You know that feeling when you pick up a tool and it just feels right? Not "right" like a plastic toy or a modern tactical polymer frame, but right in a way that feels like it has a soul. That is the Henry Golden Boy 22. It’s heavy. It’s shiny. Honestly, it’s a bit of a show-off. But once you cycle that lever, you realize it isn't just about looks.
Most people see the brass-colored receiver and think it’s a wall hanger. They’re wrong.
The Henry Golden Boy 22 (model H004) is basically the gold standard for lever-action rimfires. It has this weirdly addictive smooth action—something Henry Repeating Arms is famous for—that makes you want to keep shooting until your thumb gets sore from loading the tube. It’s a rifle that bridges the gap between a serious target shooter and a kid’s first range day.
The Brass That Isn't Actually Brass
Let’s get the technical stuff out of the way because people get confused about this constantly. If you look at the receiver, it looks like polished brass. You’d think it’s the same metal used in a trumpet or a shell casing. It’s actually a proprietary alloy called Brasslite.
Why does this matter? Well, pure brass is soft. If the whole receiver was solid brass, it might stretch or ding too easily over decades of hard use. Brasslite is basically a tough-as-nails zinc-aluminum alloy that is plated with that iconic gold finish. It gives you the weight and the "bling" without the structural compromise.
The barrel is a 20-inch octagonal piece of blued steel. That’s heavy. Most modern .22 rifles use thin, round barrels to save on weight and manufacturing costs. Henry went the opposite direction. The octagonal barrel adds a front-heavy balance that helps the gun settle into your shoulder. It stays still. When you’re trying to pick off a soda can at 50 yards, that extra weight stops the barrel from dancing around while you’re breathing.
It's a "man-sized" rimfire. With an overall length of about 38.5 inches and a weight of 6.75 pounds, it feels substantial. You aren't holding a toy.
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That Action Though
If you’ve ever shot a cheap lever-action, you know they can be crunchy. You pull the lever down and it feels like there’s sand in the gears. Not here. The Henry Golden Boy 22 is famous for an action that feels like it’s sliding on butter.
- You flick the lever.
- The bolt slides back effortlessly.
- It picks up a round from the tubular magazine.
- It locks into battery with a satisfying clack.
There is a mechanical perfection to it that makes bolt-actions feel slow and semi-autos feel soul-less. You become part of the process. Because it's a manual action, it will eat literally anything. High-velocity rounds? No problem. Subsonic "quiet" rounds that won't cycle a semi-auto? It loves them. You can even throw .22 Short or .22 Long in there if you can actually find them on a shelf. The magazine tube holds 16 rounds of .22 LR, but if you switch to .22 Short, you can cram 21 rounds in there. You could shoot all afternoon without stopping.
Sights and Precision: The Good and the Annoying
The sights are traditional. You get a brass bead at the front and a "semi-buckhorn" rear sight with a white diamond insert. For target practice or popping squirrels in the backyard, they’re great. They look period-correct.
However, let’s be real for a second. If your eyes aren't what they used to be, the buckhorn sights can be a bit of a pain to align quickly. And here is the controversial part: the Golden Boy is notoriously difficult to scope.
Because of the way the receiver is shaped—it has that "hump" at the back—you can’t just screw on a rail like you can on the standard Henry Classic (the H001). To put a scope on a Golden Boy, you usually have to buy a special cantilever mount that replaces the rear sight. It looks a bit funky. It ruins the lines of the gun. Honestly, if you absolutely need a scope to hit anything, you might be better off with a different model, or just accept that this rifle is meant for "iron sight" purists.
Why It Holds Value Better Than Your Car
Walk into any gun store and look at the used rack. You’ll see plenty of beat-up semi-autos. You rarely see a used Henry Golden Boy 22. People tend to keep them.
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The American-made factor is a huge deal here. Henry’s motto is "Made in America, or not made at all." In a world where everything is outsourced to the lowest bidder, there’s something comforting about a rifle made in Wisconsin or New Jersey. Their customer service is also legendary. I’ve heard stories of the CEO, Anthony Imperato, personally responding to emails. If something breaks—which is rare—they fix it.
That reputation keeps the resale value incredibly high. You might pay somewhere between $500 and $600 for a new one depending on the market, and five years later, you could probably sell it for $450. It’s an heirloom. You buy it for yourself, but you’re really just holding onto it until your grandkid is old enough to take it to the range.
Real World Performance
I’ve spent hours with this rifle. On a calm day, with decent ammo like CCI Standard Velocity, you can easily put five shots into a group the size of a nickel at 25 yards. At 50 yards, you’re still hitting the "bullseye" consistently once you figure out where the brass bead likes to sit.
The trigger is surprisingly crisp. It isn't a 2-pound match trigger, but it doesn't have the mushy creep you find on a lot of entry-level rimfires. It breaks clean.
One thing to watch out for: the finish. That Brasslite receiver is a fingerprint magnet. If you leave your sweaty thumbprints on it after a range session and put it away in a humid safe, it won't rust (since it's not steel), but it can dull. A quick wipe with a microfiber cloth keeps it looking like a trophy.
A Note on Maintenance
Cleaning a lever-action is always a bit more work than a bolt-action. You can't just pull the bolt out from the back to clean the barrel from the breech. You have to use a pull-through cleaner (like a BoreSnake) or be very careful with a rod from the muzzle. It’s a small price to pay for the aesthetics, but it's worth mentioning.
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Actionable Steps for Potential Owners
If you're thinking about picking up a Henry Golden Boy 22, don't just walk into a store and grab the first one. There are a few things you should do to make sure you get the best experience.
Check the Wood-to-Metal Fit
Henry usually has great quality control, but these use real American Walnut. Look at where the wood meets the receiver. It should be tight and even. A well-fitted stock is the sign of a rifle that will stay sturdy for decades.
Choose Your Ammo Wisely
While it cycles everything, this rifle shines with standard velocity lead round nose ammo. Hyper-velocity rounds like CCi Stingers are fun, but the extra "snap" can sometimes lead to slightly wider groups because of the barrel harmonics.
Invest in a Quality Case
Because that receiver is so pretty, you don't want it bouncing around in the trunk of a car. Get a soft-sided case with a thick lining. Avoid the "tactical" bags with rough nylon interiors that might scratch the polished finish.
Practice the "Henry Squeeze"
Loading a tube magazine requires you to put your hand near the muzzle to remove the inner brass tube. Always, always double-check that the action is open and the gun is empty before you lean over the front to reload. It becomes second nature, but safety is non-negotiable.
The Henry Golden Boy 22 isn't the cheapest .22 on the market. It isn't the lightest. It isn't the easiest to mount a 12x scope on. But it is arguably the most fun. It turns a boring afternoon at the gravel pit into a scene from a Western. It’s a functional piece of art that actually does the work it’s supposed to do.
Keep it clean, use good ammo, and pass it down when the time comes.