Little badger? Henry survival? Papoose? If you own(ed) one, help me decide..

mikeystew

mikeystew

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
51   0   0
Location
Beautiful BC
I'm looking for a small, weather resistant, lightweight stowable plinker to take on sailboating vacations.

I will mention I have owned both the papoose and the AR7 in the past. The papoose I loved, but I'm not sure if the newer Remington made ones are as good as the JM stamped ones. I'm leaning heavily toward the papoose either way but I'm still intrigued by the other options. Mainly because the papoose got expensive for what it is..

The older, all black Henry survival rifle I owned was a POS jamfest, and not very accurate either. Not to mention it was a pain to clean the reciever. I sort of hated it. But... damn if that little gun doesnt have the allure to draw me back in. I have to wonder if the newer model with the orange tip is any better? I've read they made changes to the magazine to make it feed better? Can anyone who owns one attest?

The little badger I have no experience with but I like the single shot aspect and the extreme lightweight. But I've read mixed reviews on its accuracy and reliability with light strikes being a common issue. I'm very seriously considering it as an option though as weight and space are big concerns on the boat.

I'd like to hear opinions from anyone who has owned any of these. How you like it, reliability, accuracy, etc..
 
No experience with the Papoose.
But my Henry AR-7 is awesome. It gets MOG accuracy at 50m, and a vastly lower ftf/fte rate than my 10/22 (<1%).
I also have the Little Badger, which is a bit more accurate, no reliability issues, but has rougher finish than the AR-7. Reason I bought it, is that it is significantly faster to deploy than the Henry, when grousing on my bike.
If I could have only one 22, the Henry AR-7 would be it.
Hope that helps, ymmv
 
I've had them all and I like the Badger.

A stainless 10/22 take down is a "better" rifle in my opinion, but a single shot .22 doesn't get any simpler than the Badger.
 
My little badger is quite accurate for 25 meter stuff with the included sights. VERY LIGHT trigger, the "be careful" kind. It's cheap, and ugly, and I don't mind throwing it in the box on the back of my skidoo. It's pretty cool actually, will probably throw it in my barrel when I go on canoe trips this summer too.
 
I had an ar-7, the older one with all metal barrel.
Did not like it a lot, nice it's a semi but for survival I'd rather have a more accurate rifle.

How about a savage rascal?
I have one for my daughter and it is very accurate,
and super light, probably a lot less weight than a 10-22 take down.
 
Little badger for the Win..

I have two ar7 and the little badger is a go to.

Savage rascal could be in the running too.



PqBxnz7.jpg
 
Last edited:
I have a lil Badger and it is very packable. Light and if you remove the bottom rail (mine has no rails) and file a bit off of the barrel release it will fold to 6.5" at its widest point. The trigger pull is a shade over 2.5lbs. The stock irons are not great but I opened up the peep a bit and filled down and added a fibreoptic bead to the front and now it is easier to see. I have also strapped a small fixed blade knife to the wire stock along with a tube filled with .22lr to compliment the 12 rnd ammo holder that is on the stock but need re-enforcement to retain the rounds.

I have played with the AR-7 from Henry and it was ok but I didn't like the ergos of the stock when assembled and the whole system seems prone to problems and I say that as a fan of Henry rifles.

The Papoose I haven't had the pleasure but have watched reviews that say the barrel retention nut is the weak link. Needs a tool to be tight enough and may need retightening with use.

Have you considered a 10/22 takedown? I have mine in the X-22 Backpacker stock and it is mint. Two halves lock together. Assembles in seconds with no tools. Has all the aftermarket support you could want. If you go stainless it would be weather proof.
 
Jory that is a nice looking setup. More than I'd like to spend though, and I'm generally not a fan of the 10/22 platform.

I know I'd be happy with the papoose, at least an older marlin built one anyway. But I'm still tempted by the badger. The AR7,.. less so.
 
Older Papoose's pop up for around $350 on the EE and the Badger is less then $200 new...... buy them both!
:)

Wasn't your old papoose a frickin laser that was on the never sell list?
 
Can-down said:
Older Papoose's pop up for around $350 on the EE and the Badger is less then $200 new...... buy them both!
:)

Wasn't your old papoose a frickin laser that was on the never sell list?
Click to expand...

It was. That thing would shoot honest 3/4 groups at 50m all day long. But, it wasnt getting used much and I sold it to fund something I wanted more at the time... And I've been kicking myself ever since.
 
mikeystew said:
I'm looking for a small, weather resistant, lightweight stowable plinker to take on sailboating vacations.

I will mention I have owned both the papoose and the AR7 in the past. The papoose I loved, but I'm not sure if the newer Remington made ones are as good as the JM stamped ones. I'm leaning heavily toward the papoose either way but I'm still intrigued by the other options. Mainly because the papoose got expensive for what it is..

The older, all black Henry survival rifle I owned was a POS jamfest, and not very accurate either. Not to mention it was a pain to clean the reciever. I sort of hated it. But... damn if that little gun doesnt have the allure to draw me back in. I have to wonder if the newer model with the orange tip is any better? I've read they made changes to the magazine to make it feed better? Can anyone who owns one attest?

The little badger I have no experience with but I like the single shot aspect and the extreme lightweight. But I've read mixed reviews on its accuracy and reliability with light strikes being a common issue. I'm very seriously considering it as an option though as weight and space are big concerns on the boat.

I'd like to hear opinions from anyone who has owned any of these. How you like it, reliability, accuracy, etc..
Click to expand...

I own a little badger, fantastic little one shot gun. Comes with a nice drawstring bag - the whole setup is super lightweight.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom