The Henry Big Boy Carbine Side Gate is a lever-action carbine chambered in .45 Colt with a 16.5-inch octagon blued steel barrel, color case-hardened receiver, and American walnut stock. The large loop lever and 34.1-inch overall length make it compact for a lever gun, and the side gate loading mechanism allows topping off the magazine without removing it. 
 

Key Specifications 

• Model: Big Boy Carbine Side Gate 
• Caliber: .45 Colt (LC) 
• Barrel Length: 16.5 inches 
• Capacity: 7+1 rounds 
• Weight: 7.12 lbs 
• Overall Length: 34.1 inches 
• Action: Lever Action (Large Loop) 
• Finish: Color Case Hardened Steel / American Walnut 
• Front Sight: Brass bead 
• Rear Sight: Fully adjustable semi-buckhorn 
• Twist Rate: 1:16" 
• Safety: Transfer bar 
• Receiver: Drilled and tapped 
• Length of Pull: 14 inches 
   

Detailed Features 

The large loop lever accommodates gloved hands and is ergonomically practical in cold-weather use. The octagon barrel contributes to barrel rigidity and period-correct aesthetics. The side gate loads rounds directly into the magazine tube without emptying it, which is faster in the field. The transfer bar safety prevents discharge unless the trigger is fully pulled. The drilled and tapped receiver accepts scope bases.

The Henry Big Boy Carbine Side Gate in .45 Colt gets consistent praise for craftsmanship, smooth lever action, and the side gate loading mechanism which owners find genuinely useful in the field. Build quality -- the case-hardened receiver, octagon barrel, and walnut stock -- comes up repeatedly as a strength.

The shorter 16.5-inch barrel and carbine length are well-received for maneuverability. Accuracy at moderate ranges is generally described as good, and the .45 Colt cartridge offers manageable recoil with adequate stopping power for hunting applications. Henry's customer service gets positive mentions as well.

Price relative to other lever-action carbines is the main recurring consideration, with mixed opinions on whether the premium is justified. Weight at 7.12 lbs is also noted by some as slightly heavy for a carbine format.