Estimated studying time: 9 minutes
In at this time’s age of stainless-steel and superior ceramic coatings, the sight of blued metal and pure walnut is a mix that may transport even probably the most modern-minded marksman to a bygone period. The older I get, the extra I discover myself drawn to these firearms that hearken again to that age. The model new, classically-styled Golden Boy Revolver from Henry Repeating Arms not too long ago caught my eye, and I knew I needed to get my fingers on one.
Classic Appears
Traditional styling, blued metal, high-polish brass, and walnut furnishings are all trademark options that Henry integrates into their firearms. Aesthetically, a lot of the firearms may very well be 100+ years outdated, however functionally, they’re as fashionable as may be. When most individuals hear Henry Repeating Arms, lever-action rifles are in all probability what come to thoughts. Their butter-smooth motion and crisp set off, paired with impeccable stability and distinctive accuracy, make them a dream for plinkers and a nightmare for critters.
New for Henry
Henry dipped their toes into the handgun manufacturing with the discharge of their Large Boy Revolver in early 2023. Chambered within the succesful .357 Magnum, the Large Boy Revolver was a double-action, six-shot revolver that regarded prefer it got here from the late nineteenth century. Two years later, alongside got here the Golden Boy Revolver. Nearly similar to its magnum cousin, the Golden Boy Revolver externally mirrors the Large Boy, however is chambered in .22 Quick, Lengthy, and Lengthy Rifle(S/L/LR) rimfire cartridges, and sports activities a strong ten-shot capability.
General, the body may very well be thought-about medium-sized, because the front-to-back size is 9.5”, and the peak sits proper at 5.25” on the mannequin I obtained. Supplied in two grip types, you’ll be able to select between the extra square-shaped Gunfighter grip, which maximizes management, or the decrease profile, rounded Birdshead grip, which maximizes concealment. I elected to go together with the Gunfighter grip, as my fingers are quite massive. The general weight varies, relying on grip alternative, with the Birdshead grip model weighing 36 ounces, and the hand-filling Gunfighter grip model tipping the scales at 37 ounces.
Overview
Beginning on the entrance, the Golden Boy Revolver incorporates a four-inch, spherical blued metal barrel with a 1:16” twist fee. Within the field are two entrance sights along with the one already put in from the manufacturing facility. The three sights differ in peak and may be simply interchanged, relying in your ammo and 0 wants. On the rear is a standard low-profile, mounted notch sight. Snugged to the underside of the barrel is the ejector rod, which connects by way of the ten-shot cylinder to the star-like extractor. The cylinder itself options ten flutes and may be shortly eliminated for straightforward cleansing because of the built-in crane launch button within the set off guard. On the principle body is the cylinder launch, which options an aggressively stepped texture, guaranteeing stable buy when urgent the button to open and reload the cylinder.
Triggered
The hammer incorporates a grooved spur, making it straightforward to tug the hammer again when working the revolver in single-action. The hammer itself makes use of a captured coil spring to fireside reliably, and makes use of a transfer-bar security mechanism to make sure the gun may be carried at its full ten-round capability. The curved set off could be very {smooth} and pulls straight again. My set off pull gauge maxes out at eight kilos, and that wasn’t fairly sufficient to fireside in double motion, however in single motion, it produced a constantly crisp 4.5-pound break. If I needed to guess, I might say the double-action pull might be within the 10-ish pound vary. In double motion, it feels extra like a constant rolling break than a tough wall with a drop off to the shot, making the gun straightforward sufficient to shoot.
Get a Grip
The oil-finished walnut grips fill the hand and pair superbly with the blued body and cylinder. The combo is each practical and engaging. A laser-engraved Henry cowboy emblem marks the heel of every grip. If {smooth} walnut isn’t your type, Henry sells replacements. Choices embrace checkered walnut, cocobolo, and grey laminate, all obtainable on their web site.
Brass Accents
The crowning aesthetic jewel of those revolvers is by far the brass backstrap. This mirror-polished accent wraps from behind the hammer, all the way in which across the grip, and ends on the set off guard. Standing as a distinction to the Walnut and blued metal body, this units the Golden Boy Revolver in a category with the Golden Boy lever-action rimfire rifle, one among Henry’s flagship fashions. It is without doubt one of the causes the revolver first caught my eye. When designing and manufacturing these revolvers, Henry went the additional mile and prolonged the metal body down into the grip the place the hammer spring and grip screws mount. This helps to ensure reliability by guaranteeing the softer brass is just not compromised with heavy use.
On the Vary
The Golden Boy Revolver impressed me straight out of the field. On the vary, it impressed me much more. I ran SK, CCI, Federal, and Winchester .22LR ammunition, cylinder after cylinder, into my targets. Paper targets had been set at 12.5, 25, and 50 yards.
Capturing at 12.5 yards, a ten-shot group measured 0.938 inches. At 25 yards, teams averaged 3 inches and hit about two inches excessive. At 50 yards, teams averaged 7.5 inches and landed roughly again on middle. I used an eight-inch sticky goal at that distance to make it simpler to see with iron sights.
Some fliers had been my fault and opened up the teams. Nonetheless, for a four-inch barrel on a .22LR handgun, these ten-shot teams had been greater than acceptable. In spite of everything, this revolver will probably be used primarily for plinking and up-close critter management.
Ol’ Dependable
Rimfire handguns are a few of my favorites to shoot. Nonetheless, they haven’t all the time labored correctly with no can of CLP available. The Golden Boy Revolver modified that. I didn’t have a single malfunction throughout both of my vary journeys. Single motion or double motion, sluggish hearth or fast hearth, it fired each time. I put a whole bunch of rounds by way of it with out challenge. Though it was soiled, the firing mechanism by no means hung up. The one-action set off weight measured 4.5 lbs, a bit increased than anticipated. Nonetheless, the clear break made it a non-issue. The revolver’s hefty weight soaked up the minimal .22 LR recoil. That permit me get rounds again on the right track shortly. The vast set off shoe, with softened edges, almost eradicated set off fatigue. The spacious set off guard made it straightforward to function, even whereas carrying gloves.
Different Makes use of & Wanting Ahead
Equivalent in dimension, form, and elements to its .357mag Large Boy Revolver, the Golden Boy revolver makes for the proper coach to enhance its large bore cousin. Whereas not listed on Henry’s web site but, the instruction guide additionally lists a .22 WMR providing, which will probably be a pleasant middle-of-the-road caliber to finish the set as soon as it turns into obtainable.
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Closing Ideas
If it seems like I’m gushing over this revolver, you’re not improper, I’m. It has been a pleasure to shoot, evaluation, and (to be blunt) drool over. Traditional Outdated West aesthetics and ergonomics, mixed with fashionable hand-fit inner elements, make for a revolver that shoots in addition to it seems. The satin-finished blued metal’s distinction with oiled walnut and mirror-polished brass makes the gun a showpiece, whereas superb accuracy and impeccable reliability make it fairly nice to shoot. It pairs completely with their Golden Boy rimfire rifles, however stands simply as effectively by itself. With a retail price ticket of $928.00, it’s not low cost, nevertheless it’s not meant to be. It’s designed to be a 100% USA-made, heirloom-quality handgun that may be handed by way of generations. On that, Henry has greater than delivered.
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As a contract author for GunsAmerica, Ben is ready to mix his love for firearms, searching, and pictures collectively. Initially from the Midwest, Ben grew up within the outdoor and in the previous couple of years, has grown professionally by way of many sides of the out of doors/firearms business.
Exterior of capturing and searching, he’s additionally an skilled wildlife and aviation photographer. Presently residing within the Pacific Northwest, Ben enjoys spending time on the vary for each his work as a gun author and for enjoyable as a dabblingcompetitive shooter. A big a part of searching season every year is spent chasing upland birds andwaterfowl searching along with his spouse, son, and a pack of chicken canines.
Expertise:
– Out of doors & Firearms Tv videographer/subject producer
– Advertising/Manufacturing at a precision rifle producer
– Author/Photographer for a number of out of doors media publications
– Avid Hunter of Upland and Large Recreation species
