Just got a new Tantal

[The Grand Inquisitor]

By some odd coinsidence, my local gun shop got two brand new, beautiful Polish Tantal's in 5.45 (although I am pretty sure that the Tantal is only chambere din 5.45).


Being an AK junkie, I immediately knew that I had to have one, but since I had just bought a very nice Savage in .300 win Mag, I didn;t really have the cash to buy the rifle. I finally decided to trade away my AR-180B plus a little bit of cash for the Tantal, and even though I really liked the 180B and it was my only 5.56 rifle, I ultimately gave in to the desire for the Tantal, not only because I am an AK collector but also because I know that Tantal's are not going to be a long term buying option for under $800-$1000.


The rifle is beautiful and brand new, matching serial numbersand made by ITM Arms co. in Cleveland, and surprisingly enough, the rifle is stamped 1993, so thankfully, the only US made piece is the reciever. The only odd thing about the rifle is that the colours of the hand guard and gas cover are two different colours- the hand guard is orange bakelite like the Ak74 mags with a little bit of a wood grain look to it, but the gas cover is a more dull brown - thankfully they match well, but it is still odd to see the two different colours. I think Tantal's also have black or plum stocks, but I never actually seen any other Tantal's, so I cannot speak from experiance.


The rifle shoots like a dream, and only further reinforces my love of the 5.45 cartridge and the kalashnikov platform in general.


anyone else out there have a Tantal?

 

[brandyspaw]

I don't have one but have been wanting to buy a kit to build one or
have one built. I have a Polish AKMS in 7.62 and would love to have a Tantal
in 5.45. I think the Polish AKs are among the best especially in the
area of barrel quality.

Concerning the handguards, all Tantal kits I've been looking at have
had the mismatch of materials that you describe so I think that is normal.

This link for Akron Armoury has pictures of their Tantal kits:
http://www.akronarmory.com/

As you can see the handguards are normal. Another good source is
DansAmmo. You might do a search to confirm that.

I think most AKs right now are currently good investments as the
importation of more kits and barrels appears to have come to an end.
It will be a long while as there are plenty of them in the US but eventually
the supply will dwindle.

 

[MTMilitiaman]

This might be a stupid question, but what exactly does Tantal refer to? Is it a country of origin? How does it differ from the AK-74 or is it just a nickname?

Like you I am somewhat of a fan of the Kalashnikov. Unlike you I don't yet have a collection. I am hoping to convert a Saiga in 7.62x39 and get an Arsenal Inc in 5.45mm, as well as purchase a Galil clone build at somepoint, but for right now will have to settle with my WASR.

 

[possum]

http://hem2.passagen.se/dadkri/Tantal.htm


check out the above link it has some good info on the tantal.

 

[MTMilitiaman]

Interesting...

 

[Gun Wielding Maniac]

The rifle is beautiful and brand new, matching serial numbersand made by ITM Arms co. in Cleveland, and surprisingly enough, the rifle is stamped 1993, so thankfully, the only US made piece is the reciever.

You'd better hope not. The rifle will need at least 6 US made parts to be legal if it has the original muzzle device. The receiver only accounts for one. ITM did not make the rifle, they simply manufactured the receiver. Someone else built the gun. Was there any documentation that came with the rifle? Check the trigger mechanism to make sure that it is US made... I would be very surprised if it were not. The parts count issue is kind of an urgent thing.