Henry SPD Hush vs Marlin Dark 1895

Smokeshot

Sergeant of the Hide
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Minuteman
Oct 8, 2024
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https://www.henryusa.com/rifles/spd-hush-series/

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This looks like Henry’s answer to Marlin’s Dark series model 1895.
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I am planning to switch out my current hunting gun - Marlin 512 slugmaster (12 Ga) to a lever action chambered in 45-70. Hoping to get some insight from the Hide members.
 
The Henry design is superior to the Marlin because if it jams you can release some pressure on the action by removing the magazine tube.

Superior to both the Henry and Marlin would be a Winchester (Miroku or Chiappa or Taylors and Co) 1886 Takedown model.

Having had two Marlins develop the “Marlin Jam,” which cannot be cleared without tools, I will never own a Marlin again. I view the Henry action design with the same distrust as the Marlin.

Winchester 1886 / 1892 / 1894 Takedown models all day for me.

-Stan
 
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I've had my Marlin (Ruger) Dark for a bit over a year now. 45-70. running a dead air primal on it, put a Leupold FX-II 2.5x scout scope on it with low ARC M10 rings, Timney trigger. Really like it, shoot mostly cast/powder coated 340-500gr subs. Never have had any issues with mine. I've got a dozen other lever guns but basically only shoot this one any more. Will probably get an SBL 38/357 version soon to play with. Once you start shooting subs through a can it's hard to go back to the others (92, 94, 71,73, 65, 96/44, etc).

The raised comb on the stock really helps if you are going to run a red dot or optics on the rifle. Main reason (besides threading) that I went with the dark.
 
I have the older Henry dark 357. Can't remember what it's called but it's threaded 17" 357 with black furniture. I've killed a few deer with 185 grain XTPs through an R9.

I've also shot a lot of cast lead cowboy bullets through my rugged serviceable can. It's fun mortaring them in and twisting turrets at 2-300 yards.

No complaints - it'll kill whatever you need within 100 yards with XTPs and the 38s are way quieter and cheaper than 300bo AR15s.

It's a quality firearm.

The novelty is wearing off a bit now and I don't really shoot it very much. Doesn't do anything a 16" bolt action 223 + 22lr combo can't do better.
 
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Lol 😂 well, I’m sure you know that our white tail are big compared to say .. Texas. And with the limited caliber selection they allow us, I think 45-70 is the best choice imo. I’m open to suggestions though.
I would take a look at the ballistics of the 45 Colt “Deer Grenade” load from Buffalo Bore.

-Stan
 
Lol 😂 well, I’m sure you know that our white tail are big compared to say .. Texas. And with the limited caliber selection they allow us, I think 45-70 is the best choice imo. I’m open to suggestions though.
I've got a 45-70 and a 357.
Both are brush guns for 50 yard hunting.
There's really not much point in anymore than the 357 for deer IMO and the subsonic plinker toy stuff is much much cheaper. It gets shot 10-1 the 45-70.
 
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Why can't someone do a new Winchester 71, with any of the straight wall cartridges?

I don't see the use case of revolver cartridge lever guns, anymore than I can see the purpose of PCC AR's.

A lever rifle or carbine shooting 45-70, 450 or 500 Alaskan has a purpose.

OP, I would much prefer to hunt with a 45-70, than hunt with a 12g slug gun. My wife's nephew-in-law drew a bison tag this year, and wants to use a Sharps Borchardt that we gave him...

ETA: Laser range finders makes the old cartridge relevant again.
 
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Why can't someone do a new Winchester 71, with any of the straight wall cartridges?

A lever rifle or carbine shooting 45-70, 450 or 500 Alaskan has a purpose.
I have thought of looking for another 71 just to do a conversion to 500 Alaskan but I don't really shoot my 348 much either, so I put it on the back burner.

and as mentioned, I think a 500S&W lever gun would be fun. Big Horn Armory is doing some cool stuff. Maybe with the SBR and NFA tax going away, a sub 16" 500 lever gun with a nice can or integral isn't so far fetched any more.. :)
 
I have thought of looking for another 71 just to do a conversion to 500 Alaskan but I don't really shoot my 348 much either, so I put it on the back burner.

and as mentioned, I think a 500S&W lever gun would be fun. Big Horn Armory is doing some cool stuff. Maybe with the SBR and NFA tax going away, a sub 16" 500 lever gun with a nice can or integral isn't so far fetched any more.. :)
Except that reducing barrel length on a lever gun necessitates reducing the tube magazine length. And, rimmed cartridges don’t typically do well in box magazines…