SLR 106 CR problem rifle...SOLVED.

Well, a source of firearms frustration was solved today. I must say I am glad I spent the time figuring this one out. I learned some things. The firearm in question is an SLR 106CR, or a Bulgarian made 5.56 AK imported by Arsenal. Problems, FTF's, destroying brass and trouble with sight adjustment. The FTF's happened with many different types of ammo including WOLF, TULA, Federal and LC M855. I did some reading and found out this is one of the "dreaded" AB prefix serial number guns. A fix on AK forum solved the problem. I widened and polished the feed ramps with a Dremel. The firearm then had no problem eating all the mentioned ammo, but refused to cycle my reloads consistently. I learned that the gas system on an AK is over-gassed. It requires more to cycle that big bolt carrier. Increased my powder to upper mid range load data and it works every time now. I was surprised to find the rifle is just a little finicky with lower pressure loads. It just needs a bit more gas. Any less and it will make you crazy. I even threw a bunch of dirt in the action and it still functions. The next problem. Destroying brass. I have to admit I thought it would treat brass the way my mid length AR does. The AR extracts brass and gives it a little kiss on its way. It whispers "I love you. You complete me." before send it to join the others in a nice neat pile at about 3 o'clock and slightly ahead. The AK? It screams "BRASS!! YOU SUCK!! I HATE YOU! SCREW YOU!" Dents the case and then it throws it so far and so randomly you have to spend quite a bit of time searching for it. It leaves a nice gouge on the case rim to boot. Solution? I ordered another top cover from Arsenal and took some tin snips and cut a large section out of it. It took a bit of time to figure out exactly what needed to be removed before it would stop denting the cases. It still happens but it is much less frequently. One in 100 is dented. The ejector gouge problem was solved by not cleaning the rifle. That is all I did. Just stop cleaning it. It also stopped launching cases into the next county. I do oil the bolt and bolt carrier, but I will never clean the gas system again. It seems to prefer that and it hates brass less. It still bends the shell casing mouth, but I can deal with that. Needle nose and annealing will solve that little problem. The sight tool was a bit of a hassle, but specific to the SLR 106 CR. The front sight is attached to the gas system. Standard AK front sight tools don't work. You have to modify them. Also, the sight adjusts backwards. Right is left and left is right. Down is up and up is down. Everything is backwards day. It took some getting used to, but no big deal.

The rifle functions now. It eats what I want to feed it, doesn't tear up brass as badly now and is tons of fun to shoot. It is accurate enough. Accuracy at 100 yards is 3.5 inches. Yeah, not going to Perry with this one, but still loads of fun to shoot. It also scratches an itch started back in 1999 when I saw my first AK74 variant with that side folding stock. I know it is stupid, but the firearm was just a special kind of cool for me. It is also neat that the firearm has matching serial numbers on all major components and eats 5.56 ammo. For those who reload .223/5.56, you can basically find anything you want. The biggest limiting factor for me with the AK platform was the 7.62 x 39 and 5.45 x 39. You have some good surplus right now, but after that is gone, you are stuck. I think it is safe to say that next to .22, 5.56 is the most common round on average in the US.

There were times with this rifle that I wanted to throw it across the range, flip it off and curse everyone who ever touched it during manufacture. I am glad I stuck with it and found a solution to my problems. It really is a neat rifle and breaks up the monotony of "just another AR" syndrome.

 

Im glad youvgot it to work. Thats why I stick with russian calibers for russian guns. No issues.

 

I too am happy for you. I've had issues with guns before and it can be frustrating trying to diagnose and fix it (though thanks to sites like THR its much easier).

 

Actually, the Russians have started producing a 5.56 AK. They have since the early 90's. My rifle would be the AK 102. It wasn't a caliber problem as much as it was a problem with the civilian incarnation of the rifle from what I read and only specific to the AB prefix. The feed ramp was the problem. I do believe that these were the first batch of rifles imported by Arsenal chambered in 5.56 in this configuration. Also keep in mind the Poles have been using the Beryl and the Israelis used the Galil. It isn't like 5.56 AK rifles just popped up one day.

The problem with using a firearm that is in a Russian caliber is what I mentioned above. It is tough to find reloading components. Bullets are also a problem. Finding 5.45 bullets to reload a case is tough. Cases are near impossible. Although 7.62 is easier, but you have to slug the barrel of each rifle to find out the actual diameter of the bullet each rifle likes. Hence the reason I specifically wanted a 5.56. You can find any bullet you want in that caliber and cases are really easy to find.