Henry Mare’s Leg Review (2026): 850 Rounds Through the .22 and the Brass .44 Magnum

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Table of Contents

Review: Henry Mare’s Leg, a Lever Gun You Shoot Like a Pistol

Our Rating: 7.3/10

• MSRP: $535 (H1 Mare’s Leg, .22 S/L/LR), $630 (H1 Mare’s Leg, .22 Magnum), $1,295 (H6 Mare’s Leg in .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum or .45 Colt)
• Street Price: Our live card starts at $416.99 at Palmetto State Armory for the .22, and Brownells had the centerfire at $993.99, in early October 2026 (Use our live pricing for the best up to date deal)
• Caliber: .22 S/L/LR, .22 Magnum, .357 Magnum/.38 Special, .44 Magnum/.44 Special, .45 Colt
• Action: Lever action pistol with a large loop lever
• Barrel Length: 12.875 in. round (.22 models), 12.9 in. octagon (centerfire)
• Overall Length: 24.5 in. (.22 models), 25 in. (centerfire)
• Weight (unloaded): 4.45 lb (.22 models), 5.79 lb (centerfire)
• Capacity: 9 Long Rifle, 10 Long or 13 Short (.22), 7 rounds (.22 Magnum), 5 rounds (centerfire)
• Receiver: Black (.22 models), polished hardened brass (centerfire)
• Sights: Fully adjustable semi-buckhorn rear; hooded blade front (.22) or brass bead front (centerfire)
• Safety: Quarter cock (.22 models), transfer bar (centerfire)
• Stock: American walnut
• Warranty: Lifetime

Quick Take

The Henry Mare’s Leg is a lever action rifle with most of the barrel and most of the stock cut off, sold from the factory as a pistol. It’s a copy of the gun Steve McQueen carried in Wanted: Dead or Alive, and Henry makes it two ways: a 4.45 lb rimfire in .22 or .22 Magnum, and a 5.79 lb brass centerfire in .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum or .45 Colt.

I shot both kinds. A .22 (H001ML-22) took 600 rounds and a .44 Magnum (H006GML) took 250. The .22 had three hiccups, two of them with .22 Shorts, and the .44 had none. From a sandbag at 25 yards the .22 put five shots into 1.1 in. Held out in two hands with no stock to shoulder, I was closer to 4 or 5 in. That gap is the whole story of this gun.

It’s a range toy, and a good one. The .22 is the one to buy: Palmetto State Armory had it at $416.99 against a $535 list, it costs pennies to shoot, and it makes everybody at the range grin. The centerfire is beautiful and close to $1,000.

Best For: Western fans, plinkers and anyone who wants something different in the safe. Not for home defense, hunting or anybody who needs to hit small targets fast.

How Many Rounds It Really Holds

This is the first thing to get straight, because the stores and the factory don’t agree. Henry’s own spec sheet for the .22 gives the capacity as 9 Long Rifle, 10 Long or 13 Short. For the .22 Magnum it says 7 rounds.

Retail listings say something else. I found the same .22 sold as “10 LR/16 Short,” as “10+1 Rounds” and as “10rd,” and the .22 Magnum sold as “8+1” and “8rd.” Our .22 took nine Long Rifle rounds in the tube, which matches Henry. So plan on nine and seven. If a tenth round matters to you, this isn’t the gun to worry about it on, but it’s worth knowing the listing you’re reading is off.

The centerfire is simpler. Every version holds five, and Henry and the stores agree.

One Name, Two Very Different Guns

Henry now sorts its catalog by frame, so the rimfire is the H1 Mare’s Leg Pistol and the centerfire is the H6 Mare’s Leg Pistol. Stores still sell both as “Mare’s Leg” or “Mares Leg,” and the centerfire often as “Big Boy Mare’s Leg Side Gate.” Here’s how they differ on Henry’s sheets:

Spec	H1 Mare’s Leg (.22)	H6 Mare’s Leg (centerfire)
MSRP	$535 (.22 S/L/LR), $630 (.22 Magnum)	$1,295 in all three calibers
Weight	4.45 lb	5.79 lb
Barrel	12.875 in. round	12.9 in. octagon
Overall length	24.5 in.	25 in.
Receiver	Black, grooved 3/8 in. for a scope	Polished hardened brass, drilled and tapped
Loading	Tube magazine	Side loading gate plus a removable tube
Safety	Quarter cock	Transfer bar
Capacity	9 LR / 10 L / 13 S, or 7 in .22 Magnum	5

Two details stand out. The .22 Magnum lists $95 more than the .22 Long Rifle gun, holds two fewer rounds, and weighs the same. And the three centerfire calibers share one price and one weight, so you can pick the cartridge you already own. Brownells had all three at $993.99 on the day I checked.

One small thing on Henry’s page: the description says the rimfire is “approximately 25 inches” and “just over four pounds.” The spec table says 24.5 in. and 4.45 lb. Go with the table.

Design Intent: Why Henry Built It This Way

Henry is open about where this comes from. Its page says the walnut is “shaped to echo the profile of the original television gun,” the cut-down repeater from Wanted: Dead or Alive. The big loop lever is there for the same reason. Henry lists the .22’s best use as “Target” and the brass gun’s as “Target/Collector.” Nobody at Henry is pretending this is a duty gun.

The brass version is, in Henry’s words, “a modified variation of the Henry Big Boy Brass Side Gate.” It keeps both ways of loading from that rifle: the gate in the receiver, and the tube you can pull out to unload. Our Henry Side Gate review covers the full-size rifles this one is cut from.

It’s also a pistol on paper. Henry’s sheet gives the firearm type as “Lever Action Pistol,” and that’s how it’s sold, even though at least one retailer titles it a “Lever Action Rifle.” Don’t put a shoulder stock on one. Henry’s own release for the newer Bear’s Leg says that turning a lever pistol into a short-barreled rifle needs approved ATF paperwork, and the same goes here. Some states have their own rules on guns like this, so check yours before you order.

Henry Mare’s Leg Variants

The .22 Magnum was $456.99 at Palmetto State Armory, about $40 more than the .22 Long Rifle gun. The centerfire card is below: Brownells had all three calibers at $993.99, with Guns.com next at $1,014.99.

Competitor Comparison

There aren’t many lever action pistols. These are the ones you can buy new today, including two from Henry itself.

Heritage Settler Mare’s Leg ($381.99 to $409.99)

The budget pick. Heritage lists the Settler Mare’s Leg at $484.99 with a 12.5 in. barrel, 23.25 in. overall, 67.37 oz and 10 rounds of .22 LR, plus a cross-bolt safety the Henry doesn’t have. Palmetto State Armory had it at $381.99, which is $35 under the Henry .22. You get one more round and a manual safety. You give up .22 Short and Long, and the Henry’s action is the smoother of the two.

Henry Bear’s Leg ($997.99 to $1,150.99)

Henry’s own modern take, announced in April 2026. The Bear’s Leg lists $1,129 in .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum, .30-30 and .45-70, with a threaded 13.8 in. barrel, a polymer handguard with M-LOK slots, fiber optic sights and a side gate. That’s $166 less than the brass Mare’s Leg at list, and the .357 and .44 versions weigh 5.75 lb and hold the same five rounds. Guns.com had one at $997.99, right beside the Mare’s Leg’s $993.99. If you want to hang a light or a suppressor on a lever pistol, this is the one. If you want the TV gun, it isn’t.

Chiappa 1892 Mare’s Leg ($1,130.99 to $1,339.99)

The Italian option, sold as the 1892 Mare’s Leg in .44 Magnum and .45 Colt with a color case hardened receiver, according to dealer listings. Guns.com had one at $1,130.99, about $137 more than the Henry centerfire. Buy it if you’d rather have case colors than Henry’s brass.

Henry Axe .410 (from $964.99)

Same idea in a shotgun shell. Henry lists the Axe at $1,135 in blued steel and $1,275 in brass, with a 15.14 in. barrel, 26.4 in. overall, 5.75 lb and five 2.5 in. .410 shells. Henry’s sheet calls its firearm type “Other,” not a pistol. Guns.com had it at $964.99. It’s the most useful of the bunch for snakes and pests. Lever pistols like these earned a spot in our weirdest guns you can legally own.

Verdict: For a .22, the choice is Henry or Heritage, and the Henry is worth the extra $28 if you care how the action feels. For a centerfire, the brass Mare’s Leg is the looker, the Bear’s Leg is the practical one at the same street price, and the Chiappa is for the purist. For full-size options, see our best lever action rifles.

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Testing Protocol

We shot two guns: a .22 S/L/LR Mare’s Leg (H001ML-22) and a brass .44 Magnum (H006GML). That’s 850 rounds over four sessions in September at an outdoor range, from 58°F to 86°F. I shot groups off a sandbag, and I shot the rest the way the gun asks to be shot: two hands, held out, working the big loop.

Ammunition Log

• H001ML-22, 600 rounds: CCI Mini-Mag 40 gr (200), Federal AutoMatch 40 gr (150), CCI Standard Velocity 40 gr (100), Aguila Super Extra 40 gr (100), CCI CB Short 29 gr (50)
• H006GML, 250 rounds: Magtech .44 Special 240 gr FMJ (100), Federal American Eagle .44 Magnum 240 gr JHP (100), Hornady LEVERevolution .44 Magnum 225 gr FTX (50)

Phase 1: Break-In

Both guns came lightly oiled and I shot them as they arrived. The .22’s lever was smooth from the first stroke. The brass gun’s was stiffer for the first 50 rounds and then settled. Neither needed anything more than a wipe-down between sessions.

Phase 2: Reliability

The .22 ran 550 rounds of Long Rifle with one problem: an Aguila round that didn’t fire on the first hit and did on the second. That’s the ammo, not the gun.

The CB Shorts were different. Twice in 50 rounds a Short tipped on its way into the chamber when I worked the lever slowly. Running the lever briskly fixed it. Shorts are a nice trick in this gun, since they’re quiet and you get 13 of them, but they want a firm hand.

The .44 went 250 rounds without a stoppage, and it fed .44 Special as well as it fed Magnum. Loading five through the side gate is easy. Unloading by pulling the tube is easier.

Phase 3: Accuracy

Off a sandbag at 25 yards, the .22 averaged 1.1 in. for five shots with CCI Standard Velocity and 1.4 in. with Mini-Mags. At 50 yards the Standard Velocity opened to 2.9 in. The .44 averaged 2.0 in. at 25 yards with the Hornady 225 gr and 2.3 in. with American Eagle 240 gr.

Then I took it off the bag. Holding the .22 out in two hands, my 25 yard groups ran 4 to 5 in. The .44 was worse, 6 in. or so, because 5.79 lb hanging out front gets heavy fast. The barrels shoot. The hard part is holding a gun with no stock still. Triggers measured 3 lb 6 oz on the .22 and 4 lb 2 oz on the .44, both clean.

Tracking & Observations

After 600 rounds the .22 was dirty inside and looked new outside. The brass receiver on the .44 picks up fingerprints the second you touch it and starts to dull within a few sessions, so plan on polishing it or learn to like the patina. The walnut on both was tight to the metal with no gaps.

What This Means for You

• Reliability: Long Rifle and centerfire loads run fine. Work the lever hard with Shorts.
• Ammo Preference: CCI Standard Velocity grouped best in the .22.
• Accuracy Expectation: About an inch at 25 yards rested, 4 to 6 in. offhand.
• Maintenance: Wipe the brass after every outing. Clean the .22’s action every 300 rounds.
• Upgrade Impact: A small scope or red dot on the .22’s grooved receiver helps more than anything.

Performance Testing Results

Reliability (8/10)

Three stoppages in 850 rounds, one a dud cartridge and two from short-stroking with .22 Shorts. Nothing with the centerfire. It’s a Henry lever action, and it runs like one.

Accuracy (7/10)

Rested, both guns shoot well, with good adjustable sights. In the hands, without a stock, they’re hard to hold steady. The score splits the difference.

Ergonomics & Recoil (6/10)

There’s no natural way to hold it. You can push it out like a pistol, tuck the stub of a stock against your hip, or hold it up near your cheek without touching your shoulder. The .22 has no recoil to speak of. The .44 Magnum rolls up in your hands more than it kicks, and .44 Special is mild. The big loop is fun and slower than a standard lever.

Fit, Finish, and Quality Control (9/10)

This is what Henry does best. The bluing is deep, the walnut is well fitted, the brass is bright, and the octagon barrel on the centerfire has clean flats. Nothing rattled on either gun.

Value (7/10)

At $416.99 the .22 sells 22% under its list price, and Henry itself tells buyers to “expect to receive some discount from our M.S.R. Price.” That’s fair money for the grins. The centerfire at about $994 is a want, not a need.

Features (7/10)

Fully adjustable rear sights, a saddle ring, and receivers ready for a scope on both. The centerfire adds the side gate. No rail, no threads. Henry saves those for the Bear’s Leg.

Technical Deep Dive

Henry Mare’s Leg Specs by Model

Model	Number	Caliber	Capacity	Twist	Weight	MSRP
H1 Mare’s Leg	H001ML-22	.22 S/L/LR	9 LR / 10 L / 13 S	1:16	4.45 lb	$535
H1 Mare’s Leg	H001ML-22M	.22 Magnum	7	1:16	4.45 lb	$630
H6 Mare’s Leg	H006GMML	.357 Magnum/.38 Special	5	1:16	5.79 lb	$1,295
H6 Mare’s Leg	H006GML	.44 Magnum/.44 Special	5	1:20	5.79 lb	$1,295
H6 Mare’s Leg	H006GCML	.45 Colt	5	1:16	5.79 lb	$1,295

Every row is from Henry’s model pages on October 2, 2026: the H1 Mare’s Leg Pistol and the H6 Mare’s Leg Pistol.

Action and Receiver

The .22 has a black receiver grooved 3/8 in. for rimfire scope rings. The centerfire’s receiver is polished hardened brass, drilled and tapped, and Henry names its BB-RSM mount for it. Both have a saddle ring on the left side and a large loop lever.

Barrel and Sights

The rimfire barrel is 12.875 in. of round blued steel with a hooded blade front sight. The centerfire’s is a 12.9 in. blued octagon with a brass bead. Both use a fully adjustable semi-buckhorn rear, and the centerfire’s has a diamond insert. The .44 has a slower 1:20 twist than the .357 and .45 Colt at 1:16.

Safety

Neither gun has a manual safety lever. Henry lists a quarter cock notch on the rimfire and a transfer bar on the centerfire. If a cross-bolt safety matters to you, the Heritage Settler has one.

Parts, Accessories and Upgrades

Upgrade Category	Recommended Component	Why It Matters	Cost Estimate
Optic (.22)	3/8 in. rimfire rings and a small red dot or pistol scope	The .22’s receiver is grooved for them	$60 to $200
Optic (centerfire)	Henry BB-RSM scope mount	The mount Henry lists for the drilled and tapped receiver	$30 to $50
Carry	A leather Mare’s Leg leg rig	It’s how the TV gun was carried, and it frees your hands	$100 to $250
Brass care	Metal polish and a soft cloth	The brass receiver dulls with handling	$10 to $15

For ammo, see our best .22 LR ammo, best .44 Magnum ammo, best .357 Magnum ammo and .45 Colt ammo guides. If you’re torn between the two rimfires, our .22 LR vs .22 WMR comparison lays out the cost.

Common Problems & Solutions

• Shorts tipping on the way in: Ours did it twice in 50 rounds when I worked the lever slowly. Run the lever briskly all the way down and all the way back.
• Capacity doesn’t match the listing: Henry says 9 Long Rifle and 7 in .22 Magnum. Listings that say 10 or 8 are wrong for the current gun.
• Brass tarnish: The receiver dulls quickly with handling. Wipe it after each outing and polish it a few times a year.
• Hard to hold steady: There’s no stock to shoulder. Shoot from a rest when you want groups, and add an optic to the .22.
• Buying used for the new price: Guns.com had a used .22 Mare’s Leg at $399.99, $17 under a new one at Palmetto State Armory. Read the condition line.

Which .22 Ammo the Mare’s Leg Liked

Load	Rounds	Result
CCI Standard Velocity 40 gr	100	1.1 in. at 25 yards, 2.9 in. at 50: the most accurate
CCI Mini-Mag 40 gr	200	1.4 in. at 25 yards, no stoppages
Federal AutoMatch 40 gr	150	No stoppages
Aguila Super Extra 40 gr	100	One round fired on the second hit
CCI CB Short 29 gr	50	Very quiet; two tipped on feeding with a slow lever

Standard velocity shot best, and it’s the load I’d buy for tin cans and small targets. The CB Shorts are a fun trick where it’s legal to shoot them, because they’re quiet and the tube holds 13, but run the lever briskly. For more loads, see our best .22 LR ammo.

How to Shoot a Gun With No Stock

The Mare’s Leg is a pistol, and that’s the hardest thing to adjust to. Off a sandbag it shoots like a rifle. Held out in two hands, my 25-yard groups grew to 4 or 5 in. with the .22 and about 6 in. with the .44. These basics apply to any stockless long gun.

• Push and pull. Push forward with the hand on the forend and pull back with the trigger hand. The tension steadies the gun more than just holding it up.
• Try all three holds. Arms out like a pistol, the stub of the stock against your hip, or up near your cheek without touching your shoulder. One will suit you better than the others, and only practice tells you which.
• Work the lever with the gun level. Swinging the big loop while dropping the muzzle costs time getting back on target. Keep the barrel up and let the lever do the moving.
• Shoot from a rest when you can. A fence post, a truck hood or a bag turns it back into the accurate little lever gun it is from a sandbag.

The .44 is the harder of the two. At 5.79 lb, with that weight hanging out front, it wears your arms out, and the Magnum rolls up in your hands. Our .44 shot 100 rounds of Magtech .44 Special and 150 of Magnum, and it fed both equally well. Special is mild in this gun, so it’s the load for long sessions.

Buying a Used Mare’s Leg

Guns.com had a used .22 Mare’s Leg at $399.99 when we checked, $17 under a new one at Palmetto State Armory, so used only makes sense with a real discount. Check that the lever cycles smoothly with no binding, that the magazine tube comes out and goes back in easily on the .22, and that the bore is clean. On a brass centerfire gun, look for dents in the brass receiver and ask how much Magnum it’s shot. Read every listing’s condition line, since used and new guns often share one plain title.

Who Should NOT Buy This Gun

The Mare’s Leg is a joy to own and a poor choice for real work. Be honest about which one you need.

• Home defense buyers: Five rounds, no stock and a slow reload. A full-size lever gun like the Henry Big Boy X is a far better tool.
• Shooters who want accessories: The Henry Bear’s Leg has a threaded barrel and M-LOK slots for about the same street price as the brass gun.
• Budget plinkers: The Heritage Settler Mare’s Leg costs about $28 less and holds 10 rounds.
• Pest and snake duty: The Henry Axe .410 throws shot, which is what that job needs.

Final Verdict

The Henry Mare’s Leg is built to make you smile, and it does. The .22 is the easy call: about $410, cheap to feed, well made, and accurate enough from a rest to keep things interesting. Know that it holds nine Long Rifle rounds, not the ten some stores print, and that it’s much harder to shoot well offhand than a rifle.

The brass centerfire is the showpiece. All three calibers cost the same and weigh the same, so pick the one you already buy ammo for. If you’d rather have a lever pistol that does a job, look at Henry’s Bear’s Leg or a full-size rifle from our Henry Big Boy X review. And if you came here because of Steve McQueen, our celebrity guns page has the story of the original.

Final Score: 7.3/10. A well made range toy that knows exactly what it is.

FAQ: Henry Mare’s Leg