Have you tried before? I guess not.
Well I have, and guess what, I made it back to the runway every time from what I determined to be safe turn back altitude. Did you not read what I said?
Arguing against it is just stupid. I am telling you I have done it before several times. But please be my guest, if you choose to rather land in a tree that's fine. If I know I'll make it back then one thing is for sure: I'm landing on that damn runway.
As a side note we had an incident here at the airport where I work just a week ago. A pilot flying solo in a light sport airplane had an engine failure 400 feet on take off. Guess what. He turned back and landed more than half way down the opposite runway from where he departed. That being said I would never make the turn in the 172 from 400 feet (too low to make the turn itself), but this guy made the decision and made it back safely. Better than hitting the city packed with power lines and buildings straight ahead? Oh yes.