Henry Side Gate .45-70 Chrome vs Blued

A finish is a bigger decision than it sounds when the rifle lives in damp country. This is how to weigh chrome against blued on a Side Gate .45-70.

The finish question, in plain terms

On a rifle that fires a .45-70, most of the debate is about recoil, ammunition and shot placement. But a surprising number of buying decisions end up turning on something simpler: what color and coating the steel wears. That is a real choice here, because the Henry Side Gate .45-70 in chrome is a distinct listing from the blued Henry rifles around it.

The listing confirms the chambering (.45-70) and the capacity (4+1). Whether the chrome applies to the entire metal surface or particular parts, and what the barrel length and weight are, are items to confirm on Henry's page for the exact model number. Treat any statement beyond the listing, including those below about finishes in general, as background to help you decide, not as a spec sheet.

What chrome and bluing each do

Bluing is a traditional finish that converts the surface of the steel into a dark, thin protective layer. It looks classic, it is low-glare, and it can be refreshed or touched up by a gunsmith. Its weakness is moisture. Left damp, blued steel will show surface rust earlier than a plated surface will, so it wants a thin coat of oil and a quick wipe after wet days.

Chrome plating puts a hard metallic layer over the steel. It resists moisture and general wear well, it is usually easy to wipe clean, and it tends to look silver and bright. Its weaknesses are cosmetic and practical: a bright rifle can reflect light in the field, scratches show clearly, and a plated finish is not as easy to touch up as bluing.

When chrome makes the most sense

• Damp climates and boats. If the rifle will live in a truck, a boat or a humid region, a corrosion-resistant coating makes sense.
• Hands-off owners. Some people simply do not want to think about oiling a rifle after every outing. Chrome is more forgiving, though no finish excuses you from basic care.
• Display and distinctive looks. Chrome catches attention. If you want a rifle that looks unlike the usual walnut-and-blue lever gun, this is it.

When blued is the better pick

• Hunting where concealment matters. A shiny rifle can flash in sunlight. If you hunt from a stand or stalk, a dull finish helps, though you can also cover or tape parts.
• Traditional taste. Many lever-gun buyers want blued steel against walnut and nothing else.
• You like maintaining rifles. Cleaning and oiling are part of the ritual for some owners, and a blued rifle rewards that.

What does not change

The finish does not alter the fundamentals, and these still decide how safe and satisfying the rifle is:

• The cartridge. The .45-70 has been loaded to very different pressure levels, and not all loads suit a lever action. Our guide to modern .45-70 loads walks through the tiers. You can also browse the rifle ammunition category for current options. The network's .45-70 buying guide approaches the same question from the stocking side.
• The magazine. It is a tube magazine, so use flat-nose, round-nose or tube-safe soft-tip bullets only. See our tube magazine safety guide.
• The loading method. Per our Side Gate explainer, the side gate lets you top off through the receiver while the removable inner tube remains the safe way to unload. Learn the sequence with an unloaded rifle before the first outing.

Comparing with other .45-70 Henrys

If you want an all-black, accessory-ready layout, the X Model in .45-70 is the other Henry to consider. If you are weighing Henry against Marlin, Rossi and Smith & Wesson in this caliber, read our big-bore lever gun comparison.

Care for a chrome-finished rifle

Chrome is easier to live with, but it is not maintenance free:

1. Wipe the rifle down after rain, snow or handling in humid air.
2. Clean the bore and action as the manual directs. The finish protects the outside, not the inside of the barrel.
3. Avoid abrasive pads and harsh solvents on the plating.
4. Store it in a dry, secure place. A locked cabinet or safe does more for a rifle than any coating.

Bottom line

Choose the chrome Side Gate .45-70 if weather resistance and low maintenance matter more to you than a classic look. Choose a blued rifle if glare, tradition or easy refinishing matter more. Either way, the rifle's real work is done by the ammunition you choose and how well you handle it.

Editorial note: This is an independent editorial overview built from manufacturer specifications and publicly available information. We have not performed hands-on testing of the products discussed, and nothing here is a performance guarantee. Verify specifications, compatibility and legality for your own situation.

Affiliate disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links to Ammunition Depot. We may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Our editorial choices are not influenced by commissions. Check current price, stock and specifications directly with the retailer.