Henry ar-7 Survival rifle

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firemanstrickland

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Ok, I am very involved in my SAR unit here at home and we like to be ALWAYS prepared, well, i want to take it the next further. If i happen to be the one who gets disorientated and have to spend a few nights out, i would like to have more than just my xdm to try and put food over the fire, i have been looking at henrys ar-7 survival rifle, has anyone here had any experience with them? if so, how do you like the rifle and what are the pros and cons, thanks for the help.
 
I don't know about the Henry, but I had a Charter Arms about 25 years ago. Always went bang, and was fairly accurate.

That said, I think for what you're looking for, you might be better served with the Survival Rifle, I think by Springfield or Savage, that is a single shot .22 and .410 or 20ga. over-under. Someone here will remember the designation and manufacturer.
 
I have a Charter Arms AR-7. It's a piece of junk! You couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with it!! Interesting design though, compacts down nicely and even floats! It would be nice IF it was more accurate. My advice; try BEFORE you buy! Otherwise go with a 10/22 or one of the old FIE Broncos (copy of m-4 survival rifle) or even one of the small Savage/Stevens single shot rifles. Those are VERY accurate in my experience. My BIL shots dimes out of the air with one and he's blind in his right eye and shots it from his left shoulder! And they're still being made of at least they were up until a few years ago. I haven't looked at the Papoose but it might also be a good alternative.

FWIW original M-4s were .22 Hornet and .410 shotgun over and under design. Great design but most had 14" barrels so now they're class III. I wish someone would make a new version with legal barrel length.

FIE imported Italian copies (Broncos) of the M-4 in the sixties but they were single barrel only and all that I've seen were .22lr but I've been told that other calibers were available. I have one in .22lr and it's a good shooter. The young kids like it because it's lightweight and they can handle it easily.

See this thread for more about the Broncos and pictures <http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=137218&highlight=garcia+bronco>
 
I have one, it works, shoots better than expected, is very light and self contained broken down (with 2 mags). None of the others are, you have to have a bag to carry the parts. I would rather use my SBR 10/22, takes up the same space and is ready to go all of the time. If I went out with the intent of feeding myself I woud take the 24, more to haul but 22 over 20ga is a lot more usefull.

camp.jpg
 
I had one. It's very compact and handy, but the sights were not very precise, and were only adjustable by guessing, so it was difficult to say how potentially accurate it was. I thought it was a nice plinker for camping trips, if you had a LOT of ammunition, but I wouldn't want to depend on it for hunting small game in a survival sutuation. I think something like the Marlin Papoose is better suited for that.
 
I agree, the papoose is a better gun IMHO, but for what you are talking about there are several other things that would do as well if not better. For true survival a shotgun is really hard to beat. I can shoot a rifle pretty well, but I am not knocking birds out of the air with one, hitting running rabbits, and tree rats are also hard to hit with any consistency. Further more a .22lr isn't going to do much for you if you run into a big cat, bear, or upset moose, and even two legged varmint respect a scattergun. A good single shot 12ga, or better yet a pump or dbl barrel with a couple of boxes of ammo (slugs, 00buck, and birdshot) can take just about everything in NA, and not cost you much either. Take a 18 1/2in barrel, a pistol grip folding stock, and you can pack them just about anywhere you can take the survival rifle, or papoose.
 
A long time ago, I was at a Survival, Evasion, Resistane and Escape (SERE) symposium. One expert there was extolling the virtues of the condom -- you can carry it in your wallet. You can put your spare socks in it to keep them dry. You can even use it as a canteen.

One wise acre asked, "If you were setting out to cross Death Valley, would you carry your water in a condom?"

The expert responded (rather haughtily), "In a survival situation, you take what you have."

And the wise acre said, "We're not in a survival situation. We're sitting on our butts in an air-conditioned room talking about what some other poof SOB will have when he's in a survival situation."

The result of that exchange was the develpment of the Water Sack, a polyethelene bag inside a nylon bag -- almost as small as a condom, and a lot stronger sturdier.

Those of us in that symposium developed a philosophy -- before choosing survival gear, take the candidate items into the wilderness deliberately and see how they work out. Following that rule, I have found many a "good idea" that didn't pan out.

For myself, when I set out for a hundred mile trek through the national forest (or the Buffalo River Trail, where hunting is allowed) I carry my Colt Woodsman.
 
ok, well, first, to mister vern, i AM taking the gear with me,THis is SAR im talking about, im not asking about something i will have on me at all times and i happen to get myself in some survival situation, and to the shotgun ideas.......do you understand the weight difference between a .22 and a shot gun? not to mention 500 .22 shells weigh about as much as 25 shotgun shells, the purpose is to have something "just in case" im not going hunting, Shotgun and shells are out of the question. To tcb in tn, a .22 is well enough to take care of a bird on a limb, a duck on the water, a squirrel in a tree, and if need be, i can promise you it will take down a deer, trust me. and as for the predators, be it the two or four legged kind, i promise you 20 rounds at a time from my xdm will alter there decision. Rabbits quit running every once in a while, birds gotta land some time, and i shoot tree rats everyday with a .22................
 
The Henry one is good, I keep one in my car. Its cheap, compact, accurate, and will be able to put plenty of meat on the table if SHTF.
 
You said a few nights out in the woods if you become disoriented. Remember the rule of 3: 3 hours exposure, 3 days water, 3 weeks food. Food, in this case, would be the last of my worries, especially if I'm only to be out for a few days. Additionally, I assume that your party would be made aware of your disappearance and would thus enact some sort of SAR mission to retrieve you. I would be much more concerned with shelter and water.

That being said, and like you previously stated- be always prepared. Have you considered packing snares and basic fishing tackle? Absentee fishing/hunting is a much more viable means of survival because you're not burning calories. As well, what is often overlooked is foraging- which though it does take hands-on practice to safely identify and harvest plants- it does provide a more realistic means of gathering food. It also is more likely to provide you with carbohydrates or simple sugars which will sustain you indefinitely longer than a diet composed primarily of protein. (I say primarily because realistically you would be going after small game as opposed to large, many of which are quite lean and thus don't provide the necessary fats which are a feasible substitute for carbs. See Inuit diet.)

With all that out of the way, in terms of guns, I would go with what a few others have said- the rifle/shotgun over/under combo. The Savage 24-C comes to mind, as it has several drilled slots in the stock which allow you to store .22 and 20ga ammo directly. For a few days of survival you will not need 500 rounds of .22 or 25 20ga shells. Another option is the Springfield M-6, which is (or was?) the rifle issued to U.S. Air Force pilots. A simple google of either of these rifles should produce significant hits.
 
ok, well first of all this thread is not about survival tips, not trying to take offense but i really dont need survival instruction, and the 500 rounds was just an example........please, my question was simply about the rifle, nothing else. is it good or not? thats the only thing i wanted help on. lets be practical, go 3 weeks with no food and see how much strength you have. and the reason i want the rifle is for the absolute WORST CASE SCENARIO, of course my own guys would start a search for me but i need to be able to depend on myself, and i do carry fishing line and have the materials for snares, but we are getting way offf topic and the good people here at the high road are gonna close this thread if it stays that way, now, with all due respect can i please just hear about the rifle.
 
Okay, the rifle is a crap shoot. Some work, some do not. In all my years playing with them (since the early '70s) only one has fed reliably. Great concept that is typically miserably executed.

The Marlin Papoose is a better choice but even those have issues. Feeding is iffy on quite a few due to tolerance stack between magazines and housings. Also the trigger guard/mag housing is plastic that DOES break, it is simply a matter of when. The fix is a spendy after-market part machined from aluminum.

a better choice, the best if you can afford it, is the Browning Auto 22 or its affordable clone, the Norinco ATD.

Finally, the reason folks are discussing things other than the rifle is because if you are lost for just a few days you simply do not need it. The Rule of 3 was meant to illustrate that to you, but you missed the point. Signaling devices, water, shelter are your primary concerns, not how you are going to substitute a .22 rifle for a 7-11.
 
Hey there, Fireman. I really wanted a little compact .22 like you are looking for some time ago. Since I was focusing on current manufactured small rifles, I pretty much focused on the Henry Survival rifle, the Marlin Papoose, and long barreled pistols.

I really like how the Henry is capable of being packed within itself. I also liked its crude aperture sight, since I shoot better with apertures than other open sights. I think you really need to go to a store and pick up a Henry. I did and it killed the deal for me. It may be a great pack gun and a decent shooter, but fits me strangely and I don't like the execution of the construction. Still, I know it has its place and Bud's has it for $212.00 right now. http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=36597

I ended up buying a 16" barrel .22 bolt rifle instead, even though it is not a takedown gun. It just suits my needs better. However, if I were to go back down the same search path again, I'd consider jmorris' advice about the 10/22. Except, I'd look into the Ruger Charger. That is, if you don't consider canoeing or rafting with it. I'd hate to drown the optics required for the Charger. :what:
 
Andrew Wyatt said:
the marlin papoose is a better gun.
Click to expand...
+1

My local dealer doesn't carry and talked me out of buying one. He's been in business for a long time. He told me all the ones he's special ordered for folks over the years have been problematic. I trust the guy. If it were my money, I'd go with either the Papoose or a single shot rifle. Either a 22 or something that does .410, 45 long colts.
 
k, well, first, to mister vern, i AM taking the gear with me,THis is SAR im talking about, im not asking about something i will have on me at all times and i happen to get myself in some survival situation, and to the shotgun ideas.......do you understand the weight difference between a .22 and a shot gun? not to mention 500 .22 shells weigh about as much as 25 shotgun shells, the purpose is to have something "just in case" im not going hunting, Shotgun and shells are out of the question. To tcb in tn, a .22 is well enough to take care of a bird on a limb, a duck on the water, a squirrel in a tree, and if need be, i can promise you it will take down a deer, trust me. and as for the predators, be it the two or four legged kind, i promise you 20 rounds at a time from my xdm will alter there decision. Rabbits quit running every once in a while, birds gotta land some time, and i shoot tree rats everyday with a .22................
Click to expand...

First of all I do understand the weight diff between a 3.5lb pappoose 22 and a 5.6 lb 12ga with a folding stock and a 18in barrel. I also understand that in a survival situation that having a larger margin for error is better.

BTW you are right a .22 can take down a deer, but 00buck, or a slug will do it better, same with all predators. Further more, if you are carrying a XDM and a .22 then I think you weight saving will likely be a lot less. And while I too take tree rats with a .22, I (and most other folks) miss a lot less with a 12 or 20ga.

I have no problem with you using whatever you are comfortable, or just whatever you want to have. You are the one that has to deal with it, but if you ask the question with your mind already made up, it doesn't mean that everyone else is going to agree with you and give you the answer you want to hear.
 
You know, Fireman. I had forgotten about this little Chipmunk pistol. I've seen it in my local Academy sporting goods store. It is pretty small, and being a bolt action with the sights on the barrel it has some potential accuracy built in. In the field, you would just use an improvised rest. Only $162.00 and 2.5 pounds. Looks to be less than 20" long. It's only a single shot, but that should be enough for a meat-in-the-pot gun.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/60711
http://www.chipmunkrifles.com/index.php?cPath=27&osCsid=5uf55v63bglkt5nu1tcg886bj5

Dang, I might have to go back to Academy to have another look. :D
 
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yeah, my view on this henry is starting to go down the tubes, i was hoping it would get some better reviews, thanks for the input. if somebody around here would get one i will take a look at it but will proceed with extreme caution. Look guys, all im saying is i am just looking for a review on the rifle, i apologize for getting a little hot headed, i do understand other things should take priority, and beleive me, they do, i have pistol and hand flares, some plastic and paracord, plenty of fire starters, among many other things, but just like i said before, i was looking to take it a step further
 
I don't know how this fits in with your gear plans but have you considered a cricket rifle?
http://www.crickett.com/crickett_rifle_specs.php

Single shot .22 rifle. Youth stock has a 12" LOP, weighs 2.5 lbs, the same as the henry I believe. Instead of wood stock you can get the polymer which will last forever. Has a single thumb screw on the bottom that lets you remove the barrel so you can collapse the weapon. Takes optics. Single shot so less to break. Takes .22 LR and Shorts.

They also have a .22 mag version that is only a few ounces heavier which would REALLY open up your options.

Both will be very accurate and they are very inexpensive. Wal mart used to sell them for <$150. I personally think they are an excellent choice as a backpacking rifle. They might work well for your situation.
 
I've never handled one or shot one...but have always been interested in them. They do get a lot of negative press (people also say the grip is uncomfortable because it has to be so fat to house the barrel).

This guy makes what seems to be a spendy version of it :
http://www.majesticarms.com/index.html

MA2000 and the M4 M.A.R.R.S. I'd love to have one but they are just too pricey for the amout of time it would get used (I don't find myself lost in the woods too much)
 
++1 on the Papoose. No, I don't own one (yet) but it's on the short list. I came within a hairs breadth of buying a Henry (Charter Arms) survival rifle, but I handled one and wow...hard to explain. A gigantic, thick stock with a barrel and receiver that feel like they weigh 2 oz. Didn't feel right plus I didn't care for the thickness of the stock.
The Papoose is such a neat little package when broken down. Looks like it could be stowed almost anywhere. And the fact that it's based on the Marlin model 60 to me says it's likely a very reliable firearm.
No offense to others, but I cannot imagine using a 12 ga. in a survival situation! And seriously, if you had a limited amount of ammunition, would you be wingshooting or shooting at running rabbits? Not me.
If a fella had plenty of roo to carry it, the idea of a shot bolt action sounds very appealing. Especially if one could be had with s tubular magazing so one wouldn't have to worry about misplacing or losing a clip.
Regards,
35W
 
++1 on the Papoose. No, I don't own one (yet) but it's on the short list. I came within a hairs breadth of buying a Henry (Charter Arms) survival rifle, but I handled one and wow...hard to explain. A gigantic, thick stock with a barrel and receiver that feel like they weigh 2 oz. Didn't feel right plus I didn't care for the thickness of the stock.
Click to expand...

Funny -- I was wondering if they had redesigned the AR-7 at all since they first came out. Maybe 25 years ago (or more), I fired a friend's AR-7 when they were being put out by Armalite (IIRC). I hated the darned thing. The stock felt like a big chunk of PVC pipe -- functional, but oddly uncomfortable. Also, the peep sight seemed like a crude black Lifesaver.

Of course, the AR-7's back then were notorious jam-o-matics -- my friend's certainly was. I don't know if that has been cleaned up in the Henry iteration.

.
 
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