IO AK47 from Atlantic Firearms

[BigMag]

Ok, So I’m a you tube junkie. Lots of good gun videos are there (except that fpsrussia guy). I saw this rifle video from Atlantic and was curious about anyone with experience with them. It looks pretty nice and from the link to the site its only $599. Let me know what you think.
Thanks for any input.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=bnqDk4OmvvA

Here is a pic...

 

[JHenry]

Last i checked people have been givinf the IO's negative reviews, though its been awhile.

But from what i have read recently Interarms has been getting really positive reviews and theyre in the same price range, so take a look at them theyre also on Atlantic

 

[BIGBANG]

I have an IO ak and it's been great for me, the only problems I've had have been mag related.

 

[Rob G]

IOs had some quality control problems in the past. By all accounts they've rectified that problem. Plus the guys from Atlantic Firearms are serious about customer service so if you buy from them and the rifle's no good they'll work with you.

 

[6x6pinz]

The only way I would consider buying anything from IO would be through Atlantic. I picked up an IO AK47 about two years ago. It is finally working but it took a lot of calls and emails to IO to get them to accept it back and get if fixed. They never would tell me what they did and I could see nothing noticeable. It works now, as far as I know because I sold it as soon as it got back. I have been trying to get IO to even take a call about a PPS 43C I purchased new that they built and they won't even return a call or email. I have dropped the 43 off at a local gun smith who I hope can get it working. The first few things found were the firing pin would not even fit through the bolt face and the sear would not hold the hammer back. these I would think would fall into quality control issues. buyer beware and good luck if you decide to go with an IO product.

 

[Girodin]

I can tell you from personal experience that IO has the just plain horrible customer service in addition to quality control issues you hear about all the time. I will never buy anything from them again. There are enough other proven options out there that there is no reason to roll the dice with IO IMHO.

 

[RatherNotSay]

save up the money and get an arsenal.

 

[6x6pinz]

You could buy a Saiga and do the conversion yourself for less and have a far better rifle. this would also allow you to have the exact look you would be after.

 

[Cecil Sharps]

i.o.

Last April i bought a semi ak from atlantic. They recommended an interarms over the i.o inc.

 

[JustinJ]

You could buy a Saiga and do the conversion yourself for less and have a far better rifle. this would also allow you to have the exact look you would be after.

That ultimately depends on how you define conversion. To convert a Saiga fully will cost you far more than an Arsenal unless you happen to have some specialized tools laying around. And even then you'll probably still pay more.

 

[pbratton]

I've had an IO AK for a few years, it's been flawless.

 

[6x6pinz]

That ultimately depends on how you define conversion. To convert a Saiga fully will cost you far more than an Arsenal unless you happen to have some specialized tools laying around. And even then you'll probably still pay more.

I keep hearing this so I would appreciate an explanation. Not being a smart a$$ just looking at what people are talking about. Seems the Arsenal rifles start at around $900 for the SGL (saiga) line. the basic Saiga is $299 with basic conversion parts cost of $165 and less than an hour of time. Tools required are a dremel or file and a drill with a couple of bits nothing special.

 

[Rob G]

Not being a smart a$$ just looking at what people are talking about.

It's a fair question. I'm no expert on converting but I think I can explain it well enough.

Converting a Saiga may or may not cost you more than an Arasenal but I think that's based on what parts you use, what they can find them for cost wise, and if you already own the tools needed. The $165 for parts that you mentioned only get you a basic conversion. Which is to say that you'll replace the FCG (and move it forward), replace the rear stock, add a pistol group, and add a bullet guide. However the front end will still look like a saiga. To do a full conversion you'd have to replace the front handguard, the handguard retainer, the gas block, the front sight block (I think), thread the barrel, and add a muzzle break. Add in the cost for all those parts as well, plus tools to do it (not sure what you need to replace the FSB and gas block, definitely need something to thread the barrel) and you're hitting the $700 to $800 price range. Since you can find SGL 21s as cheap as $700 and SGL 31s down to $780 it becomes a break even proposition to convert one. And possibly it would just be cheaper to have bought an Arsenal. Certainly it's a lot less work.

 

[JHenry]

the only beef i have with arsenals is they stopped making the 7.62 variant with the orginal threading (1x14 lh i believe) and switched over to the 74 styles threading and brake.

and i would replace the stock set with wood so my bill on that gun would be pretty steep, espically when you can buy a wood furnished slant break model for a good bit less.

But im looking for form over function in my criteria(its an ak, function is its middle name)

 

[RatherNotSay]

I keep hearing this so I would appreciate an explanation. Not being a smart a$$ just looking at what people are talking about. Seems the Arsenal rifles start at around $900 for the SGL (saiga) line. the basic Saiga is $299 with basic conversion parts cost of $165 and less than an hour of time. Tools required are a dremel or file and a drill with a couple of bits nothing special.

Where the hell have you been shopping for Arsenals!? I bought mine for $759 shipped on budsgunshop.com with a NATO length stock. If you do go with a saiga then check out dinzag arms for parts. If you can't find what you're looking for there you won't find it anywhere else. I agree with the 24x1.5 threading sucking on the Arsenals but you can have it removed and threaded for more options. Dinzag has the equipment necessary to do such a product and there are a ton of youtube videos on the subject.

Good luck!

 

[6x6pinz]

What I would like to see is what exactly is a two stage trigger group. Is it just an american made version of the original or is it more like a Tapco? Hand guards are available as direct bolt on now, this was not the case in the past so that is really not that big of a deal. I prefer the looks of the Saiga factory fore end so I have not found a reason to replace it. Picatinny rails are something I have no use for. Threading the barrel is easy and as stated the tools are available from Dinzag arms (where I get all my parts).

I find it a little funny that people will push others into building their own AR rifle and yet shy away from working on an AK. Yes the AK requires a little more skill to do bigger modifications but most tinkers have those items. A simple shop press and the ability to make things goes a long ways. The same is true for the AR's, special tools are a must to do mods to the rifle other than just bolt on items.

While not a rifle this is my Saiga 20 I modified using parts from Dinzag. I chose rifle sights just because I wanted it to look like my rifles.

 

[BigMag]

Wow, that’s for all the info! I hear a lot about building a Saiga rifle but to be honest I don’t have the time. I have a hard enough time finding time to just get out and shoot. Two jobs, kids and a wood working shop and I might be lucky to get a few hours in shooting. So my time is very limited. I really just want to get something that I can shoot and be comfortable with out of the box. IO appears to have stepped up a bit. I think for $599 I'll give it a shot.

 

[RatherNotSay]

What I would like to see is what exactly is a two stage trigger group. Is it just an american made version of the original or is it more like a Tapco?

The 2 stage trigger is something I changed right away. The 2 stage has a little bit of creep with "slight" pressure and then there was the actually spring tension of the second stage. To me it was a little odd and did not agree with it at all. I ended up installing a g2 trigger and loved it ever since. With the 2stage at 8lbs and the g2 at ~3.5 it's night and day.

 

[6x6pinz]

If you get time and still have access I would like to see what the 2 stage actually looks like. Just a curiosity sort of thing. I really like the Tapco G2 triggers. Just seems to feel right in the AK platform.

BigMag, good luck if you go with IO. Atlantic will take good care of the problems they are some outstanding people.

 

[RatherNotSay]

I just sold it but I have the picture from the sale thread...

 

[Lone_Sheep_Dog]

For just a little more money you could get an Arsenal SGL 21. They are the best. Check AR15.com for a promo code to buy at Aimsurplus.com.

 

[csspecs]

Patent pending?? Is anyone seeing something original about that trigger because it looks like every semi-auto AK trigger I have ever seen.

 

[6x6pinz]

OK so it is just another version of a Tapco, cool. Have you seen the JG special saiga's at $520 converted. hard price to beat.