For your consideration is a Charter Arms AR-7 Explorer semi-automatic .22 caliber rifle. The prototype of what would become the AR-7 was designed by Eugene Stoner at ArmaLite Inc. The rifle shares some of the features of the bolt-action AR-5, another takedown rifle designed by Stoner for ArmaLite and adopted by the United States Air Force in 1956 as the MA-1. The MA-1 was intended to replace the M4 Survival Rifle and the M6 Aircrew Survival Weapon, which was a superposed ("over-under") twin-barrel rifle/shotgun chambered in .22 Hornet and .410 bore, using a break-open action. The AR-5 had the advantage of repeat fire over the then-standard M6, using the same .22 Hornet cartridge. When the AR-5 was adopted as the MA-1, but was not placed in issue due to the numbers of usable M4 and M6 survival weapons in USAF inventory, ArmaLite used the research and tooling for the AR-5 in developing the AR-7 for the civilian market. The AR-7 uses a blowback semi-automatic action in .22 Long Rifle, but retains the AR-5/MA-1 feature of storing the disassembled parts within the hollow stock, which is filled with plastic foam and capable of floating. The AR-7 was designed as a survival rifle for foraging small game for food. The AR-7 is constructed primarily of aluminum, with plastic for the stock, butt stock cap, and recoil spring guide. The bolt and 16” barrel are composed of steel. The AR-7 measures 35 inches overall when assembled. It disassembles to four sections (barrel, action, stock, and magazine), with three parts storing inside the plastic stock, measuring 16 inches long. The magazine in this rifle is absent. The rifle weighs 2.5 pounds, light enough for convenient backpacking. The rear sight is a peep sight, which accents the front flat metal blade. The rear sight is adjustable for elevation. The front sight is dovetailed, allowing for adjustment for windage. Serial Number: A66782. This is a modern firearm and requires a FFL transfer or NICS background check.