Well, the summeris going along, and I've thought it through, that by the end of the year, I'llhave enough for BOTH a M1 Garand, and a high quality AK rifle. Now, I've never operatedan AK, but from what I've seen they look really simple. Figure that would be agod way to learn semi-auto rifles. I did have the opportunity to fondle one onSaturday, and I have to say, I actually found it to be a comfortable rifle, Ihave no complaints about the ergonomics.....though those probably arediscovered later. Anyways, from what I've read, Arsenal sounds like they makethe best by taking a Saiga and converting it to the Kalashnikov platform. Isearched around on K-var's website, and I really like the sgl21-94 which is thefull stock, and a side folder in the 7.62x39mm. I like the folder since once Iget a place of my own, it would be nice to have something for self-defense ifthe situation arises, the folding stock would be easy to maneuver, and easy toconceal in a bedroom, closet, or chest. I think I've droned on enough on that.So, as ignorant as I am with these and any other semi auto rifles, I do havesome questions about some stuff that mainly has to do with the guts of it, andother features.
First off, has anyone used arsenal? How do you like them?
I watched the MAC and the nutnfancy videos on YouTube, and Inoticed that the military arms channel pointed out the 94's lack of areinforcement plate. I'm assuming these add reinforcement to the pistol griparea if the stock is folded and the rifle is dropped. Wanting to be on the"better to have and not need" portion, I was wondering if this is somethingthat any gunsmith could install, and if anyone has a ball park estimate of howmuch this would cost.
Further reading on the rifle, I noticed that the muzzlebrake is not chrome lined which would leave it prone to corrosion. I lookedaround and found ak103.com who I believe is also known as AK USA, and found outthat their muzzle brakes are chrome lined. I was wondering if anyone has hadexperience with them. I also noticed this one http://www.ak-103.com/services/compensator_105.htmlI kind of like it since it’s different, but I was wondering what the conicalpart does, and if anyone knows, would a bayonet fit over this?
Spending some more quality time on YouTube, I foundtheAK47nut, who seems to have some nice videos that walked through on takingapart the bolt, and then showing how to use the cleaning kit. I remember hementioned “…we have modern tools, brass cleaning rods…” which makes me wondercan/should you use the cleaning kits and steel cleaning rod, or can it damagethe rifle?
Sights! Looking at meprolights website, they make nightsights for the AK, was wondering if anyone has used them, and how do theycompare to the factory installed ones? Also, is it difficult to swap them out?
Further waiting out the rain on YouTube, I saw thedifference between double and single hook triggers. Other than the second hook,is there any real difference between them? Is double better? Are they interchangeablebetween rifles?
Further researching, the AK is designed to shoot steel casedammo, but can you fire brass in them? Also, from customer reviews, Tula andwolf seem to get a bad to mediocre reputation, but the silver/brown/golden bearseems to get good reviews. What do you like to run through yours, and if youshoot the bear ammo, how do you like it? Also, can the cases be recycledinstead of just thrown away? I’ve also read about these lacquered cases, whatthe heck are they, and can they “gunk” up the gun?
Those are the functionality questions I have, but I have afew more on accessories.
Is there a good source for real Russian accessories, likeslings magazines, and bayonets? Particularly a source for the modern daybayonet made by Izhmash
With the 922, do slings and other accessories fall under it?
And finally, magazines! Circle 10 seems to produce the bestpolymer ones, but they’re more expensive than Pmags….granted I’ve never used anm16, it just seems like a reasonable comparison. Can these be found cheaper onlike gun broker or from other places? Are steel mags still made?
Also, it would seem like the folding stocks are just attached to a plate in front, could they be removed like other stocks, and swaped out with others? And, do/can these need to be disassembled during cleaning?
The rifles also have an optics mount on the left side of thereceiver, but can/do the optics mounts detach from these like a quick releaseon a rifle scope, or are they permanent?
Fianlly! Sound supressors, though I dont have a use for one, could a 7.62 supressor fit on the barrel, or are those for .308 rifles only?
Thanks for your patience, and for helping out a newb!
Final, final quesstion. The finish on the arsenal's can be damaged by some cleaning materials, from what I've read. Is Hoppe #9 good to use or can that screw up the finish? Would Gun scrubber synthetic safe be a better one to use?
__________________
Dale Gribble: I don't have time for your little problems. My gerbil screwed me!!!
DS
Last edited by GoodNeighborSam; 08-07-2012 at 05:25 PM.
Well, the summeris going along, and I've thought it through, that by the end of the year, I'llhave enough for BOTH a M1 Garand, and a high quality AK rifle. Now, I've never operatedan AK, but from what I've seen they look really simple. Figure that would be agod way to learn semi-auto rifles. I did have the opportunity to fondle one onSaturday, and I have to say, I actually found it to be a comfortable rifle, Ihave no complaints about the ergonomics.....though those probably arediscovered later. Anyways, from what I've read, Arsenal sounds like they makethe best by taking a Saiga and converting it to the Kalashnikov platform. Isearched around on K-var's website, and I really like the sgl21-94 which is thefull stock, and a side folder in the 7.62x39mm. I like the folder since once Iget a place of my own, it would be nice to have something for self-defense ifthe situation arises, the folding stock would be easy to maneuver, and easy toconceal in a bedroom, closet, or chest. I think I've droned on enough on that.So, as ignorant as I am with these and any other semi auto rifles, I do havesome questions about some stuff that mainly has to do with the guts of it, andother features.
First off, has anyone used arsenal? How do you like them?
I watched the MAC and the nutnfancy videos on YouTube, and Inoticed that the military arms channel pointed out the 94's lack of areinforcement plate. I'm assuming these add reinforcement to the pistol griparea if the stock is folded and the rifle is dropped. Wanting to be on the"better to have and not need" portion, I was wondering if this is somethingthat any gunsmith could install, and if anyone has a ball park estimate of howmuch this would cost.
Further reading on the rifle, I noticed that the muzzlebrake is not chrome lined which would leave it prone to corrosion. Not a problem unless you plan to use corrosive ammo. I lookedaround and found ak103.com who I believe is also known as AK USA, and found outthat their muzzle brakes are chrome lined. I was wondering if anyone has hadexperience with them. I also noticed this one http://www.ak-103.com/services/compensator_105.htmlI kind of like it since it’s different, but I was wondering what the conicalpart does, and if anyone knows, would a bayonet fit over this?
Spending some more quality time on YouTube, I foundtheAK47nut, who seems to have some nice videos that walked through on takingapart the bolt, and then showing how to use the cleaning kit. I remember hementioned “…we have modern tools, brass cleaning rods…” which makes me wondercan/should you use the cleaning kits and steel cleaning rod, or can it damagethe rifle? I don't have much use for a commi cleaning kit personally.
Sights! Looking at meprolights website, they make nightsights for the AK, was wondering if anyone has used them, and how do theycompare to the factory installed ones? Also, is it difficult to swap them out? Never used them but it shouldn't too difficult.
Further waiting out the rain on YouTube, I saw thedifference between double and single hook triggers. Other than the second hook,is there any real difference between them? Is double better? Are they interchangeablebetween rifles? A single hook can go in a double hook rifle but not the other way around. Double hooks are supposed to be smoother.
Further researching, the AK is designed to shoot steel casedammo, but can you fire brass in them? Also, from customer reviews, Tula andwolf seem to get a bad to mediocre reputation, but the silver/brown/golden bearseems to get good reviews. What do you like to run through yours, and if youshoot the bear ammo, how do you like it? Also, can the cases be recycledinstead of just thrown away? I’ve also read about these lacquered cases, whatthe heck are they, and can they “gunk” up the gun? There is no reason to shoot brass cased ammo in an AK. I've never had a problem with Tula but I've only shot about 200 rounds of it. I've shot lots of Brown Bear and it has never given me a problem. Steel cases can be reloaded but it isn't worth it fiscally or time wise to do so. I shoot lacquered brown bear and have had no problem with it gumming up or anything (AKs have loose tolerances anyway). Lacquered ammo is better than polymer coated for rust protection too.
Those are the functionality questions I have, but I have afew more on accessories.
Is there a good source for real Russian accessories, likeslings magazines, and bayonets? Particularly a source for the modern daybayonet made by Izhmash Check out Kvar
With the 922, do slings and other accessories fall under it? See the link below
And finally, magazines! Circle 10 seems to produce the bestpolymer ones, but they’re more expensive than Pmags….granted I’ve never used anm16, it just seems like a reasonable comparison. Can these be found cheaper onlike gun broker or from other places? Are steel mags still made? I just posted several links to cheap mags in another thread here, check it out.
Also, it would seem like the folding stocks are just attached to a plate in front, could they be removed like other stocks, and swaped out with others? No, they use completely different trunnions (rear mounts) unless you get a Tapco one which I'd stay away from. And, do/can these need to be disassembled during cleaning? Probably can but no reason to.
The rifles also have an optics mount on the left side of thereceiver, but can/do the optics mounts detach from these like a quick releaseon a rifle scope, or are they permanent? There are quick release mounts available
Fianlly! Sound supressors, though I dont have a use for one, could a 7.62 supressor fit on the barrel, or are those for .308 rifles only? There are suppressors for AKs but why do it? That requires a $200 tax stamp and suppressors cost hundreds more plus they still want make an AK super quiet, don't believe the movies.
Thanks for your patience, and for helping out a newb!
Final, final quesstion. The finish on the arsenal's can be damaged by some cleaning materials, from what I've read. Is Hoppe #9 good to use or can that screw up the finish? Would Gun scrubber synthetic safe be a better one to use? I believe Hoppes could screw it up, I always just use Rem Oil on the finish of my rifles
Unless you can find a converted (AKA 922r compliant non-thumbhole stock configuration) MAK90for less than $600 get an Arsenal and don't look back!
I believe all of the info I gave is correct but if not I'm sure someone will correct me. Just so you know, I own a MAK90 and have done a good bit of research on most all of the topics you asked. If you have any more questions just ask, it always pays to be an educated buyer. Good luck!
wow sam what a book haha i dont have the answers to all your questions so i will do my best to answer what i do know
Quote:
Originally Posted by GoodNeighborSam
First off, has anyone used arsenal? How do you like them?
i dont personally have one but have heard they are top notch
I watched the MAC and the nutnfancy videos on YouTube, and Inoticed that the military arms channel pointed out the 94's lack of areinforcement plate. I'm assuming these add reinforcement to the pistol griparea if the stock is folded and the rifle is dropped. Wanting to be on the"better to have and not need" portion, I was wondering if this is somethingthat any gunsmith could install, and if anyone has a ball park estimate of howmuch this would cost.
i know you can buy them but you would need to checkout a dealer who offers them like cheaper than dirt i believebut i dont think it would be too much to do on your own
Further reading on the rifle, I noticed that the muzzlebrake is not chrome lined which would leave it prone to corrosion. I lookedaround and found ak103.com who I believe is also known as AK USA, and found outthat their muzzle brakes are chrome lined. I was wondering if anyone has hadexperience with them. I also noticed this one http://www.ak-103.com/services/compensator_105.htmlI kind of like it since it’s different, but I was wondering what the conicalpart does, and if anyone knows, would a bayonet fit over this?
all 3 of my muzzle breaks, 2 being tapco and one romanian are blued, no corrosion should form if it is properly cleaned, also i do not see why you would want it to be chrome lined being the bullet does not make contact with the break it is more there to reduce recoil and distribute the backpressure, and no, a bayonet will not fit over that, mine only fits on the straight break designed for the bayonet or my slant break, my m16 style break is too thick.
Spending some more quality time on YouTube, I foundtheAK47nut, who seems to have some nice videos that walked through on takingapart the bolt, and then showing how to use the cleaning kit. I remember hementioned “…we have modern tools, brass cleaning rods…” which makes me wondercan/should you use the cleaning kits and steel cleaning rod, or can it damagethe rifle?
i dont have a cleaning rod for the ak, i use the ones i got in my hoppes cleaning kit i bought 10 years ago, they are screw together lengths to match barrel length and a handle screws attached to one, since brass is a softer metal i dont worry about it hurting the barrel, just use brass if you are unsure
Sights! Looking at meprolights website, they make nightsights for the AK, was wondering if anyone has used them, and how do theycompare to the factory installed ones? Also, is it difficult to swap them out? never heard of this company but tapco makes high visibility front sights in various colors, on member here installed an orange on his and i have a red waiting to be installed on mine, and no adjustng and changing the front sight is not difficult, removing the rear sight leaf can be a little frustrating but nothing impossible for a do it yourselfer.
Further waiting out the rain on YouTube, I saw thedifference between double and single hook triggers. Other than the second hook,is there any real difference between them? Is double better? Are they interchangeablebetween rifles?
the only difference between the two are one trigger has one hook to catch the hammer and the other has 2, no functionality difference and they are not interchangeable between rifles, the reciever should have a notch cut out where the trigger sits to allow the hook to maneuver.
Further researching, the AK is designed to shoot steel casedammo, but can you fire brass in them? Also, from customer reviews, Tula andwolf seem to get a bad to mediocre reputation, but the silver/brown/golden bearseems to get good reviews. What do you like to run through yours, and if youshoot the bear ammo, how do you like it? Also, can the cases be recycledinstead of just thrown away? I’ve also read about these lacquered cases, whatthe heck are they, and can they “gunk” up the gun?
haha thats funny, im not a fan of bear ammo unless its for range shooting, i have had good experience with wolf and tulammo and some russian stuff i got off this website i ordered a bulgy 30rnd mag from a while back, that was laquered, im not sure the real reasoning behind it but it didnt dry my thumb out loading a bunch of mags with it, maybe to assist in sliding of the rounds, maybe another member could provide insight on this, and i didnt notice any more than normal 'gunk' in my gun
Those are the functionality questions I have, but I have afew more on accessories.
Is there a good source for real Russian accessories, likeslings magazines, and bayonets? Particularly a source for the modern daybayonet made by Izhmash
check ebay, gunbroker, local gun shows, online dealers... i know russian made mags and bayonets are hard to come by, at least around here
With the 922, do slings and other accessories fall under it?
And finally, magazines! Circle 10 seems to produce the bestpolymer ones, but they’re more expensive than Pmags….granted I’ve never used anm16, it just seems like a reasonable comparison. Can these be found cheaper onlike gun broker or from other places? Are steel mags still made? look at my thread i just posted about mags.. im looking to buy 6 or 7 and there are some good links in there
Also, it would seem like the folding stocks are just attached to a plate in front, could they be removed like other stocks, and swaped out with others? And, do/can these need to be disassembled during cleaning? since the rear trunnion is different, no rear tang hole, i do not think they can be swapped to a standard fixed stock and they dont need to be removed to clean
The rifles also have an optics mount on the left side of thereceiver, but can/do the optics mounts detach from these like a quick releaseon a rifle scope, or are they permanent? there can be a plate welded to the side of your reciever that can hold a side mount which can be on a quick detach mount, there are other ways to mount optics without having a side mount, there are 'dogleg rails which attach at the rear leaf and again at the rear tang screw, i have one on mine and love it, holds tight
Fianlly! Sound supressors, though I dont have a use for one, could a 7.62 supressor fit on the barrel, or are those for .308 rifles only?
first it must be made to fit the left handed threads on the ak barrel, and have the same barrel diameter, also it must be chambered to allow a 7.62x39 mm ball to pass through it
Thanks for your patience, and for helping out a newb!
Final, final quesstion. The finish on the arsenal's can be damaged by some cleaning materials, from what I've read. Is Hoppe #9 good to use or can that screw up the finish? Would Gun scrubber synthetic safe be a better one to use? not sure the finish but i use gun scrubber to get the bulk then remington gun oil to finish, even rub a little on the metal to give it a shine
my recommendation would be to get the gun first, shoot it and see what you want to change before you go and buy all that stuff! good luck and happy shooting!
my recommendation would be to get the gun first, shoot it and see what you want to change before you go and buy all that stuff! good luck and happy shooting!
I have a SLR-95 and love it. After about 600 rounds I have had nary a malfunction with it. I use Hoppe's and have not noticed any problems with the finish. AK 47 Roll Call!
__________________ But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing.
SSNIPER let me add to your suppressor answer, a silencer requires a tax stamp, the difference between a suppressor because it muzzle the noise level closer to safe hearing decibels, not 100% sure if a suppressor requires the same stamp, maybe something to call the atf about
SSNIPER let me add to your suppressor answer, a silencer requires a tax stamp, the difference between a suppressor because it muzzle the noise level closer to safe hearing decibels, not 100% sure if a suppressor requires the same stamp, maybe something to call the atf about
Supressor and silencer are two terms that interchange for the same thing.
There are no actual "silencers" that eliminate all sound. The ATF regs apply to any device that reduce noise a certain db level.
WOW!!! Thanks guys! Cleared up a lot, I was reading about the brakes on the saiga forums, and there was one guy who had a build up of stuff in his, which is why I was looking at the chrome lined one, but glad the know that it's not necessary! I'll be watching ebay and gunbroker like a vulture to stock up on magzines. Thanks for also clearing up the supressors, thought one would be good if I needed to use the waepon in a self defense situation, but it kinda sounds like a pain to get.
__________________
Dale Gribble: I don't have time for your little problems. My gerbil screwed me!!!
Did some more research today on cleaning and maintaining the AK, and have some more questions. Besides the standard field strip, does the rifle need to be taken down any more? Like removing the upper hand guard from the gas tube? Does the trigger need to be taken out and cleaned like on a shotgun? Or is the field strip all you need?
This is probably a stupid question, but I'll ask. When removing the bolt, does the hammer need to be in the "cocked" position like when disassembling a handgun?
Ah, the gas tube. Since the gasses pass through here, does carbon build up easily? If so, could you just use a nylon or copper brush to clean it out?
__________________
Dale Gribble: I don't have time for your little problems. My gerbil screwed me!!!
Did some more research today on cleaning and maintaining the AK, and have some more questions. Besides the standard field strip, does the rifle need to be taken down any more? Need, no. Should, occasionally.Like removing the upper hand guard from the gas tube? I've owned my MAK90 about three years and have "cleaned" the gas tube twice. Does the trigger need to be taken out and cleaned like on a shotgun?I've never done so or read of anyone else doing so. I think that it is unnecessary. Or is the field strip all you need? Usually. Of course if you use corrosive ammo you will need to be more thorough and pay extra attention to the gas tube.
This is probably a stupid question, but I'll ask. When removing the bolt, does the hammer need to be in the "cocked" position like when disassembling a handgun? By removing the hammer you will cock it.
Ah, the gas tube. Since the gasses pass through here, does carbon build up easily? If so, could you just use a nylon or copper brush to clean it out? Honestly, you could probably get by with never cleaning it unless you use corrosive ammo or shoot it A LOT! But that's just my opinion.
You should really just buy a good AK and get to know it
7Likes
