Henry Golden Boy .22 LR
Model: H004
Henry Golden Boy .22 LR
Model: H004
Full Specifications
About This Firearm
The Henry Golden Boy is the dressed-up sibling of the H001 Classic. Both run the same tube-fed lever-action mechanism in .22 LR, but the Golden Boy adds a Brasslite alloy receiver that looks like polished brass, an octagonal 20" blued barrel, a brass buttplate, and fancier walnut furniture. It weighs 108 oz against the H001's 84 oz — that extra 24 oz is mostly cosmetic, not structural. The longer barrel does give marginally more sight radius and a slightly warmer muzzle velocity, but reviewers consistently note the difference in practical accuracy between an 18.5" and 20" .22 LR barrel at field distances is minimal. What you are buying is the look.
The Brasslite receiver is an alloy casting with a brass-colored finish, not solid brass — Henry is explicit about that in their product spec. It will not patina or dent like real brass, and the finish can wear at contact points like the lever loop and loading gate with heavy use. For a display piece or a rifle that gets handed down as a gift, that's fine; for a daily shooter, the H001 is lighter, cheaper, and shares the identical action.
Best For
Strengths & Limitations
- The Brasslite receiver, octagonal barrel, and brass buttplate are the most visually distinctive combination on any production .22 LR lever-action currently made in the US.
- The 20" barrel and fully adjustable semi-buckhorn rear sight with diamond insert give a sight picture that reviewers describe as cleaner and more precise than the H001's standard buckhorn. The longer sight radius helps at distances past 50 yards.
- At 108 oz, the Golden Boy is 24 oz heavier than the H001 for the same lever mechanism and caliber. That weight is all cosmetic — the heavier octagonal barrel and Brasslite receiver add nothing to function or durability.
- The Brasslite receiver is not solid brass. It is an alloy casting with a brass-colored finish per Henry's own spec. It will not develop the natural patina of real brass over time, and the finish can wear at contact points. Buyers expecting heirloom brass should know what they are actually getting.
- The tube magazine, same as the H001, requires muzzle-loading one round at a time. You are paying more for the same slow-reload system. If magazine speed matters at all, the Golden Boy is the wrong gun.
Where to Buy
No prices available at this time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Golden Boy receiver actually brass?
No. Henry calls it "Brasslite," which is an alloy casting with a brass-colored finish. It looks like brass and photographs like brass, but it is not solid brass. It will not patina or dent the way real brass does. The finish can show wear at the lever loop and loading gate with heavy use, but it holds up fine for occasional range sessions and display.
How does the Golden Boy compare to the H001?
Both rifles share the same lever-action mechanism, the same 1:16 twist barrel rifling, and the same tube-magazine loading system. The Golden Boy gives you a 20" octagonal barrel (vs 18.5" round), 108 oz weight (vs 84 oz), a brass-look receiver, brass buttplate, and a more refined rear sight. If you shoot it primarily, the H001 is lighter and costs less for identical function. The Golden Boy makes sense if the look matters — as a gift, a display piece, or for cowboy-action shooting where period aesthetics count.
Can I mount a scope on the Golden Boy?
The spec sheet lists the Golden Boy as optic-ready, and the receiver is drilled and tapped for a Weaver-style base. Henry sells a compatible rail separately, and standard .22 LR scope mounts fit without machining. That said, most owners shoot it with iron sights — the fully adjustable semi-buckhorn with diamond insert is genuinely usable at plinking distances, and a scope changes the aesthetic considerably.
