Henry US Survival Rifle Full Review with Range Report
- Thread starter mmatt
- Start date
Great review. Thanks for sharing that. I have an Armalite version of the same rifle. For what it is, it is a fun little thing that you can toss in the truck and forget about it. As for a survival rifle...if you have nothing else I guess it would be ok.
More testing (lots of pics)
I've been wanting one of these for a long time, but I was scared off by the bad reviews and haters. A friend from the US that writes for gun rags told me I'd be pleasantly surprised, so I ordered one up from Cabela's and got it this week with the intent of writing a review. But it was already well covered.
There is plenty written about how finnicky this gun is, so I decided to find out what it would eat and what it wouldn't. Great job, Matt, so I won't repeat all the good stuff you did, but I did do a good deal of shooting and here's what I found:
I ran around Ottawa trying to find some CCI minimags, but came up empty. So I grabbed a range high velocity loads and some other stuff from my ammo locker. Before heading out, I disasembled the rifle and greased the bolt and threads with TW-25b. There was a large and small aperture, so I decided to leave it on the large aperture - but put a paint mark on it so I could have a reference to adjust if I needed to zero. I stuffed the stowed rilfe into a CT tool box and went out.
I set up a target at 25 m and a bunch of clay pigeons at 50 m.
I fired an initial test of three rounds to check zero and then a full mag to confirm function. Other than the grease, the rilfe is as it came out of the box. No spring clipping. I used Remington 22 HP Game Loads, since I had a huge brick already.
Then I fired one full mag of each of the test rounds below at the clay pigeons, and then immediatly fired a five round hot group at 25 m. I only got one stoppage with any ammo, but more on that later.
First up was Remington Yellow Jackets. I had little confidence they would feed since they have a long spire point and a huge cavity, but there were no issues.
Second, was Winchester Super X Super Speed Plated HP. Again, no issues:
Third, Federal Game Shok High Velocity Plated HP. No issues:
Fourth, Remington Golden Bullet High Velocity Plated Round Nose. No issues:
Fifth, Remington Cyclone High Velocity Holow Point. No Issues:
Sixth, I decided to try some standard velocity target pistol ammuntion and grabbed a box of Eley Club Xtra. No issues:
Finally, after all that worked, I put two rounds of Federal Gameshok rat shot in the mag. I would keep some of these in my grab and go kit, so I wanted to see how it would pattern. It fed, but no surprise, it didn't cycle the action. Here's a target at 5 metres:
So, after firing 91 rounds of various types there was only one stoppage that was expected anyway. It grouped on at 25 right out of the box. The fit and finish is easily described as cheap and light, but it works, and fits it's role perfectly. It's already cleaned and greased and in my grab and go bag. It works with pretty much everything I had on hand - maybe I just got a good one, but I'm totally satisfied.
I've been wanting one of these for a long time, but I was scared off by the bad reviews and haters. A friend from the US that writes for gun rags told me I'd be pleasantly surprised, so I ordered one up from Cabela's and got it this week with the intent of writing a review. But it was already well covered.
There is plenty written about how finnicky this gun is, so I decided to find out what it would eat and what it wouldn't. Great job, Matt, so I won't repeat all the good stuff you did, but I did do a good deal of shooting and here's what I found:
I ran around Ottawa trying to find some CCI minimags, but came up empty. So I grabbed a range high velocity loads and some other stuff from my ammo locker. Before heading out, I disasembled the rifle and greased the bolt and threads with TW-25b. There was a large and small aperture, so I decided to leave it on the large aperture - but put a paint mark on it so I could have a reference to adjust if I needed to zero. I stuffed the stowed rilfe into a CT tool box and went out.
I set up a target at 25 m and a bunch of clay pigeons at 50 m.
I fired an initial test of three rounds to check zero and then a full mag to confirm function. Other than the grease, the rilfe is as it came out of the box. No spring clipping. I used Remington 22 HP Game Loads, since I had a huge brick already.
Then I fired one full mag of each of the test rounds below at the clay pigeons, and then immediatly fired a five round hot group at 25 m. I only got one stoppage with any ammo, but more on that later.
First up was Remington Yellow Jackets. I had little confidence they would feed since they have a long spire point and a huge cavity, but there were no issues.
Second, was Winchester Super X Super Speed Plated HP. Again, no issues:
Third, Federal Game Shok High Velocity Plated HP. No issues:
Fourth, Remington Golden Bullet High Velocity Plated Round Nose. No issues:
Fifth, Remington Cyclone High Velocity Holow Point. No Issues:
Sixth, I decided to try some standard velocity target pistol ammuntion and grabbed a box of Eley Club Xtra. No issues:
Finally, after all that worked, I put two rounds of Federal Gameshok rat shot in the mag. I would keep some of these in my grab and go kit, so I wanted to see how it would pattern. It fed, but no surprise, it didn't cycle the action. Here's a target at 5 metres:
So, after firing 91 rounds of various types there was only one stoppage that was expected anyway. It grouped on at 25 right out of the box. The fit and finish is easily described as cheap and light, but it works, and fits it's role perfectly. It's already cleaned and greased and in my grab and go bag. It works with pretty much everything I had on hand - maybe I just got a good one, but I'm totally satisfied.
Nice follow up C77! Thanks! 
I'm kind of jealous that you seem to be having better reliability with yours out of the box then I did with mine. I'm totally satisfied now that I've cut the springs and made it reliable, but it would have been nice to have that out of the box.
Great pics too! Now if we could just get those aftermarket all metal barrels for them in Canada...
I'm kind of jealous that you seem to be having better reliability with yours out of the box then I did with mine. I'm totally satisfied now that I've cut the springs and made it reliable, but it would have been nice to have that out of the box.Great pics too! Now if we could just get those aftermarket all metal barrels for them in Canada...
I'm glad I didn't have to cut anything. I noticed the inside of the reciever was a litle rough, so maybe the TW-25b did the trick.
I like the idea of getting a new barrel for plinking. The stock bbl is great for packing and canoeing, but my biggest concern would be heat - not a big deal if I ever needed to get a rabbit or a squirrel.
I'm also going to look for an old shotgun stock and try to fit it up to the reciever and then refinish it just for kicks.
I also see that Lebaron has some new high velocity Winchester with plated cases and hollow points. If I can get some, I'll post that too.
I like the idea of getting a new barrel for plinking. The stock bbl is great for packing and canoeing, but my biggest concern would be heat - not a big deal if I ever needed to get a rabbit or a squirrel.
I'm also going to look for an old shotgun stock and try to fit it up to the reciever and then refinish it just for kicks.
I also see that Lebaron has some new high velocity Winchester with plated cases and hollow points. If I can get some, I'll post that too.
Great reviews folks!
I got an AR-7 so my youngest son could shoot while standing and not have issues with the weight of the firearm. That little rifle is light but the stock was way too big for his short arms... So I made one out of plywood. He loves it, and I'm quite happy
Lou
(I know I posted this picture elsewhere but thought it'd be relevant in this thread)
I got an AR-7 so my youngest son could shoot while standing and not have issues with the weight of the firearm. That little rifle is light but the stock was way too big for his short arms... So I made one out of plywood. He loves it, and I'm quite happy
Lou
(I know I posted this picture elsewhere but thought it'd be relevant in this thread)
Definitely relevant and a beautiful looking stock. It was actually my inspiration for attempting to build mine. Obviously we took different paths in aesthetics, but seeing what you did to make yours work really helped me in making mine a success, so... thanks!
Just out of curiosity guys, did you find that your windage was right on with the front sight centred? Mine needs to be moved slightly to the right but I find that it "migrates" back to the centre after 50 shots or so requiring me to re-adjust it frequently.
I was just wondering if your sight moved on its own as well or if it stays put.
I'm trying to think of a non-permanent (but non-visible) way to keep it where I want it. Any ideas?
I was just wondering if your sight moved on its own as well or if it stays put.
I'm trying to think of a non-permanent (but non-visible) way to keep it where I want it. Any ideas?
I'm only just over a hundred rounds so far, but mine is on pretty good and no drift yet. I might put a dab of nail polish on it to hold it/indicate any movement.
It would be nice to have a metal one. I think a small scope with a qd screw or lever would be a good solution.
It would be nice to have a metal one. I think a small scope with a qd screw or lever would be a good solution.
I've never tried the Survival Rifle but if it doesn't do it for you this one is probably will.
http://www.browning.com/products/ca..._id=001&content=semi-auto-22-grade-i-firearms
http://www.browning.com/products/ca..._id=001&content=semi-auto-22-grade-i-firearms
Yeah, those are neat too. Twice the price though.
I finally bought a Norinco version of it.....
Dark Alley Dan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Darkest Edmonton
Hey, if you wanted to keep the "floatability" function with that neat T-stock, you could always put a length of pool noodle over the long tube portion - might give you something to cheek weld to, and would add immeasurably to the hillbilly factor.
Bonus points for something in neon green!
Good review, bud, and a neat mod.
Dan
Bonus points for something in neon green!
Good review, bud, and a neat mod.
Dan
Thanks!
First of all, customer service at Cabelas Canada (Winnipeg) is consistently poor (while WSS and Wolverine are top notch). I got one of these as a gift, and had several fail-to-feed problems the first time I tried it. I called the company, who kindly sent me a new bolt assembly. Still wasn't working, though it was better. I went to Cabelas who basically said - "that's your problem, it's a used gun - we could take it in trade I suppose, at used gun price." and "why don't you try bending the magazine with a screwdriver?"
I'm all for tinkering, but I shouldn't have to with a new rifle that has less than 20 rounds through it.
Anyway, many thanks for the tips and ides. I'll have to get around to fixing it up.
First of all, customer service at Cabelas Canada (Winnipeg) is consistently poor (while WSS and Wolverine are top notch). I got one of these as a gift, and had several fail-to-feed problems the first time I tried it. I called the company, who kindly sent me a new bolt assembly. Still wasn't working, though it was better. I went to Cabelas who basically said - "that's your problem, it's a used gun - we could take it in trade I suppose, at used gun price." and "why don't you try bending the magazine with a screwdriver?"
I'm all for tinkering, but I shouldn't have to with a new rifle that has less than 20 rounds through it.
Anyway, many thanks for the tips and ides. I'll have to get around to fixing it up.
