Armalite AR-7 Explorer .22 LR Costa Mesa Survival Rifle, 16 in Quick-Detach Barrel, Marbled Stowage Stock, Box, Papers, 6 Magazines
This original Armalite AR-7 Explorer is a Costa Mesa production from the 1968–1973 era, featuring receiver rollmarks reading 'AR-7 EXPLORER' and 'PATENTS PENDING' and a barrel marked 'ARMALITE .22 LONG RIFLE'. It retains the classic survival-rifle configuration with a 16 in quick-detach, steel-lined barrel and a late-pattern glossy marbled stock that stows the action, barrel, and magazines and is intended to float when packed. It comes with the factory carton bearing a matching-serial label, original manuals and paperwork, and six 8-round magazines.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Overall Condition: Good - Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling - Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: This firearm is in overall great shape. The stock shows some scratches and blemishes. Additional scratches are present on the rifle's finish.
What’s Included
- Armalite factory carton with matching-serial label
- Armalite Model AR-7 Explorer instruction manual and factory paperwork (Costa Mesa), including parts list and factory notice
- Six 8-round steel AR-7 pattern detachable box magazines (factory-style design)
Original Armalite Costa Mesa manufacture places this AR-7 within the desirable 1968–1973 production window, identified by the 'AR-7 EXPLORER' and 'PATENTS PENDING' receiver rollmarks and the barrel legend 'ARMALITE .22 LONG RIFLE'. The receiver top has longitudinal serrations and intentionally omits a 3/8 in tip-off dovetail, consistent with this period.
The survival-oriented design allows the action, barrel, and magazines to stow inside the buttstock, and the rifle is intended to float when these components are packed. The late-pattern glossy marbled stock shows brown/black base tones with green and orange swirls, and features an integral pistol grip, an internal stowage cavity, and a threaded buttcap.
The 16 in steel-lined barrel is quick-detach and secured by an oversized knurled nut for tool-less takedown. The rifle operates on a semi-automatic blowback action with a stated capacity of 8+1, using detachable box magazines.
Sighting is via iron sights: a fixed front post with protective ears and a receiver-top rear sight. The alloy receiver and frame carry a black finish, aligning with the classic Explorer profile and materials of the era.
This example includes the Armalite factory carton with a matching-serial label, the original instruction manual and factory paperwork, and six factory-style steel 8-round magazines—an appealing, complete package for an AR-7 from this production period.