A couple of the guys from Rip N’ Tear made a couple of purchases last month. Rookie member, Jonathan, and, Big Bill (aka. Alpha), each got a .22 longrifle from Henry Firearms. They look and feel great. The action is smooth.
They remind me of the guns you see in old Westerns where the good guy takes on 30 evil villians shooting from ‘the hip’. 
Another visual feature that helps paint this western flavor for the gun is it’s octagon barrell. It takes the usual look of a rifle and gives it the extra WOW factor.
Big Bill asked the salesman if there was any advantage to purchasing the .22 magnum version of this gun. The salesman shared some advantages regarding extra range, power, velocity etc. but suggested that the cost of magnum shells nearly doubled that of regular .22 loads. For this reason, the salesman, encouraged the guys to stick with the .22 regular.
Jonathan acutally purchased the “golden boy” version of this .22. It flashes brass (golden) plating in various areas of the gun – like the receiver and buttplate. This ‘dresses’ the gun up and it may allow the hunter (user) to temporarily blind the target before shooting.
The only negative feature that the guys dislike is the ‘standard issue’ open sights that come with the gun. They are very difficult to see and align with the target. It could be Big Bill’s aging eyesight, but even with my youthful eyes I could understand his complaint.
For those who like specifics:
Jonathan’s Gun:
Golden Boy .22 LR
Model: H004
Action Type: Lever action repeater Caliber: .22 LR
Capacity: 16 rounds .22 LR Barrel Length: 20″ Length: 38 1/2” Overall
Weight: 6.75 lbs. Stock: American Walnut Sights: Adjustable buckhorn rear, beaded front
Finish: Brasslite receiver, brass buttplate & blued barrel, lever and metal barrel band
Big Bill’s Gun:
Laever Action Octagonal .22 LR
Model: H004
Action Type: Lever action repeater Caliber: .22 LR
Capacity: 16 rounds .22 LR Barrel Length: 20″ Length: 38 1/2” Overall
Weight: 6.75 lbs. Stock: American Walnut Sights: Adjustable buckhorn rear, beaded front
Finish: blued barrel
Fore several days the guys could be seen holding and cradling their new guns 24/7. A process known as ‘truenaming‘. This is period of time where the hunter and gun bond using rituals and ceremonies handed down to them by the veteran members of their hunting clubs. It also allows the hunter to determine a name for their sidekick. I believe, Jonathan, chose the name ‘Golden Boy’ and, Big Bill, is going with the French version of the name Henry. Pronounced “Hunhrrie“.
Bill Anderson
Muskoka Outdoors
Bill,
You keep referring to Henri as my rifle, when you know full well I gave it to your mom for her birthday. She( the rifle), truly is a thing of beauty and your mom is ecstatic with it.She (like your mother ), is wonderful to hold and I look forward to presenting her with another fine lever action rifle in the near future. Like your grandfather always said, ” you can never have enough guns or sheds ”
….your dad…the alpha male!!!