Henry Golden Boy or Browning BL-22

[BCRider]

First off let me type that the Browning is a first class rifle in every way. But there's a catch. If you have no other lever guns and don't plan on buying any then you can learn to cycle the Browning really fast thanks to the short lever throw. In fact it's so short and fast to cycle that it almost seems like you're not shooting a proper lever gun at all.

The short throw will throw your pacing off if you have or plan on getting other regular lever rifles. I've got and love a bunch of lever guns in various calibers. When I got a chance to shoot a Browning BL-22 force of habit kept me trying to rip the lever out of the receiver. That and trying to snap my fingers off my hand. To a lever lover the Browning just simply doesn't work well due to this issue.

Lots of folks whine about the alloy and shell design of the Henry. But the simple fact is that the guns work and work well and have been proven to work well for many years and many tens of thousands of rounds.

Of the Henry models there's no doubt that the octagonal barrel models are nice. But for youths, smaller women or a woods packing rifle you can't beat the lightness of the basic H001 model.

 

[mcmack]

I have a Golden Boy in 22 WMR, its a pleasure to shoot. I like every aspect of how it functions. I have not ever held/shot a BL-22, but I'm impressed with the Henry, despite what I have heard about the quality issues lately (there are other posts out there on this and other sites that say that the Henry quality is "pot-metal" with poor finishes, etc.).

 

[BCRider]

Actual first hand quality issues or just more whining? Seems like all the non owners like to bash Henry for that and the lack of historical connection. Meanwhile us owners don't care and just keep on enjoying the smooth silky operation, great reliability and excellent support from Henry for the odd person that does manage to break something.

 

[6MT]

Actual first hand quality issues or just more whining? Seems like all the non owners like to bash Henry for that and the lack of historical connection. Meanwhile us owners don't care and just keep on enjoying the smooth silky operation, great reliability and excellent support from Henry for the odd person that does manage to break something.

I've got 1k+ rounds through my Frontier. Never any problems/issues. Brownings' are overpriced, imho.

 

[Petamocto]

If you just want a .22 for the gophers on the back 40, get the Henry. If you want a family heirloom, get the Browning.

I'm sorry, but did you just vote against a Henry as being an heirloom? Are you confusing Henry with Norinco?

I'm not saying that Browning is junk, but I am not sure you're talking about the brand you think you are.

Their 22LR has a $550 US MSRP, and the brand is known for exemplary build quality:

 

[ih8ipods]

henry and get the octagon barrel you wont regret it.

 

[jhedsy]

Golden boy or Frontier Henry with the octagonal barrel hands down. I own a Frontier. Never had any issue with it. Love it and will probably never sell it.

I would have bought a Golden Boy but the stock is different and didn't fit me comfortably... Personal opinion. Also if you don't like finger prints on shiny things, a golden boy might not be the best choice. Though it does look and shoot amazing, I still want one lol.

 

[lone-wolf]

Winchester 9422

The octagon barreled henry looks superb

 

[hometownhero]

Browning. Don't like the feeling of the tin foil or whatever cheap alloy the receiver is on the henry. Looked at a henry pump today and didn't appeal to me at all especially after seeing a $579.99 price tag.

 

[hoytcanon]

I've got 1k+ rounds through my Frontier. Never any problems/issues. Brownings' are overpriced, imho.

I have 25K rounds through one Henry Frontier and never had an issue... I have four Henry rimfire lever actions, two Win 94/22 rimfires, two Browning BL-22's and a Marlin 39A Mountie... the Henry's are the smoothest and my favorites to shoot, particularly my Frontier's. I love the 94's best for carrying and the Browning's for fit & finish... but if I could only choose one... it would be the Henry Frontier.

 

[BlairW]

Winchester 9422

The octagon barreled henry looks superb

I regret selling my 9422 everytime I open the safe. I just ordered a Henry to fill that gap for now.
As for the debate on the browning lever guns, after being used to my 9422, I didn't care for the short lever throw on the bl-22 at all. Felt weird.

 

[Rob F]

I had a BL22 (bought new) which I sold because it was not accurate to what I considered an acceptable level. I tried 5 different ammo brands and the best I could do from a proper rest was a 1.5" group at 25 yards. Fit and finish was great, and I did not have expectations of a single hole rifle at 25 yards (like my old Marlin 25N that was about $179 twenty years ago instead of the $575 price tag on the Browning). I would however have expected a little better. I plan on buying a Henry Golden Boy this week since I've read so many positive reviews on them. When you can combine fun, accuracy, and good looks (even if a little cheesy!) how can you go wrong?

 

[johNTO]

I never consider lever-action rifles to be very accurate compared to bolts. 1.5" groups @ 25yrds (with a lever & irons) is very acceptable AFAIC.
I've always enjoyed them as fun plinkers with a decent capacity that feeds any .22 ammo….In my books, I can't ask for much more no matter what brand.

 

[Dagmaar]

You really need to handle both. My experience with them….the Golden Boy requires a chin hold and the BL-22 needs to be held more forward to get down on the irons.
GB feels like a adult-sized rifle with a long lever throw vs the light/compact & short lever action of the BL-22.

What he said .
They are quite different guns , different prices too .
Having shot both I would say that the BL just oozed quality of construction in every way . Because budget was an issue , I went with the Henry . I've got to say that , considering the price , that Henry is really well built and I'm very happy with it , it's a tack driver and shoulders beautifully on me .
I still want the BL someday , it's worth waiting for .

 

[6MT]

I never consider lever-action rifles to be very accurate compared to bolts. 1.5" groups @ 25yrds (with a lever & irons) is very acceptable AFAIC.
I've always enjoyed them as fun plinkers with a decent capacity that feeds any .22 ammo….In my books, I can't ask for much more no matter what brand.

My Henry Frontier gives that grouping at 100m. They are accurate shooters.

 

[silverfoxdj]

My Henry Frontier gives that grouping at 100m. They are accurate shooters.

+1 I have the same model with an old Bushnell scope it's amazing..never thought it would be as good

 

[paisley70]

I love my BL-22. Just a little flick with three fingers and the leaver is fast at work. Very accurate too. I will never part with mine.

 

[johNTO]

My Henry Frontier gives that grouping at 100m. They are accurate shooters.

+1 I have the same model with an old Bushnell scope it's amazing..never thought it would be as good

I also owned a Henry Frontier. At iron sight distances it was very accurate. Based on the above results I probably should have given it more time(found it nose heavy) but to get 1.5" groupings @ 100yrds would have been impossible in my hands with irons. Scopes and levers don't go together visually (for me)….YMMV

 

[rednekhuntr]

I love my bl22 gr2. It's accurate, purdy, and reliable. I haven't had any trouble adjusting to the short lever throw. I also have a 94 30-30, and an 88 in .308. Each lever throw's a little different, but I shoot all of them a lot and don't notice the difference anymore

 

[6MT]

I regret selling my 9422 everytime I open the safe. I just ordered a Henry to fill that gap for now.
As for the debate on the browning lever guns, after being used to my 9422, I didn't care for the short lever throw on the bl-22 at all. Felt weird.

I would sell my soul for a 9422m.