Henry US Survival Rifle?

[Packman]

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

Are these rifles worth the cost? I've got a line on one in my local shop for 181$. I'd like to have a nice, compact, accurate rifle. I already have a pair of .22's and I like the round. Cheap and reliable.

The rifle would be mainly a fun toy, but might do double duty as a survival rifle. I am a pilot, so I might just toss it in my flight bag for some of the long flights over the boonies.

Are they reliable? Worth the price? Accurate? Likes, dislikes, hear-say and opinions welcome. I'm looking at either the black or silver, probably black. I don't like the camo.

Packman.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Good Rifle For Intended Purpose

It's an emergency survival rifle, and from what I've been told by them what shoots 'em, it's fine for that.

Not robust enough to use as a "daily shooter" from reports I've heard.

If you plan to take it out every week and plink with it, may I suggest instead the Marlin Papoose. It's also a .22 LR take-down rifle, but comes in a carry bag rather than stuffing into its own stock.

I like the balance and feel of the Papoose better, but that's me. You'll have to fondle them for yourself.

Chuck Hawks review here.

Does this stock make me look fat . . . ?

(Notice there's no forend.)

Here's the transport configuration:

Here's the Marlin for contrast:

Takes down like this:

​

Me? I lean toward the Marlin.

YMMV.

 

[Avenger29]

Search AR-7 on this forum. You won't find much good about them.

I'd rather go with a Marlin Papoose. I do wonder why there aren't any breakdown single shots or bolt actions. Semi-autos are more finicky with ammo and less reliable.

"The rifle would be mainly a fun toy, but might do double duty as a survival rifle. I am a pilot, so I might just toss it in my flight bag for some of the long flights over the boonies."

I've carried an 870 with a folding stock when I've flown. Broke it down by removing the barrel. Worked pretty good, but takes a larger bag.

 

[Siderite]

I actually have both (Marlin Papoose and Henry Survival 22) and have been shooting them for about a year each.

Accuracy: roughly equal, but I prefer the peep/aperature sight on the Henry over the notch of the Marlin.

Reliability: Marlin by a lot - eats anything high velocity. Henry has been finicky, seems ok with CCI minimags, but still has issues with feeding if magazine not properly angled - the fact that the mag is loosely locked, along with it being the easiest handhold is a bad combination.

Cleaning: Marlin - full instructions for take down, easily done with a screwdriver. Henry - suggests not to disassemble, but to dunk action in oil to clean (though well worth taking apart once - amazing to see the similarities to the AR-15 action, as the Henry is based off the AR-7).

Handling: Though neat, the retracting bolt handle of the Henry is annoying to use. Also the Marlin has a last-shot bolt-hold-open, the Henry doesn't (only really an issue for plinking).

Durability: Marlin stock is shorter, but feels solid. I also like the stainless steel construction. Henry feels cheap and hollow (for obvious reasons). Barrel on the Henry is thinner, with plastic molded around it to make up the diameter.

They're both in the same price range, so I'd agree with Arfin and Avenger, go with the Marlin.

-Siderite

 

[cane]

I have to correct "Chuck Hawk", the AR-7 was never bought nor issued by the USAF while the M-6 was. A highly modified version of the AR-7 was issued by the Israeli AF.

 

[Packman]

Ok, so it's probably not the best buy for the money. Intriguing little gun, but it sounds as though the papoose is better. I've also thought of taking my 870 along on flights, but i've never done it. even with the barrel removed, the full-size wooden stock makes it too long to go in my flight bag, so I'd need a separate case.

thanks for the input everyone, I think I'll pass on the Henry.

Packman.

 

[Outlaws]

My friend had one about 5 years ago. I don't know who made it, but it sure knew how to jam.

Ok, so it's probably not the best buy for the money. Intriguing little gun, but it sounds as though the papoose is better. I've also thought of taking my 870 along on flights, but i've never done it. even with the barrel removed, the full-size wooden stock makes it too long to go in my flight bag, so I'd need a separate case.

Mossberg "Just in case" series. I would think you could possible rig that up to your flight bag somehow.

 

[oklahoma caveman]

iv heard of alot of problems with the barrel assembly but thats just hearsay

 

[Richard2003]

I had an AR-7 and it was great for hiking.
I don't think you can put the Papoose in a backpack.
Not a smaller one anyway.
I plan to buy the Henry version at Wally World.

 

[Matthew Temkin]

I have had a Charter Arms AR 7 since 1986 and I love it.
It will not function well with hollow points but it feeds everything else just fine.
Easy to pack and it even floats!!!

 

[ArmedBear]

If you want a takedown .22, Marlin's Golden 39A lever gun is a takedown that has the heft, accuracy, good looks and rock-solid feel of a non-takedown rifle. All-steel with checkered walnut and a heavy barrel; stocks tend to have pretty grain, too, prettier than the factory photo. Shoots everything from CB Shorts to Stingers, capacity 26 shorts, 19 LR's.

Not dirt cheap, but it's a really nice gun in its own right; that it's a takedown is a bonus, not a pile of compromises.

The Papoose looks intriguing, too, of course. If I buy another .22 semiauto, that might be what I get. I like the Marlin 60 with which it shares most of its design.

But I, like a lot of people, love my 39's!

This thread is up to 35 pages and just keeps on going: "Model 39 Club" thread

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I have an old Stevens #26 Crackshot. There is no receiver -- the barrel seats in a groove in the frame and is held by a thumbscrew. It's actuually lighter and shorter than the survival rifles mentioned here. It doesn't fit in its own buttstock, has no carrying case, and it's only a single shot. But it shoots reliably and to the sights.

 

[Joe Demko]

Go with the Marlin. The whole gimmick about stuffing the AR7 in its own stock doesn't send me. In any actual survival situation, you're going to put the gun together and leave it that way. Ease of use, accuracy, and reliability are going to trump everything else. I'd consider the 39A or perhaps an NEF single shot stuffed into a floating carry bag like the papoose. For that matter, a Ruger 10/22 with a Butler Creek folding stock is pretty compact, can have optics mounted, and can be stowed in such a bag.
I've never heard too many good things about the AR7 no matter who was making it. A precious few guys have one they claim works flawlessly, everybody else talks about malfunctions, lack of durability, and lack of useful accuracy.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

While we're on the subject, I think the ideal survival gun would be my Colt Woodsman with a shoulder stock -- if it weren't for the red tape and tax, I'd make one and use it squirrel hunting.

 

[rcmodel]

If you want a perfect take-down .22, find an old Winchester 06, or 62A.

Or check out the Taurus 62C carbine.
http://www.taurususa.com/products/gunselector-results.cfm?series=C3

They all come apart in the middle with one coin-slot screw.


rcmodel

 

[ArmedBear]

They all come apart in the middle with one coin-slot screw.

So do the Marlin 39's. They're all worth a look.

The Papoose, though, is the lightest. For flying a light plane, that might matter, too.

 

[rcmodel]

Yep! You are right.
And any of them are, by far, much better guns then the AR-7.
I should have read the whole thread before I posted.


rcmodel