Henry Golden Boy God Bless America .22 LR 20″ Octagon 16rd
About this product
What is the Henry Golden Boy God Bless America .22 LR? It is a commemorative, highly decorated lever-action rifle built on the reliable Golden Boy platform, designed to bridge the gap between a functional firearm and a display piece. This specific edition uses a 20-inch octagon barrel and a 16-round tubular magazine to deliver the classic Henry .22 LR experience in a package saturated with patriotic engraving and gilded accents. It occupies a unique niche at the intersection of craftsmanship and recreational shooting, fundamentally different from the purpose-built performance of a rifle like the Stevens 334 in .308 Win.
What is the Henry Golden Boy God Bless America used for?
This rifle is for occasional recreational plinking, introductory lever-action training, and prominent display. The .22 LR chambering makes it cost-effective for informal target shooting, while the intricate nickel and gold receiver demands careful handling. I would not recommend it for hard-use rimfire competition or as a serious small-game hunting tool where mud or heavy brush could permanently mar the finish.
How does the Henry Golden Boy compare to a standard Stevens 334?
The Golden Boy God Bless America is a decorative rimfire lever gun, while the Stevens 334 bolt-action is a utilitarian centerfire hunting rifle. The Stevens 334 is superior for practical, all-weather hunting with a cartridge that can ethically take deer; the Golden Boy is superior for casual range sessions and as a conversation-starting heirloom. This is a comparison of application, not direct competition.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The rifle weighs 6.75 pounds (approximately 3.06 kg) and measures 38.5 inches (978 mm) in overall length. The 20-inch (508 mm) octagon barrel contributes significantly to both the classic aesthetic and the forward weight balance, which aids in steady offhand shooting. The tubular magazine extends 8.5 inches from the muzzle, requiring a specific loading technique.
Who is this NOT for?
This is not for a shooter seeking a dedicated trail gun, a high-volume competition platform, or someone on a tight budget for a pure tool. The investment is in artistry and American iconography. If your primary goal is to bang steel plates as fast as possible or to have a rifle you can toss in a UTV without worry, a synthetic-stocked 10/22 or a more basic rifle in our inventory is a far more practical choice.
What's in the box?
You receive the rifle, one 16-round capacity tubular magazine, and basic owner's literature. Note that the box does not include a scope or rings, cleaning kit, or any additional loading accessories. The drill-and-tapped receiver (for a GB-CSM mount) is ready for optic installation, but that is an additional purchase and gunsmithing step.
Is the Henry Golden Boy God Bless America worth it at $1,182.99?
The value proposition is entirely subjective, tied to your appreciation for the engraving and commemorative theme. As a functional .22 LR rifle, a standard blued Henry Golden Boy or other model offers 95% of the mechanical performance for hundreds less. For the premium, you are purchasing a specific piece of Americana and finish work that cannot be replicated aftermarket for anywhere near the cost differential.
Specs at a glance
Video review
Pros & cons
What works
- Drilled and tapped receiver for GB-CSM optic sidemount — a major upgrade over non-tapped traditional lever actions.
- 20-inch octagon barrel provides a stable 6.75-pound platform, reducing muzzle flip for quicker follow-up shots.
- Uses economical .22 LR ammunition with a 16-round tubular magazine capacity, ideal for extended plinking sessions.
Trade-offs
- Nickel and gold finish is highly susceptible to marring; not suitable for field use without significant cosmetic risk.
- $1,182.99 MSRP is a substantial premium over a standard-finished Golden Boy for purely aesthetic upgrades.
- Loading the tubular magazine requires manually feeding each round through a port; slower than a detachable box magazine.
Expert review
Key attributes
| upc | 619835016577 |
| manufacturer | Henry Repeating Arms |
| manufacturer part number | H004GBA |
| action | Lever Action |
| atf type | RIFLE |
| barrel length | 20" |
| caliber/gauge | .22 LR |
| capacity | 21 + 1 (22S) / 16 + 1 (22 LR) |
| color | Silver |
| length | 40 |
| model | Golden Boy |
| package height | 2.0 |
| package width | 7.0 |
| product type | Rifle |
| safety | 1/4 Cock |
| shipping weight | 7.8 |
| sights | FS: Brass Bead/RS: Adjustable |
| sights type | Adjustable Sights |
| state restriction (or) | NO SALE TO OREGON |
| state restriction (ri) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO RHODE ISLAND |
| state restriction (wa) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO WASHINGTON |
| magazine included | 1 x 16-Round |
Frequently asked questions
- Is the receiver compatible with standard Picatinny scope mounts?
- No. The receiver is drilled and tapped specifically for the Henry GB-CSM sidemount base, which is required to properly interface with the curved receiver profile. Standard Picattiny rails will not fit. The GB-CSM base is available separately from Henry for approximately $50.
- Does it accept .22 Short or .22 Long cartridges?
- It is chambered for .22 Long Rifle (LR) only. While you can physically chamber a .22 Short, the different cartridge length will cause feeding and extraction issues. I recommend using only standard or high-velocity .22 LR ammunition for reliable function.
- How long does delivery take to an FFL?
- Processing and shipping for in-stock items typically takes 3-5 business days. The rifle must ship to a licensed FFL dealer of your choice for transfer, which adds variable local processing time. Please contact your chosen FFL for their specific procedures before ordering.
- What is the warranty on the finish and engraving?
- Henry Repeating Arms offers a lifetime warranty on materials and workmanship. However, the warranty explicitly does not cover "finish wear or discoloration from normal use" or damage from improper handling or cleaning. Cosmetic issues are typically not considered manufacturing defects.