Henry Pump-Action Octagon .22 Review

Why would a lever-action maker build a pump? Because slide-action .22 rifles have their own loyal following, and this one trades the lever for a forend you work back and forth.

The odd one out in a lever-gun lineup

On a site about lever actions, a pump-action .22 is a detour, and an honest one. Henry's catalog includes rifles that do not use levers, and the Pump Octagon belongs in the same conversation as the Golden Boy because of what it shares: a classic look, a tube magazine and a rimfire cartridge that costs little and kicks less.

The Henry Pump Octagon .22 is listed in .22 S/L/LR with a 15+1 capacity. The product address describes a 19.75-inch octagon barrel and walnut furniture with a blued finish. Check Henry's specification page for weight, sights and any other details before ordering.

Pump versus lever: how they differ in use

Both are manual repeaters, and both let you run a rimfire without relying on recoil. The difference is how your hands work.

One practical note: with a pump, your shooting hand stays near the trigger and grip while the other hand does the work. With a lever, the shooting hand has to leave the grip. Neither is better in the abstract; it comes down to which one fits you.

A heritage worth knowing

Slide-action .22 rifles have a long association with shooting galleries and small-bore sport. The idea behind them is the same one that makes the Henry attractive today: a light, handy, inexpensive-to-shoot rifle that rewards smooth technique. The octagon barrel and walnut stock lean into that heritage, giving the rifle the proportions of a vintage sporting .22 rather than a modern synthetic one.

Who should consider it

• Shooters who like the look of lever guns but prefer a different cycle. A pump offers a similar visual appeal with a different feel.
• Plinkers who value speed. If you enjoy strings of quick shots at cans or paper, a slide action can feel natural.
• Families with a mix of rimfires. A pump sits well alongside a lever Golden Boy and a bolt-action trainer. Our Golden Boy lineup guide covers the lever side of the lineup.
• Shooters who want a classic-looking .22 for small game where legal. Rimfire is widely used on small game, but check your state's rules and use ammunition and shot distances appropriate to the animal.

Who should pass

• Anyone who specifically wants a lever action. This is not one. If lever action is the point, the Golden Boy or the takedown Chiappa will fit better. See our budget .22 lever gun guide.
• Shooters who want a compact, packable rifle. A 19.75-inch octagon barrel is not the profile of a backpacking .22.
• Buyers wanting a scope-heavy setup. Check for scope mounting provisions on the specific model before assuming it will accept a scope.

Ammunition and magazine notes

The listing shows .22 S/L/LR, meaning it is chambered for Short, Long and Long Rifle cartridges. As with any rimfire tube magazine, the pointed-bullet concerns that apply to centerfire levers do not apply in the same way. Still:

1. Use quality ammunition and test it. Different brands and lots can feed differently. Run a small box before buying a case.
2. Match ammunition to the task. Standard-velocity loads for plinking, hollow points for small game where appropriate.
3. Keep the tube clean. Lead and wax build up, which can eventually affect feeding.
4. Follow the loading procedure in the manual. Know how to unload the tube before the first outing.

For background on rimfire cartridges and how they differ, the network's rimfire rifle explainer is a good primer, and its lever and pump .22 overview compares the two action types side by side.

Pump actions and the Mare's Leg

Henry's lever-action Mare's Leg is a very different animal: a stockless lever-action pistol. If your interest is in unusual Henry rimfires, our Mare's Leg guide explains how it is classified and why the stock matters legally.

Bottom line

The Pump Octagon is a good-looking, easy-to-shoot rimfire for people who value classic styling and a slide action's motion. It is not a lever gun, and that is the main thing to decide before buying. If you want the straightforward answer: pick the pump if you like the rhythm of a forend, and pick a lever if the Old West silhouette is the goal.

Editorial note: This is an independent editorial overview built from manufacturer specifications and publicly available information. We have not performed hands-on testing of the products discussed, and nothing here is a performance guarantee. Verify specifications, compatibility and legality for your own situation.

Affiliate disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links to Ammunition Depot. We may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Our editorial choices are not influenced by commissions. Check current price, stock and specifications directly with the retailer.