AR-7 as primary .22 rifle?

[Saqqara]

I lost my stainless Ruger 10/22 in a robbery. Loved it, but can't see spending that much on a gun this time around, with most of my shooting years behind me. Also I'd like to try something different. In the current climate of .22 ammo being hard to find and much more expensive, it's hard to justify a .22 as expensive as a deer rifle or a good shotgun.

Wanted an AR-7 since I was a kid. I love things that pack light and pack small. It's a fetish of mine. This would be cool to pack on motorcycle rides and boat trips. I think the form factor could see this thing being taken along and used more often.

But:

I worry about the peep sights with my aging eyes. Can mount a scope but that sort of defeats the ability to stow it away.

It seems like there are mixed reports on the gun's accuracy, but I'm sure nobody would expect it to perform like a scoped up 10/22 or a Remington 597, which has caught my interest because of its good value and it wonderful stock, it's a pleasure to hold.

Finally, the AR7 is not going to be as good a trainer as it would be less similar in form to a scoped up deer rifle than the Remington 597.


I guess the advantage goes to the 597.


What do you think? Is the AR-7 a solid user friendly shooter suitable to be a primary .22 for someone with a minimalist spirit?

 

[petingrass]

In a word (okay two) they suck. Especially now that the 10-22 takedown is on the market, there is no real reason for them to exist anymore.

The one I had would not hold zero and was spotty in terms of reliability.

Sent from my SGH-T679 using Tapatalk 2

 

[LaBelle]

Here's an interesting one for you, a 22/410 combo folder;
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/88305

Or this one;
http://www.chiappafirearms.com/product/2677

http://www.chiappafirearms.com/product/2677/images#

 

[Saqqara]

That Chiappa is pretty cool. Seems to me that a 7.62x39/20 gauge combo would replace a locker full of guns!

 

[LACamper]

I picked up an AR-7 a while back from another member. One of those guns I had always wanted. I had heard all of the horror stories. Jamomatics, inaccurate, etc.
The one I ended up with was bright silver. I took it out. I shot a box of ammo with no jams. Accuracy was decent but not match. Minute of squirrel for sure freehand. No problems with either mag. Mine is a Henry but before they added the picatinny.
Bottom line: no complaints, it does what it was meant to do. The peep sights work but are again not match. Somewhat adjustable but not click micrometer. My only complaint was the color (silver) which I rattle canned into tan. Eventually I'll make it true camo.

I have a factory 10/22. I'll probably sell that one and keep the AR-7. It does everything that I need a .22 for. Except shooting matches, and with ammo so scarce I don't see me doing that anytime soon...

 

[Saqqara]

I need to go to Academy and take a long look down those peep sights. That is what worries me most, as my close up vision decays. Maybe playing with the thing in the store will help me get it out of my system.

Yeah, I don't tend to think it is junk, but I also think for the same money one can get a better gun, if the stow-ability isn't an issue. I also don't think it's entirely eclipsed by the Ruger Takedown, which is bulkier, heavier, and in another income tax bracket. The AR-7 outlived the Marlin Papoose.

 

[Vermiform]

In a word (okay two) they suck. Especially now that the 10-22 takedown is on the market, there is no real reason for them to exist anymore.

I had this discussion with another member here a while ago. I started with your opinion, that they sucked and were jam-o-matics. much to my suprise, this is not the case any longer. Henry is making a quality version now and they are supposed to be good to go. They also weigh less than a 10/22 takedown.

Personally I'll still go with the 10/22 because I understand how they work. Also, the AR-7 is butt ugly, no matter how reliable they are now.

 

[323MAR]

The older Charter Arms version is what I learned to shoot with. It functioned perfectly with the factory mags. The after market mags were terrible though.

 

[LACamper]

The AR-7 is the lightest decent, commonly found, semiauto takedown on the market.That's what drew me. That buttstock is ugly... You would think someone would make a slimmer version that still had the storage compartment. There's room, especially if you give up on the floating idea.

 

[oppsImissed]

Vermiform, You stated it wasnt a good choice cause its butt ugly? My wife is butt ugly but has worked good for 15 years now. lol Seriously, yes, they are an ugly rifle. But they are very accurate and dependable. Kinda like the wife. I know I can count on it

 

[LACamper]

Not to mention to get that 10/22 to be a tack driver you have to drop close to a grand on it... I wouldn't say there's a lot of intrinsic accuracy difference between a factory 10/22 and an AR-7.

 

[Vermiform]

The AR-7 is the lightest decent, commonly found, semiauto takedown on the market.That's what drew me. That buttstock is ugly... You would think someone would make a slimmer version that still had the storage compartment. There's room, especially if you give up on the floating idea.

Good points. I bet they could still keep it buoyant if they slimmed it down some.

Vermiform, You stated it wasnt a good choice cause its butt ugly? My wife is butt ugly but has worked good for 15 years now. lol Seriously, yes, they are an ugly rifle. But they are very accurate and dependable. Kinda like the wife. I know I can count on it

Diet Coke burning my nose now, thanks...

 

[AustinBR]

From a quick Google search, it looks like the 10-22 is $50 bucks more (new) than a AR-7. Prior to this thread, I had never even heard of an AR-7. I have put quite a many rounds through a 10-22 Takedown though, and I loved it. No flaws at all and it was accurate enough to hit stuff I was aiming at. As for how it compares for competition...well...do you really bring a 10-22 takedown to a competition and hope to do better than those who have multi thousand dollar guns?

 

[Jack]

I had this discussion with another member here a while ago. I started with your opinion, that they sucked and were jam-o-matics. much to my suprise, this is not the case any longer. Henry is making a quality version now and they are supposed to be good to go. They also weigh less than a 10/22 takedown.

Personally I'll still go with the 10/22 because I understand how they work. Also, the AR-7 is butt ugly, no matter how reliable they are now.

Had to drop some knowledge on your punk ass!

 

[Vermiform]

Had to drop some knowledge on your punk ass!

Took you long enough to chime in and rub my nose in it. You're slipping.

 

[Abby Normal]

Where Y'at Saqqara, Look what Slickguns had posted. Cabela's Memorial Day sale, Henry AR-7 $199.
Oppsimissed, obviously your wife doesn't check out your web surfing.
http://www.slickguns.com/content/cabelas

 

[Saqqara]

Yes I've seen that Cabela's sale coming; a bit far for me to drive to save $20 though. I wonder if Academy would price match.

But I think I've decided I'm getting the Remington 597, for the same price. I don't think the AR-7 is junk, but I do think I'll be able to shoot better with the 597's scope and excellent stock. My close up vision is rapidly decaying.

Thanks guys.

 

[my-rifle]

Saqqara, where are you? I'm in Metry, and if you'd like to peep down the AR7 sights, you're welcome to come and see mine.

 

[Mr_Willson]

I remember posting on this site and asking if an AR7 was worth it a long time ago.

eventually I found a .22 revolver/auto pistol to be the more reliable,accurate, portable option over the AR7.

 

[Saqqara]

Hi my-rifle, I'm in Slidell. They stock them at Academy so I intend to take a good look at the sights there. But I've pretty much decided that I'm getting the Remington 597. It goes hand in hand with my decision to get a deer rifle with a scope.