Description

California hunters and revolver enthusiasts: the Henry Deadeye single-action revolver in .357 Magnum is generally exempt from California’s handgun roster requirements as a single-action revolver. The 6-round cylinder has no California capacity restrictions applicable (revolvers are exempt from California’s 10-round magazine limit). The Deadeye is one of the few new 2026 revolvers with factory-adjustable sights and is available for California buyers through licensed CA FFL dealers.

Most production revolvers in this price tier ship with fixed sights or offer adjustable sights only on “target” variants at a premium. Henry built the Deadeye with adjustable sights as the base specification — a choice that reflects the target shooting and hunting use cases where this revolver will spend most of its time. If you hunt with a revolver, shoot silhouette, or want a field gun you can dial in for different loads without an aftermarket sight swap, the Deadeye is purpose-configured for that from the factory.

Henry Deadeye Features

• Fully adjustable rear sight, standard — The defining feature. The Deadeye ships with an adjustable rear sight for windage and elevation. For .357 Magnum, different loads (158-grain LSWC vs 125-grain JHP vs 180-grain WFNGC) hit at meaningfully different points of impact at 25 yards. Adjustable sights let you zero for your hunting or competition load specifically, rather than accepting factory fixed sight regulation for a single load weight.
• .357 Magnum / .38 Special — The .357 Magnum/.38 Special pairing is the most versatile revolver caliber combination available. .38 Special for practice and lighter loads; .357 Magnum for hunting, home defense, or full-power carry work. The same cylinder handles both. For hunting, full-power .357 Magnum factory loads produce approximately 500–700 ft-lbs of energy at the muzzle from a 4-inch barrel — adequate for deer at close range and suitable for all medium game. Compare to the Taurus .44 Tracker in our store for a .44 Magnum alternative at a similar price point.
• Single-action mechanism — The Deadeye is a single-action revolver: the hammer must be manually cocked before each shot. Single-action revolvers typically have lighter, crisper trigger pulls than double-action designs — which is part of why they’re preferred for target shooting and hunting where precise shot placement matters more than rapid follow-up fire.
• American walnut grip panels — Henry’s signature. Checkered American walnut provides period-correct aesthetics and functional purchase under field conditions. Consistent with Henry’s rifle lineup finish quality.
• Stainless or blued finish options — The Deadeye is available in both. Stainless for field use and carry where exposure to weather is expected. Blued for aesthetics and range use in drier conditions. Both finishes are factory-applied to production standards.
• 4-inch barrel — Balanced between concealment and velocity. 4-inch is the most versatile revolver barrel length — adequate velocity for hunting, compact enough for holster carry. At 4 inches, .357 Magnum factory loads produce 1,300–1,450 fps depending on powder selection. Compare to the HK P30SK for a compact semi-auto carry alternative.

Henry Deadeye Specifications

Manufacturer	Henry Repeating Arms
Model	Deadeye
Action	Single-Action Revolver
Caliber	.357 Magnum / .38 Special
Barrel Length	4 in
Capacity	6 rounds
Sights	Fully adjustable rear / blade front (standard)
Grip	Checkered American Walnut
Finish Options	Blued or Stainless
Frame	Steel
MSRP	$899.00
New For	2026

Specifications per Henry Repeating Arms official announcement. Confirm at henryusa.com.

Henry Deadeye vs Ruger Blackhawk — How Do They Compare?

The Ruger Blackhawk is the incumbent single-action revolver in .357 Magnum. Both are SA revolvers with walnut grips and adjustable sights in this price range. The Henry Deadeye adds Henry’s house quality control and aesthetics — the same fit and finish that makes the Henry rifle line a step above entry-level. The Blackhawk has a longer production history (since 1955) and broader aftermarket support. For buyers who own Henry rifles and want a revolver that matches the aesthetic, the Deadeye is the natural companion.

Pros and Cons

What We Like

• Adjustable sights standard — not a premium upcharge
• .357 Mag/.38 Spl versatility covers practice, carry, and hunting from one gun
• Henry quality control and American walnut aesthetics
• Single-action trigger pull typically superior to DA for precision shooting
• Both blued and stainless available at same MSRP

What Could Be Better

• Single-action only — slower for defensive use than DA/SA revolvers
• New to market in 2026 — long-term durability under heavy use not yet established by market testing

FAQ

What is a single-action revolver?

A single-action revolver requires the hammer to be manually cocked before each shot. The trigger’s only function is dropping the cocked hammer. This provides a lighter, shorter trigger pull than double-action (which cocks and drops the hammer in one pull) — better for accuracy, slower for rapid defensive fire.

Is the Henry Deadeye good for hunting?

Yes. The .357 Magnum is effective for deer at close range (under 75 yards) and for all medium game. The 4-inch barrel provides adequate velocity. The adjustable sights allow zeroing for your specific hunting load. Single-action operation promotes precise shot placement.

Does the Henry Deadeye come with a transfer bar safety?

Modern single-action revolvers designed post-1970 typically include a transfer bar safety to prevent accidental discharge if dropped on the hammer. Henry designed the Deadeye to modern safety standards — confirm with Henry at henryusa.com for specific safety mechanism details.

What other calibers does the Henry Deadeye come in?

Henry announced the Deadeye initially in .357 Magnum/.38 Spl and other calibers to be announced. Check henryusa.com for current caliber availability as production expands.

Does the Henry Deadeye fit standard single-action revolver holsters?

Yes. The Deadeye follows standard single-action revolver frame dimensions. Holsters for Ruger Blackhawk 4-inch or similar SA revolvers in .357 Magnum should fit — confirm with holster manufacturer using actual dimensions.

New for 2026 — Ships to your FFL. Last updated: February 28, 2026.

California Note: Single-action revolvers are generally exempt from California’s handgun roster requirements. .357 Magnum revolvers have no California-specific capacity restrictions (revolvers exempt from 10-round magazine limits). Confirm with your CA FFL for current status.