New to the AK clan...

[SDDLUP]

Well...

My most recent firearms purchase (a couple of months ago) was an Arsenal Inc. SA M7 A1R. This is my first AK an so far it has lived up to my expectations. As one friend put it...."It's really more of a bullet hose."!!! I have many firearms including some nice bolt guns, HK-91, shotguns and more handguns than my family of five has hands, but I wanted to add an "assault type" rifle, the HK-91 being more of a main battle rifle.

Reliability and a more suitable caliber is why it was chosen over an AR-15. Accuracy? I'm more concerned with reliability than being able to shoot 1" to 2" groups with this rifle. In the end I just think a 7.62x39 AK fits into my battery better than any AR.

Does anyone have any input about the AK-47? Especially anything likely to fail or any peculiarities.

Thanks!


"Arm yourself, arm a friend!"

[tomkatz]

Your Arsenal bulgie is one of the best AK guns out there....
I have a hungarian that has never failed me in thousands of rounds downrange......as far as I know they have no weaknesses.....
I also own an AR but the AK is the one I would reach for if my life depended on it.....enjoy!!!!
.....tom

[Unregistered(d)]

I have had a few AKs over the years, and thier simplicity of design and rugged durability has made me a believer in them. I am hoping to get a WASR or something like that for the loving wife sometime, before the price goes through the roof in January.

[EireGoBragh]

What's going to make the price go up in Jan.?

[Trophyrider]

Welcome to the clan. I have a Polytech I bought back in 1988. I love shooting it. 1000's of rounds downrange and have yet to have a problem.

Erin, the imported barrel ban is going to be enforced.

[Dos]

Nice and reliable pieces they are.   I have one Build/ an AMD65. on Tapco receiver.  Muy Wicked piece !    Also, two SAR 1's. /'02&'03

[BRASMAN]

EireGoBragh,

   Some idiots banned the importation of barrels I think. Which would mean a higher cost since they would have to ship them in without one and fit a barrel on it when it gets here although I thought it was just for kits. Maybe someone else can chime in and be more specific.

[BRASMAN]

SDDLUP,

Congrats on the AK. I used to make fun of them and call them farm impliments and so on. Then I got one and became an AK convert. The AR has its advantages but I prefer a quality AK over an AR now. I prefer the Russian and Bulgarian AKs.

[Unregistered(d)]

BATFE "discovered" the imported parts kit were being made into complete firearms by the Century drunken moneys, and others, which is not really allowed, so they banned the import of complete kits starting Jan 1st, 2006, and only parts kits minus barrel will be allowed in. US made barrels will drive the cost up some, as that is an expensive part. I was hopeing for a cheap AK before then, but not likely - maybe a Saiga if they start coming in again...

[EireGoBragh]

Thanks for clearing that up. Boy, ya just got to love politicians!

[jwc007]

Congratulations on your new Bulgarian AK!  Arsenal makes one of the Best AK's going, although there are others that are very good, too!

I think you're going to like it, alot!  I have a customized  Egyptian Maadi AKM that I like alot.  AK's have that legendary reliability and can be reasonably accurate their intended purposes.  You must keep in mind that the ammunition varies in quality from maker to maker, but it all goes bang and will make holes downrange!  For Inexpensive Defense Ammo, I recommend the Barnaul HP's.  For plinking, all others will do.

[verbaltharhino]

AK's are awesome.  The only bad thing is they get HOT HOT HOT!!  I got a Polish underfolder from Vector Arms early this year and LOVE it!!  Would like a fixed stock Bulgy sometime, too.

[SDDLUP]

Thanks JWC,

I've picked up some Barnaul (Brown Bear) FMJ that is supposed to be some pretty good stuff. I'll get more when it becomes available. One thing I like is that I won't be reloading this stuff all the time. I'll reload a few rounds to do some testing and have some "premium" ammo on hand but for the most part it'll be like a super sized 22LR.

I've purchased a few of the Pro-Mag polymer magazines and they have worked 100% so far. It'll be a while before they will gain my complete trust but they have been flawless so far. I've heard "stories" that they didn't work or that they were bad magazines, but no one has offered any real evidence that I can see, and I KNOW they work fine for me.

[verbaltharhino]

You can get the best AK mags at K-Var Corp. out of Las Vegas (google it).  They are the Bulgarian polymer mags and I believe they are only $10.99.  Good mags.

As for ammo, give the Wolf stuff a try.  My AK seems to like it more than the Barnaul stuff.  Not that the Barnaul doesn't work well, it's just that the laquer does get sticky (noticably) and I've had two misfeeds with it.  None with the Wolf bi-metal (and I've shot a bunch more of that than the Barnaul).

[jwc007]

You are most Welcome, SDDLUP.

Have not had any trouble with the Lacquer coating on the Barnaul or the Wolff in the AKM.  When cleaning up from that stuff I brush out the chamber with a patch coated with Paint Thinner.

For AK Magazines, I'm using surplus Russian Magazines that I bought a loooonnng time ago when I could get them for $3.00 each.  Still a good deal at $9.00 each, now.  Sportsmansguide has some used Balkan AK47 30 rnd mags, 10 for $24.97.  The Plastic Bulgarians sound like good magazines too! (No Rust!) I've had good luck with Israeli Orlite and Canadian Thermold plastic magazines with my AR15.

Edit Note: Sportsmansguide may now be out of the Balkan 10 packs, but they do have others. I would call and not use the Website order.