Charter Arms Explorer

troylaplante · 01-31-2006, 06:39 PM

Has anyone ever owned a Charter Arms Explorer? I picked up one today that intrigued me, never having seen one before. It is similar to what is in this auction. A long magazine goes in front of the trigger guard for two handed grip. A spare, short magazine sits in the handle. It reminds me a lot of the Broomhandle Mauser. I am now looking for a manual. What are your experiences with them?

Bull Barrel · 01-31-2006, 07:36 PM

That gun is part of the AR 7 lineage--I was just researching the AR 7 and came across a brief mention of the Explorer. Looks like a real piece of Americana. Is it in shooting condition?

Here's a link to an AR 7 manual on Ebay--a lot of the parts are interchangeable
http://cgi.ebay.com/Charter-Arms-AR-...QQcmdZViewItem

troylaplante · 01-31-2006, 08:06 PM

Thanks for the link. Yes, it is in shootable condition. My understanding is that the Explorer ceased production in about 1986. There is some wear on the handle, as to be expected. The finish is almost perfect. It was part of a collection and was well cared for. From what I have seen, I got a decent price for the condition.

Bull Barrel · 01-31-2006, 08:39 PM

I have always liked the broomstick mauser and remember as a kid seeing the explorer advertised in the back of magazines. I think it makes a great addition to any collection of American rimfire weapons...good find!

Father Time · 01-31-2006, 09:08 PM

I love that pistol! Did you see this link with the RamLine magazine?

http://www.wapahani.com/mirsap5.html

Another link says that those 25 shot magazines are $135. Could that possibly be the street price?

troylaplante · 01-31-2006, 10:02 PM

I saw that page when doing some searching this evening. The 25 round mag is cool, but I have not found any online. I think the $125 price must be from the AWB period and high priced pre-ban mags (since the Explorer was discontinued in 1986). Either that, or from rarity. That mag is about what I paid for the pistol itself.

Mooseman684 · 01-31-2006, 10:16 PM

Sorry to be so honest...The Charter arms series rate 1 point above JUNK!
They are a little better than having stick...They are not accurate, they are alloy and soft at that and they won't retain finish if they are used very much.
Threads strip pretty easy too. Feeding problems are common...I know cause i've worked on too many of them trying to make em usable!Suggested retail was 109 bucks...I wouldn't pay 50 for one...

01-31-2006, 06:39 PM	#1
troylaplante Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Selma, NC Posts: 2,223	Charter Arms Explorer Has anyone ever owned a Charter Arms Explorer? I picked up one today that intrigued me, never having seen one before. It is similar to what is in this auction. A long magazine goes in front of the trigger guard for two handed grip. A spare, short magazine sits in the handle. It reminds me a lot of the Broomhandle Mauser. I am now looking for a manual. What are your experiences with them?

01-31-2006, 07:36 PM	#2
Bull Barrel Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia Posts: 239	That gun is part of the AR 7 lineage--I was just researching the AR 7 and came across a brief mention of the Explorer. Looks like a real piece of Americana. Is it in shooting condition? Here's a link to an AR 7 manual on Ebay--a lot of the parts are interchangeable http://cgi.ebay.com/Charter-Arms-AR-...QQcmdZViewItem __________________ Beautiful Noisy Deadly Machines--What's Not to Like? :assult: Last edited by Bull Barrel; 01-31-2006 at 07:41 PM.

01-31-2006, 08:39 PM	#4
Bull Barrel Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia Posts: 239	I have always liked the broomstick mauser and remember as a kid seeing the explorer advertised in the back of magazines. I think it makes a great addition to any collection of American rimfire weapons...good find! __________________ Beautiful Noisy Deadly Machines--What's Not to Like? :assult:

01-31-2006, 10:16 PM	#7
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness Posts: 9,747 Images: 2	Sorry to be so honest...The Charter arms series rate 1 point above JUNK! They are a little better than having stick...They are not accurate, they are alloy and soft at that and they won't retain finish if they are used very much. Threads strip pretty easy too. Feeding problems are common...I know cause i've worked on too many of them trying to make em usable!Suggested retail was 109 bucks...I wouldn't pay 50 for one... __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

01-31-2006, 08:06 PM	#3
troylaplante Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Selma, NC Posts: 2,223	Thanks for the link. Yes, it is in shootable condition. My understanding is that the Explorer ceased production in about 1986. There is some wear on the handle, as to be expected. The finish is almost perfect. It was part of a collection and was well cared for. From what I have seen, I got a decent price for the condition.

01-31-2006, 09:08 PM	#5
Father Time Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 374 Images: 2	I love that pistol! Did you see this link with the RamLine magazine? http://www.wapahani.com/mirsap5.html Another link says that those 25 shot magazines are $135. Could that possibly be the street price?

01-31-2006, 10:02 PM	#6
troylaplante Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Selma, NC Posts: 2,223	I saw that page when doing some searching this evening. The 25 round mag is cool, but I have not found any online. I think the $125 price must be from the AWB period and high priced pre-ban mags (since the Explorer was discontinued in 1986). Either that, or from rarity. That mag is about what I paid for the pistol itself.