Vector Arms vs. Lancaster Consulting vs. Arsenal, Inc. AK clones

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Avenger29

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So...in my never-ending search for a rifle (after looking at ARs and FALs), lets talk some decent AKs.

I understand that Vector, Lancaster, and Arsenal all make good clones of the AK. Krebs and Tromix also do good work, but let's not worry about them at the moment. Let's stick to the three brands that I mentioned first.

So, tell me the good, bad, and ugly.

Here's what I know...

Vector- based in Salt Lake City, UT, don't know whether their rifles are imported or home grown. They also make HK and UZI clones. Around $600 for one...

Lancaster- good rifles, don't know where they are based. Romanian G styled rifles are most common, but they also produce other styles (I am not a fan of the forward grip). I want to know where their rifles and parts come from, too. Apparently a little less than $600 for one...

Arsenal- high priced, good quality. Some parts and rifles from Bulgaria? Crappy finish, everything else OK.

So, will a Vector or Lancaster give me Arsenal or near-Arsenal quality, for less?
 
Okay.

Arsenal imports fully manufactured rifles and converts them to 922r legality here. ( so does Century with the WASR, but <ahem> they're not anywhere on the same QC page, now are they?)

Tromix and Red Jacket start with Saigas (rifles and shotties) for their fine products.


Lancaster and Vector all start with Romy G kits (or other AK kit).

I build my own rifles from kits and converted my own Saigas, so have laid out the order in which I'd rate the quality of the above folks.

I'd suggest you buy a Saiga rifle and convert it yourself. With the new Surefire/Master Molder magazines, a bullet guide is no longer required (considered the 'hardest part' of the conversion).
 
I'd rather go with a turnkey rifle for this one...maybe another time...

Arsenal imports fully manufactured rifles and converts them to 922r legality here. ( so does Century with the WASR, but <ahem> they're not anywhere on the same QC page, now are they?)
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Yep. Not anywhere NEAR the same quality level...plus, I am dedicated to hating CAI for thier crappy workmanship...

Oh, and I have seen the Master Molder magazines...not impressed. I want to use off the shelf milsurp mags w/o modifications...

Oh well, looks like an Arsenal is going to be the choice...

BUT...I still want to hear ya'lls opinions...
 
Arsenal is definitely heads and shoulders above the other selections and that is being very generous to the other selections.

If you are looking for the best quality AK out of the box, Arsenal is the way to go.
 
The Vector underfolder I had was a Polish rifle US built on an Ewbanks receiver.

It was a great rifle to shoot.


-- John
 
I went with the Lancaster and compared the Arsenal, Vector, and Siaga conversions. Lancaster Arms built me a nice AK to my specs. I'd be glad to compare it to anything out there.

AKBlastbw.gif

AKM003sm.gif
 
I have a Vector clone in x39 and it's a keeper. Was just out shooting yesterday. :) Foreign parts all came from Poland, country code 11. Reciever is from Armory USA, Houston TX. Assembled in N. Salt Lake Utah.

So, it's a born and bred Polish Texan, that grew up in Utah. Texski :D

AK001.jpg
 
I can't see paying much over 400 bucks for an AK. If you want to spend $700 or more for an Arsenal, or nearly as much for a Lancaster it's your money. For around $450 you can pick up a Yugo AK made on a quality DCI receiver with a new American made barrel. The more I shoot my new Yugo underfolder, the more impressed I am with it. They shoot as well as any other AK, which is to say minute of man at 200 yards. The parkerized finish on the Yugo might not be as pretty as the Arsenal, but then again the Yugo finish doesn't start rubbing off just from contact with simple gun cleaning products like some folks claim about the Arsenal.

Like I said, if you want to spend more you can, but you don't have to for a decent AK. Just have realistic expectations of what the rifle is designed for, and you will be fine. An AK of any stripe is a relatively blunt instrument. :)
 
trbon8r said:
I can't see paying much over 400 bucks for an AK. If you want to spend $700 or more for an Arsenal, or nearly as much for a Lancaster it's your money. For around $450 you can pick up a Yugo AK made on a quality DCI receiver with a new American made barrel. The more I shoot my new Yugo underfolder, the more impressed I am with it. They shoot as well as any other AK, which is to say minute of man at 200 yards. The parkerized finish on the Yugo might not be as pretty as the Arsenal, but then again the Yugo finish doesn't start rubbing off just from contact with simple gun cleaning products like some folks claim about the Arsenal.

Like I said, if you want to spend more you can, but you don't have to for a decent AK. Just have realistic expectations of what the rifle is designed for, and you will be fine. An AK of any stripe is a relatively blunt instrument.
Click to expand...

My problem with the Yugo is that they don't have chrome-lined barrels. I prefer Bulgarian and Polish AKs.
 
My problem with the Yugo is that they don't have chrome-lined barrels. I prefer Bulgarian and Polish AKs.
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I definitley want chrome lined bores and gas systems.

One thing to remember is that lately Arsenal has been having issues with canted sights.
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Yeah, that pisses me off. I can kind of excuse it for a cheap WASR...but you are talking about a top of the line AK- it better be damn near perfect. That issue and the finish issue are mainly what turn me away from Arsenal...

And want a fixed stock- not a Yugo underfolder...I can always put on a folder, but I understand the Yugo underfolders are weird in the stock attachment to the receiver...


So, tell me more about Lancaster especially...
 
I definitley want chrome lined bores and gas systems.
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None of the AKs were, or are manufactured with a chrome lined gas system. Chrome bores might make your barrel last 25% more than a regular chrome moly barrel. Chrome can also flake, which is a problem not unheard of in AKs.

With a chrome bore your barrel might last 30,000 rounds instead of 22,000. So what? Unless you plan to never clean your rifle it won't make a bit of difference. Don't be taken in by the wannabe Rambos that tell you a chrome lined bore is a must in an AK, and any gun lacking this feature is junk. If somehow you shoot 20,000 plus rounds through a Yugo, you can pick up a brand new U.S. made barrel for 79 dollars.
 
None of the AKs were, or are manufactured with a chrome lined gas system. Chrome bores might make your barrel last 25% more than a regular chrome moly barrel. Chrome can also flake, which is a problem not unheard of in AKs.

With a chrome bore your barrel might last 30,000 rounds instead of 22,000. So what? Unless you plan to never clean your rifle it won't make a bit of difference. Don't be taken in by the wannabe Rambos that tell you a chrome lined bore is a must in an AK, and any gun lacking this feature is junk. If somehow you shoot 20,000 plus rounds through a Yugo, you can pick up a brand new U.S. made barrel for 79 dollars.
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OK, I'll take that into consideration.

Keep 'em coming, please...
 
Ever considered a non-Kalashnikov?

vz-58Sideview.jpg


I will never own an AK again after shooting the vz-58.
 
Ever considered a non-Kalashnikov?

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/e...58Sideview.jpg


I will never own an AK again after shooting the vz-58.
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I did. Haven't seen one yet, however.

Too late, anyway. I headed to the gunshop to check out rifles and talk to the owner about ordering some stuff. On the way over, I started to figure that maybe the best thing to do would be to get a less expensive rifle, and put the savings into mags, ammo, and accessories. He had a WASR-10 that looked pretty good, and the magwell wasn't butchered badly. I didn't have any problems rocking mags in and out, and the internals looked quite good. And it felt and looked right. So I put it on layaway.
 
Congrats on the new rifle. Assuming you looked the WASR over for a few of the more common faults, you will likely get a good shooting rifle. I think you made a good choice. It's an AK, not a precision piece of equipment. Assuming the assembly was done correctly your AK will do everything a $700 AK will.
 
Assuming you looked the WASR over for a few of the more common faults, you will likely get a good shooting rifle.
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No canted sights/gas tube, and the mag well isn't in too bad of shape. I fitted a couple of mags in the store, and they worked well. In fact, this is the first AK platform I didn't have trouble removing or inserting the mag. The bolt felt smooth when I retracted it, and the inside looked decent. Plenty of grease, though...it should clean up nicely.
 
No problems with my Century Yugo or my Lancaster. And as long as you can handpick a wasr like you did, you can usually find a good one. Congrats on picking one up, an ak, is an ak, is an ak. As long as it functions you'll be alright.
 

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I almost purchased an Arsenal for about $1200. Craftsmanship is great, and you're paying for a tighter, more polished gun, but you're not guaranteed a great shooter (as with ANY AK purchase). Just something to keep in mind.

I came across a great deal for a WASR-10 that I was able to look over well. Turned out to be a great shooter. Few days later, I came across an AES-10B for $400 and jumped on it as well. At this point, "out" went the idea of purchasing the Arsenal. I was on a roll here and actually enjoyed being able to have a few AK flavors. A bought a few spare mags and still had enough money to buy another AK, so I ran into a nice Yugo M70AB2 at a gun show for $500 out the door.

Three AK's that all shoot well, for $1300. This may not be the route you want to take and more power to you if you want to spend some money on an Arsenal or similar. Some may say it is worth spending that much on an AK-47, some may not.

Oh, and by the way... my $400 RPK clone (AES-10B) shoots great too.
13 shot group, 11 shot cluster approx. 1.5" at 50 yards.
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Group shot:
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I can't see paying much over 400 bucks for an AK. If you want to spend $700 or more for an Arsenal, or nearly as much for a Lancaster it's your money. For around $450 you can pick up a Yugo AK made on a quality DCI receiver with a new American made barrel.
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The Lancasters made on Romy kits are just over $500.

I have two (Technically not Lancasters, as our local builder broke off from them and is now Arma Rifle and Cartridge in Parker, CO.). I paid $500 for my red headed Romy and $660 for my Polish Tantal sidefolder. Both shoot great. He builds them on US recievers (can't remember the make) with Tapco G-2 trigger groups. All parts are chemical washed, sandblasted and gun-kote'd before being hand-fit. And his stuff carries a lifetime warranty.

AKs.jpg

I had a WASR, and it shot OK, was totally reliable, but fit & finish was crappy. I had bought the rifle for $200 and sanded/varnished the wood furniture to give it a little bit better appearence, but I ended up trading it for this:

Aspen.gif

Add ~$2500 and about 60 hours of my time, and we now have a nice cruiser:

Aspenfront.jpg
 
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