Henry US survival rifle *final opinions upon arrival*
- Thread starter mikeystew
- Start date
well, henry guarantees tens of thousands of rounds and from what i've experienced they would likely send you a new barrel at the drop of a hat if it wore out prematurely.
my step dad has had one by armalite for 30+ years which is essentially the same... a barrel liner coated in aluminum instead of ABS and it's got tens of thousands through it easy, just dont use hypervelocity ammo in it and keep the pressures out of the red.
FWIW it was not originally designed to be a go to plinking rifle, i just like the fact that it is a rifle i can/will take with me at times when i would not have otherwise bothered to bring a rifle for fun or food due to logistics.
my step dad has had one by armalite for 30+ years which is essentially the same... a barrel liner coated in aluminum instead of ABS and it's got tens of thousands through it easy, just dont use hypervelocity ammo in it and keep the pressures out of the red.
FWIW it was not originally designed to be a go to plinking rifle, i just like the fact that it is a rifle i can/will take with me at times when i would not have otherwise bothered to bring a rifle for fun or food due to logistics.
Well... Seeing how it's my final thoughts on the rifle... I got tired of it's mediocre accuracy, and cheap feel. The magazines started giving me problems again... Long after I forgot about this thread, I sold the AR-7 and bought a Papoose. I could not be happier with that decision. The 70pss is 10x the gun the AR-7 will ever be.
Sorry guys. I have thought about it. I have fondle one a couple of times, but, I would never buy one.
I will stick to my Savage 24.
It is a little longer broken down.
It doesn't float.
It doesn't all fit in the butt stock.
It is very solid.
It breaks down into only three components. All too large for me to lose in the grass.
It does have two barrels. 22 LR and .410.
It does take all ammo of either kind.
It hits anything I aim at. Because I don't expect 100 + yds of accuracy.
It has never failed me in any respect.
I will stick to my Savage 24.
It is a little longer broken down.
It doesn't float.
It doesn't all fit in the butt stock.
It is very solid.
It breaks down into only three components. All too large for me to lose in the grass.
It does have two barrels. 22 LR and .410.
It does take all ammo of either kind.
It hits anything I aim at. Because I don't expect 100 + yds of accuracy.
It has never failed me in any respect.
Thanks mkystw. Because of threads like this, tons of frustration can be avoided. Having fired a couple, previously (all models prior to Henry days), the AR7 (assuming no FTE, FTF etc. problems) is plain not accurate. My Papoose is on order since last month and by summer, should have my back pack gun ready to go.
BTW, have shot a Marlin 70P and it is accurate easily up to 50 mtrs. w/out optics. Well built.
Go to your Marlin dealer of choice and place an order. Marlin informed me last year, production of the 70PSS is scheduled for 1st quarter, 2012. There is inventory available now in the US, wheras late last year, there was none. Canada should be getting allocation by June at the latest (am expecting March).
I can vouch for that. If you are good with irons it's plenty accurate out to 50 and beyond.
I've shown these many times before (proud papa), but here is what mine does with an inexpensive old bushnell 4x scope at 50m from a bench, inside square is 1";
and yup, the cheap 4x scope fits in the case just nicely, and is zeroed to +/- .25" at 50 between takedowns.
Lol... I don't mean to turn it into an AR-7 bashing thread. I know there are a few of you out there who have them and are well satisfied with their performance. I'm just basing my opinions on mine... The reliability wasn't there, and accuracy was comparable to a 10/22, which has never satisfied me.
This .22mag bolt action Papoose you speak of... You have seen one? I've only heard of a .22mag Papoose once before... But thought it may have been an urban myth. Something you take when you go out hunting chupacabra, or jackalope.
The issue is it,s a survival rifle, not a daily plinker. Buy a 10/22 if you want to shot weekly with it. I,m thinking that the ar7 is a survival tool. It,s something that would do in a pinch, if the situation called for it.
They had a short barrel, short forend hardwood stock, and a large knurled thumb nut to disassemble. The barrel did not detach from the receiver. Similar case to the 70P. Don't know when they were discontinued. Basically an abreviated 25MN.
Looked into it, they were called the marlin mini magnum and were sold during the late 80's for a couple years. Sales weren't anywhere close to the Papoose so it was discontinued. For the marlin takedowns, between the 39 tds, mini magnum, and the Papoose, the Papoose reigned king because of it's low weight at 3.25lbs, it's versatility & accuracy, and it's low cost. I'd sure like to find a 39 TDS... I almost cried when one sold in the EE a few days ago for $350. I missed it by an hour. They have sold for over $600 used.
Sounds to me like you are convincing yourself... Believe me, I wanted one BAD! I thought they were the neatest thing since the leatherman. I didn't listen to any of the naysayers either... I had to have one, and planned on stashing it away for "survival" situations.
Who are we kidding? How often do you find yourself in a survival situation? If you were in one would you rather have a gun that you can bet your life on or a pos that works ok sometimes? The fact is the concept is good in theory, but practically, nobody wants a gun that they don't want to use for fear of wearing it out, or they don't want to use because it's not very accurate and jams a lot.
The infatuation wears off real real fast. The reason i prefer the Papoose is exactly the opposite of what you posit... I use it almost every week, because it is very easily disguiseable in it's little case, I take it everywhere. Nobody suspects what's in the case. It's super reliable and useful as an accurate daily plinker. BUT... If I were to need a tiny .22 to throw in a BOB or to take on a hike or fishing/camping trip, it only weighs 3.25 pounds and packs up under 21". You get the best of both worlds. Believe me, the small sacrifice of the extra 3/4 lb and 5" length pays off 10 fold in what it makes up for the AR-7's shortcomings.
I think if you want one you should buy one and decide for yourself. You can always sell it in the EE.
My biggest complaint with the ar-7 is a strange trigger which kind of hurts my finger after extrended use. I've also never had luck with hollow points in that rifle, but round nose seem to work fine. My brother's got one, and it's cool, but I don't know whether I would ever buy one.
