3. When the bolt assembly is put back into the lower receiver, be sure the buffer is oriented properly to engage the tail of the ejector and the rear tip of the recoil spring unit.
4. As the bolt is installed, be sure the ejector is hooked into its recess at the rear, and push it forward as the upper receiver is tipped back into place. Also, draw the bolt back slightly to clear the extractor.
5. If the stock has been removed, drift the retaining pin down until its tip is level with the exterior of the stock piece, as shown.
Charter AR-7 Explorer
(now from Henry Repeating Arms)
Similar/Identical Pattern Guns
The same basic assembly/disassembly steps for the Charter AR-7 Explorer also apply to the following guns:
Armalite AR-7
Armalite AR-7 Custom
Armalite AR-7S
Armalite AR-7C
Survival Arms AR-7
| Data: | Charter AR-7 Explorer | |
| Origin: | United States | |
| Manufacturer: | Charter Arms Corp. | |
| Stratford, Connecticut | ||
| Cartridge: | 22 Long Rifle | |
| Magazine capacity: | 8 rounds | |
| Overall length: | 35 inches | |
| Barrel length: | 16 inches | |
| Weight: | 2½ pounds |
In 1959, Armalite, Incorporated of Costa Mesa, California, introduced the AR-7 Explorer, and this little semi-auto carbine instantly became popular with backpackers, fishermen, pilots, and everyone who might eventually be faced with a survival situation. The barrel, receiver, and magazine can be stowed inside the hollow plastic stock, and with the rubber buttplate/ cover in place, the whole thing will even float. From 1973 to 1990, the AR-7 was made by Charter Arms. Between 1990 and 1995, the AR-7 was produced by Survival Arms. An improved verstion has been made by Henry Repeating Arms since 1997.
Disassembly:
1. The stock retaining bolt is accessible in a recess at the bottom of the pistol grip portion of the stock, and its head has a raised center piece that is easily grasped with finger and thumb. Turn the bolt counterclockwise until the stock is released from the receiver, and remove the stock down and toward the rear.
2. The barrel is retained by a knurled collar which is threaded onto the front of the receiver. Turn the collar counterclockwise (front view) until it is free of the receiver, and remove the barrel toward the front. Note the guide or key on top of the barrel, which mates with a slot in the top of the receiver extension.
3. The barrel collar can be removed from the barrel only after the front sight is drifted out of its dovetail.
4. Be sure hammer is at rest (in the fired position) and remove the large screw on the left side which retains the sideplate.
Remove the sideplate toward the left. Proceed cautiously, as the left end of the hammer pivot rests in a small hole in the sideplate. If the plate is tight, it may have to be nudged from inside the magazine well and pried gently at the lower rear.
5 After the plate is removed, take note of the relationship of the internal parts before taking them out.
6. Restrain the magazine catch spring to prevent its loss, and remove the catch and spring toward the left.
7. Disengage the outside (left) rear arm of the mainspring from its groove in the bearing pin at the rear of the trigger, and swing the spring arm down and forward to relieve its tension.
8. With a small screwdriver, lift the inside (right) rear arm of the mainspring from its groove in the pin at the rear of the trigger, and remove the pin toward the left.
9. Remove the trigger and its pivot pin toward the left.
10. Remove the magazine catch pivot pin toward the left to release the ejector for removal downward.
11. Tip the hammer toward the rear and remove the hammer, spring and pivot assembly toward the left. The spring is easily detached from the hammer. In normal disassembly, the pivot should not be removed from the hammer.
12. Depress the bolt very slightly to align the bolt handle with the enlarged portion of its track in the receiver, and remove the handle toward the right.
13. Remove the bolt, along with its twin springs and spring