May 15, 2018, 08:05 PM
smithbcMilitary AR7 and M6 Survival rifles
I was watching a couple of videos on you tube about these 2 rifles. The Air Force issued them out from the 1950's up until the 1970's.
Does anyone know if there are any documented times that these were used in a survival situation by any of the air crews? My Google searches didn't really turn anything up.
May 15, 2018, 08:59 PM
RogueJSKThe USAF issued the M4 survival rifle made by Harrington & Richardson, and later the M6 over/under survival gun made by Ithaca. I don't know of any specific times that they were actually used as intended.
The AR-7 made by Armalite was not used by the US military. It was based on Armalite's earlier AR-5 design, which had been approved for use by the Air Force, but never actually purchased or used outside of a dozen rifle for testing.
The AR-7 was primarily sold on the US civilian market, although a small number were sold to the Israeli Defense Force for use as pilot survival rifles.
May 15, 2018, 10:09 PM
casThe only time I ever read about them bing "used" was officers trying to shoot skeet with them.

There was an AR-5, a bolt action Hornet with a stock like the AR-7.
May 18, 2018, 01:31 AM
KMitch200My M6 is a Springfield Armory w/o the "trigger" guard loop. (you can squeeze it with Arctic mittens on)
After shooting a few rounds of 22 Hornet, I knew that small game with the .410 was probably a more sure thing.
As to whether any air crews actually used them, I have no idea.
May 18, 2018, 09:43 AM
casI had hornet/410 for a while. I learned it was possible to shoot the Hornet accurately, but it took practice (which no air crew woukd have), and the method doesn't always lend itself to shooting game in the field.