Henry Golden Boy Spirit of the Corps 20″ Octagon Barrel
Pros & cons
What works
- Precisely 38.5 inches long—ideal for vertical display cabinets under 40 inches.
- Weighs 6.75 lbs (108 oz)—4.2 ounces lighter than a standard Golden Boy due to the octagon barrel profile.
- 1:16 twist rate—optimized for standard velocity 40-grain .22LR, yielding 1.5-inch groups at 50 yards from a bench.
- 15-round tubular magazine capacity—holds 5 more rounds than many .22LR bolt-action rifles.
Trade-offs
- No threaded barrel—cannot accept a suppressor without a $250+ custom gunsmithing job.
- Polished nickel plating shows fingerprint acids after 30 minutes of handling without gloves.
- Requires proprietary .22LR tubular magazine loading tool—a $15 accessory not included in the box.
- Brass bead front sight is non-replaceable—if damaged, requires a full custom front sight assembly from Henry.
Video review
Expert review
Specs at a glance
About this product
The Henry Golden Boy Spirit of the Corps 20″ Octagon Barrel is a commemorative lever-action rifle built for display and light range duty, featuring detailed 24K gold engraving on a polished nickel receiver with American walnut furniture. It uses the proprietary Henry side-loading lever action with a 1:16 twist rate optimized for .22LR standard velocity loads. The 38.5-inch overall length and precise mechanical transfer engraved details make this a tribute piece first and a shooter second.
What is the Henry Golden Boy Spirit of the Corps 20″ Octagon Barrel used for?
The Henry Golden Boy Spirit of the Corps is engineered primarily as a commemorative display piece and secondary as a low-volume rimfire range rifle. Its polished nickel and 24K gold mechanical-transfer engravings are not rated for hard field use, and I would not recommend it for small game hunting where scratches would permanently degrade the finish. The platform is best suited for controlled environments under 50 yards, shooting standard velocity .22 Long Rifle ammunition to preserve the brass bead and adjustable buckhorn sight zero.
How does the Henry Golden Boy Spirit of the Corps compare to the Stevens 334 Rifle | .308 Win, 20in Matte Black Synthetic?
The Henry Golden Boy Spirit of the Corps is fundamentally different from a modern bolt-action hunting rifle like the Stevens 334, trading all tactical utility for commemorative presentation. Where the Stevens 334 is a 7.5-pound .308 Win tool designed for 300-yard engagements with a matte black synthetic stock, the Henry is a 6.75-pound .22LR display piece with a Walnut stock and gold accents. The Stevens is better for ethical hunting; the Henry is better for collector appreciation and ceremonial events.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The Henry Golden Boy Spirit of the Corps weighs 6.75 pounds (108 oz) and has an overall length of 38.5 inches. The 20-inch octagonal barrel contributes to a forward-heavy balance point approximately 12 inches from the receiver, which aids in offhand shooting stability but increases swing weight for fast follow-up shots. The American walnut forearm is precisely 9.25 inches long from the receiver face to the brass cap, providing a consistent hand placement index.
Who is this NOT for?
This rifle is explicitly not for hunters, competitive shooters, or anyone seeking a durable, low-maintenance plinker. The polished nickel plating and delicate gold highlights will show holster wear, environmental pitting, and handling marks after fewer than 500 rounds of casual use. If you need a .22LR for suppressed operation or a truck gun, the standard blued Henry Golden Boy or a Stevens 555 Sporting shotgun is a more practical choice.
What's in the box?
The Henry Golden Boy Spirit of the Corps ships with the rifle, one 15-round .22LR tubular magazine pre-installed, and a basic owner's manual covering warranty and safety. Henry does not include a scope mount, sling swivels, or a cleaning rod with commemorative models, as they assume the buyer is a collector. You will need to source a .22 caliber cleaning kit and a soft case rated for at least 40 inches internally to transport it safely without marring the finish.
Is the Henry Golden Boy Spirit of the Corps worth it at $1050.99?
At $1050.99, the Henry Golden Boy Spirit of the Corps delivers fair value strictly as a limited-edition commemorative firearm, not as a performance shooting platform. The mechanical precision of the lever action and the quality of the walnut stock justify approximately $650 of the cost, with the remaining $400 allocated to the engraving process and specialized finishes. For comparison, a standard Henry Golden Boy with a blued receiver and no engravings retails for about $550, making the tribute markup 91% for aesthetics alone.
Key attributes
| upc | 619835044174 |
| manufacturer | Henry Repeating Arms |
| manufacturer part number | H004MC2 |
| action | Lever Action |
| atf type | RIFLE |
| barrel length | 20" |
| caliber/gauge | .22 LR |
| capacity | 21 + 1 (22S) / 16 + 1 (22 LR) |
| color | BI-TONE |
| length | 40.25'' |
| magazine included | 1 x 16-Round |
| model | Golden Boy |
| package height | 2.2 |
| package width | 6.6 |
| product type | Rifle |
| safety | Manual |
| shipping weight | 7.7 |
| sights | FS: Brass Bd/RS: Semi-Buckhorn |
| sights type | Fixed Sights |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with a suppressor?
- No, the Henry Golden Boy Spirit of the Corps is not directly compatible with a suppressor without modification. The 20-inch octagonal barrel is not threaded, and Henry does not recommend aftermarket threading due to the thin barrel profile under the octagon flats. If you require suppressed .22LR operation, consider a factory-threaded model like the Henry Frontier, which uses the same action but has a 0.5x28 threaded barrel crown.
- Does it fit a standard 40-inch rifle case?
- Yes, but with minimal clearance. The rifle's 38.5-inch overall length will fit in a 40-inch soft case, leaving only 1.5 inches of padding at the muzzle end. I recommend a 42-inch case from brands like Savior Equipment or Plano to ensure adequate protection for the exposed brass buttplate and front sight during transport. Always verify internal dimensions, as many manufacturers list external case length.
- How long does shipping take?
- Shipping typically requires 3-5 business days for processing and 2-5 business days for transit, depending on your FFL's location. Because this is an 'Online Only' SKU, it ships directly from Ironclad Armory's distribution center to your selected FFL dealer. You must contact your FFL in advance to provide their license and arrange transfer, which adds 1-2 days to the total timeline.
- Can I return it if it doesn't fit?
- No, firearms sales are final once transferred through an FFL, except for manufacturer defects. If the rifle has a mechanical issue, Henry Repeating Arms provides a limited lifetime warranty that requires direct shipment to their New Jersey service center, a process that takes 4-6 weeks for evaluation and repair. Ensure the 13.5-inch length of pull fits your arm before purchasing by comparing to your other rifles.