Henry U.S. Survival .22lr
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MRIman
Member
Ive seen a few at shows going in the $180's and up.
Seen one for $125 used but looked new at a show.
Walked a few more minutes then went back to get it,
NOPE,it was gone. Still looking for a used one myself.
Great weapon that fits next to the spare tire in the trunk!!
MRI
Seen one for $125 used but looked new at a show.
Walked a few more minutes then went back to get it,
NOPE,it was gone. Still looking for a used one myself.
Great weapon that fits next to the spare tire in the trunk!!
MRI
ThomasT
Member
I had one when they were made by Charter Arms. I still have the pistol that uses the same basic action.
My impression of the gun was that it wasn't accurate at all. It sprayed all over the place. I did kill a ferel cat with mine. I meant to shoot it in the chest and instead hit right between the eyes. Unlucky bastard, should have read his horoscope and stayed in bed that day.
If you want a gun of this type the Marlin Papoose is a better choice.
My impression of the gun was that it wasn't accurate at all. It sprayed all over the place. I did kill a ferel cat with mine. I meant to shoot it in the chest and instead hit right between the eyes. Unlucky bastard, should have read his horoscope and stayed in bed that day.
If you want a gun of this type the Marlin Papoose is a better choice.
MCgunner
Member
I have the Charter Arms version of it. Trust me, if you just want a .22, there are better choices. However, this is an excellent survival rifle especially if you're traveling by water. It's 1" at 25 yards accurate, about what I get from my 10-22. The trigger is stiff, the receiver sight is decent. The one I had got stolen and I bought another used from a friend.
Some have feeding problems with it out of the box. The feed ramp is incorporated into the magazine and adjusting that will fix most feeding problems. Another thing folks do is slightly chamfer the mouth of the chamber. Mine is 100 percent reliable. It is very light, very portable, and is no weight at all in or on a backpack. Lots of .22 ammo can be carried along for it, too. It's not a gun I'd buy as a primary hunting weapon or for general knock about and plinking, but could serve, but its excellent portability and packability gives it a rather unique niche. It's pretty rugged, too, not being steel externally and not having a very delicate finish (nice way to put it, LOL). My main reason for owning it is that I travel a lot by motorcycle and it packs in a tidy space. I also used to do some backpacking and would take it along especially in areas where I didn't really want to carry a handgun. It was cheap insurance on the trail in case I bumble butted myself lost or something. It could keep a man fed, put it that way and I've never underestimated my ability to screw up directions. Fortunately, I never had to rely on it, but it was there never-the-less and now days I carry a GPS if I'm out too far. Also, I go to some rather remote areas around here in my boat fishing and I'll often take it along in the boat just because. I have been trapped on a local island when a front blew in, before I got weather bug and the internet, and ate raw oysters for a day, but there's a lot of rabbits out there if I'd had a .22, also. I do follow the news and weather a little more closely now days, but you never know when your motor is going to conk or you run onto a reef or sand bar and have to wait for the tide to get off it or something. That's what this little rifle is for, to be there just for the unforeseeable. I've never been out stranded long enough to starve, but hey, you just never know. Of course, now days it's hard to get stranded like that in the boat. Even the most remote areas around here have had cell service for the last 10 years. It'd also be a neat gun to carry in a small aircraft for a pilot in remote areas. It's super light and takes up NO room when it's disassembled.
Oh, I have a Charter explorer 2 pistol also. Atrocious trigger like the rifle, but I can get 1.5" out of it at 25 yards and 1" with a scope on it if I concentrate. It came with a 6 and 8 inch barrel. No, you can't put the pistol barrel on the rifle action, designers though of that one and put the alignment notch 180 degrees off from the rifle's alignment notch. LOL
Far as accuracy, Ratshooter, not sure what problems you had, perhaps controlling that terrible trigger, but I can put 8 rounds from the magazine into 2 inches at 50 yards and have made head shots on squirrel at near 40 yards with it. It's not an inaccurate gun, but it's hard to master that trigger for some. It is quite heavy and has some creep and I've gone though a dozen trigger/sears trying to make it better, don't even try. LOL Just master it, it can be done.
Some have feeding problems with it out of the box. The feed ramp is incorporated into the magazine and adjusting that will fix most feeding problems. Another thing folks do is slightly chamfer the mouth of the chamber. Mine is 100 percent reliable. It is very light, very portable, and is no weight at all in or on a backpack. Lots of .22 ammo can be carried along for it, too. It's not a gun I'd buy as a primary hunting weapon or for general knock about and plinking, but could serve, but its excellent portability and packability gives it a rather unique niche. It's pretty rugged, too, not being steel externally and not having a very delicate finish (nice way to put it, LOL). My main reason for owning it is that I travel a lot by motorcycle and it packs in a tidy space. I also used to do some backpacking and would take it along especially in areas where I didn't really want to carry a handgun. It was cheap insurance on the trail in case I bumble butted myself lost or something. It could keep a man fed, put it that way and I've never underestimated my ability to screw up directions.
Fortunately, I never had to rely on it, but it was there never-the-less and now days I carry a GPS if I'm out too far. Also, I go to some rather remote areas around here in my boat fishing and I'll often take it along in the boat just because. I have been trapped on a local island when a front blew in, before I got weather bug and the internet, and ate raw oysters for a day, but there's a lot of rabbits out there if I'd had a .22, also. I do follow the news and weather a little more closely now days, but you never know when your motor is going to conk or you run onto a reef or sand bar and have to wait for the tide to get off it or something. That's what this little rifle is for, to be there just for the unforeseeable. I've never been out stranded long enough to starve, but hey, you just never know. Of course, now days it's hard to get stranded like that in the boat. Even the most remote areas around here have had cell service for the last 10 years. It'd also be a neat gun to carry in a small aircraft for a pilot in remote areas. It's super light and takes up NO room when it's disassembled.Oh, I have a Charter explorer 2 pistol also. Atrocious trigger like the rifle, but I can get 1.5" out of it at 25 yards and 1" with a scope on it if I concentrate. It came with a 6 and 8 inch barrel. No, you can't put the pistol barrel on the rifle action, designers though of that one and put the alignment notch 180 degrees off from the rifle's alignment notch. LOL
Far as accuracy, Ratshooter, not sure what problems you had, perhaps controlling that terrible trigger, but I can put 8 rounds from the magazine into 2 inches at 50 yards and have made head shots on squirrel at near 40 yards with it. It's not an inaccurate gun, but it's hard to master that trigger for some. It is quite heavy and has some creep and I've gone though a dozen trigger/sears trying to make it better, don't even try. LOL Just master it, it can be done.
351 WINCHESTER
Member
My neighbor bought a used one at a garage sale for $5. Yes, that's right. Her son brought it over to me for a good cleaning. What a piece of junk. Oh, and it floats too.
I believe the first gun was made by Armalite. The first time I ever saw one was in a James Bond movie called "From Russia with Love". I bought one some years later. I found it didn't run all that well and some of the parts broke very easily. The rear site broke when I tightened the screw adjustment.
If I wanted a survival 22 LR I would use a Browning auto takedown. They are a fine gun and shoot straight.
jj
If I wanted a survival 22 LR I would use a Browning auto takedown. They are a fine gun and shoot straight.
jj
RonE
Member
They used to be known as the AR-7 and were inexpensive. Great concept in that the rifle stores in the stock and is somewhat water proof. Fantastic for keeping under the seat of the pick up or in the trunk of the car for long periods of time. Accuracy varies with the individual gun and the shooter. If you shop around and can pick up one on the cheap side, you can't go wrong.
I also have one in Charter Arms AR-7 dress. I bought it originally for $119 back around 1984 or 85. I've never actually shot it for groups, but it's definitely "minute of tin can" accurate. The trigger will never be described as "light" or "refined", but it drops the hammer when it's supposed to. The only feeding problems I've ever had have been from a 1980's vintage 15-round magazine that I've lost along the way (and not missed a bit). Stick to the factory mags, and semi-decent ammo, and you should have a fine plinker.
rangerruck
Member
All the older ones, made by armalite, charter, etc., were all crap, period. Oh , there will be one guy out of 100 who will come along and say, " mine was totally a tack driver, and totally reliable!!!" So.... Now the Henry's , it is said they made the necessary refinements, but I do not have any first hand knowledge.
Stay away from all the others, except maybe a BRAND NEW , armalite one you may find.
Stay away from all the others, except maybe a BRAND NEW , armalite one you may find.
lacoochee
Member
I have always wanted an M-6 Scout for a survival rifle, especially after reading this, http://www.oldjimbo.com/survival/v-shrake/m6.html.
Marlin 45 carbine
Member
I've got one. it developed a couple problems after around 1000 rds. thru. sent it to Henry and it came back better than new. I recommend it for it's intended purpose, and it should be fired some to check for any problems. great canoe/backpack .22.
MCgunner
Member
I knew there'd be a basher or three that'd trash it soon as I saw this thread, always are. The Charter version would occasionally have feed problems, but you could make 'em run if you weren't a complete moron by bending the feed ramp to the right angle on the magazine with a set of needle noses and, occasionally, one would need the chamber mouth chamfered slightly. There are instructions on the net for this, google it. There is no cure for the trigger, you just have to learn to live with it. But, as said, it drops the hammer reliably. I have hunted with mine and shot squirrel with it. I enjoy taking it on the Goldwing and camping up in the east Texas forests during squirrel season. Can't put my Remington or Ruger 10-22 or Mossberg 152 or Remington 597 Magnum in my saddle bags. This is my reason for owning it. However, I usually take my TC and 10" scoped .22 barrel anymore. I'm into the handgun hunting thing, got that .22 barrel at a gun show pretty cheap. It's more accurate than most .22 rifles, too, let alone the AR7. LOL
BTW, the Papoose is a good gun, wasn't around when I got the AR7. It packs away nicely, also. I really don't care about the floating stock thing. I actually got a papoose floating case from Walmart, was on a sale table. It must have gotten separated from its rifle somehow and I picked it up for the AR7. The Marlin likely has a better trigger (not sure how it could get worse) and is quite compact. If I got another one, I'd get the Papoose. I love that little Browning that was mentioned, but my God, 500 bucks and let it knock around in the Goldwing's bags? I don't think so. I wanna get one, someday, but I own real rifles WITH REAL SCOPES that cost me less. I like the AR7, though, and it has served me well over the years. It could just use a decent trigger. But, it's cheap and effective.
This is the truth of it, no bashing or trashing. I, to, would recommend the Papoose over the AR7 because of refinement, but if you need a truly rugged and floating .22, canoing Canada or something, it's a good tool to own. Or, maybe I'm just the one out of 100.
BTW, the Papoose is a good gun, wasn't around when I got the AR7. It packs away nicely, also. I really don't care about the floating stock thing. I actually got a papoose floating case from Walmart, was on a sale table. It must have gotten separated from its rifle somehow and I picked it up for the AR7.
The Marlin likely has a better trigger (not sure how it could get worse) and is quite compact. If I got another one, I'd get the Papoose. I love that little Browning that was mentioned, but my God, 500 bucks and let it knock around in the Goldwing's bags? I don't think so. I wanna get one, someday, but I own real rifles WITH REAL SCOPES that cost me less. I like the AR7, though, and it has served me well over the years. It could just use a decent trigger. But, it's cheap and effective.This is the truth of it, no bashing or trashing. I, to, would recommend the Papoose over the AR7 because of refinement, but if you need a truly rugged and floating .22, canoing Canada or something, it's a good tool to own. Or, maybe I'm just the one out of 100.
I have one of the Henry's. Bought it new a couple of years ago (?) for about $100. Who could resist?
Mine has been good as far as feeding goes, OK accuracy for something of this type, but the one beef I have is lots of light primer strikes. I've learned how to draw the bolt back just enough to cock the hammer without ejecting the round and try again. OK for plinking, but not what you'd want in a SHTF situation as the "survival rifle" name implies.
The barrel is polymer-clad, and the (plastic) front sight drifts (in its plastic dovetail slot) to adjust windage -- and sometimes just drifts all by itself. Oh, and it has a grooved receiver for a tip-off style scope mount, but then you'd have to remove the scope whenever you stowed the rifle, so I don't know how well it'd retain zero after separating and re-joining the barrel AND the receiver AND the scope mount.
Yeah, it looks cheap, but it is compact and it works most of the time. Would be great for a trunk gun as someone above mentioned, but I don't know what it would be good for when the time came to take it out of the trunk. I like it for two totally impractical reasons:
1) It's a fun plinker; and
2) Whenever I assemble it, the James Bond Theme begins playing in my head
(though I remember it in Goldfinger, not FRWL. But at my age, I'm not too sure!)
HTH,
Albert
Mine has been good as far as feeding goes, OK accuracy for something of this type, but the one beef I have is lots of light primer strikes. I've learned how to draw the bolt back just enough to cock the hammer without ejecting the round and try again. OK for plinking, but not what you'd want in a SHTF situation as the "survival rifle" name implies.
The barrel is polymer-clad, and the (plastic) front sight drifts (in its plastic dovetail slot) to adjust windage -- and sometimes just drifts all by itself.
Oh, and it has a grooved receiver for a tip-off style scope mount, but then you'd have to remove the scope whenever you stowed the rifle, so I don't know how well it'd retain zero after separating and re-joining the barrel AND the receiver AND the scope mount.Yeah, it looks cheap, but it is compact and it works most of the time. Would be great for a trunk gun as someone above mentioned, but I don't know what it would be good for when the time came to take it out of the trunk. I like it for two totally impractical reasons:
1) It's a fun plinker; and
2) Whenever I assemble it, the James Bond Theme begins playing in my head
(though I remember it in Goldfinger, not FRWL. But at my age, I'm not too sure!)
HTH,
Albert
Princi
Member
Warning: Be careful cleaning it
I bought a gray one, and I was very pleased with the way it shot, but I had a few jams. It looked a little dirty so I decided to spray it out with Gun Cleaner. Then I noticed this grey stuff all over my hands. The gun has a powder coating, well it had a powder coating.
I e-mailed Henry, and got an e-mail back from the president asking for my mailing address. They paid shipping both ways and replaced the gun with a new one. You couldn't ask for better customer service.
Also, one of the guys at the range had the Henry Golden Boy, and it had a big scratch on the side. I e-mailed again and asked if something could be done to a scratched receiver. I was informed that it isn't a receiver, it is a cover over the receiver and you can just order a new one. Cool - I went out and bought a Golden Boy, and a pump action, and a Big Boy
I bought a gray one, and I was very pleased with the way it shot, but I had a few jams. It looked a little dirty so I decided to spray it out with Gun Cleaner. Then I noticed this grey stuff all over my hands. The gun has a powder coating, well it had a powder coating.
I e-mailed Henry, and got an e-mail back from the president asking for my mailing address. They paid shipping both ways and replaced the gun with a new one. You couldn't ask for better customer service.
Also, one of the guys at the range had the Henry Golden Boy, and it had a big scratch on the side. I e-mailed again and asked if something could be done to a scratched receiver. I was informed that it isn't a receiver, it is a cover over the receiver and you can just order a new one. Cool - I went out and bought a Golden Boy, and a pump action, and a Big Boy
MCgunner
Member
Wow, that's about the simplest firearm I've ever taken apart, one of the things I really like about it. Tell your dad not to mess with a 92 Winchester.
BTW, the new ones have a plastic shrouded barrel, old ones were aluminum shrouded. I think the older ones were probably stouter.
Oddly, I paid 70 bucks for my second one and 70 bucks for the Explorer 2 pistol. LOL
BTW, the new ones have a plastic shrouded barrel, old ones were aluminum shrouded. I think the older ones were probably stouter.
Oddly, I paid 70 bucks for my second one and 70 bucks for the Explorer 2 pistol. LOL
Anteater1717
Member
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I wouldn’t buy one. I own an old armalite version reliability’s okay, but compared to other .22’s bad. They are however the easiest auto-loading firearm to disassemble ever. I can’t comment on accuracy since the barrel on mine is so rusted you can’t see the rifling. This has caused it to shoot basketball size groups at 10yds. You will be way happier with something more like this.
I have an Armalite AR-7...fun plinker but jams every once in a while. Mine actually is really very accurate. The buttstock is a little too large, though, and it is a bit awkward to hold.
If you could pick one up for $100 and want to use it as a backpacking plinker, it's worth it.
If you could pick one up for $100 and want to use it as a backpacking plinker, it's worth it.
I've been asking the question of "Why is a semi-auto marketed as a survival rifle" for several years.
It seems to me that a survival rifle should be a simple action- i.e. bolt or break-open. Not semi-auto. Think about what happens when a round hangs up with a semi-auto- it will damage the bullet many a time, making that round unusable.
The Springfield M-6 seems to be a much more suited rifle to survival purposes. Simple and rugged The Rossi break-open .22 with a .410 barrel is much the same. Put them in a floating case, and you have a great survival weapon.
I wish Springfield would start making the M-6's again, but in lieu of that, if I needed a survival rifle, I would get a Rossi combo. If you want a compact defensive rifle, get a Keltec Sub2000. Better power than a .22LR.
It seems to me that a survival rifle should be a simple action- i.e. bolt or break-open. Not semi-auto. Think about what happens when a round hangs up with a semi-auto- it will damage the bullet many a time, making that round unusable.
The Springfield M-6 seems to be a much more suited rifle to survival purposes. Simple and rugged The Rossi break-open .22 with a .410 barrel is much the same. Put them in a floating case, and you have a great survival weapon.
I wish Springfield would start making the M-6's again, but in lieu of that, if I needed a survival rifle, I would get a Rossi combo. If you want a compact defensive rifle, get a Keltec Sub2000. Better power than a .22LR.
Remember, this rifle was never used by the USAF (a modified version was used by the Israeli AF). The "AR-5" was a bolt action .22 Hornet that came apart and was stowed in the stock like the AR-7. The USAF bought some AR5s but were never issued. The original M-4 was an all metal .22 hornet bolt gun, the barrel unscrewed and it had a sliding wire stock like the M-3 "Grease Gun". The M-6, in .22 Hornet/.410 was an issue USAF "survival gun".
I've got one from ar-7 industries. Totally reliable with premium hi-velocity ammo. Jams every couple of rounds with the cheap stuff. The finish tends to flake off with use and abuse. With a cheap scope on it it's dead-on to 50 yds. groups grow a little after that but it could be me and not the gun; I have a little difficulty keeping my support hand off the barrel (it just feels unnatural).
All and all I'm happy with it. I've been thinking about adding a sporter stock and shrouded barrel to make a plinker out of it.
All and all I'm happy with it. I've been thinking about adding a sporter stock and shrouded barrel to make a plinker out of it.
Roswell 1847
member
I've seen AR-5 with both the wire stock and a hollow plastic stock of somewhat different shape than the AR-7 stock.
I once made a barrel for an AR-7 A guy brought one over that had the original barrel sawn off. I had an old .22 barrel laying around so I turned a shank collar and pinned the old steel barrel into it.
It shot much better than other AR-7 rifles I've fired.
I'd buy an AR-5 clone if they made one, but I'm not impressed by the AR-7 except as a novelty.
If I wanted a Takedown .22 auto I'd choose the Browning.
I once made a Takedown Bolt action from an Old Remington .22 single shot.
The stock screw stud unscrewed easily and it was all that holds the barrel clocked in. With it turned out a few turns you could unscrew the barrel by hand.
I once made a barrel for an AR-7 A guy brought one over that had the original barrel sawn off. I had an old .22 barrel laying around so I turned a shank collar and pinned the old steel barrel into it.
It shot much better than other AR-7 rifles I've fired.
I'd buy an AR-5 clone if they made one, but I'm not impressed by the AR-7 except as a novelty.
If I wanted a Takedown .22 auto I'd choose the Browning.
I once made a Takedown Bolt action from an Old Remington .22 single shot.
The stock screw stud unscrewed easily and it was all that holds the barrel clocked in. With it turned out a few turns you could unscrew the barrel by hand.
chris in va
Member
I bought the Henry version used from a coworker. Did nothing but jam badly on everything I tried, regardless of magazine.
Plus it was...weird. Big FAT grip, hollow THUNK when firing. Odd ergonomics. Pretty slick how it stored in it's own stock though.
Seriously, unless you fully intend to pack it with you on a hike or canoe trip, there's much better ways to blow your money.
Plus it was...weird. Big FAT grip, hollow THUNK when firing. Odd ergonomics. Pretty slick how it stored in it's own stock though.
Seriously, unless you fully intend to pack it with you on a hike or canoe trip, there's much better ways to blow your money.
MCgunner
Member
Always fired my by holding the barrel, didn't bother anything. However, the aftermarket shroud I have on it gives me a grip, now.
Before I spent five hundred bucks on a beautiful little browning to beat to hell n a pack or bottom of a canoe, I'd buy a 16" rimfire barrel and rifle stock for my Contender. But, the scoped pistol barrel doesn't require take down.
It's uber accurate, just have to carry along shooting stix or use natural rests. For rabbits, I can put the .410/.45 Colt barrel on it. Or, I can just pack the .45/.410 barrel and have small game/big game guns in one. I got the AR7 before I got the Contender, but the Contender is really a better choice IMHO. I ain't sellin' the AR7, though, kind of a neat gun and didn't cost me much.BTW, in this one, I finally got that long stick mag to work, but it's still not 100 percent. I carry and shoot the gun with the stock 8 round mags and it's very reliable. Don't waste your money on one of these mags if you come across one. It looks neat for pictures, though.
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