The Truth About Mare’s Legs

Published on April 4, 2026
Duration: 13:11

This video reviews the Henry Mare's Leg chambered in .357 Magnum, highlighting its iconic aesthetic and historical appeal, particularly its connection to Steve McQueen. While acknowledging its limited practical utility for modern self-defense or utility, the review emphasizes its coolness factor and potential for nostalgic reenactment. The video includes a comparative ballistics test demonstrating the significant velocity increase from the Mare's Leg's longer barrel compared to a standard revolver.

Quick Summary

The Henry Mare's Leg is a shortened lever-action handgun, famous for its appearance with Steve McQueen. While its practicality is debatable, its iconic style and the .357 Magnum chambering offer a unique appeal. A key advantage is its 12.9-inch barrel, which significantly boosts .357 Magnum velocity (averaging 1637 ft/s) compared to shorter revolver barrels.

Chapters

  1. 00:06Introduction: The Cool Factor of the Mare's Leg
  2. 01:10Welcome Back & Introducing the Henry Mare's Leg .357
  3. 01:32Mare's Leg Classification: Handgun vs. Rifle
  4. 01:50Practicality vs. Nostalgia: The Mare's Leg Appeal
  5. 02:19Lever Action Style and .357 Caliber
  6. 02:25Loading Side Gate and Octagonal Barrel
  7. 02:31Barrel Length and Ammunition Capacity
  8. 02:55Caliber Consistency: Sidearm and Primary Firearm
  9. 03:51Materials: American Walnut and Brass Finish
  10. 04:26One-Handed Operation and Iconic Scenes
  11. 04:44Revisiting Practicality and Shooting Speed
  12. 05:10Steve McQueen's Attraction to the Lever Action
  13. 05:19Holster Options and Quick Draw
  14. 06:02Real-World Use and Protection
  15. 06:15Armed for Protection: Predators and Livestock
  16. 06:44Ballistics Test: Velocity Comparison Setup
  17. 07:36Ammunition for the Test: Federal 357 American Eagle
  18. 07:53Testing the Big Boy Revolver (4-inch Barrel)
  19. 09:19Testing the Mare's Leg (12.9-inch Barrel)
  20. 09:58Velocity Comparison Results and Benefits
  21. 10:42Other Features: Large Loop and Overall Length
  22. 11:00Ideal Use Cases: Close Quarters and Horseback
  23. 11:18Conclusion: Looks vs. Practicality
  24. 11:31Viewer Engagement: Adding to Your Collection?
  25. 12:00Shoutout: Holdup Displays
  26. 12:25Shoutout: Coreware Software
  27. 12:39Viewer Engagement: Hat Opinion

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Henry Mare's Leg?

A Henry Mare's Leg is a unique, shortened lever-action firearm originally classified as a handgun. It's known for its iconic design, popularized by Steve McQueen, and features a pistol grip and a short barrel, often with an octagonal profile.

What caliber is the Henry Mare's Leg reviewed?

The Henry Mare's Leg reviewed in this video is chambered in .357 Magnum. This allows for caliber consistency if you also carry a .357 Magnum revolver or rifle.

Does the Mare's Leg have practical uses?

While its primary appeal is aesthetic and nostalgic, the Mare's Leg can have niche practical uses. Its compact size makes it potentially useful on horseback or in confined spaces like ATVs, though it's not typically considered a primary self-defense or utility firearm.

What are the ballistics of the Henry Mare's Leg compared to a revolver?

The Mare's Leg's longer 12.9-inch barrel provides a significant velocity advantage over a standard 4-inch revolver barrel. In testing, the Mare's Leg averaged 1637 ft/s, while the revolver averaged 1284 ft/s with the same .357 Magnum ammunition.

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