U.S. Survival AR-7 - Page 2

wvbreamfisherman · 01-31-2012, 07:02 AM

The original barrels were a steel liner in an aluminum sleeve (like mine), so probably did warp due to differences in thermal expansion. I really have trouble imagining being able to shoot enough rounds without a failure to get the barrel that hot though.

Round nose ammo really helps, and so does keeping the chamber and rear of barrel scrupulously clean.

WinterWolf · 02-19-2012, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grandpa

Yes, wal-mart had one but as soon as I saw it I shut my eyes and walked away

Yea I saw that a couple of months back, wal-mart just sells everything don't they, I remember seeing sex toys there once, but I think that too many people complained so they got rid of them.

oldsarge · 02-19-2012, 01:40 PM

Just because it's Walmart doesn't mean that it's not a good product. They don't manufacture the item!

beemerphill · 02-19-2012, 04:15 PM

I had one in the 70s too. It was not a bad rifle, but it was not something I would trust my life to. It would usually work, and was somewhat accurate at closer ranges. I sold it and never looked back. Perhap Henry has improved the quality.
There are other 22 rifles that take down and make a compact package. My target Ruger pistol was more accurate, and reliable. (That is providing I did my part!)

oldsarge · 02-19-2012, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beemerphill

I had one in the 70s too. It was not a bad rifle, but it was not something I would trust my life to. It would usually work, and was somewhat accurate at closer ranges. I sold it and never looked back. Perhap Henry has improved the quality.
There are other 22 rifles that take down and make a compact package. My target Ruger pistol was more accurate, and reliable. (That is providing I did my part!)

What other rifles compact? I'm interested in eventually picking one up. I'm not totally sold on the AR-7, I will consider other weapons. I will be picking up my new Ruger .22 Target pistol in a few weeks. You are correct, the pistol is much better than the AR-7.

beemerphill · 02-20-2012, 06:42 AM

There are alternatives. Remember the Browning take-down? The Belgium ones were pretty good. I bought a Japanese made one that was only so-so. You would have to find one that is reliable. There is a Chinese copy out there too. There are a couple of little single-shot rifles for kids now days. One is the Chipmunk. The people who I have talked to seem to like them. Marlin makes the Papoose. I have looked at them, but never shot one. You could always look for a youth model single-shot break open type. Some of these come with two barrels. A 22 barrel and whatever the other might be- 410, 20, 223, pistol caliber or ? I think that Armalite at one time made a 223 "Plinker" that was only around 5 pounds. A lot of the AR-15 clone companies have almost any option that you want, and could make one like it.
If you have deep pockets, you might consider a removable shoulder stock for an accurate 22 pistol. The only problem with this is that Uncle Sam will charge you a special tax and run a very thorough back round check on you before it is legal.
You could just let your conscience be your guide on this matter too.
These are only a few ideas. I bet that the crowd on here can come up with more.

wvbreamfisherman · 02-20-2012, 07:40 AM

One possibility for a short, light .22 would be a folding stock for a Ruger 10-22. This would let you shorten it considerably.

If you decided to go the removable stock route for a .22 pistol, you could take a leaf from the Broomhandle Mauser and make the stock a holster. It wouldn't be any big trick to build a holster out of plywood laminated to the right thickness and cut out to take the weapon.

Of course it would be illegal to attach such a thing to a weapon without a federal license.

Another possibility would be a sliding tubular arrangement that telescoped out to the correct length.

oldsarge · 02-20-2012, 07:55 AM

I had a Ruger 10/22, they're nice guns. Even with a folding stock it's still not as short as the AR-7. Not much for folding stocks though. I think I'd go with the 10/22 and leave the wood stock on a just deal with it that way.

wvbreamfisherman · 02-20-2012, 11:15 AM

I agree about the folding stock, myself. It also unbalances the weapon, although that's not really a big deal under survival conditions.

My AR-7, at least would be OK for potting small game at fairly short range. The sights are pretty poor. Honestly, a single-shot, break-action .410 shotgun, with a barrel shortened to the legal limit , and a custom (home)-made hollow stock to put the barrel and forearm in would be a better survival weapon.

With slugs or .45 long colt ammo you could have a reasonable chance at a deer and still use shotshells for small game. It wouldn't be hard to add a decent set of sights (bead fron and adjustable peep rear).

It would be a fairly involved project to put it all together though,