Henry Golden Boy Deadeye Revolver
- Graham Baates
- 2 minutes ago
- 4 min read
*Some of the external links found on this website are affiliate links. Those links use cookies to generate revenue and fund continuation of this website. By clicking an external link you are consenting to a temporary cookie, by purchasing from that link you are supporting this website. To opt out of cookies do not click external links.
When we took a look at the Henry Big Boy Revolver last year it was meant as a companion revolver to the Henry Big Boy carbine. Both the platforms and the calibers werte outside of the GBGuns norm, but we learned a lot about 357 Magnum and .38 Special and what they can do from a carbine and revolver while also having fun.
One of my notes on the Henry Big Boy Revolver was on the sights. For my imperfect eyes, and the wide range of ammunition available in those calibers it would be nice to have sights that were more precise, more visible, and adjustable to whatever one's preferred load is. I wasn't alone in observing this and Henry listened, following up with the Deadeye series in the same calibers that the original Big Boy Revolvers are offered in. Given the opportunity to try one I opted for the .22lr chambering to save on ammunition costs and enjoy something of a target revolver.
What Is It? The Henry Golden Boy Deadeye is a 10-shot, DA/SA, .22lr revolver with improved sights. Unlike some other .22lr equivalents of center-fired models the Golden Boy does not skimp on materials used; giving the Golden Boy propper weight and feel just like a center-fired model.
Who's It For? My intial thought was that at this price range, the Golden Boy Deadeye was for the dedicated Henry fan. That thought changed as I shot it and realized it's a great trainer or alternative to the Big Boy revolvers; a near spitting image with mirrored handling and weight. That makes for a better trainer equivalent than most semi-auto .22lr models can offer because unlike a semi-auto a revolver can be made of the same materials.
Why does it cost so much? This is only a theory, but unlike a semi-auto .22lr model which must use less expensive and easier to machine lighter components for the gun to work, the Henry Golden Boy Deadeye uses the same materials as a Henry Big Boy Revolver. The action and workings of the gun are also authentic and can't be simplified like a semi-auto would be. In fact, I'd venture to guess that the cylinder of a .22lr model requires more machine time than the cylinder of a centerfire cartridge; possibly meaning the Golden Boy costs more to make than a Big Boy.
Take a Look at the Henry Golden Boy Deadeye in the tabletop video below. You'll see it's every bit of a quality gun as the Big Boy. Rumble Link
Specifications
Caliber: 22lr/s/l
Barrel Length: 4"
Barrel Type: Round Blued Steel
Rate of Twist: 1:16
Overall Length: 9.5"
Weight: 37 oz.
Receiver Finish: Polished Blued Steel
Rear Sight: Fully Adjustable
Front Sight: Ramped Fiber bead
Stock Material: American Walnut
Stock/Grip Style: Gunfighter Grip
Safety: Transfer Bar
Best Uses: Target, Collector
MSRP: $970
Prices around the web as of 2MAY26
Click links for current pricing and availability
Range reviewing The Henry Golden Boy Deadeye would obviously have to be different. With a revolver we know anything that chambers will work, and .22lr's low energy isn't enough for the spinner. Instead I took advantage of having a gun which would operate with any .22lr load and did a bit of an extended What's For Dinner to see how those loads grouped, as well as points of impact, and to finally shoot some of the ammo my semi-autos won't.
Loads tested included:
20gr Aguila Super Colibri $8.79 / 50 at Firearms Depot
36gr Remington Viper $5.58 / 50 at Classic Firearms
33gr Remington Yellow Jacket $5.96 /50 at Classic Firearms
40gr CCI Mini-Mag HP $8.99 / 100 at Firearms Depot
40gr CCI Standard Velocity $4.89 / 50 at GrabaGun
40gr CCI Mini-Mag SHP $10.44 / 100 at Classic Firearms
40gr Aguila Super Extra CP $32.75 / 500 at Classic Firearms
40gr Aguila Interceptor
40gr Federal Game Shok $4.66 / 50 at Classic Firearms
40gr Winchester Wildcat
40gr SK Rifle Match $11.99 / 50 at Brownell's
60gr Aguila Sniper Subsonic $9.89 / 50 at Firearms Depot
Standard range ammunition was 36gr Remington Golden Bullet $99.62 / 1400 at Global Ordnance
Watch the process and see how each load performed in real time in the Shooting Impressions video below. Rumble Link
On the range I had more fun than expected. Sometimes a .22lr can feel boring, but the fine sights on this Deadeye model combine with running the hammer or just using the smooth double action, and the "labor" of loading and unloading made for a fun outing. I can definitely see this as a trainer for the Big Boy revolver, as a collector piece with pride in ownership, or just a fun gun to have for those who feel caliber shouldn't dictate quality.