{"product_id":"original-armalite-ar-7-explorer-early-costa-mesa-production-22-lr","title":"Original ArmaLite AR7 Explorer – Early Costa Mesa Production – .22 LR","description":"\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003eManufacturer:\u003cspan\u003e ArmaLite, Costa Mesa, California, USA\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eModel:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e AR-7 Explorer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCaliber:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e .22 Long Rifle\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSerial Number:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 113***\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProduction Era:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Original ArmaLite Production (1959–1973)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1. Historical Background \u0026amp; Collectibility\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is an \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eoriginal ArmaLite AR-7 Explorer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, manufactured in Costa Mesa, California, during the company's original production period, long before the later versions produced by Charter Arms, Survival Arms, and Henry.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFounded in 1954, ArmaLite was one of the most influential companies in American firearms development, particularly known for its innovative lightweight firearm designs. The legendary AR-10, AR-15, and AR-7 all originated from ArmaLite's early development programs. Interestingly, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"AR\" stands for \"ArmaLite Rifle,\" not \"Assault Rifle,\" as commonly misunderstood.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDesigned by renowned firearms engineer Eugene Stoner, the AR-7 became one of the most recognizable lightweight survival rifles of the Cold War era.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIts unique takedown design allows the barrel, receiver, and magazine to be stored inside the hollow stock, creating a compact and lightweight package originally intended for emergency survival and outdoor use.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe original ArmaLite AR7 gained additional recognition through its appearance in the classic 1963 James Bond film \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrom Russia with Love\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, starring Sean Connery. This connection helped establish the early ArmaLite version as a desirable collectible among James Bond enthusiasts and vintage firearms collectors.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUnlike later reproductions and versions manufactured by other companies, the original ArmaLite-produced AR-7 represents the earliest chapter in the history of this iconic design. Examples retaining their original factory markings and distinctive early-style stocks are particularly interesting to collectors today.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2. Condition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis rifle features an attractive vintage marbled synthetic stock with distinctive brown and black swirling patterns, reflecting the unique industrial styling of the early ArmaLite era.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMetal Surfaces:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Noticeable signs of use, including scratches, finish wear, and areas of paint loss, particularly along the barrel.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStock:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Remains in good overall condition with normal signs of age and use. No cracks.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eButtplate:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Intact, with no cracks.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFactory Markings:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Clear and legible, retaining the original ArmaLite, AR-7 Explorer, and Costa Mesa markings.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBore:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Good bore with clear, well-defined rifling.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMagazine:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Includes one detachable magazine.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003e3. Summary\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA distinctive example of the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eoriginal American-made ArmaLite AR-7 Explorer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, representing an important period in Cold War-era firearms design.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlthough the metal surfaces show noticeable finish wear from use, the stock remains in good condition without cracks, the bore is good, and the original factory markings remain clearly visible.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAs an original ArmaLite-produced example, this rifle represents the earliest generation of the AR-7 and an interesting part of the company's history, alongside its more famous AR-10 and AR-15 designs.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIts connection to the classic James Bond film \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrom Russia with Love\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e adds another layer of historical and cultural appeal beyond that of an ordinary .22 LR survival rifle.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AAG CANADA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67785764143215,"sku":"NR000328","price":699.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0642\/1836\/6063\/files\/IMG_2034.jpg?v=1792091687","url":"https:\/\/aagcanada.ca\/zh\/products\/original-armalite-ar-7-explorer-early-costa-mesa-production-22-lr","provider":"AAG CANADA","version":"1.0","type":"link"}