What does anybody think of the Henry U.S. survival .22 rifle...

[andrew cochran]

Looking for a rifle to go into my backpack!

[just_a_car]

It's been discussed before, but after having recently shouldered one, I'd get something else.

It just doesn't feel right. Maybe pick up a Kel-Tec Sub2000 that folds down and uses Glock or Sig Sauer magazines. I'd be able to use my G22 mags in one that was .40S&W and used Glock. Not a bad caliber for a carbine.

[nathangdad]

A .22 is not much of a survival round unless you can get close to rabbits or squirrels plus the big overcome of the weapon's design. Have you considered a scoped Thompson/Center in .357 mag?

[Dan22]

I think the .22 is the perfect size for packing and shooting small animals.

The .22 would be my first choice. Without a refigerator it is senseless to use a cannon on a large animal, unless you can eat a lot real fast.

I'm not talking about fighting a war with other guys equipped with assault weapons, just basic survival.

[damage855]

I like my ruger 10-22 beter. if you put a folding stock on a ruger it will probally fold up almost as small.

[billy]

410/.22l.r.

[genwinters]

thats the SA one

[billy]

yes i know .
i should have made that clear sorry.

Henry U.S. survival .22 rifle...
would be a fine choice .they float!
everything breaks down and goes in the stock

[bored2bhere]

saw a used one for 100 at a pawn shop

[Big Dog]

It's a good gun for it's type, and would be a viable small-game hunting/survival gun. I'd add the available scope mount and a good 4X scope.
Henry has improved the basic design, especially the magazine - the heart of any semi-auto firearm. They seem to function best with the hotter high-vel ammo.

[SilentSoul]

They float? For 100 bucks I would have to pick one up

[just_a_car]

The thing I didn't like most about them was that they were too wide and bulky.

I originally loved the idea, but there are too many better 22LR's out there to spend more than $100 on this firearm... but $100 is a decent deal for one.

[billy]

i may just get me one of those S.A. rifles.
i really like the idea of having a .410 AND .22l.r.

[gak906]

kEL tEC SU16 , 5.56MM/223. GREAT LIL PIECE, FOLDS AND TAKE M-16 MAGS.
JUST A THOUGHT. BUT YOU'RE RIGHT I ALSO LIKE THE LIL OVER/UNDERS. I DON'T NO ANYONE PERSONALLY THAT HAS AN SU16 BUT I HAVE READ SOME GOOD REVIEWS.

[lefty o]

never cared for the "survival rifle", no matter which company was manufacturing it. for a backpack rifle id look at the marlin papoose, or one of the reproduction winchester 62a's out there as they both take down easily.

[Cyrano]

It's worth remembering what the AR-7 was designed to do when you are looking for a survival rifle for your emergency kit. Understanding that is why one lives in my Grab & Go pack, along with six 7-round mags and 200 rounds of ammunition in a watertight container.

Eugene Stoner designed the AR-7 for use by Air Force combat aircrews who had been shot down and were evading capture, back in the days before we had combat helicopters like the Jolly Green Giant or the Pave Low rugged enough and with a long enough range they could go and retrieve them quickly. Mostly the Air Force issued them to the men flying and crewing bombers.

Stoner intended his survival rifle for hunting small game while engaged in evading capture, but with hypervelocity .22 catridges it will kill larger animals. (This last presumes you can stalk very close to your target and hit what you point at.) As we all know, the 2 1/2 pound rifle fits into its own stock for storage and takes up little space. Today it comes from the Henry factory with two 7-round magazines, and when it is disassembled and stored it will float because it is lightweight and the stock is watertight.

The AR-7 was not designed with provision for a sling, but if you want to add a sling the use of an Uncle Mike’s Quick Detachable 20-Gauge Sling Kit will let you to mount one. I've found that kit works well with a universal nylon sling. It takes some trial and error to set it up and you wind up discarding a bunch of univeral sling bits, but using a universal sling that the buttstock nests into does mean you don't have to drill the stock and compromise its watertight integrity. I keep my sling and the 20-gauge split ring sling mount in a plastic bag rubber-banded to the stock of the AR-7 when I have it broken down in the pack.

The action is a blowback semi-automatic type. This is a time-tested, simple and very reliable operating system for a firearm that is expected to see use in the crummy conditions one expects in either an escape & evasion or SHTF scenario. Unlike its distant relation the M-16, it does not mind a little dirt or powder residue. The fact the bolt is always closed even when the last round from the magazine has been fired does disconcert some people, but it's one reason that little piece is so rugged. The lack of a forearm discommodes some people, but you do get used to not having one. As long as you aren't sticking one of the aftermarket hi-cap mags into it and ripping off multiple rounds as fast as you can pull the trigger, you'll never have to worry about scorching your hand.

The iron sights are decent for work out to 50 feet or so. (Remember, this weapon is meant as a hunting arm, not a battle rifle.) For longer ranges, if your eyes aren't what they once were I suggest adding a red dot scope. There is a rail milled into the top of the receiver of the Henry-produced AR-7s that will let you mount whatever optics you want. Just keep in mind that things like red dot sights do need batteries. You might also want to mount a conventional scope instead of a red dot.

In my opinion, the Henry AR-7 is well suited to inclusion in a Grab & Go personal emergency bag. With a red dot scope, sling, four 7-round mags and 100 rounds of high-velocity .22LR ammunition, its total weight is still less than 4 pounds. That is about as low a total weight for a reliable survival rifle as you will find.

If you want something that will let you win a firefight with hypothetical hostile invaders, the mythical zombies or dangerous carnivores like bears and cougars, the AR-7 is not for you. In that case you'd want something like the SKS, the AK-47, the M1A or possibly a carbine chambered in .44 Magnum or .45 ACP. But if you are talking about a survival rifle, I'd go with the AR-7. It won't break the bank, it weighs very little and it's surprisingly accurate out to 150 feet or so.

[Father Time]

When I was young, I had a Savage model 24 in 410/22 over-under. It was just a little bitty thing, but it was good for plinking and small game.

The .22 barrel was sweated into the 410 barrel, and it had absolutely no whip. I thought that it out shot the target .22s that we used in rifle club.

Later I used to see similar combos in 22 Mag and even 30-30 over 20 gauge. That might make an interesting survival gun.

[Lizard]

Maybe it's opening a can of worms, but I've known a number of people that used the .22 for deer. These were not people out looking for trophies, but people that were hungry and wanted to eat.

A .22 and a good flashlight would drop a deer in it's tracks and feed their families.

I remember these people from my youth every time I hear people talking about what size rifle is needed for deer.

[jmp8927]

You could always go for an M4 pistol. Rather expensive, but you have portability plus take down power for any medium to small game.

[dscrick]

I've never fired the Henry, but it is an interesting concept. It's light and compact, would be great for foraging, and since it's semi-auto (and I have seen Hi-Cap mags for it) the low power of the .22LR can be overcome with FIREPOWER! (7 rounds of .22 into an attacker WILL put them down). Ammo is light, so you can pack a bunch.

I have put together a "Survival gun" I really like.

It started as a 12GA NEF "Survivor" single shot. (Y2k Edition, no longer produced in 12 Guage but available in .223/.308 and .410/.45 Long Colt H & R Firearms: Firearms: Shotguns/Rifles It's great because it has storage in the butt and forend, in which I've placed a nice little survival kit (Swiss Army kife, whistle, firestarting gear, small fishing kit, Space blanket, small first aid kit, compass, snare wire, water purification tabs, safety pins, 4 small tyraps, A 48" folded piece of heavy duty aluminum foil, and a quart baggie, tea/salt/bullion cubes/candy, along with a ToolLogic Credit card companion with an LED light built in. Toollogic Inc unusual gifts All of the above fits in the stock compartments! I wrapped 30 feet of paracord around the butt and covered that with an elastic shellholder for 5 rounds, then put on a sling that holds 4 more shells So there are 9 rounds on the gun ready to go, with a complete basic survival kit on board. I carry a mix of 00 buck loads for defense/large game and #6 shot game loads for foraging. Yeah the ammo is heavy but the whole outfit with 50 rounds still comes in under 10 lbs.

I'll try and upload a photo tomorrow