Henry Golden Boy sight replacement

[JasonMD85]

Hello. Been awhile since I have posted. Anyway, I got a Henry golden boy in .22lr a little while back, and have been using it to keep my pockets from being completely empty when the 30-30 and .40 want to play. Since ammo is getting so expensive, I have decided I may just start plinking with the .22, maybe a little small bird hunting on the farm, instead of deer hunting. Ammo is just too costly for my young butt right now.

So, I love everything about my .22, except the sights. Inside they aren't too hateful, but outside you cannot see the front bead. Its the brass dot one, and you really have to stare for it to get a good sight picture, and by then you cant really see the target. Ideally I will only be using it for 25-40 yards, so I was thinking maybe a better iron sight, but I won't rule out a 2x scope if I can find see through mounts of some sort. Anyone know of any companies that sell different sights or see through scope mounts for my Henry? Are there any that won't need a gunsmith to drill the rifle? Thanks guys. By the way, a henry with good sights, clean as a whistle, with good ammo (cci mini mags etc.) will be able to shoot accurately enough for small birds right? I have only shot off hand, with really cheap federal bulk ammo, and not being able to see the sight real well outside. Am I right in hoping good ammo, with better sights, and using a hay barrel or something will give me good enough groupings for small game, or should I be looking at a remington 597 or a marlin or something? Thanks again.

 

[Matt-man]

The Golden Boy front sight dovetail is a standard size so you should be able to get a replacement in whatever style you like. Marble's produces a bunch of different styles - if seeing the sight is a problem they even have fiber optic front sights.

Henry makes a scope mount that replaces the rear sight. Aside from that you'd probably have to have the receiver cover drilled & tapped.

 

[vicdotcom]

Am I right in hoping good ammo, with better sights, and using a hay barrel or something will give me good enough groupings for small game, or should I be looking at a remington 597 or a marlin or something? Thanks again

You gun will be able to hit birds as well as the other rifles you mentioned. When money is tight, just sit back and enjoy what you have now. When you have more disposable income, you can try the others to see what you like better or just get some ammo for your larger calibers. But what you have now will be able to do birds just fine. At least up to 50-75 yards.

 

[JasonMD85]

Okay, great. So I just need to find a front sight for a dovetail rifle? Gotcha. What about the back? I am happy with the back, but why not get a set, right?

 

[Matt-man]

Yep, you just need a front sight for a 3/8" dovetail. Front sights are generally available in different heights, so you want to make sure you get one that's the same height as the factory sight. I don't know how tall the GB front sight is... I bet you could call Henry and they'd be able to tell you. Marble's might also know.

I know Marble's also makes a rear sight that fits that rifle, one that folds down out of the way so you can use a tang sight. Not sure what else is out there that would work well on a GB.

 

[vicdotcom]

One thing you can try before you replace the front sight is to color the bead for a better visual.

I used a dab of "white out" on my front sight so there is a big bright white spot now instead of a darker circle. You can also use a dab of bright green nail polish also.

Might want to try this cheaper easy fix before purchasing and messing arround with new sights.

Vic

 

[Acera]

Take a plastic spoon, knife or fork and set it alight. Wave the front sight over the smoke, it will darken it to the blackest black you have seen. That should make it easier to see, plus it cleans off. Works for peep sights also before you have to qualify on a bright day.

For the sight, try this one.

http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/Accessories/Sights-Malcolm.htm

They have no drill mounts for the Henry. As a bonus, you keep it in the correct period.

 

[QuietEarp]

Tang sight, definately

I have a Goldenboy with Lyman tang sight. I love it. It is quite a tack driver. I recommend it highly.

 

[az_imuth]

Drilling the tang or the receiver for adding of sights or scopes isn't really a problem. Henry sells the receiver covers for around $40 and they can be replaced in just a couple of minutes. The brasslite cover for the golden boy is a pretty heavy chunk of metal, but is not the actual reciever. The receiver portion of the rifle includes the lower tang with the serial number while the cover includes the upper tang. This makes it possible to swap out the covers if you want one that's D&T and one that remains unmodified. Pretty simple solution for the rear sights or a scope. As mentioned, the front dovetail should accept most aftermarket sights that are out there.

 

[VinRR]

I threw a set of Tru glo fiber optic sights on my GB... it might not be traditional, but it is sooooo much easier to shoot, especially as the sun is going down.

 

[JasonMD85]

That tang sight, I am assuming this is a front/rear combo that had to be done by a gunsmith? I have never really had any work done to a rifle before, usually just shot what I was handed, so this sight stuff is all pretty new to me.

VinRR, how do you like those tru glows? They aren't too big? I would think they would block a good portion of the target, once you get some distance going.

What kind of sights should I be looking for, for good accuracy, good field of vision, and quick target acquisition for those pesky fast little birds?

Are there any front sight posts what would work well with the factory rear sight (With is a V notch, or a U notch depending on what side you are using).

Any good websites to look at this stuff?

 

[Franco2shoot]

I had the local gunsmith drill and tap, he's pretty inexpensive, < 100 bucks. Put a fairly nice 3-9x40 scope on it and its a hoot to take those long shots. Highly recommended, IMHO

KKKKFL