ArmaLite AR-7

[Onomea]

Now marketed as the Henry U.S. Survival .22. Developed as a USAF survival rifle in the mid 50s by Eugene Stoner.



ArmaLite AR-7 - Wikipedia

U.S. Survival AR-7 | Henry Repeating Arms

Under 3.5 lbs (2.5 per some sources, maybe earlier variants), 8-round semi auto .22. Breaks down and components store inside the stock. Under $300 (though with crazy market nowadays, I have no idea.)

Who's got one or had one, and how did/do ya like it?

I'm thinking I need one. Just in case.

 

[CH4]

Saw one this weekend at the Vegas show. Didn’t look at the price. Very cool, however.

 

[waffles]

I had an original Armalite production gun with the marbled stock from the 60s, I think I paid $139 for it in 2010 or so.

The obvious pro was that it's frankly really, really cool. It was also surprisingly reliable, and not that bad accuracy wise for what it is.

The downsides are no optics mounting optics on the old one, and the new ones if you mount an optic, you can no longer take it down, the trigger sucks, and the ergonomics aren't awesome. The Marlin Papoose that came out a little later is a far better takedown .22lr, and the takedown 10/22 better still. For the role of a survival/backpacking .22, as the AR7 was originally intended, the Chiappa lil badger gives you a break action that's lighter, cheaper, threaded, simpler, and frankly, better for the role.

If you're dead set on an AR7, grab an original one so at least you have a neat collectible.

 

[Rob613]

I have one, made by Charter Arms. Conversation piece at the range but I do not like the bulky plastic stock.

I much prefer my M6 Scouts.

 

[Jessie]

They’re the only ones that float to my knowledge.
I have one that seemed like a toy at first. Not a target rifle but will hit squirrels at 35-40 yards. Definitely packable and light.
I don’t know what they’re going for these days.

 

[merl67]

I have the Henry version plenty accurate for what it is the only issue I had was the adjustable front sight would move a little super glue fixed that once it was adjusted to shoot to point of aim at 50 yards. I also have the Charter Explorer pistol I think it is a solution in search of a problem though, but since they both take the same mags kinda neat to have.

 

[seldon14]

Neat rifle, but for an extra 1 to 3/4 pound you can get a 10/22 take down that is an infinitely better rifle.

 

[Hyperion]

My ex-wife had a AR-7 in the early 80's. I think it was a Charter Arms version. She didn't have the arm strength to hold up a full-stocked .22 rifle and the AR-7 was just what she needed. She liked it and used it.

 

[terry_tr6]

 

[Mike in Reedley]

James Bond used one in, “From Russia with Love.” His was in .25 ACP and had exaggerated recoil when he shot down the helicopter with it.

 

[Onomea]

James Bond used one in, “From Russia with Love.” His was in .25 ACP and had exaggerated recoil when he shot down the helicopter with it.

Love it!

Terry, whatcha got there? Israeli pistol version?

 

[RobzGuns]

James Bond used one in, “From Russia with Love.” His was in .25 ACP and had exaggerated recoil when he shot down the helicopter with it.

The early (Connery) Bond films were famous for showcasing new items. This was the 1st anyone outside the military saw one.

BTW: when you watch those old Bond films, just think... The Mustang, Mustang Convertible, Lincoln with 'suicide doors', El Camino, Single Hose scuba regulators, sea sleds and Gyrocopter were all Brand New, or Prototypes (like the working Jet Pack).

 

[glenwolde]

I'm familiar with them but I had one of those skeletonized Garcia Bronco .22 rifles. It was a lot flatter. It looked like:

 

[SuperMan]

I have one and love it for what it was designed for...a limited use survival rifle that can be packed into a small space...

The one I own is an original Armalite...my second one. Had one back when I was a teenager and sold it...didn't get another till 1995 while on a trip to Idaho...$100 in a small gun shop...have had it ever since.

The Henry version is somewhat questionable. I borrowed a friend's to test against my original. With the peep sights both were about the same accuracy level. But as one poster above indicated, the orange plastic front sight has to be Super Glued in place or it will bump out of zero.

Scoping the new Henry is basically useless for several reasons. 1) The barrel is now polymer instead of aluminum...and when it heats up the scope and receiver keep looking at the target and the barrel warps and walks the bullets off the target... 2) While the grooved receiver looks very Picatinney it is actually a standard 3/8" dovetail...problem is by putting cuts in it Henry reduced the clamping area...cool looking but useless. 3) As pointed out, one has to pull the scope to put the rifle back in the stock...and one is going to have to re-zero the scope after reassembly...

Reliability all has to do with the magazine/barrel interface as the feedramp is part of the magazine not the barrel. So if you have a AR7 that is a picky feeder try some different magazines. And don't hold the gun by the magazine while shooting...pulling the magazine rearward can cause the bullet to nosedive into bottom of the barrel.

My first one rode in the trunk of my car in an emergency pack. This second one was mainly used on canoe trips.

Besides the base AR7 I have two barrels from AR7 Industries. One standard profile all stainless steel with a threaded barrel and a second bull barrel that is also threaded and has a scope mount...

Also have a couple of the Charter Arms Explorer II pistols...they are amazing accurate...

Fun guns...but very specialized...Bob

 

[lihpster]

My Ruger 10/22 takedown packs in it's own canvas pack, with strap, that isn't much bigger than the AR7. In that pack, I have the rifle with a red dot on it, 4 25 round mags, 200 rounds of ammo, a small cleaning kit, a mag loader, a knife and a small first aid kit. Take out the knife and the first aid and you have room for a small can. Makes a nice trunk kit. Easy to strap to larger packs for backpacking/extended hikes. And it's a 10/22.

 

[sigp220.45]

My Dad took me to see “Rage” in 1972 and I vividly recall an extremely P.O.-ed George C. Scott blasting a cat with an AR-7. I thought it was the coolest gun in the world. Hey - I was 13.

(I love the movie poster because GCS is about to buttstroke somebody with his AR-7, which would be akin to hitting them really hard with a wiffleball bat.)

I’ve looked at them but have never bought one. It always seemed like its greatest selling point was that it could float. I don’t swim and don’t go on the water, so it wouldn’t do me much good. (As I tell my wife - people who can’t swim almost never drown.)

Later I saw ol’ George in “Firestarter” - still using an AR-7.

 

[waffles]

My Dad took me to see “Rage” in 1972 and I vividly recall an extremely P.O.-ed George C. Scott blasting a cat with an AR-7. I thought it was the coolest gun in the world. Hey - I was 13.

I’ve looked at them but have never bought one. It always seemed like its greatest selling point was that it could float. I don’t swim and don’t go on the water, so it wouldn’t do me much good. (As I tell my wife - people who can’t swim almost never drown.)

Later I saw ol’ George in “Firestarter” - still using an AR-7.

The greatest part of the AR7, the Sub 2000, the M6, etc., if it folds or takes down, it'll always appeal to that inner 13 year old that thinks its cool. If a person is buying one for that reason, well I don't think I could argue against it.

 

[colt_saa]

I have had two of them for many, many years now.

They are great fun and accurate enough.

The stock is water tight so it is good if it has to be left in a non-climate controlled location for long periods of time

 

[diyj98]

They’re the only ones that float to my knowledge.

That’s one advantage that could huge if truly used in a survival situation where the rifle may be needed on boat or if forced to cross streams or rivers.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Dad had one of the original Armalite rifles. Not sure whatever happened to it. I've got the Henry. Rides under the front seat of the Jeep.