Description
Henry took the classic Big Boy formula and swapped the polished brass for blued steel, and the result is a rifle that carries lighter, shrugs off field wear, and doesn't throw glare when the sun hits it. The Big Boy Steel Side Gate in .357 Magnum runs .38 Special just as happily, which means you can plink cheap and soft all afternoon, then load full-power magnums for hogs, deer-sized game at woods distances, or a capable home defense setup. Out of a 20 inch barrel, .357 Magnum picks up serious velocity over what you'd see from a revolver, so this little cartridge punches well above its handgun reputation.
Two Ways to Load the Big Boy Steel Side Gate
This is the feature that sets the Side Gate models apart. You get the traditional loading gate on the right side of the receiver for topping off on the move, plus Henry's removable tube magazine so you can unload without cycling every round through the action. Once you've unloaded a lever gun through the tube instead of racking ten rounds out one at a time, you won't want to go back. Capacity is 10+1 with .357 Magnum, and the shorter pistol cases give the action a quick, short lever throw.
Walnut, Steel, and Sights Done Right
The straight-grip stock and forend are genuine American walnut with crisp, deep checkering, finished off with a solid rubber recoil pad and sling swivel studs. Sights are a fully adjustable semi-buckhorn rear with a white diamond insert and a brass bead up front, a setup that's fast in the brush and precise enough for the 100 yard range. The receiver comes drilled and tapped, so adding a scope or red dot is a simple job with Henry's BB-RSM mount.
Why the Henry H012GM Earns Its Keep
At 7 pounds and 37.5 inches overall, this rifle balances well and carries easily all day. The action is smooth right out of the box, the transfer bar safety keeps things drop-safe without cluttering the receiver with buttons, and it's built in America by a company that stands behind its guns. Pair it with a .357 revolver and you've got a hard-to-beat woods combo.
Key Specifications
- Manufacturer: Henry Repeating Arms
- Model: Big Boy Steel Side Gate
- MPN: H012GM
- UPC: 619835200365
- Caliber: .357 Magnum / .38 Special
- Action: Lever Action
- Capacity: 10+1
- Barrel Length: 20" Round Blued Steel
- Twist Rate: 1:16"
- Overall Length: 37.5"
- Weight: 7 lbs
- Length of Pull: 14"
- Stock: Checkered American Walnut, Straight Grip
- Sights: Adjustable Semi-Buckhorn Rear / Brass Bead Front
- Receiver: Blued Steel, Drilled and Tapped
- Safety: Transfer Bar
What’s Included
- Henry Big Boy Steel Side Gate rifle (H012GM)
- Owner's manual
- Henry lifetime warranty
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Henry Big Boy Steel Side Gate shoot .38 Special?
Yes. Like a .357 Magnum revolver, this rifle handles both .357 Magnum and .38 Special. The .38s are soft-shooting and easy on the wallet for range days, while full-power .357 loads out of the 20 inch barrel gain a big velocity boost and hit hard enough for hunting duty at woods ranges.
How does the side gate work with the removable tube magazine?
You get both loading options on this model. Feed rounds through the side gate on the receiver like a traditional lever gun, or pull the inner magazine tube and drop rounds straight down the tube. The removable tube is especially handy for unloading, since you don't have to cycle every round through the action.
Can I mount a scope on the Big Boy Steel Side Gate?
Yes, the receiver comes drilled and tapped from the factory. Henry's BB-RSM scope mount is the direct fit, and once it's installed you can run a magnified scope or a red dot. Plenty of owners run it with the factory semi-buckhorn and bead sights too, which are fully adjustable at the rear.
What is the Henry H012GM good for?
It's a genuine do-it-all pistol caliber carbine. With 10+1 capacity, a smooth short-throw action, and a 7 pound carry weight, it works well for deer and hogs inside 100 yards or so, small to medium game with .38s, ranch and truck gun duty, home defense, and plain old fun at the range. It also pairs naturally with a .357 revolver for shared ammo.





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