Frankly, I was shocked in the fall of 2023 when Henry Repeating Arms (HRA) introduced the Big Boy revolver. Named after the Big Boy lever action rifle line, it had many of the same attributes: a polished blue finish, shiny brass, and walnut stocks. Recently, Henry used the Big Boy as the base platform for a new rimfire option—the Golden Boy revolver.
The Henry Repeating Arms Golden Boy Revolver
As a double-action sixgun in .357 Magnum, the Big Boy had a retro Colt look, with some S&W and Charter Arms features thrown in. You could get it with a birdshead or “Gunfighter” grip frame profile—I chose the latter.
For a fixed-sight wheelgun with a 4-inch barrel, it was accurate. Likewise, the ergonomic design of the grip frame and stocks allowed comfortable shooting even with 158 gr. JSP loads in .357 Magnum. Several months ago, I’d heard a rumor that Henry was coming out with a new revolver. My guess was a .22 rimfire.
Enter the Golden Boy
Like its older sibling, the Big Boy, the Golden Boy is named after the .22 rimfire lever gun that largely got the ball rolling for HRA. This rifle has a brass receiver, which is represented by the brass grip frame on the Golden Boy handgun. It also has a polished blue finish on the barrel, frame, and cylinder, plus smooth American walnut two-piece stocks. You can also have your choice of birdshead or “Gunfighter” square butt grips.
The big difference between the two revolvers is the Golden Boys 10-shot cylinder chambered in .22 rimfire. On the right side of the 4-inch barrel is stamped “Cal .22 S/L/LR” to cover the gamut of .22 rimfire cartridges.
A feature the Golden Boy shares with the Big Boy is the heavy barrel, with an interchangeable front sight. Three sight heights are provided for elevation adjustment. In addition, it features an exposed but heavy-duty ejector rod.
Other shared features include a fixed, square-notch rear sight, a medium-size frame with a traditional double-action/single-action mechanism, transfer bar internal safety, and a push-forward cylinder release latch.
The trigger is smooth-faced and 0.25 inches in width. Correspondingly, the exposed hammer has wide serrations for ease of cocking.
A Ten-Round Cylinder
As for the cylinder, it has flutes between the 10 chambers. Likewise, the chambers are recessed at the rear to enclose the outer portion of the case head. A small latch is located inside the front of the trigger guard, close to the frame. With the cylinder swung open, pushing inward on this latch releases the cylinder/crane assembly. This makes cleaning the cylinder a simple task.
Who knows, maybe at some point, HRA will offer an interchangeable .22 WMR (Magnum) cylinder. The grip frame and trigger guard are a single unit that attaches to the frame with a screw in the upper backstrap of the grip frame and with a lip that fits into the frame just to the rear and beneath the crane or yolk.
Feeding the Golden Boy
I decided against using any .22 Short or Long cartridges as they are hard to find. Not to mention, they are more expensive than .22 Long Rifle (LR). So, I ended up with a good mix of five different brands.
After several months of looking, I finally found a box of the new CCI Uppercut .22 cartridges. On the label, it says the bullet is a 32-gr. JHP, with a velocity of 950 FPS, “Designed for Semi-Auto Pistols – Optimized for 2.5- to 4-inch barrels.”
Well, we’re going to try it in a 4-inch barrel revolver.
Next is the Federal Premium PUNCH load. Designed for personal defense, it has a 29-gr. nickel-plated, flat-nose bullet that the label says gets 1070 FPS out of a 2-inch barrel (revolver?). I found some Brazilian-made Monarch .22 ammunition. It has a 40-gr. solid-point bullet and appears to be a standard velocity load.
Next is Norma’s TAC-22. This is another 40-gr. solid-point, standard velocity load. It is made to provide reliable function and consistent velocity.
Finally, there are some Remington 22 Thunderbolt rounds. It has a 40-gr. solid-point bullet, but is a high-velocity load.
Holstering the Revolver
The Golden Boy revolver, to my mind, is a suitable outdoorsman’s handgun. So, I wanted a holster that would offer it protection, but at the same time easy access.
I selected the Galco Big Iron holster with the optional belt-drop attachment. It’s made of premium steerhide with a smooth leather lining and a short flap with a glove-friendly finger tab. It even has a leg thong.
The belt drop lowers the holster so that heavy outerwear won’t interfere with your draw. Finally, it accommodates belts up to 1.75 inches wide.
To go with this, I added a QuickStrip from Tuff Products. It holds ten .22 rimfire cartridges vertically and has a tab to grasp with your thumb and forefinger. It carries flat in your pocket and loads a lot faster than using loose cartridges.
Shooting the Golden Boy
Arriving at Range USA, I checked in, was assigned a shooting lane, and got set up. Using my Garmin Xero C1 Pro chronograph, I got velocity readings on my five brands of .22 LR test cartridges.
Next was some bench rest paper punching to evaluate the Golden Boy’s accuracy potential. I sent the targets down to the 15-yard line and—using my Ransom Multi Cal. Steady Rest—shot three 5-shot groups, single action, with each of the test loads.
I shoot the cartridges in alphabetical order, so the first up was the CCI Uppercut. I’ve never used this load before, but CCI .22 RF ammunition has always been top-notch in the past. However, this cartridge did not get along with the Golden Boy. I had keyholing and just plain poor groups.
The best group was made using the Monarch cartridges—it measured 1.35 inches. None of the better groups were larger than 1.78 inches (not counting the CCI ammo). The overage average for 45 shots was 2.05 inches. The accompanying table (below) shows all the performance data.
Double-Action Drills
Next, I wanted to do some double-action shooting and use the Tuff Products QuickStrip. So, I sent a large Shoot-N-C bullseye target out to 21 feet and loaded up the Golden Boy .22 with a mix of the test ammunition.
Standing, using an isosceles stance and two-handed hold, I shot the cylinder empty. Then, I reloaded with the QuickStrip and “rinse-repeat” for a total of 30 shots. I was holding the front sight 6’oclock of the red aiming circle and stayed in the 10 and X-ring. This resulted in a cluster of holes I could cover with my palm.
With the Outdoorsman gun idea in mind, I loaded up the Henry wheelgun with two CCI .22 LR shot cartridges. The blue plastic capsules contain 31 gr. of #12 shot. A reduced-size venomous snake target was sent down six feet, and two shots were fired quickly, double-action, strong hand only.
A lot of the shot went off to the right, but enough hit “Mr. No Shoulders” and ruin his day.
The Golden Boy of the Wheelgun Market?
The Golden Boy’s SA trigger pull was a crisp and an acceptable 4 lbs. 8.1 oz. on average. However, the DA pull was long and stiff. The pull weight was off my electronic measuring device, but I’d guesstimate at least 12 lbs. It will no doubt improve with time and more shooting.
As they came from the factory, the sights shot about two inches to the right and about three inches low at 15 yards, with a center hold. I didn’t change the front sight, but adjusted my point of aim to get the point of impact I wanted.
On a light-colored target or backdrop, the sights are easy to see. However, that front sight quickly gets lost on a dark target or background. Perhaps some yellow nail polish? Better yet, a gold bead front sight and adjustable rear sight. Come on, Henry.
It is, in my opinion, a very handsome revolver with a fine blue finish, polished brass, and walnut grips. The grip frame and stocks fit my medium-sized hand perfectly, and the balance and “pointability” score points with me.
While I didn’t get to use it at the range, the Galco Big Iron holster carries the Golden Boy well. I did a little drawing with the half-flap snapped at home and found I had no difficulty accessing the revolver quickly.
With the QuickStrip, I loaded two rounds at a time. But after loading six rounds, it was easier to flip the strip around to load the final four.
I don’t see HRA getting this Golden Boy back. It makes a great companion to my Golden Boy .22 lever gun. I can see it on my hip for forays afield, hiking, hunting, or fishing.
For more information, please visit HenryUSA.com.
Henry Repeating Arms Golden Boy Specs
| Mechanism | Traditional DA/SA revolver |
| Caliber | .22 S/L/LR |
| Capacity | 10 cartridges |
| Barrel | 4 in. |
| Overall Length | 9 in. |
| Empty Weight | 37 oz. |
| Sights | Fixed rear, interchangeable ramp front |
| Finish | Polished blue, polished brass |
| Stocks | Smooth American walnut |
| MSRP | $928.00 |
Performance
| CCI Uppercut 32 gr. JHP | |
| Avg. Velocity | 1068 FPS |
| Best Group | 2.75 inches |
| Average Group | 3.12 inches |
| Federal Punch 29 gr. Flat-Point | |
| Avg. Velocity | 1229 FPS |
| Best Group | 1.42 inches |
| Average Group | 1.96 inches |
| Monarch 40 gr. Solid-Point | |
| Avg. Velocity | 893 FPS |
| Best Group | 1.35 inches |
| Average Group | 1.53 inches |
| Norma TAC-22 40 gr. Solid-Pt. | |
| Avg. Velocity | 857 FPS |
| Best Group | 1.78 inches |
| Average Group | 1.86 inches |
| Remington Thunderbolt 40 gr. Solid-Point | |
| Avg. Velocity | 993 FPS |
| Best Group | 1.54 inches |
| Average Group | 1.77 inches |
NOTE: Bullet weight measured in grains, velocity in feet per second 10 ft. from the muzzle by a Garmin Xero C1 Pro chronograph, and accuracy in inches for three 5-shot groups at 10 yards.
