Any Thoughts on the Henry U.S. Survival .22 (AR-7)

[bigthaiboy]

I'm thinking of purchasing a Henry U.S. Survival rifle .22LR, which is a new manufacture of the AR-7, and based on the design by Eugene Stoner. I've heard that since Henry Repeating Arms bought the manufacturing rights from Charter Arms, there has been a substantial improvement on the quality and reliability of the rifle.

http://www.henryrepeating.com/h002_survival.cfm

I think design-wise, it's a bit of a curio, but I am attracted by it's 2.5lb weight, which is ideal for a backpack rifle on hiking and camping trips.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

[jdberger]

it floats. That's a plus. And James Bond used one in some movie.

[slick_711]

You'd be surprised how many movies & TV shows used AR-7s and showed some uber sniper pull it out of a case and put it together and then pull out like .30-06 cartridges, but they never show them load their uber sniper rifle.

They're good little rifles, I've never shot an AR-7, but handled them, and I've shot the Henrys', they shoot well, reliable, not too loud, and like you said, light/compact. Good backpacking/survival gun. Only beat by the M6 imo, and the M6 took some slight modification to really be an easy/great survival gun.

[bigthaiboy]

The AR-7 was used in the 1963 James Bond film, "From Russia With Love."

It was meant to be an AR-7 sniper rifle, kept in his attache case. The attache case contained the following concealments:

Exploding tear gas canister when the locks were opened normally.
50 gold sovereigns hidden in the spine of the case, gold is a world standard currency.
Flat throwing knife which could be popped out of the side of the case.
Collapsible AR-7 sniper rifle with infra-red scope.
Rifle ammunition concealed in steel tubes, which slid out of the bottom of the case.

Curiously, when Q issues 007 with the attache case, he points out it's a .25 Caliber AR-7 folding rifle.

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[DedEye]

Never fired one or seen it in person, but the Henry's I've seen (lever action .22s mostly) have been things of beauty.

[38aht]

I bought one from big 5 about 4 years ago and had to take it back because it wouldn't function properly. I got a 10/22 and love it. I'd be interested if they were better quality. CZ made a neet little rifle that was really compact. Looked the business as well.

[fairfaxjim]

I'm not sure if they are still available, but the FeatherUSA 22 is a pretty nice lightweight takedown rifle. It is (was) available in a variety of configurations, even with a colapsable AR style stock. They used to be at the Cow Palace gun show, but haven't seen them lately. Never fired one, but did handle the ones they had at the show and was impressed.
Their website is still up at http://www.featherusa.com/page2.html

[DB2]

I have one, the new Henry version in black. It's a fun little gun. It's so light, I had toy guns that were heavier. The trigger is really heavy, but does get better with use. It comes with 2 mags which is a plus.

The only negative I find with it is, I don't care for the barrel. It's metal encapsulated in plastic. I am thinking of getting an all steel barrel, but that would make it heavier.

Get one they're

[wildcard]

I'm fairly certain Gun-Tests did a review of one a while ago. Try searching their database.

[sloguy]

ive had the opportunity to shoot many of them. even the armalite ones. they will never compete with a 12/22 exept for weight, they take the cake for being light. the latest one i shot was a henry( i think) it had the plastic barrel, not aluminum. the plastic barrel was more accurate than id have thought. i actually blew up a aluminum barrel once( stupid me forgot to run a dry patch before shooting).

they all jam to some degree. some cant get out 2 shots before malfunction. others will go a hundred rounds. polish that chamber best you can, thatll help some.

bottom line is that there are better 22lr automatics. the ar-7 fills a niche. that nich is a lightweight survival rifle. plenty to shoot small critters so you dont starve. be a good shot, and dont miss cause a follow up shot may or may not be available.

added: i donno what the heck i was thinking when i typed 12/22 up there, i meant 10/22.

[CRZY BMW]

Reminds me of the Springfield Armory M6 Scout

[AJAX22]

I currently own 3 AR7 rifles, one is an AR7 industries with a mitchal arms AR50 folding stock and an aftermarket barrel and shroud, one is a charter arms with a steel lined aluminum barrel, and one is a charter arms with a steel lined polymer barrel.

I have previously owned a henry arms, and I'd like to take this moment to state that the henry arms version was utter fecal matter. total junk, not worth the 127$ I paid for it brand new on sale cause no one else wanted it.

the henry does not work with other AR7 magazines, the henry will not work reliably with high velocity ammunition, the henry is prone to cracking the receiver right next to the indexing slot in the threads, and the best of it:

The henry has a tendancy to rebound off the rear of the receiver driving hot brass into the polymer barrel liner where it melts little circles into it.

Do not, under any circumstances buy a henry AR7, all of their other guns may be wonderfull, but the AR7 is horrid... HORRID.

other manufacturers make good versions of the AR7 (AR7 industries is extremly nice) and the problems that the AR7 will inevitably have are fixable in the other rifles, but the henry is beyond saving.

Remember that the AR7 is a survival rifle not a tacticool super spiffy home defense weapon. It is prone to jamming and is quite picky (though its extremly acurate for a takedown gun) You will definitly get one shot perfectly on target, the rest you may or may not depending on how well you have your magazine/feedramp tuned.