The Henry Big Boy Side Gate (model H006G) is a lever-action rifle chambered in .44 Magnum and .44 Special with a polished brass receiver, American walnut stock, and a 20-inch octagon barrel. Capacity is 10+1 rounds fed through a side-loading gate that lets you top off the magazine tube without removing the plug. 
 

Key Specifications 

• Model: H006G (Big Boy Side Gate) 
• Caliber: .44 MAG/.44 SPL 
• Action Type: Lever Action 
• Capacity: 10+1 rounds 
• Barrel Length: 20 inches 
• Weight: 8.7 lbs 
• Barrel Type: Octagon Profile 
• Finish: Polished Brass 
• Stock Material: American Walnut 
   

Detailed Features 

The 20-inch octagon barrel gives this rifle more sight radius and slightly better velocity than the 16.5-inch carbine variant. The brass bead front sight and fully adjustable semi-buckhorn rear with diamond insert provide a usable zero at hunting distances. The transfer bar safety prevents discharge unless the trigger is pulled. Side gate loading is faster than the traditional end-cap method, and you can load without clearing the chamber. Dual caliber compatibility lets you run .44 Special for lower-cost practice and switch to .44 Magnum for hunting or field use. 
 

Target Audience 

Hunters who want a full-length .44 Magnum lever gun for deer-sized game. Cowboy action shooters who need a .44 platform with the longer barrel configuration. Collectors drawn to the classic brass-receiver octagon-barrel look. 
 

Usage Scenarios 

The 20-inch barrel and 8.7-lb weight make this a better range and hunting rifle than a tight-quarters option. The side gate speeds up reloads in field conditions. At 10+1 capacity it holds three more rounds than the carbine variant, which matters in scenarios where reloading time is a factor.

The Henry Big Boy Brass Side Gate .44 Mag in the 20-inch octagon configuration gets consistently positive reviews from owners across different forums.

The brass receiver and octagonal barrel combination is the most-discussed feature and draws nearly universal praise for its appearance. Henry's fit and finish at this price point is well-regarded. Lever action smoothness is mentioned frequently as a strong point out of the box. Accuracy at hunting ranges gets good marks, and the .44 Magnum caliber's versatility for both lighter Special loads and heavier hunting loads is seen as a practical benefit. Side gate loading is consistently called an improvement over the traditional tube-loading design.

The main negatives are weight and side gate smoothness. At 8.7 lbs the rifle is on the heavier side for extended field carry, which some users find tiring. The side gate is generally positive but a few users note it could operate more smoothly than it does. Price is mentioned occasionally as on the higher end of the lever-action segment, though most buyers who bring it up still feel the quality justifies the cost.