Tell me about my SA M-7

[Father Knows Best]

I just got lucky. I dropped by my FFL to pick up a firearm he was transferring for me, and noticed yet another AK replica on the used rack. Most of them are junk, but I had time to kill and reached for it. The first thing I noticed was that it was in gorgeous condition -- literally "like new." I looked at the side and saw "Arsenal SA M-7." The price tag said $399. I said, "you're going home with me."

So what do I need to know? It has synthetic furniture and a scope rail of some kind on the side of the receiver. It has a single mag that I assume is 30 rounds -- it's long and curved (chambering is 7.62x39, by the way).

Do standard AK mags fit this thing? I hear lots of talk about different mags for AKs. What are "waffle" mags? Anything I should look for or stay away from?

Also, the trigger seems extremely light to me. Is that normal, or has it likely been worked on?

 

[triage1998]

It has milled receiver with 90 degree gas block and AKM style gas tube and front sight. It comes with polymer handguards and buttstock.

The sam-7S has the side scope mount.

You got one hell of a deal!!

Does it have the bayonet lug and can you take off the muzzle brake?

Do standard AK mags fit this thing? I hear lots of talk about different mags for AKs. What are "waffle" mags? Anything I should look for or stay away from?

It will take double stack 7.62x39 mags or "standard mags" .

Bulgrian waffle mags are available. Try www.k-var.com

I prefer steel mags but thats me. All AK47 mags are great and will last a long time. Polish polymer mags are the only mags that have some problems. Small cracks can develop around the feed lip. They still work great.

Congrats!


Does your SAM-7S kinda look like this but with black polymer furniture?

 

[another48hrs]

Also, the trigger seems extremely light to me. Is that normal, or has it likely been worked on?

All the Arsenals I've played with including mine have a really nice trigger, in fact the best trigger of all my long guns. It feels kind of like a Mauser trigger.

 

[Father Knows Best]

Now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure it said "SA M-7S" on it. I had to take it home and go back to work, so I can't look at it right now.

The picture didn't come through, so I can't tell you if that's what it looks like.

Not sure about the bayonet lug and muzzle brake. It has a muzzle brake, but I don't know if it's welded or threaded on, and I'm not sure what an AK bayonet lug looks like. For the price I paid, I'm gonna guess it's from the Clinton "scary gun" ban era, but that's o.k. with me considering the price.

What's a decent price for mags? I looked at CheaperthanDirt, and they have used East German mags for $15, and new ProMags for $20. Those prices seem steep to me, 'cause I'm used to buying FAL and G3 mags for about $2 each.

 

[Father Knows Best]

It looks just like this but with a steel 30 round mag:

I assume I have a "ban style" with the pinned brake and no bayonet lug.

 

[ak47nevada]

Don't worry about having a "ban" version. The muzzle break used by Arsenal Inc is actually a very efficient flash hider. Take it out at night and blast away at a large mountain in the desert, check it out yourself.

 

[Father Knows Best]

Great idea! Unfortunately, there aren't any mountains or deserts near Memphis. I used to live in Arizona, and I miss it....

 

[Eightball]

Geez.....

...I wish I could find a deal like that, it's just what I'm looking for .

 

[NMshooter]

Oh, you got a horrible deal, that rifle is no good!

So box it up and send it to me, I will even pay for the overnight shipping.



$399 is an incredible deal!

 

[triage1998]

for 7.62X39 mags search the forsale forums here:


http://www.ar15.com/forums/forum.html?b=7&f=123


http://www.gunsnet.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=36

Don't pay over :

$8-$10 for 30 round Eastern European steel mags
$12 for bulgarian waffles
$10-$12 for polish synthetic
$50 for Russian slabsides (these are really cool)

Be patient and ye shall find your mags. Don't over pay. Mags are all over the place.

Now you need about 20-30 mags

 

[Father Knows Best]

Thanks, all. I'm at home now, and it does indeed say SA M-7S on it. I see nothing that looks like a bayonet lug, and as near as I can tell the brake is pinned on.

So what's the scoop on cheap plinking ammo? Anything corrosive out there that I need to stay away from?

 

[triage1998]

It sounds like it is one of the pre-ban rifles made between Sept 94-Sept 2004

Thats OK though you still got a great deal. The S on the SAM-7S just means it has the scope mount.


Good plinking ammo is:

NON-Corrosive
WOLF
Barnaul

CORROSIVE
Yugoslavian surplus


Also there is this portugese ammo out there in green battle packs. Some people have said it is Bosnian but who knows I've haven't personally used it but I hear it is decent. Its pricey like the YUGO. I would stick with Wolf or Barnaul for plinking.


Don't worry about corrosive ammo though. You have a chrome lined barrel. It won't hurt it but I would clean with hot water and windex or 10% ammonia to get all the corrosive salts out of the barrel, gas chamber, gas piston, bolt, and bolt carrier anyway. Just get a squeeze bottle.


Then do a normal cleaning after that.



I've bought ammo from all of the people below

Aim and Dan's ammo seem to have slim pickings right now.

I bought Wolf ammo last year at $79.00 per 1000. It seems right now the prices are really high on all 7.62x39

Have fun!!!!


http://ammoman.com/

http://www.ammunitionstore.com/

http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/copy_of_7_62x39.html

http://www.dansammo.com/ammo.asp