Thread: AR-7 Upgrade project

I posted a question in another section of the forum about fibre optic sights and fonud what I was looking for...sorta.

My AR-7 is a pretty straight shooting rifle and reliable to a point. I want to make this my permanent small game/emergency rifle so I've been researching ways to make it better than when I got it.

History;

I'm the third owner of the rifle but from the story I was told I am the second to actually fire it. It is the Charter Arms variety and uses the standard post+peep sights, has no mounting rail, and has the old style mag release. The previous owner had no mags for it and didn't have much interest in tracking any down. I found a number of mags of both repro and original make and after a good cleaning went out to shoot.

Temperment;

Like all models of this rifle the thing is just finicky about what mags it wants, and what ammo as well. It likes to unseat the bullet from Rem Super X, feeds 500-900 Thunderbolts before it's too dirty to strip them off the mags properly, and really dislikes anything with a ridged bullet causing mis-feeds galore. After polishing the trigger assembly and replacing a couple springs I had a great rifle on my hands. Beyond the feeding problems I was able to get good accuracy at 50m and can reliably hit Minute-of-Squirrel every time.

Upgrades;

So far I've polished the throat of the barrel from 600-2500 grit paper and (cleaned) fired cases will drop out with no snagging. I've cut an abbreviated feed ramp and polished it up. I did this because I noticed that a couple of my mags would feed the rounds slightly low and cause a FTF. Now the ramp is cut they slide up and in. I've lapped the muzzle with polishing compound and a tool from Brownell's so even though it doesn't have a target cut there are clean rifling channels for the bullet to grip all the way to the crown. I've also taken to using Ram-Line mags exclusively. Yes they do break apart due to the poorly glued and pinned halves...but I found a solution for that.

Upgrades not completed;

As I stated at the start of this thread I want better sights. I don't prefer peep sights and never have. It just doesn't work for me. Couple that with the non-contrasting blade front sight and I had to work much too hard to make accurate hits. Yesterday I went out and purchased a fibre optic sight set designed for the 10/22. What's great about this is that the dovetail for the front sight is very nearly the same dimensions as the AR-7 so only some minor fitting is required. The real gem is the rear sight leaf.

The rear section is comprised of a long sight block that has one set screw, one height adjusting screw, and one windage screw on the rear leaf. The best part is the dovetail on this block; it's an incredibly low profile and only 1mm wider than the spine(ridge, thing on top) of the receiver. I'll be able to cut a nice dovetail into that spine and have enough material around it so that I'll not worry about it peeling off due to heavy use. With this mounted I'll have a contrasting orange front and green rear 3 dot sight system that I can see in nearly every light condition.

Conclusion;

I'll be adding pics on the project shortly.

Cool, can't wait to see the pictures.

Id really like to see pics too.

it is my belief that trying to gussy up and upgrade an AR-7 is akin to putting lipstick on
a pig. now, having said that, i'm intrigued by project and if there is a reasonable way
of improving the function of my AR-7 w/o spending a ton of money, I'm game

oh, I did have the barrel threaded from which a lightweight, Gemtech sound suppressor
hangs. it's the shiznick...and it maintains the overall svelte package as intended.

Pics are still coming. My camera of choice's macro setting is very very poor so I'm retaking the shots once the dovetails are fully cut and smoothed. Also have to wait on a shipment of parts for my trigger mod as well.

AR-7 Barrels at AR-7 Customized Accessories, LLC




Here is your optic solution. The middle barrel. I saw this very same barrel at the last WAC show mounted on a gun. It is Weaver mount but you can get adapters for picatiny. I just bought my own AR-7 last week. It is the original Armalite and has the black and brown marble stock. This stock was offered for only 1 year. 1973. It came in the original box and all of the original paperwork. Let's start a little competition here guy's, who can trick out there AR-7 the best??????????

Originally Posted by rdb241

Here is your optic solution.

Not for my end goal. I want the rifle to still store in the stock as it's designed to do. I want the upgraded performance and sights with no extra footprint.

That said;

Progress Update:

Cut the rear sight dovetail using my dremel for the rough-cut and a triangular diamond file to finish. The first cut was so close that I needed only a couple light swipes to finish and the rear block slid in perfectly. In order for the sight block to fit correctly I had to remove the peep sight tower and smooth that surface out as well. I'll be tapping the top of the receiver for the elevation screw. The construction of the bolt is such that even with the screw tightened down it won't interfere. I'll be sure to get the correct length of screw as well to minimise the possibility of binding.

The front sight was more tricky to be honest. The dovetail shape of the modern 10/22 sight and the AR-7 sight is significantly different so I've had to do a bit of work to make them mate. The AR's sight ramp was filed down 3 'steps' and polished. This cut the dovetail in half. Next the new sight insert base was also filed down to match. I haven't completed final fitting but when done the barrel will slide in the stock with no mods needed.

Work to be Completed:

The rear sight block will not allow the receiver to fit into the stock at this time. Minor clearancing needs to be done on the stock to allow the receiver to fit.

The trigger surfaces are going to be polished up for a crisper release. 2000 grit paper and light strokes should do it in a few seconds.

I'm just a short time away from having this done! We're planning on taking a trip out this week and I'm hoping that my project is done so I can conclude this thread with a proper range report.

(still working on pics, I'm no photographer and I doubt you all want blurry pics of my feet)

Pics! Finally. Had them taken but couldn't find my card reader to transfer them.

Fitted | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Fittment of the rear sight | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Cut dovetail | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

The front sight isn't ready yet, but that's on it's way.