ammo test, ruger 22/45, henry u.s. survival(ar7)

[jonboynumba1]

Admittedly a little harder to nail game with...but far easier to grab and use fast when an opertunity to add rabbit to the nights meal arrises...and fun to plink with when yer bored...but the AR7 is kinda nostalgic to I guess...you can never have too many fun rimfire toys

[jonboynumba1]

I dunno I tried the AR7 route and it fits in a pack and is a nifty idea...to me an accurate .22 pistol with or without a supressor makes far more sense in the real world as a kit gun and adds utillity as a target gun training tool in the collection...the ar7 has funky sights and ergos and add a scope it doesn't pack as well...pistol if you have time to brace is accessible and instantly usable in a kit

[jonkilmer]

lookin into gettin a henery ar-7 positive encouragement anyone?

[GeorgeNada1]

@jonkilmer depends.. the whole point for the gun is for a light-weight, water-proof gun that can colapse down into small area... the only point in buying this gun is if weight is a necessity @ you plan on backpacking and want to carry a gun to hunt but dont want to lug around a heavy ass rifle and its ammo..

[wb5mgr]

I have a ruger mkiii basically the same gun as the 22/45 and my father has a 22/45. We mainly mostly shoot paper with them, but I have put over 5000 rounds of the cheap federal walmart ammo through my mkiii in the first year I've owned it w/o a single misfire/misfeed. Maybe I'm just lucky... I do clean the gun every time I come in from the range, but for shooting paper the cheap stuff is fine by me. I never hit the range w/o burning through a 550 brick of 22. Too much fun ;)

[Ricco86]

Is that a sling on the henry? Where'd you get that looks pretty cool

[smithjacusmc]

@Ricco86 home made rig, from various tie down straps and buckle parts. modeled it after a military version I saw on some M16s with the full stock instead of the 6 position type.

[browny646]

To bad I live in Australia gun laws are fucked in this country!! Would love to own the new henry!!

[smithjacusmc]

@browny646 well maybe someday you guys can turn it around on the gun grabbers there, hopefully we can hold em off here.

[Tinstar2]

@browny646 I really am sorry for you good folks in Australia and other countries that have such terrible gun laws. The liberals in this country keep trying to take our guns away, but thank God for the 2nd. amendment to our Constitution and instutions like the National Rifle Association that protect our rights to possess most any kind of firearm. I have one of the Henry US Survival rifles and it is a great little gun. I'm sorry that you can't get one. Maybe one day...?!

[browny646]

@Tinstar2 Laws over here arnt that bad I do have a Lee Enfield .303 and remington 788 in .223 however to get a licence for semi auto over here is INCREDIBLY hard, you either must be a land owner of over 100 acres of land or have a collectors licence which is even harder to get, our laws on having ammo for our guns are worse!! They are trying to bring in a law that when we buy ammo there must be record of how much we buy and the dealer must register that info with the government!!! ridiculous!!

[twodogstx]

My 22/45 gobbles up just about any 22lr I can find but PREFERS the cheapest round that I find...(Remington Golden bullet 525 rnds for about 17 bucks at Wallyworld) Same with my 10/22.

[stopglobalswarming]

I've had good luck with CCI in everthing except CZ 452 rifles. It shoots fine, but the rim on the cases seems thick. I like the henry ultra light rifle. I want one.

[Nimbly]

I think the AR-7 is sort of like Stoner's other rifle, it works best when clean.

[darkwoodsoutdoors]

OK so your ammo test didn't really prove anything other than an opinion. CCI and REM (all Around) is the WORST ammo ever, in my opinion. Never ever in 35 years of shooting, trap, sporting clays , long range and pistols has Fed failed. Your problem is buying shit ammo from Wally-World any BULK ammo is 2nd grade.

[smithjacusmc]

@darkwoodsoutdoors check the description bro, not really testing the ammo, it is for the rifle, back when I made this vid there was alot of folks claiming that this rifle jams all the time, so the point was to take a series of ammo at random and just shoot it to see if would jam. The end result was I only had maybe five malfunction the whole time I owned the rifle, the guy I sold it to said it jams, I say user error. I have found over time that most ammo failures are gun & operator errors

[darkwoodsoutdoors]

@smithjacusmc Thanks for the explanation I would agree in most cases it is user and gun more so than ammo and most weapon issues are due to faulty care by the user. Thanks again.

[smithjacusmc]

@darkwoodsoutdoors thanks to you sir for the comments, I appreciate them.

[extramonkyfanatics1]

@smithjacusmc Most of the jamming issues occur while using hollow point rounds.

[TheKodiak72]

@darkwoodsoutdoors ive never had a problem with CCI. i would never touch any ammo remington makes. but CCI ammo has always been good. not as good Winchester Bushmaster or Ranger though (both aussie branded rounds)

[20351MA]

Very useful to me. Thanks.

[enjoythewildUSA]

great review. 

[smithjacusmc]

@enjoythewildUSA thanks.

[winfieldracer]

for what it is and what it is designed for, it is a great gun...other breakdown .22's are just too heavy a luxury to have in a backpack...for dedicated hunting with a .22 i'd opt for a full sized marlin/ruger/cz etc; i wouldn't look at the AR7 as a first time .22 either...the gun has tradeoffs and you have to decide if those tradeoffs are acceptable to what you are looking for in a .22 cal rifle.

for me, i want a lightweight gun for outback lakes fishing and i don't want to own a pistola...

[20351MA]

@winfieldracer Look at the stainless, breakdown Marlin Papoose. Eats all ammo, very reliable.

[winfieldracer]

@20351MA i have; i've fired it...nice rifle...but the henry ar7 is still lighter and packs easier...i hike 2+ miles to those backcountry lakes; every ounce counts...since i don't buy/use cheap bulk ammo (minimags or cci hyper only) the ar7 is just as reliable.

[smithjacusmc]

@mozmex deer yes(head shot), people yes( well aimed center of mass or head, with good ammo). you tube is a wealth of opinions and info on anything, just use the right combo of search words. ammo for hunting, ammo for defense, gear for this or that, take it all in research and experiment for your self, and always test your system to see if it realy works, honesty is key, your life is dependent on how well/or easy you can operate in a survival setting.

[smithjacusmc]

@patrickryan5311 I have 4 vids of reviews on this rifle,and one called shooting with some friends, that features this rifle also. oohrah.

[vc426]

count your shots. never good to dry shoot a rimfire

[smithjacusmc]

@vc426 bang bang, click.....although I know that, it is in fact a rare occasion that firing pins are damaged by dry fire, the ones you need to watch are the revolvers with fixed pins on the hammers, those will break or become misshapen due to excess dry firing. later and thanks.

[flintstone9812]

I suspect the bolt on the AR7 is lighter than my old Marlin. It won't load the next round with subsonic shells. There just isn't enough oomph.

[wilcox1219]

Hey Smithjacusmc- Would you recommend that Henry Survival rifle... I'm looking for a breakdown gun I can fit in my pack.

[smithjacusmc]

@wilcox1219 yep that is what it is good at...

[C172Pilotdude]

@wilcox1219 A better choice would be the M6 Scout .22 hornet/410 shot shell. I have an Ar7 as well but I prefer the M6 scout. To bad they don't make the Scouts anymore.

[C172Pilotdude]

@wilcox1219 I would go instead with the Scout M6. .22 Hornet and 410 bore. But the AR 7 is a great addition to a gun collection especially if you are looking for survival rifles. For myself I have the M6 Scout and will be soon getting a Henry AR7.

[Cozzab12]

What Sniper subsonic rounds was he using?

[MrPennyworth007]

the ruger seems like a toy

[smithjacusmc]

@MrPennyworth007 naw... kel tec P32 seem like a toy, the ruger seems like fun! if your a 1911 fan, the new 22/45 has real 1911 grip panels that can be changed out so you can get the feel of your full size 45acp while shooting .22's, how cool.

[gshdrums]

did any of this ammo jam?

[texasdustfart]

I have a ruger 22/45 and the AR7 was my first firearm (bought it on 18th birthday to exercise my right to bear arms) back then they were produced by charter arms and were garbage. I have never had a misfire with my 22/45 and I use the federal bulk often enough. I clean it often and the disassembly is tricky untill you practice it a few times. The AR7 stock cracked and the spring guide rod (made of plastic) just plain wore out but again that was not a Henry product.

[gshdrums]

How does the federal go in the 22.45

[jingles373]

It turns out my AR7 likes Remington Thunderbolt ammo the best. Only 2 jams out of 50 shots. I'm happy with that.

[jingles373]

I bought it new and I'm hoping the receiver is not fully broken in yet. I plan on putting more ammo thru it this weekend. Thanks for the input.

[jingles373]

Most of the failures are light hits on the primer rim, but I also get failures to eject the spent brass and failures to load where the bullet ends up with a "ding" on the end of it. However, I have not put a whole lot of rounds through it; I plan on taking it out for more testing this weekend. Thank you for your reply.

[smithjacusmc]

did you buy this new, or used, sounds like the bolt is not seating all the way forward and maybe one of the recoil springs may be out of place. if there is plenty of tension on the bolt and the gun is new, the cast receiver may need a good breaking in, there may be some edges or ridges that need to be worn down inside were the bolt rides. try working the bolt manually repeatedly to see if you can feel any resistance in movement. last thing check and make sure the barrel is on correctly.

[jingles373]

I have tried over a dozen types of ammo in my Henry AR7 and rarely get an 8 round mag to cycle without at least 1 malfunction. Is there something you did to yours to make it more reliable? If so, please share!

I like the thing and plan on keeping it, but it irritates me to have to clear it so often.

[smithjacusmc]

I cleaned it, loaded it, and shot it, perhaps you could be more specific in the type of malfunction. It may be a magazine issue or a need to break in the recoil spring, or something like that.

[eknuds]

It needs good ammo. Also contact Henry. I had a bunch of problems with mine when I first got it. They took it back no questions asked and fixed it. It's much better now.

[gshdrums]

Ive herd the federal bulk pack goes well in the 22/45? I have just bought one so i would like to know. We have even more krap ammo here and that wont cycle.....

[smithjacusmc]

well on a new gun I would put about 300 to 500 rounds through it before you count on the gun to fully function and evaluate your ammo, so a cheap box of High Velocity federal is a good place to start. shoot out the box, have fun and don't clean it til' your done shooting. now since it is a ruger, follow the instruction manual exactly before to dis-/ re- assemble of the gun for cleaning; use Break free CLP, and now I would say for the best performance in practice, CCI blazer, otherwise federal.

[gshdrums]

What do you mean dont clean it untill your finished shooting...dont shoot it in like a rifle?

[smithjacusmc]

the rugers are a pain to disassemble are reassemble, and for the first 200 to 500 rounds of break in I would not clean it, it's a ruger it can handle it, and the carbon build up will "add" to the break in. This is my opinion, if you have a preferred method go with that, I do however clean all guns every time they get shot, so I'm not saying not to clean the gun if that's what your asking.

[tbar51]

That ruger pistol is awesome! I'd like to get the Hunter version in Mark lll. Don't like the AR7

though bought it for my Son and its a jam-o -matic

Now we have two other Henry 22's and their fan-tastic I'd recommend to anyone! But the surv.

no way!!

[ionmanpaintball]

i love how quiet the henry can be with the right ammo

[CRC1770]

Thanks.

[CRC1770]

Could you tell me what scope that is please ?

On you're Henry Survival Rifle.

[smithjacusmc]

it was a BSA 4x25, crossbow scope, it had the elevation lines, but it was great for the .22. the great thing about most scopes is that once it's dialed in you can take it off store or carry the rifle then put the scope back w/o loss of accuracy.

[flintstone9812]

When I used sub sonic ammo in my Marlin it would not cycle the next round. It pushed the bolt back but could not eject. The sub sonic rounds you used sounded as loud as the game loads. They must have more zip then mine. In my lever action Henry the sub sonics were very quiet. My Sheridan pellet gun makes more noise with only four pumps!

Thanks for showing the AR7, there has been some criticism regarding it.

[tysonbear]

I'm glad that your ar-7 works. Mine was lame. I think this is the most dangerous gun being sold in the USA, maybe the world. The margin of safety maybe enough. Time will tell.

[tysonbear]

I question the strength of the stamped pot metal receiver and the use of plastic on the face and surrounding the chamber. If the barrel partially unscrews head space dimensions can become suitable for firing while the case is partially unsupported.

[tysonbear]

Frequently confrim the barrel nut is tight. However, this may lead to catastrophic failure due to additional stress on the receiver and its threads. A Ruger 10/22 can be built almost as light (get the aluminum non-stainless receiver, its lighter and won't corode).

[smithjacusmc]

just wondering if you had an actual ar7(not known for reliability) or the Henry survival rifle? The thing with the henry and any breakdown gun is to ensure that it is assembled correctly and carefully each time, unless you want to damage it. which sound like the case with the barrel nut problen you had. and 10/22's are definitely a great Mod gun.

[tokorev747777]

does the ar7 come onley in 22 lr or 2245 rounds? cause i wonder if there is one that can take 22 mag rounds

[smithjacusmc]

22lr only, no other configurations are currently produced .

[jar288]

what do u do with the scope when u fold it up?

[smithjacusmc]

find a convenient place to carry it, will not fit in the buttstock.

[ralphyboy1]

ive seen the ar7 in magazines its neat how you can take it apart and put it in the stock. I also like the look of the ruger how its sort of like those ww2 japanese, and german handguns.

[smithjacusmc]

yeah looks a bit like the German Luger, the original 9mm. and that ar7 is a most excellent pack rifle since it breaks down.

[ralphyboy1]

yah only thing different from the luger is the weird thing on the top it isnt a slide or a hammer u just pull back. But if youve seen those ww2 8mm pistols theyre just like that.

[BriggsRed]

I have a question, where did you get the strap for the AR-7, I would like one and I would like to know where you got yours.

[smithjacusmc]

well I made it from a cheapy I picked up at a pawn shop, regular sling with one end looped at the hand grip, the other end i attached a small nylon strap around the end of the butstock, off the bottom so as to not be in the way of shouldering. that's it.

[BriggsRed]

Wow thats it? Thanks man, i've been trying get a strap on it for a while, I gotta go find one of those somewhere, hopefully a local gun shop will have some.

[conrad2468]

lol thats why pistols suck.....that could totally be used as a sniper because it doesnt make much noise and is easily transported....

[smithjacusmc]

also if I where an assassin with out a suppressor on my weapon, if I was so daring to get within 6 to 12 inches, closer is better, the subsonic or even hypersonic would be oh so quiet, as it would barely have time or room to make any noise, we could call this body suppression...

[conrad2468]

remind me not to piss you off.....

[conrad2468]

if those are subsonic then why do supersonic rounds sound the same?

[smithjacusmc]

at about 30ft with no suppression at the muzzle there will not be much difference in sound, at the muzzle, especially with a pistol. what we need here is a "can" on the barrel to reduce muzzle blast, then the little sub sonic will just wizzz through the air oh so quietly....

[buzzclark]

Interesting. Thanks for the ammo info James. The more I see the Henry - the more I want one. I think you might be helping me make my decision. Could I purchase extra mags for the Henry? I went to the website and I could not find any magazines available for sale. That looks like a complete Rifle and all I have to do is take the stock off for transport from car to the range. Still thinking. Thanks J. Sincerely, JAMES.