Differences in AR-7 quality

[monsterdeluxe]

Hello, I have been considering purchasing an AR-7 just for general plinking, but I have been reading some comments saying that their quality is very low while others say that there is nothing wrong with them. I see that the AR-7 was produced by several different companies over the years (ArmaLite, Charter Arms, Survival Arms, & Henry), so I was wondering if the quality has anything to do with the manufacturer and if so, which of them produced the best AR-7?

 

[Roadkill]

I've had several of different makers over the years. At one time I had three disassembled trying to put one together that worked. If if fed it shot two feet to the right. If it shot straight it jammed. Save a lot of aggravation and get the Marlin papoose or the Ruger 10-22 breakdown. Welcome to the forum

 

[bobinoregon]

I have a Henry AR7 and it's ok, always functions and I havent ever had problems with it. I like mine for what it is but if I am really trying to shoot something I go to the 10-22.

 

[Quentin]

I'd love to have an ArmaLite but do have an old Charter Arms AR-7 I bought in the '80s. It's hit or miss feeding from the mag and not very accurate so I agree that an older Papoose would be a better choice unless you want really small and light. Actually if that's the case, a Ruger Mark II pistol makes much more sense than an AR-7.

I've hung on to the CA for the novelty and once in a while it does feed well when you find the right ammo and the stars align!

 

[VA27]

I had an Armalite back in the day and it was ok. I've had a coupla the early Charter Arms guns and they too were ok. I currently have one of the new Henry's (with the orange stock liner) and it works well with HV ammo and SSS, but other subsonic ammo is a crap shoot.

That said, unless you need the compact storage of the AR, the Marlin or the Ruger would be the way to go.

 

[kBob]

Has anyone tried the steel barrels from AR-7 the barrel folks? They also make an inexpensive 10-22 bull barrel.

Was wondering if the steel barrel improved accuracy and it it fit in the stock and still floated.

They have a barrel with a cantilever scope rail as well for the AR-7 but that naturally could not be stock stored.

-kBob

 

[Carl N. Brown]

I think the problem with AR-7 reliability might have more to do with the magazines than with the guns themselves. The newer magazines sold as
replacements for the Charter Arms AR7 magazines appear to the same as
the ones that come with the Henry.
o The older magzines controlled feed by "pinches" in the feed lips to guide the cartridge up the feed ramp (tab at the front of the magazine)
o The newer magazines have an external spring to control the feed.
o The latching notch on the magazine can get worn (I have adjusted the angle of the feed ramp to compensate on badly worn magazines).

 

[gopguy]

I have a couple of the early Armalite made 60s vintage guns. I much prefer them over my Charter Arms and Henry version.

 

[itsa pain]

I have an old charter arms AR7 and it is great. it does not "throw" shots 2 ft to left and right. the one by henry is very good. I think for what they are for they are excellent. a compact package that floats plenty accurate. now you cannot enter the Olympics with it nor can you fire 75 billion rds without jamming

 

[monsterdeluxe]

I have also heard that newer Henrys have redesigned magazines to improve performance, but does that mean that older mags wont work in the new Henrys? I ask because I'd like to get one of those 15 round mags.

 

[Gordon]

I had a 76 made Charter that worked OK for 20 years and one of my kids still has it and shoots an old Ramline 25 round mag with it!
I found an like new marbled plastic color Armalite from about 67 or 68 as near as I can figure. it came with the clip in the stock and an extra wraped in factory oiled paper. I lubed it up after a little degumming and it shoots much better than the old Charter did. I can get 3" groups with CCI Stingers at 50 yards thru the tiny rear peep in strong sunlite. I also got a "factory " scope mount for it with a weird but very kewl and nicely made 4x Japanese scope with a built in rail mount on it and keep the sighted in gun assembled withe scope. This way in emergency I can pack it up (with out the scope) . The bolt on the older Armalite is heavier than the Charter bolt was and all the machining is nicer and crisper IMHO.

 

[jmorris]

I have a Henry that has always ran 100% but it would only be a good choice if you don't mind having a rifle with a trigger pull that is more than twice what the rifle weighs.

It also takes longer to put into action than any other Take down that I have seen.

With practice, I can get one ready to go in 28 seconds, in ideal conditions.

It does make a good sealed package for a grab and go gun, to have when you don't expect the need for a rifle.

 

[Ifishsum]

I had a Charter Arms AR-7, was given to me in 1990 so I have no idea how many rounds it had seen before I got it. I purchased a number of new parts including bolt handle, springs and magazine but it was never very reliable or accurate for me. It is a neat design but it's a survival rifle and wasn't designed for high volume shooting.