Henry "U.S. Survival Rifle"

I saw this and thought it was interesting:
http://www.henryrepeating.com/h002_survival.cfm


I'm curious to see how accurate it would be, but it would seem like a nice little SHTF gun to have. Compact storage is nice.

 

And it floats. I don't have one, but have been looking at them for years. I here it is an acceptable survival weapon. I've read some reviews that say it is pretty accurate. There are some complaints about the stock being too thick.

 

I have one but it is made by Armlite. It was designated the AR-7 Survival rifle. They also have after-market 30 round magazines (*won't fit inside the stock) and made a pistol version also.

 

Ghrit, I have killed many a squirrel, starling, and beer can with mine. The sights are not the best in the world but they are ok. It is accurate as any other semi .22. The beauty is that the fire control parts are so simple;it is quite easy to stone the trigger/sear to a crisp easy pull. There is one on gun-broker right now, a charter arms, for buy it now $129.00 that would be a good deal.

 

The ArmaLite - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia@@AMEPARAM@@/wiki/File:Text_document_with_red_question_mark.svg" class="image"><img alt="Text document with red question mark.svg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/Text_document_with_red_question_mark.svg/40px-Text_document_with_red_question_mark.svg.png"@@AMEPARAM@@commons/thumb/a/a4/Text_document_with_red_question_mark.svg/40px-Text_document_with_red_question_mark.svg.png AR-7, designed by Eugene Stoner - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia@@AMEPARAM@@/wiki/File:Question_book-new.svg" class="image"><img alt="Question book-new.svg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/99/Question_book-new.svg/50px-Question_book-new.svg.png"@@AMEPARAM@@en/thumb/9/99/Question_book-new.svg/50px-Question_book-new.svg.png, is the civilian-commercial version of a rifle adopted by the US Air Force as a pilot and Aircrew - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia@@AMEPARAM@@/wiki/File:Aero-stub_img.svg" class="image"><img alt="Stub icon" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/44/Aero-stub_img.svg/20px-Aero-stub_img.svg.png"@@AMEPARAM@@commons/thumb/4/44/Aero-stub_img.svg/20px-Aero-stub_img.svg.png survival Weapon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia@@AMEPARAM@@/wiki/File:Question_book-new.svg" class="image"><img alt="Question book-new.svg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/99/Question_book-new.svg/50px-Question_book-new.svg.png"@@AMEPARAM@@en/thumb/9/99/Question_book-new.svg/50px-Question_book-new.svg.png. Its main market is as a knockabout rifle for carrying in a backpack, car trunk or pickup truck.
<table id="toc" class="toc" summary="Contents"> <tbody><tr> <td> Contents

[hide]

• 1 History & Design
  • 1.1 Criticisms
  • 1.2 Production History
• 2 Operation
• 3 Variants
  • 3.1 Explorer II Pistol
  • 3.2 Henry Survival Rifle
  • 3.3 Israeli Pilot's Survival Rifle
• 4 After-market Modifications
• 5 External links

History & Design

The AR-7 shares some of the features of the bolt-action AR-5, a rifle adopted by the U.S. Air Force in 1956, as a replacement for the M6 Aircrew Survival Weapon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia@@AMEPARAM@@/wiki/File:Question_book-new.svg" class="image"><img alt="Question book-new.svg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/99/Question_book-new.svg/50px-Question_book-new.svg.png"@@AMEPARAM@@en/thumb/9/99/Question_book-new.svg/50px-Question_book-new.svg.png, a superposed ("over-under") combination weapon, with a rifle barrel over a .410 shotgun barrel. While there is an advantage to such a combination, the AR-5 had the advantage of rapid fire, using the same .22 Hornet cartridge used in the M6. The AR-7 is a different design, with the greatest difference being that the AR-5 was a bolt action rifle, the AR-7 is a semiautomatic rifle [1]. Like the AR-5, the AR-7 was designed for shooting small game. The rifle can be disassembled to its component parts: barrel, receiver, magazine, and stock. All its parts are designed to be stored in the stock. Both weapons were constructed primarily of aluminum with plastic for the stock and buttcap. Even the barrel is aluminum or composite with a rifled steel liner. [2]
The AR-7 is chambered for the .22 Long Rifle cartridge, and measures 35 inches overall when assembled. It disassembles to four sections (barrel, action, stock and magazine), with everything stowing inside the ABS stock. It measures 16 inches long when configured for storage. The rifle weighs in at a mere 2.5 lb so this is even light enough to take along backpacking. Drop it in a lake and it will float, as did the previous AR-5/MA-1 design. The rear sight is a peep sight, which comes on a flat metal blade with two different size apertures. It is adjustable for elevation (up-down). The front sight is adjustable for windage (side-side). Accuracy is sufficient for hunting small game at ranges to 50 yards.
The AR-7 was the recommended rifle in Paladin Press's controversial book, Hit Man: A Technical Manual for Independent Contractors - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia@@AMEPARAM@@/wiki/File:Hit_mancons.jpg" class="image"><img alt="Hit mancons.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/76/Hit_mancons.jpg/220px-Hit_mancons.jpg"@@AMEPARAM@@en/thumb/7/76/Hit_mancons.jpg/220px-Hit_mancons.jpg.

[edit] Criticisms

The design was sold to Charter Arms - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia@@AMEPARAM@@/wiki/File:Charter_Arms_Logo.png" class="image"><img alt="Charter Arms Logo.png" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d3/Charter_Arms_Logo.png/250px-Charter_Arms_Logo.png"@@AMEPARAM@@en/thumb/d/d3/Charter_Arms_Logo.png/250px-Charter_Arms_Logo.png in 1973. According to some accounts posted by enthusiasts, this is where quality began to suffer[3]. Barrels were said to be prone to warp. Standard aperture sights provided less than accurate shot placement. The most frequent problem, reported in various online discussions, was that the rifle frequently jammed[4].
By all accounts, this jamming could be markedly reduced through minor reprofiling of the receiver to smooth the transition from magazine to barrel, but reportedly never 100% consistently eradicated. As the rifle is likely incapable of being used in self defence situations, this jamming might be classified as frustrating rather than dangerous. Similarly, since a jammed weapon wouldn't make a particularly loud noise, small game being hunted might not be alerted and make escape if the gun failed to fire, allowing for a followup attempt.
Since Charter Arms sold the design and rights to Henry Repeating Arms Corporation in 1980, the AR-7 has regained its reputation for reliability, provided that high-velocity .22 Long Rifle cartridges are used to ensure proper cycling of the action.

[edit] Production History

(Summary of information available in The Blue Book of Gun Values)

• 1959-1973: ArmaLite - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia@@AMEPARAM@@/wiki/File:Text_document_with_red_question_mark.svg" class="image"><img alt="Text document with red question mark.svg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/Text_document_with_red_question_mark.svg/40px-Text_document_with_red_question_mark.svg.png"@@AMEPARAM@@commons/thumb/a/a4/Text_document_with_red_question_mark.svg/40px-Text_document_with_red_question_mark.svg.png
• 1973-1990: Charter Arms - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia@@AMEPARAM@@/wiki/File:Charter_Arms_Logo.png" class="image"><img alt="Charter Arms Logo.png" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d3/Charter_Arms_Logo.png/250px-Charter_Arms_Logo.png"@@AMEPARAM@@en/thumb/d/d3/Charter_Arms_Logo.png/250px-Charter_Arms_Logo.png
• 1990-1997: Survival Arms, Cocoa, FL
• 1997-Present: Henry Repeating Arms Co., Brooklyn, NY
• 1998-Present: AR-7 Industries, LLC, Meriden, CT

[edit] Operation

The rifle functions as a Blowback (arms) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia@@AMEPARAM@@/wiki/File:Hammerless380.jpg" class="image"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/66/Hammerless380.jpg/220px-Hammerless380.jpg"@@AMEPARAM@@en/thumb/6/66/Hammerless380.jpg/220px-Hammerless380.jpg semi-automatic. This means the force of the fired cartridge will push the bolt backwards against a spring, ejecting the fired cartridge and the spring then pushes the bolt forwards, loading another cartridge from the magazine for every pull of the trigger. This is a time tested simple and very reliable operating system for a firearm which is expected to see use in less than desirable conditions. On the other hand, the simplicity of the mechanism in the AR-7 has caused some consternation for range operators, since the bolt does not lock back at any point. This means there's no easy way to demonstrate the weapon is in a safe, unloaded state without manually holding the bolt back.

[edit] Variants


[edit] Explorer II Pistol

One variant of the AR-7 was the Explorer II pistol[5]. It was essentially the receiver of the rifle, an eight-inch removable barrel, and a non-removable pistol grip in place of a stock. It came with two eight-round magazines, though larger capacity magazines could be found (see table above). It resembled a Mauser C96 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia@@AMEPARAM@@/wiki/File:Mauser_C96_M1916_Red_9_7.JPG" class="image"><img alt="Mauser C96 M1916 Red 9 7.JPG" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e0/Mauser_C96_M1916_Red_9_7.JPG/300px-Mauser_C96_M1916_Red_9_7.JPG"@@AMEPARAM@@commons/thumb/e/e0/Mauser_C96_M1916_Red_9_7.JPG/300px-Mauser_C96_M1916_Red_9_7.JPG.
Note: Due to NFA regulations the barrels on the rifle and pistol are not interchangeable. The rifle receiver has a notch for the barrel on the top of the fitting whereas the pistol has the notch on the bottom. The rifle barrel notch is wider than the notch on the pistol barrels. The barrels could be used on the opposite platform but the fit may affect proper functionality and the barrels would be upside down. Doing so may also violate local or federal laws.

[edit] Henry Survival Rifle

In 1980, the design and production rights passed on to Henry Repeating Arms - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia@@AMEPARAM@@/wiki/File:Henry_Arms.jpg" class="image"><img alt="Henry Arms.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/88/Henry_Arms.jpg"@@AMEPARAM@@en/8/88/Henry_Arms.jpg and the compact rifle was slightly revised. The AR-7 is now known as the Henry U.S. Survival rifle. An Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia@@AMEPARAM@@/wiki/File:ABS_resin_formula.PNG" class="image"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/82/ABS_resin_formula.PNG/200px-ABS_resin_formula.PNG"@@AMEPARAM@@commons/thumb/8/82/ABS_resin_formula.PNG/200px-ABS_resin_formula.PNG material replaced the plastic, which was prone to cracking and failure. The sights were replaced with peep style sights for improved accuracy. Present versions also have a standard 3/8 in. rail milled into the top of the receiver for mounting a wide variety of optics. AR-7s manufactured by Henry are the only ones with this last feature.

[edit] Israeli Pilot's Survival Rifle

Another variant was made by Armalite and sold to the Israel Defense Forces - Wikipedia for use as pilot/aircrew survival weapons [6]. The Israelis further modified these rifles, adding the telescoping stock, a pistol grip from from a FN FAL - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia@@AMEPARAM@@/wiki/File:Fuzil-PARAFAL762M964A.gif" class="image"><img alt="Fuzil-PARAFAL762M964A.gif" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d2/Fuzil-PARAFAL762M964A.gif/300px-Fuzil-PARAFAL762M964A.gif"@@AMEPARAM@@commons/thumb/d/d2/Fuzil-PARAFAL762M964A.gif/300px-Fuzil-PARAFAL762M964A.gif, shortening the barrel (to 13.5 inches), and adding a front sight based on the Karabiner 98k - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia@@AMEPARAM@@/wiki/File:Karabiner_98k.jpg" class="image"><img alt="Karabiner 98k.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/59/Karabiner_98k.jpg/350px-Karabiner_98k.jpg"@@AMEPARAM@@commons/thumb/5/59/Karabiner_98k.jpg/350px-Karabiner_98k.jpg Mauser.
Following Israeli service, some of these rifle were re-imported into the United States by the Bricklee Trading Company (the barrels are marked with the BTC identification) for sale on the civilian market, and command a premium among collectors. In order to comply with US Federal law, a 3-inch Muzzle brake - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia@@AMEPARAM@@/wiki/File:AMX-10RC_017-frein-de-gueule.jpg" class="image"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f2/AMX-10RC_017-frein-de-gueule.jpg/220px-AMX-10RC_017-frein-de-gueule.jpg"@@AMEPARAM@@commons/thumb/f/f2/AMX-10RC_017-frein-de-gueule.jpg/220px-AMX-10RC_017-frein-de-gueule.jpg had to be permanently attached in order to meet the minimum 16 inch barrel requirement.

[edit] After-market Modifications

The fact that both the barrel and stock are detachable has led to a plethora of after-market accessories, similar to those available for the Ruger 10/22. Barrels, stocks, and grips, of varying finishes and utility, can be added to the rifle. These include collapsible stocks, wire-framed stocks, pistol grips, flash suppressors, shrouded barrels, high-capacity magazines, telescopic sights, reflex 'red dot' sights and other occasionally fanciful-looking hardware, usually at a cost greater than the rifle. The accessories almost always make it impossible to use the original floating stock for storage.
A complaint sometimes heard about the AR-7 is its lack of a sling, apart from the highly modified Israeli models. This lack is easily remedied by the purchase of an Uncle Mike's Quick-Detachable Sling Swivel for a 20-gauge shotgun (part number Set No. 1597-2) and a 1-inch universal rifle sling available at most sporting goods shops and through catalogs. As the forward sling swivel uses a split barrel band that can be easily attached to and removed from the barrel, this arrangement allows the continued use of the factory stock for storage and carriage in a backpack because no permanent alteration to the rifle is required.
Many of the jamming problems associated with the AR-7 are commonly solved by owners who file down the sides of the firing pin to reduce friction, as well as filing a small loading ramp or chamfer into the chamber of the barrel.
Another issue that was common with the AR-7 was failure to reliably feed flat-nosed .22 Long Rifle cartridges. After many tests, standard and hyper-velocity, round-nosed .22 Long Rifle cartridges were recommended for flawless action. However, the hyper velocity (or even normal) loads could warp the barrel of the Henry US Survival variant.
Due to fears of possible illegal use, Henry installed a stronger recoil spring in the action to ensure that subsonic ammunition would not be able to cycle properly in the firearm. This issue can easily be resolved by installing a PDI120-180 variant spring in the action, which is strong enough to ensure function with both subsonic and hyper-velocity cartridges.
Special Note: Ammunition recommended for flawless action of the AR-7/US SURVIVAL RIFLE by Henry Repeating Arms consists of:

• .22 Long Rifle/Long (Long variant may not produce enough energy to cycle the cartridge)
• CCI Round Nosed -- Blazer, Stinger, Exo Max, Green-Clean, Velocitor
• Remington Round Nosed -- Vipers, Thunderbolt, Game Load
• Aguila -- Round Nosed, Sniper Sub Sonic (Turns Into Bolt Action Fed)
• Federal -- Normal Round Nose, Game Shok
• Winchester -- Wildcat

 

had one ( it wasa charter also) knock around piece sights sucked (mine just had was a piece of flat steel with a peep hole drilled, and just screwed to the back of the receiver (non adjustable)made it a plinker..better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick...but I wouldn't sell my grandmother to buy another. Rather have a ruger mkIII on my hip in a "survival" situation.

 

Here's a review I found:
http://thepackingrat.net/2007/04/06/us-survival-rifle-henry-repeating-arms/

 

I had one I think was from Charter Arms and it was junk. It was fun to play with but had the sights mentioned that I didnt find accurate at all (but then Im not great with peep sights) and it jammed constantly but would also slamfire at times ESPECIALY if dirty. I lost it in a housefire and dont figure on replaceing it. I have considered the Papoose though that is also a semi auto and breaks down but it dosent go in the stock, it just goes in a pouch but from what I have heard is more accurate and reliable. The new AR7s may be also though but they are also not a 'normal' feel for a rifle so dont sholder as quick where the Papoose goes together to be more like a normal rifle and breaks rown to about the same size.

 

I have one and am not overly impressed. I have it stored in my bug out box as a weapon of last resort. I am contemplating purchasing a Marlin "papoose" .22 cal breakdown rifle.

 

I also have one, but the stock on mine is broken where it connects to the receiver, bolt snapped and everything, I havent taken the time to try to make a new stock.

 

I tried the Henry, and I did not like the bulbous feel of the stock. In addition, the whole gun just feels cheesy. Try the Marlin Papoose instead ... stainless steel, easy to get mags, bolt-on 16 inch barrel, reasonable accuracy, and feels like a real rifle. The iron sights are terrible (all Marlin iron sights are lousy), but I got a cheap optical sight and installed it. Added a sling. I just wish they chambered it in 22 mag ... now that would be awesome.

Original link was broken
https://www.marlinfirearms.com/rimfire/model-795/model-70pss-take-down

 

I have an older Armalite AR-7, Springfield Armory M6 Scout .22lr/.410 and Marlin 70P Papoose. Of the three I find the Papoose more accurate and more reliable than the AR-7. The M6 Scout is most versatile due to the .410 tube but requires the most preventative maintenance to keep the rust away due to its all steel construction.

I recommend the Marlin Papoose over the AR-7 because its more accurate, has the best .22 magazines on the market, least ammo sensitive of the two and has the better sights and trigger.

 

Have they started makeing the Papoose again or is it limited to used ones?

 

I had the AR 7 and papoose.

I sold the AR7 and recommend the Papoose

 

I traded this and some boot to



get this



This is his little brother in the lower left.



Click the little photos to get big photos.

 

AR_7 Exotic weapons system. I fooled with a couple of those years ago when you could still manufacture automatics. It was the only .22 suppressed machinegun on the block. They were converted to fire from an open bolt and you had to pin the firing pin in the extruded position with a little dial-pin that broke after a few boxes. The rest of the modifications required a simple drop-in sear and a couple of other little "secret Squirrel" parts that were easy enough to make with a Dremel tool and a hacksaw.

 

Well, gotta resurrect this thread I managed to find one of the U.S. Survival rifles at the range that I work at in the consignment rack. After my "employee discount" (we discount the price by the consignment fee amount), and after the $10.00 background check my OTD price was...
..
..



$10.00


Now this gun has some major problems (it doesn't like to eject) but, I've got a shipping label from Henry Arms on the way to ship it to them for a full repair of what ever is malfunctioning. Not bad, I even figured if I had to pay for shipping, I was well ahead of the game.

 

I bought mine in 1971...
I think it was one of the best rifles I'd ever had.
It was really light weight, and pretty darned accurate.
The sights were not the best in the wolrd, but they got the job done.
Now, I unwittingly let that one get away from me...
My bad!
So, I bought the Henry version, back in 1999.
I gave that one away...
It fired 2-3 rounds every time I tried to use it.
I contacted Henry and they said I'd done something to it and I'd have to pay a gunsmith to make the repairs...
I never bought another one.
From the talk I had with the person at Henry, I'll never buy anything from them ever again.
Bill