| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
My First Stoner |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gregory Morris, 12/12/09 9:41:50 pm |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yes, I know it is more of a gadget than a useful tool. Yes, I know they have reliability issues. Yes I know they aren't known for their accuracy. But who has seen the AR-7 and hasn't had a slight urge to get one? Besides, James Bond used one! It will make a good trunk gun, regardless.
The AR-7 rifle was first manufactured by Armalite as a survival rifle for pilots. It has been produced for almost 50 years now, and
people still buy them. The one I got is made by Charter Arms. Apparently the newer ones made by Henry are better (higher quality, scope mount, extra magazine) but for the price I got this one for, I'm not too concerned.
It stows into a nice lightweight and compact package.
Everything stows neatly in the stock, which also happens to be packed with foam, so it will float.
Assembly is simple and fast. 1) Screw the stock to the receiver. 2) Line up the key on the barrel and tighten the barrel nut. 3) Insert magazine. 4) Rock and roll!
The rear sight is a rudimentary elevation-adjustable apeture, while the front sight is drift-adjustable for windage.
The charging handle sits nearly flush with the reciever. I hurt my finger trying to charge it like this until I realized that the charging handle pulls straight out to give you a better grip.
The magazine is, unfortunately, rather wobbly when inserted.
I cycled through a few magazines worth of cheap .22lr (that are now pretty much ruined.) Every other round jammed. Upon closer inspection, the magazine wobble severely affected the angle of the round as the bolt tried to push it into the chamber. It turns out, to get the magazine to line up properly, I only had to add a few layers of medical tape to the bottom of the magazine. This holds it tight in its place, and it now cycles much better. The tape does not interfere with loading or stowing the magazine in the stock. The follower in the magazine still seems to get a little wonky, which causes a hangup ever once in a while.
I also determined that, in my rifle at least, the round-nose bullets which everyone recommends for the AR-7 kinda suck. I have some slightly more pointy shaped federal bulk-pack rounds that cycle perfectly. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | [Comments are closed after a month.] |
|
|
|
| < "Florida Gun Law Stuff" | | "Frickin' Lasers" > |
|
|
|
|
