A detailed look at the Charter Arms AR-7 Survival Rifle

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Thread: A detailed look at the Charter Arms AR-7 Survival Rifle

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02-26-2008, 04:01 PM #1

highmeh A detailed look at the Charter Arms AR-7 Survival Rifle

17 grain I recently came into possession of a Charter Arms AR-7 Survival Rifle. A neat
if gimmicky little gun, the AR-7 is popular for the ability to disassemble it's
major components, and store them in the butt-stock. According to reports,
Join Date when the rifle is in this configuration, it floats.
Nov 2007
Location Chambered in .22LR, the rifle is a great "toss it in the backpack" rifle. While
Southern California it's accuracy is just OK, and its trigger is just sufficient, it's a perfect
Posts companion for the stranded woodsman who would rather eat ground squirrel
54 than poisonous berries and die a painful Alexander Supertramp-like death.

When I received the rifle, all was in working order, but it was missing the
(rather novel) collapsible charging-handle. $7.95 and a 3-day e-GunParts.com
order later, I was back in business. However, pulling the bolt back slightly to
insert the handle, i managed to jam up its internal components. I then
discovered that there are NO good documents online to help you reassemble
this tricky little rifle. Thats where this thread comes to life.

I give you, friends, the complete disassembled Charter Arms AR-7 rifle, and
it's re-assembly.

Millions of plastic pieces, wrapped in cheap metal

First, lets take a look at the gun disassembled, and find out what its parts are
all about.

http://230grain.com/...wthread.php?1711-A-detailed-look-at-the-Charter-Arms-AR-7-Survival...&s=6927cc68a0d6a10e065ea747a327efd9[11/19/2012 12:13:29 AM]

A detailed look at the Charter Arms AR-7 Survival Rifle

From left to right, top to bottom:

- Floating Stock
- 16" Rifled Barrel
- Action Spring Guide
- Bolt Assembly w/Action Springs
- Receiver Sideplate Screw
- Ejector
- Charging Handle
- 8-rd Magazine
- Buttplate
- .22 Caliber Receiver
- Magazine Latch
- Magazine Latch Spring
- Trigger support pin
- Trigger
- Sideplate
- Trigger Pivot Pin
- Hammer Pivot Pin
- Hammer & Trigger Spring
- Hammer

Opportunistic Cleaning

http://230grain.com/...wthread.php?1711-A-detailed-look-at-the-Charter-Arms-AR-7-Survival...&s=6927cc68a0d6a10e065ea747a327efd9[11/19/2012 12:13:29 AM]

A detailed look at the Charter Arms AR-7 Survival Rifle

Believe me, you won't want to take this gun apart very often. Take some
Hoppes, some gun oil, a nylon brush, and a rag and go to town. I scrubbed it
down good, and when reassembled (surprise surprise!) the action is much
better.

Bolt

Insert the Action Spring Guide into the Action Spring/Bolt assembly. Drop this
through the receiver. I don't have an image of this, but I think it's self
explanatory.

Stop! Hammer-time

http://230grain.com/...wthread.php?1711-A-detailed-look-at-the-Charter-Arms-AR-7-Survival...&s=6927cc68a0d6a10e065ea747a327efd9[11/19/2012 12:13:29 AM]

A detailed look at the Charter Arms AR-7 Survival Rifle

First step to success is installing the hammer assembly. This will make you
hate every gun in a 9-mile radius, so let me give you the skinny:

- Insert the hammer "tall-end" towards the barrel, into the bolt. It can chill in
here for a moment; leave the pin recess available.
- Slip the spring assembly around the pin recess, with the two 'legs' of the
pins somewhere near the magazine well. This places the squared 'connector'
piece closer to the trigger.
- Use a screwdriver or dental pick to slide the bottom of the hammer down.
Wrap it behind the squared-connector part of the spring, and then push the
legs closer to the trigger. The spring is now under tension; hold it or it will
pop off and you'll spend 5 hilarious minutes searching the area near your
workbench. Line up the "hole" in the hammer to the pin-hole, and inside the
spring loop.
- Pop the hammer pivot pin through the entire assembly. You can breath a
sigh of relief as the pin isnt going anywhere for now.

Ejector

http://230grain.com/...wthread.php?1711-A-detailed-look-at-the-Charter-Arms-AR-7-Survival...&s=6927cc68a0d6a10e065ea747a327efd9[11/19/2012 12:13:29 AM]

A detailed look at the Charter Arms AR-7 Survival Rifle

In comparison to the last section, the ejector is easy; pop it on the receiver's
ejector pin, position it inside the bolt groove.

Trigger

http://230grain.com/...wthread.php?1711-A-detailed-look-at-the-Charter-Arms-AR-7-Survival...&s=6927cc68a0d6a10e065ea747a327efd9[11/19/2012 12:13:29 AM]

A detailed look at the Charter Arms AR-7 Survival Rifle

The trigger is pretty easy as well; place it over the receiver's trigger-pin hole,
put the trigger-pin in to secure it. Make sure the rear 'leg' of the
Trigger/Hammer spring is behind the trigger.

Trigger assembly

http://230grain.com/...wthread.php?1711-A-detailed-look-at-the-Charter-Arms-AR-7-Survival...&s=6927cc68a0d6a10e065ea747a327efd9[11/19/2012 12:13:29 AM]

A detailed look at the Charter Arms AR-7 Survival Rifle

http://230grain.com/...wthread.php?1711-A-detailed-look-at-the-Charter-Arms-AR-7-Survival...&s=6927cc68a0d6a10e065ea747a327efd9[11/19/2012 12:13:29 AM]

A detailed look at the Charter Arms AR-7 Survival Rifle

The tricky part here is holding the rear trigger spring up while inserting the
trigger support pin; it has two grooves, one on each side, where the spring's
"legs" rest. You'll need to insert the pin, pull up the pin and let it on the
support, then move the front leg onto its support as well.

Finishing Up

http://230grain.com/...wthread.php?1711-A-detailed-look-at-the-Charter-Arms-AR-7-Survival...&s=6927cc68a0d6a10e065ea747a327efd9[11/19/2012 12:13:29 AM]

A detailed look at the Charter Arms AR-7 Survival Rifle

Next step is to secure the magazine latch and latch-spring. Its easy; place the
latch on the pin, with the grooves inside the trigger guard. Place the spring in
the little area to the right.

Stupid Design!

http://230grain.com/...wthread.php?1711-A-detailed-look-at-the-Charter-Arms-AR-7-Survival...&s=6927cc68a0d6a10e065ea747a327efd9[11/19/2012 12:13:29 AM]

A detailed look at the Charter Arms AR-7 Survival Rifle

Here's a stupid design; if the trigger is pushed too far down with the safety
off, it'll block the safety from engaging when the gun is reassembled. So, click
the safety ON, move the trigger just above it, and get ready to put the
sideplate back.

Sideplate & Screw

http://230grain.com/...wthread.php?1711-A-detailed-look-at-the-Charter-Arms-AR-7-Survival...&s=6927cc68a0d6a10e065ea747a327efd9[11/19/2012 12:13:29 AM]

A detailed look at the Charter Arms AR-7 Survival Rifle

Place the sideplate on, taking care to slide it over the hammer pin. Screw it
in.

The Other Side

http://230grain.com/...wthread.php?1711-A-detailed-look-at-the-Charter-Arms-AR-7-Survival...&s=6927cc68a0d6a10e065ea747a327efd9[11/19/2012 12:13:29 AM]

A detailed look at the Charter Arms AR-7 Survival Rifle

Here's the other side of the receiver; not the safety is on to allow for the right
trigger spacing. The charging handle is also extended. It collapses in so you
can fit the receiver in the buttstock later.

Pop in the Mag

http://230grain.com/...wthread.php?1711-A-detailed-look-at-the-Charter-Arms-AR-7-Survival...&s=6927cc68a0d6a10e065ea747a327efd9[11/19/2012 12:13:29 AM]

A detailed look at the Charter Arms AR-7 Survival Rifle

Pop the mag in to make sure the spring stayed in and the mag latch is
working. Pull the charging handle. Remove the safety. Make sure its
unloaded, and press the trigger to ensure everything functions as it should.

GLORY!

http://230grain.com/...wthread.php?1711-A-detailed-look-at-the-Charter-Arms-AR-7-Survival...&s=6927cc68a0d6a10e065ea747a327efd9[11/19/2012 12:13:29 AM]

A detailed look at the Charter Arms AR-7 Survival Rifle

If you followed this guide correctly, your gun is now reassembled. Throw it in
the bathtub (hey, it floats, remember?) and await the Aqua-Squirrel Invasion.

When mere seconds can mean the difference between life and death, take
comfort in knowing that the Police are just minutes away!

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03-02-2008, 09:57 AM #2

Flanker
I thought I was the only person on earth who owned an AR-7. Mine is made
by Henry Arms and has a shitty rail for holding airgun type sights. This post
brings back painful memories of me getting too curious and opening the guts
Join Date for a detail strip.
Nov 2007
Posts
8

http://230grain.com/...wthread.php?1711-A-detailed-look-at-the-Charter-Arms-AR-7-Survival...&s=6927cc68a0d6a10e065ea747a327efd9[11/19/2012 12:13:29 AM]

A detailed look at the Charter Arms AR-7 Survival Rifle

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02-06-2010, 10:21 AM #3

foxfire Thank you

17 grain I bought this rifle in 1974 for a three month trip across country as a little
protection arm. It fit in the camper well and was pretty reliable. After coming
home and using it for a while I took it apart to clean it and BOING it came
Join Date apart and never went back together again. It didn't pay to bring it to a
Feb 2010 gunsmith as the gun cost almost as much as the repair.
Location
New York I found this thread a while ago and figured one day when I had time I would
Posts take it apart and try again. With 2 feet of snow coming here today and
1 nothing else to do I took the gun apart, cleaned it and actually put it back
together. VOILA it is back together and seems to function perfectly.

This is actually hilarious, here I am 35 years later pulled the gun out from the
corner that no ones goes to and fixed a gun I broke 35 years ago.

Thanks again, this internet stuff really works. LOL

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02-10-2010, 11:31 PM #4

Danube
29 grain
Originally Posted by foxfire
I bought this rifle in 1974 for a three month trip across country
Join Date as a little protection arm. It fit in the camper well and was
Sep 2009 pretty reliable. After coming home and using it for a while I took
Posts it apart to clean it and BOING it came apart and never went
150 back together again. It didn't pay to bring it to a gunsmith as
the gun cost almost as much as the repair.

I found this thread a while ago and figured one day when I had
time I would take it apart and try again. With 2 feet of snow
coming here today and nothing else to do I took the gun apart,
cleaned it and actually put it back together. VOILA it is back
together and seems to function perfectly.

This is actually hilarious, here I am 35 years later pulled the gun

out from the corner that no ones goes to and fixed a gun I
broke 35 years ago.

Thanks again, this internet stuff really works. LOL

P I C T U R E S !!

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07-13-2010, 07:49 PM #5

http://230grain.com/...wthread.php?1711-A-detailed-look-at-the-Charter-Arms-AR-7-Survival...&s=6927cc68a0d6a10e065ea747a327efd9[11/19/2012 12:13:29 AM]

A detailed look at the Charter Arms AR-7 Survival Rifle

ittlfly
17 grain Thanks for a great write up on the AR-7....

My stock on the AR-7 split. I have ordered a replacment. Can you describe the
Join Date procedure for replacing the "Stock Take Down Screw"? I can't seem to get the
Jul 2010 old screw out of the original broken stock (short of sawing it open). I
Posts was hoping to reuse the screw in the new stock as the new one does not
3 come with a new take down screw.

Thanks for any help...

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02-01-2011, 02:04 AM #6

Didge
17 grain I was just given said rifle, original owner unknown and looking at it then
reading this thread I now understand what happened. This gun doesn't have
any of the parts that should be inside the side plate. Does have the bolt
Join Date though. And looking up the parts, well, not worth buying.
Feb 2011 Anyone need spare parts?
Posts
1

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02-17-2011, 06:43 AM #7

Miso Beno
You could probably get a few bucks selling the gun as a parts rifle on
gunbroker.com.

Join Date
Nov 2007
Location
Tacoma, Wa
Posts
459

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05-17-2011, 05:29 PM #8

Jmazzi My Ar 7 Circa 1984

17 grain Bought in 1984 on Sale For $89 .... It shoots all day long .... I had a "banana"
Clip, But I can't find it !!!!!

Attached Images
ar7 1984.jpg (214.5 KB, 5 views)
GEDC0071.JPG (137.4 KB, 2 views)

http://230grain.com/...wthread.php?1711-A-detailed-look-at-the-Charter-Arms-AR-7-Survival...&s=6927cc68a0d6a10e065ea747a327efd9[11/19/2012 12:13:29 AM]

A detailed look at the Charter Arms AR-7 Survival Rifle

Join Date
May 2011
Location
Eastern Long Island, NY
Posts
8

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08-02-2011, 10:38 AM #9

Phishdoggie
17 grain My Dad gave me this Charter Arms AR-7 back in 1971. Since then I souped it
up, put the hi-tech barrel on, pistol grip, flip clip, etc...I have taken it apart,
cleaned it, the works. The problem is after I fire my first shot the second
Join Date round gets hung up and doesen't feed into the barrel. I tried the original
Aug 2011 barrel and the same thing happens. Anyone out there have this problem? How
Posts can I fix it? Thanks.
1

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09-08-2011, 01:28 AM #10

Arthur_500 AR-7 Problem

17 grain I too have had a problem with this AR-7 I have in that it will fail to fire. the
bolt has a 1/4" play so there should be plenty of space to hold and fire the
.22 LR cartridge. Why is it not firing consistently?
Join Date
Sep 2011
Posts
1

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