looking to get an AR-7- advice?

[Requiem ex Inferni]

After doing a bit of research, I have decided that my first rifle will probably end up being a Henry AR-7. My reasoning being:

- price. The price I saw on Henry's sight was $275, and while looking around I saw someone mention that they picked theirs up for $206. Not to mention .22 LR is incredibly cheap last I checked.

- easy to hide and carry. I can take all the parts, put them in the stock and slip the whole thing into my dresser, buried under some pants. If I want to take it anywhere, I can just throw it in a backpack, or even my laptop bag. So long as they never actually see it or the ammo, my family wouldn't even know I had it, and if need be, I have friends who would be more than willing to hang onto it for me.

- I figure it would be a good starting weapon, as I have said that my first rifle would probably be a .22 anyways.

- The Henry version is said to be a bit more reliable than the ArmaLite and Charter Arms versions.

So far, the only thing I've heard about it that I don't like is how the safety works- from my understanding, you have actually chamber a round to engage the safety. However, this isn't too big of a deal for me. Also, I may have to actually see if I can buy it in a store instead of online, unless I can find an online retailer that will accept cash. However, it looks like there are nine locations within 20 miles of my house that sell Henry products (including the range I would be taking the rifle to)

So I ask you, GGE:

1. Is this a good starting rifle?

2. Where would be the best place to buy it? Online, or at one of the dealers in my area?

3. In the event I do buy this gun, what would be the best ammunition to put through it?  

[Fresnel]

It's as good a rifle as any. I hear that the rubber cap that covers the buttstock storage area is a b***h to get off, though. They're a bit fatter than you'd think, too, but you'll see that if you buy it in a store. I would buy it in a store if I could, that way you save on shipping AND FFL fees. Personally, I'd pay up to $75 more to get it in-store, because I'd expect $50 in FFL and about $25 in shipping.

And for .22, I always buy the cheap stuff. More often than not that's the Federal maroon-box crap, which is actually really good (formerly $11/550, now $19/550). In a box of 550, I expect four or five FTFs, which are solved simply by turning the round and re-inserting it into the chamber. Worst I ever had was a box of Remington Golden Bullet. One in three failed. The experience was repeated when a friend shot his DEagle at my house, and three or four .44 rounds failed in a single box of 50. If you want true reliability, try Wolf Match. It's considerably more expensive (but still cheap as compared to centerfire), and is reliable as... well, as Wolf. xd

Really though, the guy to talk to here is Rommel. Pretty sure he owns an AR-7, though I forget if it's functional.  

[Das Rabble Rouser]

I never had any problems getting the rubber cap off. Then again I've got pretty good grip.  

[ArmasTermin]

Hum, forgot that after I move I won't haver access to the Ruger 10/22 anymore, so I ought to add a .22 to my list. I had thought this was a neat idea before--the ability to stow everything in the stock. I think I'll add it...  

[090Freak090]

What about a Kel-Tec SU-22?  

[Floyd]

Didn't we do a thread on the down side of the original production version of the AR-7? Seems there were a coupe of issues that were still outstanding, even by the new producer of the rifle. Poor ammo feeding and even worse accuracy.

8 year old review of the current production rifle

5 year old range review of the Henry Arms version  

[Requiem ex Inferni]

The accuracy doesn't bother me all that much, because I'm not going to be using it for precision shooting- I'll get a bolt-action for that. As for the jamming, I've had a Scoremaster jam on me in the course of firing it, and most of those jams were feed issues as well (bullet tends to stand straight up when you load the magazine, rounds jam IN the mag, etc.). These really aren't turning me away from this rifle.  

[Recon_Ninja_985]

I'd watch out for those rifles.
not accurate
cycling trouble
plastic surrounded barrel thats prone to warping
barrel nut loosens frequently and threads will wear out faster than they should.
its kind of a short term disposable rifle in a sense

on the plus side it floats, and is better than using nothing.
doesnt cost much so I guess it wouldnt hurt having one anyway. go for it.

once youre done with it, get a marlin papoose, its not much more and its a much better survival type 22 rifle.

OR
a .22 revolver
much more accurate than an AR7
can be bought for less
can be carried and stored away easier
carries up to 9 shots
WAY more reliable

hell, just go with that  

[Requiem ex Inferni]

I could go with the Marlin, seeing as it looks like it would fit in my dresser drawer just as well as the AR-7, but like I said, the AR-7 would be to hold me over until I could get something better (preferably a .30-06).

And the .22 revolver's a no-go. This is something I'd want to pick up within a year once I have a job, and I'd have to wait till 2012 to get the revolver.  

[Recon_Ninja_985]

Requiem in Mortis

I could go with the Marlin, seeing as it looks like it would fit in my dresser drawer just as well as the AR-7, but like I said, the AR-7 would be to hold me over until I could get something better (preferably a .30-06).

And the .22 revolver's a no-go. This is something I'd want to pick up within a year once I have a job, and I'd have to wait till 2012 to get the revolver.

if youre 18...you can get it.

you dont have to be 21 to buy a pistol...thats only from FFL dealers.

I am 20 and I bought my revolver in a classified as I do with other handguns because it's legal that way.

as long as the person you buy from isnt a dealer you're fine  

[Requiem ex Inferni]

Recon_Ninja_985

Requiem in Mortis

I could go with the Marlin, seeing as it looks like it would fit in my dresser drawer just as well as the AR-7, but like I said, the AR-7 would be to hold me over until I could get something better (preferably a .30-06).

And the .22 revolver's a no-go. This is something I'd want to pick up within a year once I have a job, and I'd have to wait till 2012 to get the revolver.

if youre 18...you can get it.

you dont have to be 21 to buy a pistol...thats only from FFL dealers.

I am 20 and I bought my revolver in a classified as I do with other handguns because it's legal that way.

as long as the person you buy from isnt a dealer you're fine

I live in California. Any gun I buy here HAS to go through a dealer, and I have to get some stupid certificate to get one. Unless I'm reading the article about our gun laws wrong.

California is about as a**l as you can get concerning handguns without outright banning them.  

[Recon_Ninja_985]

Requiem in Mortis

Recon_Ninja_985

Requiem in Mortis

I could go with the Marlin, seeing as it looks like it would fit in my dresser drawer just as well as the AR-7, but like I said, the AR-7 would be to hold me over until I could get something better (preferably a .30-06).

And the .22 revolver's a no-go. This is something I'd want to pick up within a year once I have a job, and I'd have to wait till 2012 to get the revolver.

if youre 18...you can get it.

you dont have to be 21 to buy a pistol...thats only from FFL dealers.

I am 20 and I bought my revolver in a classified as I do with other handguns because it's legal that way.

as long as the person you buy from isnt a dealer you're fine

I live in California. Any gun I buy here HAS to go through a dealer, and I have to get some stupid certificate to get one. Unless I'm reading the article about our gun laws wrong.

California is about as a**l as you can get concerning handguns without outright banning them.

ah...move to one of the free states?

one of the reasons im glad we moved out of cali when I was little...that and getting away from ridiculously high taxes.

state's losing money dude
very socialist/environmentalist/anti-business agenda is killing it's economy
businesses and legal residents alike are leaving in droves  

[Requiem ex Inferni]

Recon_Ninja_985

Requiem in Mortis

Recon_Ninja_985

Requiem in Mortis

I could go with the Marlin, seeing as it looks like it would fit in my dresser drawer just as well as the AR-7, but like I said, the AR-7 would be to hold me over until I could get something better (preferably a .30-06).

And the .22 revolver's a no-go. This is something I'd want to pick up within a year once I have a job, and I'd have to wait till 2012 to get the revolver.

if youre 18...you can get it.

you dont have to be 21 to buy a pistol...thats only from FFL dealers.

I am 20 and I bought my revolver in a classified as I do with other handguns because it's legal that way.

as long as the person you buy from isnt a dealer you're fine

I live in California. Any gun I buy here HAS to go through a dealer, and I have to get some stupid certificate to get one. Unless I'm reading the article about our gun laws wrong.

California is about as a**l as you can get concerning handguns without outright banning them.

ah...move to one of the free states?

one of the reasons im glad we moved out of cali when I was little...that and getting away from ridiculously high taxes.

state's losing money dude
very socialist/environmentalist/anti-business agenda is killing it's economy
businesses and legal residents alike are leaving in droves

I really do want to leave California, but I don't know where to go. Everything is either too far, too hot, too cold or too expensive, often times at least two of the aforementioned. Though I wouldn't mind living in Nevada.

Wait, doesn't one of our members live in Nevada?  

[Fresnel]

Nevada is actually a bunch of cocks to gun owners for one particular reason, but I can't recall what it is. Have you considered north AZ? We're not just desert, we've got trees and snow and s**t, too.  

[Requiem ex Inferni]

Depends on three things:

1. How hot it gets. If it's like the descriptions I've heard of Phoenix in the summer I ain't going there.

2. How cold it gets. At the same time I'd rather not freeze my nuts off.

3. How much it costs to live there. If it's too expensive I'll stay here in California. Even Nevada is pricey, or at least the areas I've been to (Carson City and Lake Tahoe) are.