I have the itch for a takedown or survival .22

cyclone said:
AR-7....:)

It helps to think of it as a non-restricted pistol....:evil:
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Cyclone is the designated CGN AR-7 nut. I searched through every AR-7 there has been on this forum. Of the half dozen or so, cyclone has continuously boasted the AR-7 as a worthwhile takedown rifle.....IF......you follow all the procedures to make it function properly. :p

I have to say, I'll get one. I'll make sure to post how much I'll be able to improve it.

I figure it would be a good gunsmithing experiment. :D

Cheers,
Sand
 
I bought a Norinco JW-20, a copy of Browning SA-22. It shoots fine and is a lot cheaper than Marlin Papoose, which is in turn a lot cheaper than Browning SA-22. But I have no idea how JW-20 compares in terms of reliability and accuracy.

Now I think about it, shouldn't "survival" rifles be single-shot or bolt-action for better reliability ?
 
Most guys don't like the AR-7 because of the peep sights. Most of them complain that they aren't accurate but that just isn't so. They are what our olympic biathalon shooters use and militarys have used them for years too. I hand most guys a gun with the peep sight and they shrug their shoulders and ask how the he!! do you use those!!! They are more accurate than the traditional buckhorn sight and there are a big pile of lever action guys that prefer them too. I think th AR-7 or "Henry" survival wins hands down on the compact and portable end. 2 1/2 lbs. is pretty light and adds to shooting problems but with practice I can whack goghers at 20-30+ yards. I have a savage 24 and it is heavy so portability is out when back packing although if you were on a fall hunting trip for big game it would be handy for camp meat. There are lots of tricks out there to tune the Henry. Most firearms have a bad point or two. Some people just love to hate something. Myself I am not real fond of bolt actions or big noisy magnums but thats for another thread...
 
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AManWithAGun said:
I bought a Norinco JW-20, a copy of Browning SA-22. It shoots fine and is a lot cheaper than Marlin Papoose, which is in turn a lot cheaper than Browning SA-22. But I have no idea how JW-20 compares in terms of reliability and accuracy.

Now I think about it, shouldn't "survival" rifles be single-shot or bolt-action for better reliability ?
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To be honest, I think that the term "Survival Rifle" hurts the sales of the Henry AR-7. Simply because the reviews are bad. Why would anybody want to be stuck in the wild with a malfunctioning firearm?

I just want a very light and portable rifle to use as short distance plinking, shooting practice and take along rifle. I think people should buy it for the reason of taking it hiking when weight is an issue. Why not take a rifle with you if you could?

Cheers,
Sand
 
i think a great "survival rifle" would be the henry youth lever action .22. with a 16" barrel, 33" oal, 4.5 lbs and 12 rounds in the tube... pretty hard to beat. having owned a chinsy henry AR-7, i would not want my life to depend on it. I would take the extra 2# and strap the lil' henry lever to the side of my pack rather than the AR-7 taking up space inside the pack. Who really cares if it floats or not other than boaters?
 
I have no issues with both of my AR7's I love them. They both work well and in a pinch they do what they are designed for. They will never be a 1022 that you can run 100k of ammo through. But for the price its a nice storeable gun and it floats to boot!


If you are stuck and can only buy one gun for everything, then the next best gun is the Browning SA-22. Fantastic gun and small. Way better than a 1022 and Im a Ruger Collector.

Papoous, is junk I have one as well and Id rather have somethng else. Its a cheaply made Marlin, if it was a model 60 it would be a different story.

Good luck,
 
"Papoous, is junk I have one as well and Id rather have somethng else. Its a cheaply made Marlin, if it was a model 60 it would be a different story."(end quote)

My kids have put a pile of ammo through one of these pieces of junk over the years without ever a FTF. I think its a light, handy, packable worthwhile tool. Your mileage obviously has varied.
 
I am expecting my PAL this week and have been wanting a take down .22 of some sort too. Not for survival, just something I can fit in a pack and take on my motor bike. I like the Papoose or some kind of hinge action single shot. I also found this interesting one called the Pak rifle. It is expensive for what it is an I don't even know if it is available in Canada. Not sure how to embed a vid so here is a link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PM6Q7m-HFj4
 
The Sand Man said:
Cyclone is the designated CGN AR-7 nut. I searched through every AR-7 there has been on this forum. Of the half dozen or so, cyclone has continuously boasted the AR-7 as a worthwhile takedown rifle.....IF......you follow all the procedures to make it function properly. :p
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I've just learned a few tricks to make the thing run better....:yingyang:...it comes from experience with the rifle, as oppose t oa love affair with it!

Out of the box, I don't think it'll do much more than recoil in an appreciable fashion, when fed the CCI Minimags it seems to singly be able to digest....:nest:

The Sand Man said:
I have to say, I'll get one. I'll make sure to post how much I'll be able to improve it.

I figure it would be a good gunsmithing experiment. :D

Cheers,
Sand
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I'll be very blunt when I say this :( - it's not the rifle you want to have as your "one and only" rimfire. While it was/is my first rimfire - and first firearm, for that matter - unless you bother getting the replacement barrel you see @ AR-7.com, or start pulling out one of those two recoil-springs, or start polishing-up feedpaths....:redface:

It's a curiosity, but it is also a firearm.....:cool:...from the box, it's small (when folded), it's portable, it'll go bang every time with the right ammunition, and it's light (sure, it floats too, but I'm not intending on swimming with it....:evil: ). It does what it was designed to do, in a fashion that IMHO sets it apart from other firearms.

Take it from this guy - he knows of what he speaks!...:cheers:

redbirddog said:
They both work well and in a pinch they do what they are designed for. They will never be a 1022 that you can run 100k of ammo through. But for the price its a nice storeable gun and it floats to boot!
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I got me a Papoose and a Marlin 39TDS (shown), and no I ain't parting with either!

M39TDS2.jpg

M39TDS3.jpg
 
That 39TDS is sure nice --- I always like seeing the pics as they're pretty uncommon!

Over the years, Marlin's made a few different short-barrelled 39's, the most common (although still uncommon) of which seems to be the 20"-barrelled Mountie. A broken down 20" barrelled 39 is pretty compact, although certainly heavier than a Papoose or AR-7. That being said, reliability would be right up there seeing as there are only a couple of moving parts in the action and everything remains secured when the receiver is split in two.

Additionally, the 39 can fire 22 shorts and CBs, which are very pretty compact and sufficient for close-range rabbit/bird popping.

Cost and availability of factory short-barrelled 39s is the problem... if you could find a junker 24" 39 and cut it down, lighten the wood, and coat the metal with a weatherproof finish, I think you'd have a mighty fine survival tool.
 
Norinco jw-22, browning take down copy is the way to go. John sells them at a great price when available. Coat them in vasoline to guard against elements. Better than the AR-7, which I have. You don't have to worry about lost magazines. Remember 007 used both....the Browning was the last one.
 
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