Arsenal AK Questions

[Markus]

Looking to pick up one of these and am wondering about opinions as to their quality and what's a good price. I am also wondering if the standard ak mags will work in the models that come stock with 5 and 10 round mags. Any in put appreciated. the model i'm considereing is SGL21-63

 

[kwelz]

The Arsenal AKs are pretty hard to beat. The one you are talking about is imported fromt eh Russian Factory that makes AKs for the Russian Military. In other words they are the real thing. Prices range from 700-900 depending on local, etc.

 

[briansmithwins]

I've really liked both of mine, the 5.56 and 7.62 both. Fit and finish are good (just don't use brake clean on the paint) and they've worked fine.

Worth it to me to get stuff that's right out of the box as opposed to having to spend time and effort (and money) to fix stuff that wasn't right as shipped.

BSW

 

[dfariswheel]

The Arsenal SGL series is considered to be the top of the line these days in an AK.

They're made in Russia in the Izhevsk factory where the AK was first made and is still made today.
They have top grade chrome lined bores and chambers.
These are as close as we'll ever get to a real Russian full-auto AK rifle.

All AK standard magazines will fit.

 

[Markus]

Thanks fellas. That's what I'm looking for. Now just to pick the furniture color. Leaning towards o.d. but plum is cool too.

 

[mshootnit]

If you want a REAL Arsenal get an old SLR-95. Remove the buttstock/ trigger, and replace with an Ace sidefolder. You will have to cut off the top tang and there is no bottom tang to worry about. Install an Arsenal 2 stage trigger in the rifle. If you want to get fancy remove the commercial muzzle "brake" the SLR 95 comes with and replace with a real brake. I used to run a blackjack buffer in mine as well, but not sold on it. The accuracy is hard to beat with one of those and they run smoother than the new rifles. Arsenal built their reputation on those first milled rifles. Once you run a milled rifle you will realize the difference. If you can't tell the difference you haven't run one enough. If you want an optics rail you can add and MPK rail. If you can't find an MPK rail let me know I will do my best to hook you up.

 

[briansmithwins]

Once you run a milled rifle you will realize the difference. If you can't tell the difference you haven't run one enough.

I'd say the only difference I ever noticed was right at 2.5lbs.

I'll take a lot more convincing that milled receivers are any more accurate, stronger, or convey any other advantage over the stamped receiver.

BSW

 

[mshootnit]

My Saiga 308 is as accurate or more accurate than any of my 3 milled AK's. However I have gotten a milled rifle to clover leaf at 100 yds from time to time. As far as smooth running, nothing I have owned compares with the smoothness of a well oiled and broken in milled arsenal. Not even the thousand dollar Vepr. Nothing. I don't have to prove it.

 

[Cal-gun Fan]

There really isn't a difference between stamped and milled except for personal preference. It isn't like forged vs cast, they are both very strong and will not wear out.

 

[mshootnit]

well I can tell the difference. I am surprised no one else can. I bought my first one a long time ago. I had fun adjusting the tangent sights to 400 meters and ringing the gongs all afternoon from a sitting position. I have owned about a dozen different AK's now. You are not apt to get a milled rifle that will scatter that odd shot out to 3 or 4 inches at 100 yards, ruining your group. They tend to group pretty good with those chrome lined steyr technology barrels. I wouldn't give a dime for the milled chinese though. From what I have read they don't hold near the accuracy the milled bulgarians do. When you shoot em and you feel that smooth solid KACHUK you will understand. Weight wise yes they are heavier. At lest the weight is in the right spot. BTW I have a damn near new stamped Arsenal I will trade in a heartbeat for a decent milled rifle (if there really is no difference)

 

[mshootnit]

OK OK they are not A LOT better, just somewhat better thats just my opinion.

 

[Cal-gun Fan]

Meh, I guess. I can hit the steel gongs out to 400 meters with my SGL 21 fairly reliably with irons. I'm not a great shot, still learning and doing lots of practicing, but I can hit it at least half of the time or more.

EDIT: At the end of the day it isn't a huge difference. They're both really great rifles. The stamped rifles are easier to find and will be less expensive. You can't go wrong with an Arsenal.

 

[Bojangles7]

IMO they're great rifles. I was just shooting mine last weekend at 200 and 300 yards with open sights on a fairly windy day. The look I got from the older gentleman on the tower next to me was priceless. I'm sure he thought I was crazy until he watched me consistantly put holes in the target. Needless to say he had a few questions after that.

 

[F-Body Demon]

I have experience with:

WASR-10
SAR-1
AMD-65
SLR-95
SLR-100H
Draco

I can tell you this much. The SLR-95 was very amazing, but the SLR-100H...Oh man...that thing was a shooters dream. Never had a misfire or a jam in either of them and I put some JUNK ammo through em out of JUNK mags, they are true AKs. As for the WASR, well there is a reason people rag on them. The fit and finish is poor and they are assembled poorly, but being that an AK is an AK they still fire reliably. The AMD-65 I had was nice, but it was a parts kit build and wasn't really that amazing. I would put it more on the "cool" side. The Draco, well I own that one now. Its a good AK but not as good as an Arsenal. But lastly the SAR-1. They sold for $319 new back in the day, and they were great shooters. The one I fired was consistent and everything you would want in an AK. You might look for a used one if your in the market for an inexpensive midgrade AK.

But at the end of the day, the Saigas and the Arsenals are some of the best AKs out there. And I lean toward the Arsenals because of my history with them. And to get my old SLR-100H back, heck I would cough up $850 in a heartbeat. You will feel the same way once you get one.

 

[Kman]

The milled guns do feel diff. I noticed this some years ago,,accuracy has more to do with the shooter,,we ain't talking about match rifles here,,I had a milled Mak that actually shot better the more rounds I got through it,,I've owned the Arsenal 93-95-96, all the same rifle, just diff. furniture. Haven't found a newer Arsenal converted Saiga yet,,but their Bulgarian rifles were tough to beat.

 

[Markus]

My experience has been that the milled AK look and shoot a little better but just a little. My property though fairly large doesn't have many places were I would need to shoot more than 100yards. I am buying this more because I always wanted an AK than anything else. This seems like a good functional example with a good reputation for reliability and decent fit and finish. Thanks for the replies.