The Henry Big Boy H017BDM Bird Head Grip .357 Magnum revolver is a true standout in the world of firearms, combining elegance and practicality in one impressive package. Debuting at the 2023 NRA Conference in Indianapolis, this revolver immediately caught my eye. After just a few minutes of dry-firing the show samples, I knew I had to get my hands on one. The wait was well worth it for one of the most elegant yet practical double-action revolvers on the market.

Named “Big Boy” after Henry’s renowned lever-action center-fire rifles, the two new Henry .357 Magnum revolvers boast the same solid engineering, construction and retro styling cues that make Henry firearms iconic. These design elements tie the revolver to America’s firearms history and should instill a sense of pride and tradition in every owner.

Henry Big Boy H0107BDM Revolver Specs

Action type: Traditional double-action/single-action
Caliber: .38 Special and .357 Magnum
Cylinder capacity: 6 rounds
Barrel length: 4 inches
Overall length: 9 inches
Weight: 34 ounces
Receiver-construction: Polished deeply blued steel
Grip frame and trigger guard: Mirror-like polished brass
Stock/grip style: Birdshead grip with walnut laser-etched stocks
Sights: Plain black/fixed
Three front sight blades of interchangeable height are included, and rear sight is a top strap groove.

About the Henry Big Boy .357 Magnum Revolver

The resemblance to older blued Colt double-action revolvers of the 20th century was immediately noticeable. Some of the retro-styled features include the free-standing ejector rod, the round barrel and the beautiful, old-school bluing of the carbon steel parts. My sample also included retro walnut Birdshead grips, so named because of their avian appearance when the revolver barrel is pointed toward the ground.

I selected the Birdshead model over the trumpet-shaped Gunfighter grips because I haven’t handled or fired a gun of this configuration before. Handling the revolver, I also realized several Big Boy styling cues, like the humpback around the hammer, are from the 1877 Colt Lightning double-action revolver.

Both current models of Big Boy revolvers have a mirror-like polished brass trigger guard and grip frame. The brass frame portion harkens back even further to the original blackpowder Colt Percussion revolvers like the 1851 Navy Models. Not being a metallurgist, I had no idea that a brass grip frame could be used on a modern .357 Magnum revolver.

While the Henry Big Boys take their styling cues from Colt, the operating system is similar to Smith & Wesson. The cylinder latch release operates by pushing it toward the front of the gun. The cylinder rotates counterclockwise during firing and locks up when the hammer is cocked in single-action mode. The trigger face is polished smooth and comfortable even when firing hard-recoiling .357 Magnum loads. I measured the single-action trigger pull weight at a crisp 3 pounds, 5.6 ounces, and the double-action pull at 10 pounds, 3 ounces.

The Big Boy fixed sighting system utilizes a trough in the top strap as the rear sight, while the plain black front sight is ramped and narrow. There are three interchangeable sights — low, medium and high heights — to account for various loads. These can be changed out by removing a standard slotted screw and allow users to better tailor their sights. A dab of Birchwood Casey’s Super Bright Pens made the front site more visible, but I would love to see Henry make a gold bead front sight that would tie in the Big Boy’s brass frame.

Shooting the Big Boy .357 Revolver

I took my neighbor, a former Special Forces Major, to the range to test the Big Boy. As his experience with revolvers is limited, he started with the Norma Range and Training .38 Special Ammunition. Though hot for a .38 Special load, it is not rated +P. It launches a 158-grain FMJ bullet at 968 feet per second, delivering 329 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle.

He got a feel for the gun firing single-action first and finished off the cylinder firing double-action. From a two-handed standing position at 20 feet, he turned in a 9-inch group. I fired a cylinder of .38s next and managed an 8-inch group. The Big Boy was a smooth shooter, and the Birdshead grips were surprising comfortable.

We also tested some SIG Sauer 125-grain V-Crown JHP Self-Defense Ammunition for a taste of the .357 Magnum power. The SIG Sauer bullet leaves the barrel at 1,450 feet per second, deliver 583 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle. My neighbor shot first, double-action, resulting in a 5.5-inch group in the head of the target. He said the .357, though a hot load, didn’t hurt at all.

I fired my last six shots of .357 Magnum at the steel half-silhouette rapid fire from 25 feet. The six shots, fired as fast as I could pull the trigger, were painless. The gentle inside curve of the front strap left plenty of room for my fingers, and the back strap curve didn’t pound the palm of my hand. So in addition to improved concealment, the Birdshead grip is great for recoil mitigation.

Timeless Craftsmanship Meets Modern Utility: The Henry Big Boy .357

If I could only have one, my preferred handgun would be a 4-inch six-shot .357 Magnum revolver. A .357 Magnum revolver can do a little bit of everything, from home and personal defense to target shooting or survival hunting, should it come to that. The Big Boy is an ideal outdoorsman’s handgun and would serve as an excellent backup to a Henry rifle in bear country. Based on the owner’s manual, which lists the two .357 models and a .22 LR/Magnum that is not yet on the website, Henry isn’t done with this lineup yet.

The Henry Big Boy H017BDM .357 Magnum Revolver exceeded my expectations as a practical carry and defense gun. While it makes a fantastic addition to any Henry collection, the Henry Big Boy .357 Magnum revolver is designed for so much more. Its versatility shines as a concealed carry or defense gun, an informal target shooting companion or the perfect partner to a Henry rifle or carbine. The revolver’s deep bluing is flawless, enhancing its visual appeal, while its robust construction ensures it can withstand generations of use. Built like an elegant army tank, the Big Boy revolver is a beautifully rendered piece that promises reliability and performance for a lifetime and beyond. MSRP is $928.

Sources

Henry: HenryUSA.com
Buffalo Bore: BuffaloBore.com
Birchwood Casey: BirchwoodCasey.com
SIG Sauer: SIGSauer.com
Leggenda Knife in lead photo: WooxStore.com