heavier and show wear. Blued or color case hardened steel is classic and durable. The Lever Action Supreme and Homesteader use modern aluminum receivers. Choose the look you like and the weight you can carry.

Sights, Optics, And Barrel Length

Most Henrys ship with good iron sights, and many are drilled and tapped for a scope. Shorter carbine barrels around 16 to 20 inches handle best in the brush, while longer barrels add velocity and sight radius. The Big Boy carbine wears a 16.5 inch barrel and the H24 a 19.8 inch barrel.

Price And Value

Henry pricing ranges from under $300 for the AR-7 at the time of our review to around $1,300 for the H24 and Lever Action Supreme. Brass and engraved models cost more. Check GunsAmerica listings for used Henrys, which hold value well.

Best Henry Rifles Ranked: 2026 Product Roundup

Henry Big Boy Carbine .44 Magnum: Best Overall Henry Rifle (2026)

The Henry Big Boy Carbine in .44 Magnum is the best overall Henry rifle because it is handy, hard hitting, and classic. Our reviewer called it a ranch rifle with classic looks. It has a 16.5 inch octagon barrel, and a 240 grain Federal Hydra Shok load moved about 1,650 feet per second from it. The MSRP was $899 at the time of review, with street prices lower.

Read our full Henry Big Boy Carbine .44 Magnum review here.

He found it about a pound heavier than a Winchester 94 but not cumbersome, and ideal for thick brush where shots are under 100 yards. It is not a paper punching rifle, but it shot respectable groups. It also comes in .357 Magnum and .45 Colt. For more brush guns, see our best brush guns for deer hunting.

Key Specs

• Caliber: .44 Magnum (also .357 Magnum, .45 Colt)
• Barrel: 16.5 in octagon
• Action: Lever action, tube fed
• Velocity: 240 gr at about 1,650 fps
• MSRP: $899 at the time of review

Pros

• Hard hitting and handy
• Classic octagon barrel
• Pairs with a revolver

Cons

• Heavier than a Winchester 94
• Not a long range rifle

🛒 Check Current Price for Henry Big Boy Carbine on GunsAmerica

Henry H24 Signature .45-70: Best Henry For Big Game (2026)

The Henry H24 Signature .45-70 is the best Henry for big game and bear country because it pairs a brass receiver and side gate with serious power. It has a 19.8 inch barrel, is 38.1 inches long, weighs 7.09 pounds, and holds four rounds in the tube. The listed MSRP was $1,300, though our reviewer called it a bargain at $1,045.

Read our full Henry H24 Signature .45-70 review here.

He shot 325 grain loads moving at over 2,000 feet per second and praised the smooth action from day one, crisp trigger, and heirloom quality. For more big bore lever guns, see our best .45-70 rifles.

Key Specs

• Caliber: .45-70 Government
• Capacity: 4
• Weight: 7.09 lb
• Barrel: 19.8 in; overall length 38.1 in
• Action: Lever action, side gate
• MSRP: $1,300 listed at the time of review

Pros

• Serious .45-70 power
• Smooth action and crisp trigger
• Side gate loading
• Beautiful brass receiver

Cons

• Four round capacity
• Brass is heavy and shows wear

🛒 Check Current Price for Henry H24 .45-70 on GunsAmerica

Henry Lever Action Supreme: Best Modern Henry Lever Gun (2026)

The Henry Lever Action Supreme is the best modern Henry lever gun because it feeds from AR-15 magazines and stretches the lever gun’s reach. It weighs about 6.5 pounds, is 38 inches long, and ships with a 10 round Magpul PMAG and a five round limiter. The adjustable trigger was set right at 3 pounds out of the box, and the hammer is internal. The MSRP was $1,299 at the time of review.

Read our full Henry Lever Action Supreme review here.

Our reviewer ran it from 100 yard groups out to an 18 inch gong at 1,045 yards. Hornady 53 grain V-Max clocked 3,111 feet per second from the .223/5.56 test rifle, and he listed sub MOA accuracy potential, a threaded barrel, and suppressor height sights among its strengths. It is the Henry for shooters who want lever action manners with modern performance.

Key Specs

• Caliber: .223 Rem/5.56 NATO as tested (other AR calibers offered)
• Capacity: 10 round PMAG included, uses AR magazines
• Weight: about 6.5 lb
• Length: 38 in
• Action: Lever action, internal hammer
• Trigger: adjustable, 3 lb out of box
• MSRP: $1,299 at the time of review

Pros

• Uses AR magazines
• Hits steel at 1,045 yd
• Adjustable trigger

Cons

• Expensive
• Not a traditional lever gun

🛒 Check Current Price for Henry Lever Action Supreme on GunsAmerica

New Original Henry: Best Historic Henry (2026)

The New Original Henry is the best historic Henry because it is a faithful copy of the 1860 Henry rifle that soldiers called the gun you could load on Sunday and shoot all week. It has a polished brass receiver, a deep blued octagon barrel, and figured walnut. Since .44 rimfire is long obsolete, it is chambered in .44-40 or .45 Colt.

Read our full New Original Henry hunting review here.

Our hunter chose .45 Colt, which holds 13 rounds. With the folding ladder sight down, it was dead on at 50 yards for elevation and hit slightly left, and he used it to take a hog on the run in South Carolina. Our older Henry Original review covered the .44-40 version.

Key Specs

• Caliber: .45 Colt or .44-40
• Capacity: 13 (.45 Colt)
• Barrel: Octagon, blued
• Action: Lever action, 1860 style
• Sights: Blade front, folding ladder rear

Pros

• Faithful 1860 Henry reproduction
• Gorgeous brass and walnut
• Proven on a running hog

Cons

• Expensive
• Front loading tube like the original

🛒 Check Current Price for New Original Henry on GunsAmerica

Henry Big Boy .327 Federal Carbine: Best Henry Companion Carbine (2026)

The Henry Big Boy .327 Federal carbine is the best companion carbine because it pairs perfectly with a .327 or .32 H&R revolver. It has a 16.5 inch barrel, and the trigger broke at just under 5 pounds. The MSRP was $945 at the time of review.

Read our full Henry .327 Big Boy Carbine review here.

Our reviewer averaged 1,630 feet per second with 78 grain loads from the Henry, compared with 1,270 from a 4.62 inch Ruger revolver. He liked the mild recoil and the idea of one cartridge for rifle and handgun. See our best .32 Magnum revolvers for a matching sidearm.

Key Specs

• Caliber: .327 Federal Magnum (also .32 H&R)
• Barrel: 16.5 in
• Action: Lever action
• Trigger: just under 5 lb
• Velocity: 78 gr at 1,630 fps
• MSRP: $945 at the time of review

Pros

• Mild recoil
• Fast 78 gr loads
• Pairs with .327 revolvers

Cons

• .327 ammo can be hard to find
• Niche cartridge

🛒 Check Current Price for Henry .327 Big Boy Carbine on GunsAmerica

Henry Homesteader 9mm: Best Henry Semi Auto (2026)

The Henry Homesteader is the best Henry semi auto, a 16.5 inch barreled blowback carbine in 9mm. The M-LOK version weighs 6.5 pounds, has a 14 inch length of pull, and ships with five and ten round magazines.

Read our full Henry Homesteader M-LOK review here.

Our reviewer averaged 1,401 feet per second from the Homesteader, and after adjusting his sight picture the rifle hit his aiming point. He compared it to the old Winchester 1907. Our earlier Homesteader 9mm review covers the original model. For more options, see our best 9mm carbines.

Key Specs

• Caliber: 9mm
• Capacity: 5 and 10 round magazines included
• Weight: 6.5 lb
• Barrel: 16.5 in
• Action: Blowback semi auto
• Velocity: 1,401 fps average

Pros

• Classic looks with M-LOK
• Good velocity
• Comfortable 14 in LOP

Cons

• Dense for a 9mm carbine
• Magazines sit proud
• Shot low at first

🛒 Check Current Price for Henry Homesteader on GunsAmerica

Henry .410 Side Gate: Best Henry Shotgun (2026)

The Henry .410 Side Gate is the best Henry shotgun, and our reviewer called it possibly the prettiest survival shotgun in the world. It holds six rounds, has a 19.8 inch barrel, is only 38 inches long, and weighs 7.09 pounds. It loads through the side gate or the removable tube. The price was $1,077 at the time of review.

Read our full Henry .410 Side Gate review here.

He noted that .410 target and buckshot loads run at about the same speeds as 12 gauge, and .410 shells take up less than half the space. It is a handy small game and pest gun.

Key Specs

• Gauge: .410
• Capacity: 6
• Weight: 7.09 lb
• Barrel: 19.8 in; overall length 38 in
• Action: Lever action, side gate and tube
• Price: $1,077 at the time of review

Pros

• Six rounds in a 38 in package
• Side gate and tube loading
• Beautiful

Cons

• .410 shells are pricey
• Heavy for its gauge

🛒 Check Current Price for Henry .410 Side Gate on GunsAmerica

Henry Single Shot Rifle: Best Henry For New Hunters (2026)

The Henry Single Shot Rifle is the best Henry for new hunters because it is simple, safe, and affordable. Our writer bought one in .243 Winchester for his child, with a 22 inch round blued barrel, and fitted a youth stock that is an inch shorter in length of pull.

Read our full Henry Single Shot .243 review here.

Henry’s MSRP was $580 at the time of writing, and he found them selling for about $100 less. He chose the .243 over the 30-30, 6.5 Creedmoor, and 7mm-08 for its mild recoil and reach.

Key Specs

• Caliber: .243 Winchester (as tested)
• Capacity: 1
• Barrel: 22 in round blued
• Action: Break action single shot
• Stock: Youth length of pull available
• MSRP: $580 at the time of review

Pros

• Simple and safe for beginners
• Affordable
• Youth stock option

Cons

• One shot only
• Basic features

🛒 Check Current Price for Henry Single Shot on GunsAmerica

Henry U.S. Survival AR-7: Best Henry Survival Rifle (2026)

The Henry U.S. Survival AR-7 is the best Henry survival rifle because it breaks down and stores inside its own stock, and the packed stock floats. The stock holds two 8 round magazines, giving you 16 rounds on board. The price was $290 at the time of review and generally stayed under $300.

Read our full Henry AR-7 review here.

Our reviewer found the simple blowback action reliable even when wet, dirty, and fouled. It is not a target rifle, but it is a light, packable .22 for the boat, plane, or truck. See our best survival rifles for more.

Key Specs

• Caliber: .22 LR
• Capacity: 8 round magazines, 2 included
• Action: Blowback semi auto
• Storage: Breaks down into the stock, floats
• Price: $290 at the time of review

Pros

• Stores in its own stock
• Floats
• Reliable when dirty

Cons

• Not very accurate
• Basic sights

🛒 Check Current Price for Henry AR-7 on GunsAmerica

Final Thoughts On The Best Henry Rifles Of 2026

The best Henry rifle for most shooters is the Big Boy Carbine in .44 Magnum. It is handy, hard hitting, and classic. The H24 Signature is the big game Henry, the Lever Action Supreme is the modern long range lever gun, and the New Original Henry is the history lesson. The .327 Big Boy is the revolver companion, the Homesteader is the 9mm semi auto, the .410 Side Gate is the shotgun, the Single Shot is for new hunters, and the AR-7 rides in the boat or plane.

Related reading: see our guides to the best .22 Magnum guns, best cap and ball revolvers, and best scout rifles.

For more lever guns, see our best lever action rifles, best ranch rifles, and best .22 LR rifles guides. Train hard, shoot straight, and stay dangerous. Shop Henry rifles on GunsAmerica.com.