Henry's AR-7 survival .22 rifle

Anyone got em yet to add to their bug out bags?
the whole stock is a floating container that stores the barrel, receiver and the mags
up until you need to use it. I handled one today at the local shop.
Seems like a good backup or extra gun. It's also lighter than most
.22 rifles( the whole stock feels like abs or polymer plastic).
Anyway, my wife says I dont need anymore guns..so I'm trying to convince
her to get it for herself.
Henry AR-7 survival .22 rifle

Got one. I love it. Not sure if they still do issue them but I know they use to issue them to US Air Force pilots to have in their survival kit. Superb little weapon. The stock is polymer on mine and the barrel is a steel barrel coated with a thick layer of polymer. It IS very light, it takes up not much room in a good BOB and they are surprisingly accurate. Mine does not like standard cheap bulk .22 lead ammo, it will shoot them but it will misfeed from time to time with them. It LOVES the CCI Stingers which is cool as you can toss a 50 round box of that stuff in the bag with your gun and your good to go. I have not papered mine at 50 yards but I can consistantly take out pop cans at 50 yards. At 25 yards I have papered with the CCI Stingers and the Aguila SSS 60 grain ammo. The Stingers average 1 to 2 inch circle groups and the Aguila Sniper Sub Sonic 60 grainers (which also feed awesome in mine, plus a 60 grain bullet is NICE!!!, and they are quiet) pull around 2 to 3 inch circle groups. I keep one box of CCI Stingers and one box of the Aguila SSS, so I have 100 rounds in my BOB with it. 50 rounds of high velocity and deadly and 50 rounds of heavier hitting and quiet ammo..... Good enough for me for a BOB gun!!!

Make sure you get a new one w/ a warranty. My old one's a jammatic. Great idea, but lacks a bit in execution. The AR-7 was never issued to USAF crews; the earlier AR-5 was approved by the USAF, but never funded for purchase.

I will try Stingers in mine next time I go to the range.

Gig 'em,

backbencher

Ah, my bad. I was under the understanding that they used to get em for their E&E kit. Good point though, I forgot to mention that... the older model's were the jammomatic's for sure!!! Yeah to the OP, if you get one.... get a new and current Henry model with warranty if you can... don't try and save by getting an older model. Plus the new ones are a bit nicer, they even got a high vis front sight post on em now. Wish mine had that feature

Yeah, the Stingers work pretty slick, smooth coated copper bullet, no softer lead with that thumbnail lip between bullet and casing for it to get caught up on. I am a big fan of the Stingers. But keep in mind, as cool as this gun is for BOB purposes and just plain good old fashioned .22 plinking.... I would NOT want to rely on this weapon for Zombie clearing

Cool. Great info guys Esp on the ammo.
I believe Stoner was the one who designed it for Armalite a long time ago.
But the new ones now are being produced by Henry (stilll made in USA)

Yeah, can't go wrong with anything still made in the USA!!! Anyone who is not selling out and making things overseas most likely makes a damn good product. More info on the ammo I mentioned above.....

CCI Stingers. 32 grain segmented copper plated lead bullet, nickel casing, 1,640 FPS velocity at muzzle
Aguila SSS. 60 grain solid lead slug, brass casing, 950 FPS velocity at muzzle and about as loud as a CB Long.... problem is heavy 60 grain bullet it can tumble easily... but out of the Henry at 25 to 50 yards.... gotta work pretty good for taking down a deer for survival food.

I've got an original Armalite AR 7 with the brown marbled stock. I'm the 3rd owner. The first was an Army helicopter pilot who had it purchased by his unit before deployment to Vietnam. It came in an OD canvas bag marked US. The second owner was given it before leaving CA who gave it to me. It feeds the Federal and Remington bulk pack 22 without a hitch. The sight is primitive, just a peep adjusted by loosening a screw. But it's accurate. It's backup for my serious toys. Glad to hear they are still popular.

I have one of the newer Henry type that will hold one mag in the receiver and two more in the stock when everything is stored. I adjusted the peep sight with a laser bore sighter before I brought it to the range for testing and to my surprise, it was dead on. My second surprise was that it was shooting as accurately as my 10/22. Ammo used was the cheap Federal 550rd HV box you buy at Walmart. Not sure if I have a real use for it, but it's dead on accurate plus 100% reliable and that's good enough for me.

Mine was as well when I had it. Gave it to my nephew.

It's good to hear that these actually work now. I owned one in the early 80's (Charter) that was number one on my POS list.

I've got a Charter Arms, that after replacing a couple of worn parts, and a bit of polishing runs fine.

That case looks like it was made for it. Cool!
Which craftsman tool was in it?

It was my 'Sazall'. For some reason Craftsman used a soft aluminum block to hold the blades to the shaft, it didn't survive long

Ive got one and really enjoy it.

As others have mentioned I polished the bolt somewhat and the feedramp. Dont really have many problems with feeding ammo.

Doesnt like to get dirty, but not many .22's do. Easy to clean.

Mine is about 6 years old, so its still a Henry model, just not the newest version with the hi viz site, rails on the top of the receiver, and the orange liner in the stock.

Only upgrade I wanted/needed on mine is adding a sling. So in true survival fashion I wrapped the stock in paracord, made a loop near the end and attached a carabiner to the loop. This allows me to hook it onto my gear (if wearing anything) and or attach a small rope or something for a single point sling. Also when not in use the carabiner on the paracord loop will stow inside the stock with everything else.

Obligatory pics:

Besides being jamtastic, the AR-7 is inherently inaccurate and nearly impossible to shoot well due to its light weight and poor balance. I'd take a Ruger MKII any day of the week over an AR7. Its more accurate, easier to shoot accurately (despite being a pistol), smaller, lighter, and more reliable.

I've got 3 of them. I'm a sucker for a rifle at $40 - $50 when I can find them cheap. My experience is they jam w/ the wrong mags. they work fine w/ the right ammo and mags. Inaccurate is a matter of the shooter. If they work for you, that's fine, if not try something else.

Just to clarify, Are you referring to the older AR-7s?

That's a cool idea. Plus you have spare para cord to boot.

nope nope and nope.....

I have had a couple , NONE fed well or had accuracy to my standards... I would buy a 10/22 and put it into a folding stock. You will probably be happier. the sights on the Henry are marginal at best .

BUT if you want a gun BUY a gun.....you can never have to many guns or to much ammo ( unless your drowning or on fire)

I really wish they could be had with an integral can.

I'm really glad to hear some of you all enjoy yours and that they actually work.

My dad got me one of these for Christmas a few years ago and it just sits in a closet now. Biggest POS firearm I've ever had or shot. Doesn't feed, doesn't shoot straight, cant even work the sights enough to get it on paper consistently. The polymer coating on parts of the barrel aren't durable and actually wore down enough that it doesn't fit tightly anymore.

I appreciated my dad getting it for me since he knows I enjoy some good SHTF kit, but this one was NOT good for me. And I can't sell it since it was a gift and I just don't feel right doing that.

Didn't mean to rain on the thread.

From what I understand this only came out this year (made by Henry).
You prob got the older model?

Everyone needs one!

I have one made by survival arms,which I've had for about 15 yrs now .it has an all steel barrel,and the only problem i've had was with an aftermarket 15rd mag.

No, Henry has been making them for quite some time now as mine is a Henry and I have had it about 5 years.

The newest style though which has the integrated picatinny rail and hi viz site isnt that old though.

for those of you that are having feeding issues I have a solution, well, at least it worked for me. I always carry mine while out small game hunting and once I asseble it and insert the mag I'll take a small twig and wedge it between the bottom of the mag and the trigger guard. It adjusts the angle of the "feed ramp" lip on the front of the follower and makes the rounds feed better due to the slight angle. Mine used to jam about every other round, once I tried wedging the twig in it quit jamming. The only bad side (if you can call it that) is that you will have to pull the mag out, the wedge will keep it from falling free when you operate the mag release.

Cool, thanks for the info.
So can anyone chime in if the newer Henry's have the same reliability issues as the old ones?
My wife is thinking of getting the newer HI viz model.
And thanks to all who has provided helpful info.
-
ETA: So far from what I gather, a few of you have the Henry's and are happy with them.
The old ones are accurate, but with jamming issues (some have fixed this)
and ammo and mag plays a great part on the jamming issue correct?

It's a good toy but I would never trust my life to it

Free

Oh, no I do have other rifles and shotguns.
My wife and I saw this at the gun store and she seems to be interested in it.
(plinking, target practice)
I also figure It could be a good backup/ extra gun, plus easy to put into
a BOB.

I have a Charter Arms Explorer II, same gun but in pistol form. This "shim" fix does work. Mine was a jam-o-matic until I made a temp shim out of aluminium and taped it to the front of the trigger guard. (I have a more permanent fix in the works.)

Yeah, mine's the Charter Arms Rifle, I think it's just "Explorer"

Might be the older models your talking about. Mine is the exact opposite of everything you described.

Mine is accurate with the 3x scope I put on it but the irons suck. It's possible to shoot well, but it does take some getting used to. It's hard to beat for a BOB due to the break down ability, but like eddie said, you'd be better off with a Ruger MKII. I have a Colt Woodsman that is very similar to the Ruger MKII, and I've taken squirrel with it at longer range than with my AR-7. But none the less the AR-7 is plenty capable of taking small game.

I think the Ruger MK series are great firearms. To be honest though, I've only shot my Henry AR-7 with the irons and find it just as accurate as my 10/22 out to the same distance. To me, the MK series is a better all around firearm but the AR-7 makes for a good stowaway that can be set up to do more as a shoulder fired rifle.

I owned Ruger MK11's and the AR-7. I had to once take the Ruger apart and I will never do it again! I hated the multiple parts and springs. Don't get it right and they don't work. Yes it was accurate....it was a 5 inch bull barrel.

The AR was also accurate but that is because like all my firearms I took care of them and learned to shoot them. I am told Henry's are very good and reliable. Good. The older sights have something to be desired of course but a little modding and you will improve the quality of the gun. Cheap ammo is great for plinking but better ammo is what you should use. As for the feed slots being off for the mags...look to see if the well is worn out....add a delryn tapered shim if needed and you will no longer need the stupid stick and be able to change mags.

I plan on picking one up at the next gun show...

I wonder thought, where to you store the scope? I saw something that showed the AR-7 with an "Optional scope" but from the looks of the stock I don't see anywhere in there to stick a scope once you put the barrel and receiver and magazines in there.

Otherwise, I really like them and definitely have one on the list for my BOB.

I keep my 3x scope in a Crown Royal bag, lol.

Mine's not worn out, it had a lot of slop when it was bought brand new. I'll give the delryn shim a try, if it works for me maybe I'll epoxy it in place

Ammo & Magazines are critical for any self-loading firearm.

But yeah if you have a bad magazine either return it or destroy it, don't continue to try to use it (trust me it won't get better )

As for ammo I found round nose to be the most reliable with CCI Stingers copper plated round nose to be the best.

I'd get hit-or-miss on the Federal Bulk packs (plated HPs). Some lots fed fine, others were problematic..

Cool, thanks for all the info.
I took my wife to the local gun store yesterday and she handled a few .22 cal rifle
( it's her first rifle in her name, tho she thinks my handguns,shotguns and rifles are all hers too )
Anyway, she took a hard look at the Henry Ar-7 and a Ruger 10/22 compact.
It was a toss up between the 2 but she chose to go home with the Ruger.

Good Choice!

I tried Remington HP's in mine once, never again. I haven't tried the Stingers yet, so far the best I used (as far as feeding goes) have been the Remington 40gr target ammo by Eley, it's not the cleanest stuff, but I don't use mine enough for it to make a difference, it gets cleaned after each use regardless of what ammo I use.

I might still get an Ar-7 in the future, just to have one for the BOB.
Anyway, here's the wife's first step into the world of target plinking fun, I will officially train her
tomorow on how to double tap zombies on paper (j/k)

* 1959-1973: ArmaLite
* 1973-1990: Charter Arms
* 1990-1997: Survival Arms, Cocoa, FL
* 1997–Present: Henry Repeating Arms Co., Brooklyn, NY
* 1998-2004: AR-7 Industries, LLC, Meriden, CT (bought by ArmaLite in 2004)


They were issued to the Israeli Air Force. They used them with 13" barrels.

American Rifleman recently did a nice write-up on the Henry version (latest one) and pointed out a number of improvements they made. One notable one was the ability to house three magazines in the stock. Two stored and one in the receiver. Oh, and they finally made them water proof and added the integral scope rail.

The magazine has part or all of the feed ramp and thus can make all the difference in the world in the operation of the rifle. Getting good mags can make a huge difference.

Great job!

Now you need to get this:
Aperture rear sight for 10/22

Thanks forest, that looks cool and functional.
We had a blast at the range today, she was hitting the bullseye at 10 and 15 yards
not bad for her first rifle.

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