Henry H017BDMA Big Boy Deadeye 357 Mag/38 Special 6 Shot 4″ Blued Round Barrel, Blued Cylinder, Blued Polished Steel Frame, American Walnut Birdshead Grip, Transfer Bar Safety, Exposed Hammer

The Henry H017BDMA Big Boy Deadeye in .357 Mag/.38 Special is a six-shot revolver that blends Old West style with modern shootability. With a 4-inch blued round barrel, blued cylinder, and polished steel frame, this piece wears an American walnut Birdshead grip for that classic, compact feel. The transfer bar safety and exposed hammer give you a traditional look with a layer of drop-safe confidence. This is the revolver you bring to the range and the show—no regrets.

Manufacturer	Henry Repeating Arms
Model	Big Boy Deadeye (H017BDMA)
Material	Blued steel frame, cylinder, and barrel; American walnut grip
Compatibility	.357 Magnum and .38 Special ammunition
Finish	High-polish blued steel
Weight	Approximately 38 oz (per manufacturer specs)
Condition	New

Key Features

• Ramped Fiber Bead Front Sight — Why it matters: snag-free and fast-acquisition, the bright fiber optic pops against any target, making this revolver a natural for steel plates and defensive drills.
• Adjustable Rear Sight — Why it matters: dial in your elevation and windage without a gunsmith. Whether you’re running .38 Special wadcutters or hot .357 loads, you can keep zero.
• American Walnut Birdshead Grip — Why it matters: the compact, rounded profile tames recoil and conceals under a coat better than standard plow handles. It points instinctively, like a good single-action should.
• Transfer Bar Safety with Exposed Hammer — Why it matters: you get the classic look and feel of a cowboy revolver, but with a transfer bar that prevents the hammer from contacting the firing pin unless the trigger is fully pulled. Safe to carry with all six chambers loaded.
• 4-Inch Blued Round Barrel — Why it matters: the perfect balance between sight radius and carry length. Blued finish holds up to holster wear and gives that deep, glossy luster collectors chase.

Who It’s For

This revolver is for the collector who wants a piece that stands out at the gun show table—a Henry with the Birdshead grip that nobody else at the range has. It’s also for the shooter who appreciates a .357 that can run .38 Special all day without complaining. If you like the idea of a lever-action handgun companion, the Big Boy Deadeye fills that niche perfectly.

Pros & Cons

• Pro: The fiber bead front sight is a huge upgrade over traditional blade sights—especially for aging eyes or low-light conditions.
• Pro: Transfer bar safety means you can load six rounds and carry with confidence, unlike many single-action replicas.
• Con: The Birdshead grip, while comfortable, may not fit shooters with larger hands as naturally as a standard plow grip. Per Henry specs, it’s designed for a more upright hold, so you might need to adjust your grip angle.

Comparison

Feature	Henry Big Boy Deadeye	Ruger New Vaquero	Colt Single Action Army (Gen 3)
Caliber	.357 Mag / .38 Spl	.357 Mag / .38 Spl	.357 Mag / .38 Spl
Barrel Length	4 inches	4.62 inches	4.75 inches
Sights	Fiber bead front, adjustable rear	Fixed blade front, fixed rear	Fixed blade front, fixed rear
Safety	Transfer bar + exposed hammer	Transfer bar	Half-cock notch only
Grip	American walnut Birdshead	Walnut plow handle	Walnut plow handle
Capacity	6 rounds	6 rounds	6 rounds
Price (approx)	$806.94	$850–$950	$1,800+

FAQ

Can I shoot .38 Special in the Henry Big Boy Deadeye?

Yes. It is chambered for both .357 Magnum and .38 Special. You can run .38 Special loads for cheaper practice or reduced recoil, and .357 Magnum for full-power performance. Per Henry, the cylinder is rated for both cartridges.

Is the transfer bar safety reliable for everyday carry?

Yes. The transfer bar is a proven design used by Ruger for decades. It prevents the hammer from contacting the firing pin unless the trigger is fully pulled. This allows you to safely carry all six chambers loaded without relying on an empty chamber under the hammer.

How does the Birdshead grip affect recoil?

The Birdshead grip distributes recoil differently than a plow handle—it rolls the gun up slightly in the hand rather than pushing straight back. Most shooters find it comfortable with .38 Special and manageable with .357 Magnum. The American walnut absorbs vibration well.

Is the rear sight adjustable for windage and elevation?

Yes. The Big Boy Deadeye features a fully adjustable rear sight. You can zero it precisely for your chosen load without any gunsmithing. This is a major advantage over fixed-sight single-action revolvers.

Trust & Delivery

• ✅ Nationwide delivery (all 50 states)
• ✅ Ships 1-2 business days
• ✅ 30-day returns
• ✅ Secure checkout

Browse more in Revolvers or check out our Henry Repeating Arms Collection.

Last updated: April 2026