Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! In 1980, Charter Arms transformed their AR-7 rifle design into the Explorer II pistol, an attempt to boost sales after acquiring manufacturing rights from ArmaLite in 1973. This unique .22 LR handgun retained the AR-7’s core mechanics while featuring a fixed pistol grip and adjustable square-notched rear sight. The Explorer II came standard with an 8-inch barrel, though 6-inch and rare 10-inch options were available. Charter Arms thoughtfully engineered different barrel pin locations to prevent interchange with rifle barrels, avoiding NFA violations. The pistol accepted 8-round magazines, with aftermarket options including 15- and 25-round versions. Produced until 1986, the Explorer II came in various finishes including black, silver, and rare camouflage and gold variants. While often criticized for reliability issues, proper maintenance proved crucial for function. An optional side-mounted scope base was offered but rarely seen today. Despite mixed reception, the Explorer II represents an interesting chapter in American firearms development, bridging the AR-7’s survival rifle heritage with 1980s commercial innovation.
