AR-7

[Coded-Dude]

I did a little searching, but didn't find a thread. Anybody have one of these? I'm going to be buying a .22 rifle soon, and was thinking about the M&P15-22, but may got with the AR first. I've seen a few customized ones on the internet that look pretty cool, but they defeat the purpose of its compact and convenient breakdown feature. The AR seems like a no brainier due to cost alone, but I would love some feedback from anyone that owns one. thanks in advance.

http://www.henryrepeating.com/rifle-survival-ar7.cfm

[madmike]

They're kinda neat to have, but not something that gets taken out and shot often. More of a novelty than anything else.

[maddoggie13]

Great to have an AR7 for camping or SHTF... The other good camping rifle is SU2000 from Kel Tec.

[asheron2]

Have one, they arent the most accurate pieces of equipment and the rear peep sight is kind of junky. But when you put an optic on them they are loads of fun. The teflon coating is nice because it reduces maintenance, but the mags do rust fairly easy so just keep them whiped down with oil when you are done using the gun.

FYI: The old ones made by Costa Mesa dont float........tragically my fathers now lies at the bottom of lake shasta somewhere............really!!!

[Argonaut]

We have one in the barn at the ranch, it gets shot a lot. There is a lot of discussion about them not working well (FTE and FTF) but ours has been good. It was designed by Eugene Stoner before he did the M16. There is a company building some fun accessories for them too.

[SoCal Bob]

The AR-7 has been passed along from one manufacturer to another, some much better than others. I have one that was made by Armalite and it eats anything. I have read of many complaints about reliability when Charter Arms made them.

Henry is now the manufacturer and Henry doesn't make junk. If you get one, and there is a problem, Henry customer service will work with you until you are satisfied.

[Oceanbob]

I have an old one

I did a little searching, but didn't find a thread. Anybody have one of these? I'm going to be buying a .22 rifle soon, and was thinking about the M&P15-22, but may got with the AR first. I've seen a few customized ones on the internet that look pretty cool, but they defeat the purpose of its compact and convenient breakdown feature. The AR seems like a no brainier due to cost alone, but I would love some feedback from anyone that owns one. thanks in advance.

Real old; like late 1970s old. I installed a different kit on it; I will dig it out when I find it.
I am hesitant to recommend these; only 8 rounds, mine was fussy about ammo.

I guess if I were to buy a .22 rifle it would be a stainless Ruger 10-22 and have the barrel cut to minimum. The Ruger has loads of various options and aftermarket stocks/sites/magazines etc...that would make it a winner for a short carbine duffel bag weapon. Better yet, why not a neat Ruger .22 hunter pistol with a scope. Short, lightweight, 10 rounds and will do everything you need for a survival .22. (hey, it's only MONEY..LOL)

I do like the MP 15-22, cool looking but you can get two Ruger 10-22 for that price. And have more mag options.

[pilote]

I did a little searching, but didn't find a thread. Anybody have one of these? I'm going to be buying a .22 rifle soon, and was thinking about the M&P15-22, but may got with the AR first. I've seen a few customized ones on the internet that look pretty cool, but they defeat the purpose of its compact and convenient breakdown feature. The AR seems like a no brainier due to cost alone, but I would love some feedback from anyone that owns one. thanks in advance.

are you only interested in using bulk ammo? don't buy an ar7; it jams quickly with a steady diet of cheap dirty bulk ammo...i use only minimags and stingers in my henry; no issues.

if you're looking for a good plinker, you would be happier with something else that can consistently feed and fire bulk ammo.

the ar7 is not a novelty rifle, unless you consider low cost rimfires to be throwaway toys...it's a 2.5lb pack/survival rifle accurate enough in the 10-30yd range to take small game and light enough to carry in a backpack without its weight to be a hindrance...a 100yd sniper rifle it ain't.

understand its tradeoffs and then decide if you want to spend money on one...

[CmpsdNoMore]

I've seen one at a pawn shop around here. It was silver and the first thing I noticed was how big the stock was. The stock also seemed (I've never tested it) like it would be easily shattered if dropped on a rock or something hard.

Either way, for the size I've rather carry a regular rifle or a rifle/shotgun over-under combo

[Coded-Dude]

I don't want it for a sniper rifle. I would probably keep it in my truck as a SHTF back up gun. It would get lot of plinking use though(camping/range/etc). I have my eyes on other rifles (.22 or .223 and .308 for longer range shooting) , but this seemed like a reasonably priced addition to any rifle collection. It will probably end up as a novelty hand me down or something similar.

thanks all for your comments thus far, it really helps.

[Clee]

Junk. Trash. Own one and its a PIECE. And yes mine is a Henry, I bought back in college in the late 90s. This is not a survival gun, way too unreliable, way too inaccurate. Also I found at least with mine (I've shoulder others without this problem) is that the comb is way too high, I have to scrunch my face to look through the peep sight. Maybe they redesigned it since I got mine.

That being said they are kinda neat and fun. If you own several guns and have money to burn, I say go ahead and buy one for fun but don't expect much out of it. I think though a Ruger 1022 is a much better choice. Or a Marlin Papoose if you like the breakdown feature.

[bigthaiboy]

I have the older model Henry AR-7 (not the one with the updated stock with the orange inserts as in the OP), and it shoots great. A little fussy about ammo, but I find Remington Golden Bullet bulk feeds reliable, but this ammo does dirty up the action after 100 or 200 rds. It's accurate enough for shorter distances because there's no sight adjustment, just a simple peep hole. It's main appeal is it's size and weight. It was designed as a survival rifle for the USAF, and definitely has it's limitations. If you have use for a very lightweight James Bond-like .22 rifle that fits into a back pack when you go off hiking, then this rifle might be for you. If you just want a plinking rifle, I think the novelty will wear off quickly, and for $200+ there are better plinking rifles available.

007's .25 Cal suppressed AR-7

[Rem222]

As long as I shoot good ammo (CCI Mini Mags) it's fine. As mentioned above, mine will not reliably cycle cheap ammo..

[pilote]

I have the older model Henry AR-7 (not the one with the updated stock with the orange inserts as in the OP), and it shoots great. A little fussy about ammo, but I find Remington Golden Bullet bulk feeds reliable, but this ammo does dirty up the action after 100 or 200 rds. It's accurate enough for shorter distances because there's no sight adjustment, just a simple peep hole. It's main appeal is it's size and weight. It was designed as a survival rifle for the USAF, and definitely has it's limitations. If you have use for a very lightweight James Bond-like .22 rifle that fits into a back pack when you go off hiking, then this rifle might be for you. If you just want a plinking rifle, I think the novelty will wear off quickly, and for $200+ there are better plinking rifles available.

...you are spot on!

note...it isn't just the orange insert (which holds 2 instead of 1 extra mag); the barrel end is now all metal, not plastic surrounding the metal barrel...a major change and improvement.

[bohoki]

i have one and i never shoot it as i am sick of swearing at it

get a 10/22 and a folding stock