When the tides turn, you need a gun you can trust. The Henry Repeating Arms U.S. Survival AR-7 is the packable .22 we’d choose.
Take any ideas of a big, heavy-caliber rifle serving as your disaster survival gun and throw them out the window. Smart and prepared gun owners know a smaller, transportable gun in a common, lightweight caliber is the only way to go, which is why we’ve always viewed the Henry U.S. Survival AR-7 as our bug-out gun of choice.
Heaven forbid you truly face a disastrous situation, but if you do, it seems like you’d be in good hands with the AR-7. It was chosen (and has been steadily used) by the U.S. Air Force in 1959 as the must-carry service gun.
If it’s up to the task of the American military, you know it’s a well-thought-out design and reliable gun.
We’ve reviewed the AR-7 extensively in the past, and not much has changed, even considering the number of similar, compact survival-based guns have hit the market. You just can’t surpass this classic, long-lasting design.
Where the Henry AR-7 has real, everyday appeal is for the backpacking adventurers, pound-counting bush pilots, and ultra-lightweight camping crowd.
The entire rifle is only 3.5 pounds, and the barrel and receiver can be stowed inside the impact- and water-resistant stock. When it’s packed together, you’re looking at 16.5 inches, easily added to a backpack or camping bag. It even floats!
When the time comes to assemble it, the AR-7 takes just seconds to be ready for firing. You can attach the receiver to the stock, insert the barrel, and screw one nut to have a functioning gun in your hands.
The steel barrel is covered in tough ABS plastic plus a protective coating, making it corrosion-resistant for years and years of travel, bumps and shots.
You can get the AR-7 in three finishes; Black, True Timber Kanati Camo Pattern, and True Timber Viper Western Camo Pattern. Our favorite is the Kanati, but they all look great. It has an 8-round capacity and comes with an adjustable rear sight and blade front sight.
You don’t have to be a full-fledged prepper to consider the U.S. Survival AR-7 a good gun. We trust the Henry name and reputation, but if you need more convincing and information, HenryUSA.com is the place to get it.