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12/9/2009 6:30:10 PM EDT
I have an opportunity to buy an original Armalite Explorer AR-7 in as new condition. It has a brown stock & 2 mags with aluminum barrel w/liner. Any thoughts on this?

Thx
12/9/2009 6:36:48 PM EDT
[#1]
I just bought a new one (Henry Repeating Arms) and put about one hundred rounds though it. It's a lot of fun for a little money. I've heard they're picky about ammo––It doesn't like Federal LR but loved Remington Golden Bullet High Velocity.
12/9/2009 7:00:04 PM EDT
[#2]
I also have a newer Henry AR-7 that works great.
12/9/2009 7:16:05 PM EDT
[#3]
Trigger sucks.  Some are jam-o-matics.  Ask for return policy...........

There are many better options in the .22 world.
12/10/2009 6:18:04 AM EDT
[#4]
There's better options out there. Unless you are really wanting one just to add to the collection, I would hold off.
12/10/2009 6:49:04 AM EDT
[#5]



Quoted:


Trigger sucks.  Some are jam-o-matics.  Ask for return policy...........



There are many better options in the .22 world.


A friend at my club had the jamming problems with his and FTE also. He was supposed to send it back to Henry but I don't know if he has yet.

 
12/10/2009 9:16:13 AM EDT
[#6]
I don't know about the newer production Henrys, but the old Armalites worked just fine.  I had a couple that I used for backpacking and boating, and never had any issues at all with them.  The trigger wasn't the best, but it wasn't the worst either.  I never had the jamming issues (which I suspect are probably magazine-related in the new ones, which means they can most likely be easily corrected by tweaking the mag lips), and accuracy was OK, but not great.  Certainly good enough to bag a squirrel or rabbit at 30-40yds though (or quail or grouse....).  All that said, the only true advantage I see this design having over some of the more common types is the fact that it can be stowed in its water-tight stock, and that it will float either assembled or dis-assembled.  Not a bad thing if you are going to be on the water.  Otherwise, as others have said, there are better and probably less expensive options from a strictly practical standpoint  If you want one just to have one though then go for it, because it does fill a niche.
12/10/2009 2:25:48 PM EDT
[#7]
I've convinced myself to pass on it. A novelty vs. something more useful. I all ready have a M6 Scout for survival purposes. Besides I can put the money into more useful toy stuff.
12/11/2009 7:42:43 AM EDT
[#8]
AR-7s run great if you put a slight bevel around the face of the chamber and use copper coated ammo.  Even the new ones will run if you dremel a slight "feed ramp" into the chamber.  I have done a half dozen AR-7s for friends this way, always works.
12/11/2009 8:14:00 AM EDT
[#9]
Quoted:
I've convinced myself to pass on it. A novelty vs. something more useful. I all ready have a M6 Scout for survival purposes. Besides I can put the money into more useful toy stuff.



Probably your best option.  If you want a .22lr that will set your world on fire, you should look into the CZ452.  It sets a WHOLE NEW meaning to the definition of accuracy.  And at around $350-$400, it isn't going to break the bank either.
12/26/2009 11:07:50 AM EDT
[#10]
The Charter Arms guns sucked ass but My Armalite worked perfectly.
12/26/2009 11:40:32 AM EDT
[#11]
Quoted:
I have an opportunity to buy an original Armalite Explorer AR-7 in as new condition. It has a brown stock & 2 mags with aluminum barrel w/liner. Any thoughts on this?

Thx


It is an original buy it. But don't buy it to be a great shooting rifle, its NOT. Its unique and a piece of history. I had a Henry model of this. Let it go as I just didn't shoot it as much as I thought I might. Much better rifles out there for plinking. If you don't want this rifle let me know, I may be interested.
12/27/2009 12:40:35 PM EDT
[#12]
The 7 is one of the worse autoloading guns ever designed.
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