Henry 22 LR A7 Survival Rifle?

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HOUSTON RICK

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I would like to know your opinions on the Henry Survival Rifle A7. I have some gift certificates and I am wondering if the A7 is a novelty or useful firearm. The internet reviews are mixed with favorable comments on the storage and takedown mechanics as well as the reliability and decent accuracy for its sights and construction. The most salient negatives are a overall sense of cheapness due to the use of plastic and lack of compatibility of the magazines made by previous manufacturers of the weapon. It is clearly not a $1,000 hunting rifle, but is it a good, portable, plinker for the modest price ($279). Thank you for your thoughts and comments. Rick
 
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To me anything that is for survival must be the best of the best. Nothing like having all on the line and your equipment fails you. That being said they are a novelty. The one a relative had, had a problem, the front sight fell out and onto the ground when he took it out of the box. Early models from other makers had functioning problems the few Henry's I have been around do not have.
 
I’ve never owned one of the AR7 variants, and honestly they always felt like a gimmick. I own a Marlin 70 Papoose and Springfield Armory M7. Both function perfectly and serve a very similar purpose. I’d consider a 10-22 takedown but haven’t felt the need yet. I think the AR7 is a fun concept but until it’s reliable and better quality, I’m not willing to roll the dice on one. Although not a takedown, the M&P 15-22 pistol is a very small package, uses 10-25 round mags and is very versatile. It’s become a steady visitor to the range for me.


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My dad had one of the original AR-7s made by Armalite. This was about 1961 or '62. We used to occasionally shoot it, and from what I remember, it was fairly accurate considering the crude aperture sight. It functioned reliably. The plastic buttstock eventually suffered a big crack after about forty or more years, rendering the stock worthless.

I don't know anything about the Henry facsimile, but if it's as good as the original, it might be worth having.
 
I have the Henry the front sight was an issue after I got it sighted in superglue stopped it from moving. As far as functioning goes it has been reliable with every brand of ammo I have tried. Accuracy at 50 yards and under was plenty good enough for its purpose hitting a squirrel, or rabbit wouldn't be a problem. Is it a novelty maybe could it serve its purpose yes. I also have the Charter Arms Explorer pistol now that is a novelty, but a fun one...
 
The AR-7 has its place... as a regular use plinker, no.

With no forend, they are unwieldy to shoot. The sight are crude... yeah, the Henry has a rail on top of the receiver to mounting optics on it, but why do that? It eliminates it's main feature... breakdown self contained butt stock storage. May as well buy a conventional rifle.

You mentioned having gift certificates, Henry or Sporting Goods chain (Cabelas/Bass Pro, etc.). If you're limited to Henry, for not much more, I'd go with the Henry H001 classic lever gun.

If not limited to a Henry, the venerable Ruger 10/22 at around the same price point is the hands down choice for a plinker.

The Henry H001 is way more practical, versatile (the AR-7 is .22LR only) and fun to shoot.

The AR-7 I briefly had was like buying a boat... the 2 happiest days of ownership is the day you buy it, and the day you sell it.
 
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Novelty, I bought one partly because it was one of the early guest-star Bond guns, and I will grant that it's more practical than a Gyroject rocket gun.
Mostly-reliable on the better days, accuracy is pretty poor, fit and finish is clunky, low magazine capacity, and the materials clearly won't stand up to a lot of rounds. The plastic barrel jacket is funky and the plastic front sight that slides in the plastic dovetail is prone to wander. I went through 3 stock covers as they kept cracking. It's light, but I think I'd rather have a decent accurate .22 handgun for the same weight (Buckmark perhaps on a budget, but a Trailside would be an upgrade and might be lighter)
Oh, the trigger is also awful.
 
merl67 said:
I have the Henry the front sight was an issue after I got it sighted in superglue stopped it from moving. As far as functioning goes it has been reliable with every brand of ammo I have tried. Accuracy at 50 yards and under was plenty good enough for its purpose hitting a squirrel, or rabbit wouldn't be a problem. Is it a novelty maybe could it serve its purpose yes. I also have the Charter Arms Explorer pistol now that is a novelty, but a fun one...
Click to expand...


I’m glad to hear a positive report regarding the Henry variant. I recently discovered the Charter Arms Explorer pistols. I haven’t managed to get one yet but they are an interesting firearm as well!


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Novelty, but I consider the Ruger 10/22 takedown feature a novelty as well. I could see some pros to it though. I have an old Charter Arms version. The fact that it floats in the stock could come in handy when kept on a boat or traveling on a boat. It's accurate enough to take small game. Plus if it's kept stored in a truck/boat/cabin, and somebody steals it, you're not out a lot of money.
 
Was thinking along the same lines. Might consider the Ruger American Compact with 18 inch barrel like I did. Well built and the synthetic stock is not chintzy. Bought mine in 22 magnum and it serves well for woods varmint plus would make for a good survival type gun. Plus the standard stock module can be added for longer LOP. Also available in 17HMR and 22 L.R. The 18 inch barrel makes for a very handy rifle.
 
IThanks, I will stop thinking about this Henry product. I have other classic 22 LR rifles including the Ruger 10/22 Marlin 39A, Marlin XT and Henry lever action. I probably liked the Henry survival rifle most because I might still fit it in the safe and not pay any cash. Maybe a Baby Browning would ne netter. So many guns, so little time and money.
 
I have not had experience with Henry version of A7. The originals and the Charter Arms version I have. The originals jammed a lot. I think if made for military they would have been put together better. Not very accurate to boot. The Charter version was complete junk. The also cloned a pistol off A7, called explorer. Looked similar to a C96 Mauser but also junk. None would be dependable survival gun.
The Springfield 0/U M6 survival gun is another piece of junk. Novelties one and all.
 
I had a Henry AR-7 for a while. I also consider it a novelty.
Trigger was awful. However, the mechanism is very simple and easy to work on. A bit of light stoning helped considerably and made it more accurate.
Yep, that front sight is a trouble point. Moves in the dovetail with only slight pressure. A couple of punch dimples fixed that. But I can't swear it'll last.
Due to the design, the action sits offset in the stock. That always felt a bit awkward to me.
For its intended purpose, it should do fine. But there are better rifles out there. Mine is long gone.
 
Had an original AR-7 made by Armalite I bought back in the 60’s. It was a tack driver and reliable. Loaned it to a friend and never saw it or him again.
I purchased a second one from the next manufacturer (Charter Arms I believe), shot it once and traded it at my friendly LGS within a week or so. It was a piece of junk. It kept jamming and accuracy was cr-p.
Got a Marlin Papoose. You could shoot the eraser off the end of a pencil at
50 feet. That would be my choice.
As to the AR-7, don’t waste your money! JMO
P.S. I paid less than $100 back then.
 
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