Arsenal SA M-7 AK Question

[chvygy66]

Hello to all. I am new to this site and new to owning an AK-47. My wife bought me an Arsenal model SA M-7, 7.62 x 39. I was trying to research the gun and keep seeing (Ban Style) and (No Ban) after all the different models. This is probably a dumb question but I was wondering if anyone could explain to me what this means. I have heard nothing but good about these guns and can't wait to go shoot it, but would also like to be educated on it before hand. It also has a solid stock and I was wondering if you can change it out for a collapsable one. Or do I need to just buy a different model for that. Thank you in advance for any help that can be given.

Chris

 

[bobotech]

In a nutshell, ban style guns are limited in the amount of evil features that they can have. You won't see a ban style gun that has a pistol grip, removable flash hider, threaded barrel, and bayonet lug all on one gun. You will notice a ban gun usually has the bayonet lug ground off, and the flash hider is either welded to the barrel or if there is no hider, then the barrel will have no threads.

I am pretty sure that no-ban guns have to meet 922r requirements (no more than 10 imported parts on a rifle).

 

[Sam1911]

Federally, there is no ban any more, so it means nothing.

In some states, there are still State Assault Weapons Bans (of various names) that may dictate that you can't have more than some number of evil features on one rifle.

Check your state laws on the subject. (www.nra-ila.org)

As far as 922(r) goes, that is a more complicated issue. All guns that have been declared to be of "non-sporting" uses may not be imported. Some versions of military rifles (the Sagia, for example is an AK, basically) have been neutered to the point that has been blessed as "sporting" and can be imported. Once in the states, as long as you use USA-made parts to replace a certain number of the major componants of the rifle (not just "evil" bits like flash-hiders, but stocks, barrels, etc.) you can convert it back to "normal."

"Ban" vs. "No-ban" usually doesn't mean anything vis-a-vis 922(r), though. Plenty of rifles that would be o.k. to own in "ban" states would still need to meet 922(r) to be imported.

Layers upon layers of stupidity.

-Sam

 

[bobotech]

"Ban" vs. "No-ban" usually doesn't mean anything vis-a-vis 922(r), though. Plenty of rifles that would be o.k. to own in "ban" states would still need to meet 922(r) to be imported.

That is not necessarly true though. For example, one can import 100 percent imported guns and sell them here but they have to be ban style. They have to have the thumbhole/sporter stock, single stack mag well (limits to 10 rounds), or no bayonet lug, or the elimination of other features.

Your example of the Saiga is a perfect one. They are full russian rifles with all russian parts but once you convert it to AK style, you have to meet 922r. So 922r isn't a requirement for legally imported sporter style rifles. Another example are the WASR10s that are imported from Romania with single stack mag well, thumbhole stock, etc. They have no US parts on them.

That was how rifles were imported during the ban. They had no US parts in them because it wasn't legal to convert them to "no ban" status anyways.

now that the ban is over for most of the US, we still have to deal with this stupid import ban. 922r adherence is based upon the import ban.

So if your rifle is a sporting style (aka full ban style), then it doesn't need to meet 922r.

Layers upon layers of stupidity indeed!!!!

 

[nalioth]

"Ban" vs. "No-ban" usually doesn't mean anything vis-a-vis 922(r), though. Plenty of rifles that would be o.k. to own in "ban" states would still need to meet 922(r) to be imported.

That is not necessarly true though. For example, one can import 100 percent imported guns and sell them here but they have to be ban style. They have to have the thumbhole/sporter stock, single stack mag well (limits to 10 rounds), or no bayonet lug, or the elimination of other features.

The "thumbhole stock" was used a few years ago when the laws were "interpreted" differently.

Century will sell you a single stack WASR with pistol grip and military butt stock all day long which has 0 US parts in it.

 

[femoralis]

The SAM7 is a great gun.

If is missing the bayonet lug and doesn't have a threaded barrel it is a ban-style gun.

No ban guns may have the threaded barrel and bayo lug.

What does your gun have?

TAPCO has a collapsable stock for milled rifles:

http://www.tapco.com/proddesc.aspx?Id=STK06161BLACK

I have no idea what quality the tapco stock has.

ACE riflestocks has collapsable stocks also, but, unfortunately, their stocks require cutting off the lower tang from your recevier before it can be mounted. They make a nice stock, but I wouldn't cut up your tang just to switch the stock.

If I were you, I'd probably keep the stock it came with. If you want to "unban it" with a bayo lug and threaded barrel, that can be done, but it will take some money and gunsmithing.

 

[chvygy66]

Thanks for all the advice.
I honestly don't know what my gun has. I just got it last night and didn't look at the barrell all that close. I was just excited to have the gun. I will have to look when I get home tomorrow.

 

[mstirton]

You'll enjoy shootin the SA-M7. It is one of the top-o-the-line AKs available to us. Mine is a ban style (muzzle break, no bayo lug) and I am fine with leaving it just how it is. If I were you, I would spend money on other things before modifying the stock.
http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/7_62x39.html

http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Surplus_Steel_30rd_7.62x39_Magazine_for_AK_type_Rifles.html

http://stores.homestead.com/Laruetactical/Detail.bok?no=134