AR-7 anyone?

Walkindude

Walkindude

Joined
Feb 20, 2007
Messages
402
Figured since everyone was posting thier recent firearm purchases I would post mine. I picked up a Charter Arms AR7 a couple weeks ago. Used, so got a good price on it. I have several 22 rifles, including a 10/22 but liked the novelty of a take down that would store in the butt stock.

I've heard good and bad about these, but figured I would try it out ! Got it home and gave it a good cleaning, and ran about 5 mags thru it, of various ammo, with no fail to ejects :thumbup:

After checking that out I got down to business, set the target up about 20 yards and got groups that suprised me ! Last group was 7 rounds I could cover with a quarter, with one flyer. Its shooting low and to the right but I think I can work that out , might have to fabricate a new rear sight, but shouldnt be to much of a problem.

When the weather clears up I'll work with it some more ! :D

So...anybody else have one of these?
 

Attachments

  • 100_0856.jpg
    100_0856.jpg
    44.1 KB · Views: 45
The two that I've owned and fired -- one much older than the other -- jammed quite a lot. Other than that I really liked them, in terms of how handy, light, and clever they were. I never did find a brand of ammo either rifle really liked.
 
my brother has one... it is very ammo sensitive.. its fairly accurate but it's no tack driver... I think pound for pound a marlin papoose is a better choice...also the stock on the ar7 is a bit bulky....
 
Had one, sold it (and most of my guns) when i needed cash for tuition a few years back.
I really liked it actually!
Mine was also a Charter Arms, the Silverstone finished version.
It was very accurate but would only feed lead-round-nose ammo.
As long as i used LRN it was reliable, mostly i used the cheaper Winchester ammo.
I found that if you were firing more than two or three magazine of ammo in a row you would need to periodically check (and tighten if necessary) the barrel nut/ring.
After a few mags worth the nut/ring can sometimes loosen up.

But once you get used to its quirks its actually a handy little rifle!
 
I have the Henry version. It's pretty accurate and I've experienced few jams. However, my Springfield M6 is more accurate and never fails to go bang. Plus, it offers a second barrel for birdshot or 000 buckshot loads. If I were selecting one to go on a wilderness trip, the Springfield would get the nod. [That said, the Henry provides enough fun and utility that I won't sell it.]

DancesWithKnives
 
I'm a huge fan of the Henry lever actions, but the AR7 just didn't grab me. It was handy, but jammed a fair bit.
 
I wish to hell Springfield would pull their head out of their ass and start making that M6 again AND make it here, they don't have to farm that out to the Checz...

They could market that combo-gun in such a way that they couldn't keep them on the shelves. I would dearly love to have one or two of them.

As far as the AR-7 goes, Eugene Stoner Design, solid little emergency rifle. The older ones. I heard the newer versions by Henry have a very feeble lock up that is easily damaged and the barrel is nothing to write home about, either.
 
There used to be aftermarket accessories for the Ar-7 back in the 80's/90's.
I remember seeing heavy barrels, collapsible (telescoping?) stocks, ghost ring sights etc.
Maybe you can still get these, i haven't really looked.
 
In the '80's when I was a kid, I remember seeing a pistol version of it. It looked sort of like a broomhandle Mauser.
 
Don Rearic said:
I wish to hell Springfield would pull their head out of their ass and start making that M6 again AND make it here, they don't have to farm that out to the Checz...

They could market that combo-gun in such a way that they couldn't keep them on the shelves. I would dearly love to have one or two of them.
Click to expand...

I've never been able to figure out that one, myself. I'm not sure I've ever talked to anyone about them, who didn't want one. Saw one at a gunshow a few weeks ago and the damn thing was $500!!! Haha, I'll pass.

I've actually emailed them about it before, but just received a reply that they had no plans of remaking the model.
 
Had an AR-7 by Survival Arms several years back. Mousetrap trigger but surprisingly tight groups. Mine didn't jam much except when I was using extended aftermarket mags in it. It was a fun, handy little pack gun- and fer cryin' out load- it FLOATS! :eek::D;)

I have a Czech M6 now. It's the only M6 I've ever handled so I can't compare it to other versions. I am satisfied with it, and I only paid about $150. :thumbup:
 
I had an Armalite AR-7 in the 70's. It shot well, but on occasion it would go full auto for two or three shots. At the time, I thought that was pretty cool. I doubt that the newer versions have that "problem". It's light weight and packability make it a good trail gun. The Marlin Papoose take down was another good one, but I don't know if they are still made.
 
The Springfield M6 was made by CZ - the same guys who still make very nice pistols. Not sure if Springfield owns the rights to the design or not. Maybe all we need is a different importer. There seems to be plenty of demand.

I certainly wouldn't sell mine.
 
I read that the M6 was based on a WWII survival rifle issued to bomber pilots in the Pacific (but I don't know whether that's true). If so, Springfield wouldn't have any exclusive right to the general design.

With regard to the Henry, prior to purchasing I had read on the various firearms forums that their mechanism was superior to the AR7s---but who knows. A lot of guys on those websites express opinions as fact.

DancesWithKnives
 
acropolis5 said:
Is yor Czech M-6 current production? If so, do you have a website you can share?
Click to expand...

I got mine about ten years ago. I hadn't realized Springfield wasn't offering them anymore. :confused: I'm glad I got it when I did, even though I haven't used it much.
 
DWK2 said:
I read that the M6 was based on a WWII survival rifle issued to bomber pilots in the Pacific (but I don't know whether that's true). If so, Springfield wouldn't have any exclusive right to the general design.

DancesWithKnives
Click to expand...

The design part is definitely true. The M6 is an 18" barreled version of the earlier Air Force survival rifle. The original had a 14" barrel - too short for rifle or shotgun barrels without lots of paperwork. That's not worth it for most of us.

Since CZ built the M6 under contract Springfield, they may not be able to build them for anybody else. The new model may be trademarked or otherwise owned by Springfield. Note I said "may" - I'm not a lawyer.

Anybody got a contact at say, Century Arms, and want to see if if they'd bring over a container load?
 
I had one in the 80's that worked just fine with the factory magazine and round nosed jacket bullets.

Get anywhere near a HP or aftermarket Ramline mag and it was jam-city!

Sucker was accurate though.
 
I remember that we had some old Air Force survival rifles in storage that had a 22 Hornet on top and a 410 on the bottom barrel. That was in 1968.
 
Marlin still makes the Model 70 with the screw off barrel. I have one of the older models and it is very accurate and compact. I've never had any issues with any type of ammo I've fired either. Mostly whatever was on sale. Well worth consideration.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top