The AR-7 design has bounced between just a few totally different people. ArmaLite was the unique producer, however ended their run in 1973. Constitution Arms picked it up, and after they folded, it landed at Henry, who nonetheless produces the Henry Survival Rifle. Constitution Arms didn’t simply produce a rifle, however in addition they produced a pistol model referred to as the Explorer II.
The Historical past of the Explorer II
The Explorer II was produced from 1980 to 1986. Armalite initially known as their rifle the AR-7 Explorer. When Constitution Arms produced the AR-7, in addition they known as it the Explorer. The Explorer II was the sequel. Constitution Arms produced it to assist invigorate gross sales after their model of the Explorer noticed a dip.
This wasn’t the primary AR-7-based pistol that appeared a bit like a broomhandle Mauser. Herters and Hy Hunters produced the Bolomauser utilizing the AR-7 motion. I can’t assist however suppose Constitution Arms was impressed by the previous Bolomauser whenever you have a look at the Explorer II.
The Explorer 2 – Inside and Out
Contained in the receiver, the weapons look like an identical to another AR-7. They use the identical magazines, and the journal design hasn’t modified in all these years. They’re pretty easy blowback-operated designs that feed from eight-round single-stack magazines.
The Explorer II shortens the barrel, makes use of a pistol grip, and replaces the peep sights with an adjustable open sight. Very like the AR-7, the barrel pops proper off. Constitution Arms produced three barrel lengths: a six-inch, an eight-inch, and a ten-inch barrel size. I’ve the six-inch and eight-inch barrels.
Constitution Arms was exceedingly cautious to ensure nobody may produce an SBR from the Explorer or Explorer II. The AR-7 famously breaks down. The inventory and barrel detach from the receiver. All the gun could possibly be saved within the inventory as a compact survival rifle bundle. They took precautions to ensure nobody ran afoul of the ATF.
First, the rear of the pistol is redesigned so you can not add a standard AR-7 inventory. Second, the Explorer II’s removable barrels are barely redesigned with the notch and peg design inverted, so Explorer II barrels solely match the pistol. You possibly can’t swap barrels between the rifle and pistol designs. Properly, you would possibly be capable to, however the pistol’s iron sight might be the other way up.
The simulated walnut grip lets you maintain a spare with an eight-round journal. It drops in, and a heel launch locks it into place. Constitution Arms made a uncommon and costly side-mounted scope mount. Ebay reveals them for between $300 and $400.
If you would like a full rundown of this gun’s historical past, I counsel you to take a look at Sam S.’s article on All Out of doors. Something I write past this level would simply be rehashing his improbable work. He has two articles on the topic: right here, and right here.
Taking pictures the Constitution Arms Explorer II
The Constitution Arms Explorer II has an extended historical past of failures and frustrations. I used to be talking with a gaggle of firearms writers, and my buddy James Maybrick mentioned one thing I agree with. “It’s the gun that ruined the AR-7’s status.”
I’ve to agree. This factor sucked. I cleaned the gun and flippantly lubed it, since over-lubbing generally is a drawback. I used solely excessive velocity ammo, and rattling, I can’t get it to run. The journal is the feed ramp, and my journal seems to be high quality. I spent a ton of time fixing malfunctions with perhaps three magazines out of dozens working utterly.
The Explorer II ran greatest once I loaded solely 5 rounds of ammo into the journal. Even then, it nonetheless had points. An enormous difficulty was failures to feed. The rounds would slam too excessive and catch the highest of the receiver. This bent the rounds.
Following that, we had a handful of biking points with failures to eject and some failures to extract. I attempted Federal AutoMatch, CCI Mini-Magazine, and Blazer. None of it ran reliably.
Taking pictures Straight With the Explorer II
One other difficulty was accuracy. Whereas making an attempt to group the gun with each barrels at 15 yards, I received a 4-inch group. Type of. I fired eight rounds, and 4 of them landed on paper to measure. The opposite 4. I don’t know the place they went. I’m not professional, however I can hit a bit of paper at 15 yards.
I observed that when capturing at a pretty big metal goal at 25 yards, three or 4 would hit, then one would go wild, off the metal and into the berm, and the subsequent rounds would hit. We’re speaking a couple of six-inch deviation at instances. Once more, I’m not a professional shooter, however I don’t have six-inch deviations with another gun.
I’m considering the tough entry into the chamber damages the bullet or is probably going loosening it within the case, and creating accuracy points. I ensured the barrels had been tightly secured and put in accurately.
I hand-loaded a spherical at a time straight into the chamber, an motion which made me want I had three palms; I received extra constant accuracy. Sufficient to create a three-inch group at 15 yards on paper with eight rounds. One thing’s happening, however I’m not sufficient of a gun plumber to say for certain.
I stored making an attempt to shoot and get the gun to work, however ultimately the bolt wouldn’t retract. It barely moved, so I known as it a day. Later that evening, I eliminated the grips and facet plate of the gun, and wouldn’t you realize, a case discovered some approach to get behind the bolt and into the gun’s internals.
How did this occur? I do not know, however hey, it’s actually one thing I’ve by no means seen earlier than.
Han Shot First
I’m not achieved with the Explorer II. I would like this gun to run proper as a result of it’s a improbable mixture of a Mauser, a Han Solo Blaster, and .22LR enjoyable. I would like it to work and run reliably. My subsequent step is a brand new journal, and after that, a buffet of various ammo varieties to see what I can get it to run reliably. Possibly one thing like Federal Punch with a nickel-plated projectile would feed a bit extra reliably.
Anybody with a Constitution Arms Explorer II on the market who received it to run reliably? If that’s the case, let me know beneath.
