I have handled the Henry Survival Rifle (AR7 look alike)

fraserdw

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What a piece of junk! The magazine rattled around in the mag well. Cocking, mag ejecting and sighting are all very un-comfotable. The butt stock is way to fat to be comfortable. The balance is good and the sights are fine ....to 25 yards provided you have shot it in and know how far off it is. It jammed, not alot, but it jammed alot more than my $99 Norinco. If they were under $100 I would recommend one for the truck tool box/bottom of canoe pack. As it is, a tacticool ruger with a folding stock or a Rossi Ranch Hand would be better survival options in the 22 rimfire range.
 
Were you using good quality, high velocity ammo? Something like Mini Mags? I have read that if you use similar ammo they are completely fine, that or you can cut a few coils of the recoil spring.
 
I described the feel of them as "going ballroom dancing in Clown Shoes".

I figure it pretty much stands.

I figure they sell most of these to kids that figure they look cool so they must be cool. The odd one to someone that actually has need of this sort of firearm, but didn't look at better options (like a Marlin Papoose takedown, for ex.).

First gun I ever bought, first, and one of the very very few, that I sold.

It floats. yay. Not been the solution to any problem I ever had.

Cheers
Trev
 
I described the feel of them as "going ballroom dancing in Clown Shoes".

I figure it pretty much stands.

I figure they sell most of these to kids that figure they look cool so they must be cool. The odd one to someone that actually has need of this sort of firearm, but didn't look at better options (like a Marlin Papoose takedown, for ex.).

First gun I ever bought, first, and one of the very very few, that I sold.

It floats. yay. Not been the solution to any problem I ever had.

Cheers
Trev

Is the Papoose still around? I haven't seen one in ages. My uncle used to have one, we'd keep it locked in the truck when hunting just in case we came across a situation that demanded a 22. It seemed fairly well built to me at the time, plus the case floats, in case you ever need it to, lol.
I checked the Henry out at the local Canadian Tire recently and ya, it doesn't seem like anything I'd want unless as a last resort. The stock alone is enough to make me walk away.
 
Guess I'm weird. I really like mine. And do pack it depending on what gear I have with me at the time. With cci mini mags or stingers or velocitors mine never jams. Does float but not for very long

It's not as accurate as my mark 2 but then my mark2 can't fit in my hunting coat pocket
 
The Backwoodsmen Magazine has an article this month called "Gimmick Rifles". They review all these survival rifles, The H&R Snake Charmer, AR7 in carbine and pistol version, Papoose, M6. They seem to like the Papoose in everything but break down package as it is the largest broken down. The Papoose is available from the Gun Dealer in NB. The RCAF had a crew survival rifle in 22 Hornet that would be interesting add to this review.
 
I guess I'm weird too, but I've got an early charter arms 7, that I've had since the '70's and I kind of like it. Never had a problem with it so far, but always use top end ammo, and keep the magazine ramps nice and smooth.
The big thing to remember is, it is what it is. It's a homely little pack .22, that's there when you need it, it's just another tool, like a good axe.
That said, I like my old nylon 66 better! ;-)
 
I have mine with me most times. The fact that to the average person it is just a butt stock, moving around from point A-B un-cased keeps non gun owners happy. It stores nice anywhere in the vehicle and no damage will happen to the action or barrel. It has limitations, and nuances, but don't all rifles. Again that is why there are so many different manufacturers and makes out there. It is purpose built, and long range plinking was not on the top of the list when the intentional users were downed pilots.
 
I have an older Henry one and will never sell it or lend it. It's always under the back seat of the truck or in the quad storage box. What's nice about the AR-7 design is that it keeps all dust, debris and water out of the mags, action and barrel without the need for a dedicated storage case. It is light at 3 lbs, accurate enough to take hares at 50 yards easily and mine cycles every kind of ammo I have tried in it. Is it a bench rest target gun? No, it is a compact storing utility gun that works as it was intended too.
 
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