The AR-7 rifle was developed in 1959 by Armalite for the needs of American pilots, who did not always land in civilization and had to somehow survive.
Thanks to this small-caliber rifle, it is quite difficult to fight off a bear or other large predator, given the modest “small” cartridge, but hunting small game is quite possible. At the very least, it is better to be in the wild with an AR-7 than without it. This is exactly what they decided in AR and for the convenience of pilots they made the rifle collapsible, compact, reliable and very simple.
AR-7 design and characteristics
This “survivalist” rifle has a .22 LR caliber, common in Russia and the USA - that is, it uses the same cartridge as the “small” TOZ-78, for example. But the AR-7 has automatic reloading that works on the blowback principle, where the shot occurs with the bolt closed. What does it mean? This means that the bolt is not locked by anything, but simply moves freely along the guides back and forth and is held in the forward position only by the force of the return spring. And the shot occurs with the bolt closed, that is, the system is NOT like that of, for example, a PPSh, but like, for example, a PM pistol.
A blowback action for a low-power 22 LR is a normal solution; according to users, the automatic AR-7 works perfectly, and if problems arise, it is only if there is not enough gunpowder in the cartridge, that is, the cartridge is defective. As for weight and dimensions, it weighs a little - 1.13 kg, and its assembled length is 889 mm, which even fits into the “longer than 800 mm”!
The picture below clearly shows all the insides of the AR-7:
You can see the single-action trigger (the hammer is cocked only by the bolt), the magazine latch, the bolt and its return spring. What else is needed for happiness? The fuse, whose axis we see under the bolt spring. By the way, please note that the hammer and trigger have one spring for both - saving money, weight and increasing reliability in every detail.
The magazine latch is controlled from the trigger guard space; it seems that you can lose the magazine by simply touching the latch with your index finger, but it is quite tight, plus there is no need to twirl your finger in the guard again.
ArmaLite AR-7 Explorer self-loading rifle (USA)
In 1956, the ArmaLite MA-1 Survival Rifle was adopted by the US Air Force. This weapon was intended to be included in the portable emergency reserve of pilots and had a number of characteristic features directly related to such tasks. For economic reasons, the Air Force was unable to place an order for serial rifles of the new type, and the future fate of the original project was predetermined - it had no prospects and should have been abandoned. However, the development company found a way out of this situation. A few years later, the ArmaLite AR-7 Explorer civilian rifle appeared on the shelves of gun stores.
Let us recall that the special rifle MA-1, which at the design stage bore the working designation AR-5, was a compact, lightweight weapon chambered for a small-caliber cartridge, intended for hunting and self-defense. To facilitate transportation, the weapon was disassembled, and a couple of large units were placed inside the butt. With such a weapon, a downed pilot could hunt small game and get food while waiting for rescuers. In addition, with it the pilot could try to fight off the enemy. By the mid-fifties, the US Air Force already had two models of such weapons in service, and the new MA-1 rifle was supposed to complement them or, in the future, replace them.
ArmaLite AR-7 rifle and magazines of various capacities. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
In the mid-fifties, experimental AR-5 / MA-1 rifles were tested and recommended for adoption. In 1956, the Pentagon leadership issued a corresponding order. In the very near future, the ArmaLite company was supposed to receive an order for mass production, but such a contract was never signed. The military department did not find the required finances, and besides, there were already a couple of similar models in service. The MA-1 rifle has lost its prospects in the context of the rearmament of the Air Force.
Not wanting to give up a good model that was left without a future through no fault of its own, the designers, led by Eugene Stoner, decided to create a new version of the existing rifle, initially intended for the civilian market. The new project started in 1957-58 and received the corporate designation AR-7. Subsequently, the rifle entered the market under this name. Also, the alphanumeric index was supplemented with the name Explorer (“Researcher”).
The new AR-7 project included the preservation of a number of basic ideas from the previous one. At the same time, it was proposed to modify the existing design in accordance with the latest achievements and market demands. This approach led to the preservation of the collapsible design with a hollow butt-case, but forced the use of a new cartridge and redesign of the mechanism design. In addition to changing the size of parts in accordance with the requirements of the new ammunition, automation was added to the project.
Receiver with the trigger mechanism cover removed. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
The layout of the new civilian rifle remains the same. Automation parts, trigger mechanism and magazine were placed in a compact receiver. On its front section there were fastenings for a removable barrel, and a large plastic rifle-type butt was attached to this part at the back.
The receiver for the AR-7 rifle was based on existing developments. It had a cylindrical upper element associated with a rectangular lower unit. Access to the cylinder was provided using a removable rear plug, while the lower unit received a side cover, which could also be removed from the weapon. The upper part of the receiver housed the bolt and return spring, the lower part was intended for the magazine and trigger mechanism. The right wall of the box had a large front window for ejecting cartridges. Behind it was a horizontal slot for the cocking handle.
The rifle was equipped with a 16-inch (406 mm) or 72-caliber rifled barrel. The barrel consisted of an outer aluminum casing and an inner liner made of stainless steel. In the breech of the barrel there was a chamber for .22 Long Rifle ammunition (5.6x15 mm R). In the muzzle of the barrel there was a ridge that served as the basis for the front sight. The breech received a thickening that fit into the receiver. The barrel was secured in place with a large nut.
Placing rifle parts in the butt-case. Figure Henryusa.com
The AR-7 Explorer was equipped with the simplest automatic action based on a free shutter. Inside the receiver there was a cylindrical bolt of sufficient mass, behind which there were two return springs. The corresponding bolt channel had a movable firing pin. A socket for the cocking handle was drilled on the right side of the bolt. No means of locking were provided: when fired, the bolt was pressed against the barrel by the force of the return spring.
A simple trigger-type firing mechanism was developed, consisting of several parts. It consisted of a T-shaped trigger, a swinging trigger with a mainspring, and a safety lever in the form of a movable lever. The trigger was locked using a flag located on the right side of the receiver above the butt. Moving backward, the flag moved the internal lever, which blocked the movement of the trigger.
The new type of rifle was supposed to use .22 LR cartridges. The basic army weapon was designed for the .22 Hornet ammunition, but it was abandoned in the new project. The less powerful 5.6x15 mm R cartridge was more popular among potential buyers, and therefore could have a positive impact on the prospects of the weapon.
Folded AR-7 rifle from Henry Repeating Arms. Photo Henryusa.com
Initially, they decided to equip the AR-7 rifle with detachable box magazines for 8 rounds. Subsequently, ArmaLite and other manufacturers created new magazines of different capacities, up to 20-25 rounds. Regardless of the volume, the magazine must fit into the receiving shaft in the front of the receiver. The magazine was secured in place with a spring-loaded latch. The latter was controlled using a key located inside the trigger guard.
The design of the sighting devices has undergone minimal changes. The front sight with the ability to adjust for side winds has been preserved on the muzzle of the barrel. Unlike the AR-5 rifle, the front sight was located on a relatively long ridge. A height-adjustable rear sight was placed in the rear of the receiver.
The civilian weapon received a butt that had minimal differences from that used on the basic “aviation” model. The rifle-type plastic stock had a U-shaped front section that enclosed the receiver. Behind it there was a neck with a pistol protrusion. The main part of the butt at the back was covered with a rubber butt pad. This part also served as a cover for the internal compartments, in which it was proposed to place the barrel, receiver and a couple of magazines for transportation.
Replicas of historical weapons from the Hy Hunter company. Photo Weaponland.ru
Like the AR-5/MA-1 rifle, the new Explorer could be disassembled into three main parts: barrel, receiver and stock. The barrel and the box were connected using a large nut. The receiver and butt were fastened with a screw passing through the neck of the latter. Having dismantled the two screw connections, the shooter could place the barrel and box in the corresponding cavities of the butt and close them with the butt plate. The lightweight plastic stock with large air chambers was sealed and could float on water.
In the transport position, the dimensions of the AR-7 Explorer rifle were determined solely by the dimensions of the butt. Its length was only 368 mm. In the combat position, the product had a length of 889 mm. Weight without ammunition – not less than 1.13 kg. Depending on the type of cartridge, its weight, etc., the initial velocity of the bullet reached 350-390 m/s. The effective firing range is 100 m. Such characteristics made it possible to use the weapon both for recreational shooting and for hunting small game.
The first production ArmaLight AR-7 Explorer rifles hit gun stores in 1958. The American market, loyal to new products, quickly appreciated this product, which resulted in numerous new orders for subsequent batches of rifles. Despite the specific appearance and some inconvenience of operation, AR-7 rifles quickly won their market share. Such weapons were purchased by amateur shooters, hunters, tourists and other potential operators who were interested in lightweight and easy-to-use systems.
Modern Henry rifles. Photo Henryusa.com
It soon became clear that the AR-7 rifle was ArmaLite's most successful creation. New orders and the continued interest of the shooting community allowed serial production to continue until the early seventies. The last Explorer products from the development company rolled off the assembly line only in 1973 - a decade and a half after the start of production.
It is noteworthy that the cessation of production of AR-7 rifles under the ArmaLite brand did not put an end to the history of an interesting project. In 1973, the documentation for the rifle was sold to Charter Arms, which continued mass production and also began to develop the original project. By releasing new rifles and creating original modifications, the new “owner” of the project applied certain technical or technological solutions. Charter AR-7 rifles were produced until 1990.
But this time the production of weapons did not stop. Licenses for the production of a successful small-caliber rifle were sold several times to other manufacturers, and thanks to this, new AR-7s still continue to roll off the production line. They are now produced by the American company Henry Repeating Arms Company. According to various sources, since the late fifties, at least 22-23 thousand AR-7 Explorer rifles of all versions and modifications have been produced. Current activity suggests that this number will continue to increase.
AR-7 version for the Israeli Air Force. Photo Milsurps.com
As mass production progressed, the AR-7 became the basis for new types of small arms. Some of them are of some interest. For example, the Hy Hunter company decided to use the automatics of a self-loading rifle when recreating other types of small arms. She presented replicas of the M1 Carbine, Thompson and Mauser C-96 systems, based on the automatics of the small-caliber rifle of Yu. Stoner. They differed from the basic “Researcher”, first of all, in the fittings that corresponded to the appearance of the product being copied.
Charter Arms used a design from ArmaLite to create an original pistol called the Explorer II. As in the case of projects from High Hunter, only some parts were replaced, while the automation and ammunition systems remained the same.
Of particular interest is the AR-7 modification, created for the Israeli Air Force. Taking into account the developments of the United States, Israel armed its pilots with a special version of the serial AR-7. The new version of the rifle was equipped with a pistol grip from the FN FAL product and was equipped with a telescopic wire butt. Later, based on the rifle for the Israeli Air Force, a weapon was created for the civilian market in the United States.
Explorer II self-loading pistol. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
The main reasons for the commercial success of the ArmaLite AR-7 Explorer rifle and numerous samples based on it can be considered a successful design and the right choice of ammunition. Potential buyers were presented with a compact, lightweight and easy-to-use rifle with good firing characteristics, suitable even for hunting. At the same time, the weapon used one of the most popular cartridges. The collapsible design in this case became an additional factor that could influence the buyer’s choice.
The AR-7 rifle was able to quickly realize its commercial potential, show strong sales and become widespread. Moreover, interest in such weapons has not faded to this day, as evidenced by the continued production and the regular appearance of new, improved modifications that repeat the main features of the basic model.
ArmaLite's AR-7 Explorer rifle has a very remarkable history, which is especially interesting in light of the results of the previous AR-5 / MA-1 project. For economic reasons, the customer was unable to initiate serial production of weapons for the Air Force, and the project in its existing form was closed as unnecessary. However, the contractor company continued to develop the project, resulting in the emergence of a commercially successful civilian weapon. The AR-7 rifle and its variants have maintained their position on the market for half a century and, apparently, will not leave them in the near future.
Based on materials from the sites: https://armalite.com/ https://modernfirearms.net/ https://weaponland.ru/ https://americanrifleman.org/ https://henryusa.com/
Preparing the AR-7 for Operation
An unassembled rifle consists of a stock with all other parts inside.
This stock floats in water but is not waterproof, although it is waterproof. That is, it won’t float for long: they dropped it into the water, got it out quickly - everything is fine. To prepare the AR-7 for shooting, you need to remove the butt plate, remove the barrel, receiver, and magazines. The receiver is attached to the butt with one screw, which is turned by hand without tools, the barrel is attached to the receiver with a nut, also without tools. All that remains is to equip one of the magazines with cartridges (if it was stored in the stock unloaded), attach it and shoot.
About AR-7 Manufacturer Henry Repeating Arms
The rifle is currently manufactured by Henry Repeating Arms, a company with a very rich history.
Founded by a man named Benjamin Tyler Henry
inventor of the Henry Rifle with Henry's brace (often featured in Westerns about Indian cowboys, etc.).
Henry's company is very proud that it produces its products in the USA; they even included a slogan in their logo, which can be translated roughly as: “Made in America or not made at all.”
Story
Developed in the 1950s by designer Eugene Stoner of Armalite, the AR-7 Explorer rifle was based on the design of the AR-5 carbine, a previous version of the weapon created by the same designer.
This carbine was created as a survival weapon for air force pilots forced to eject from an airplane in wild, unfamiliar terrain.
The carbine was a model with a relatively short barrel chambered for the .22 Hornet cartridge and a bolt action.
Despite the rather successful layout and the company signing a contract with the US Air Force, it never entered service, and pilots most often took M4 or M6 rifles with them as emergency weapons. Most of the carbines produced were transferred to the American Forest Service.
AR-7 rifle
A further development of the model, which gained popularity in the US domestic civilian market, was the AR-7 rifle. Its main differences from the previous model were the semi-automatic reloading system (instead of a bolt action) and the .22 LR caliber.
In addition, all parts of the rifle (with the exception of the bolt and barrel liner) were made of aluminum, which reduced the already light weight of the weapon.
Stoner's main idea when creating a weapon for survival was the concept of its disassembly into 4 components: trigger with bolt, magazine, barrel and butt, and all 3 other parts could be placed inside the latter during transportation.
The original version of the carbine (in three colors - orange/brown, camouflage and black), like the AR-5 model, was intended for military use, but, like its predecessor, did not go into service with the troops. This was the reason for the start of its civilian sales, which started in 1959.
In 1973, Armalite sold the rights to manufacture the carbine to Charter Arms, which produced the AR-7 rifle until the mid-90s. The basic black version was retained and a Woodland camouflage version was added.
In addition, a chrome model was also released, which received a separate index AR-7S.
A key feature of the AR-7 rifle is that it can be disassembled into its components and stored inside the stock.
A key feature of the AR-7 rifle is that it can be disassembled into its components and stored inside the stock.
Since 1995, the company Survival Arms of Cocoa began producing rifles, which was the result of a rebranding of Charter Arms. And after 1998, several more industries began producing this model, including the Henry Repeating Arms company.
