Back to The AK

Restless28 · 11-12-2012, 09:14

After much thought and some discussion, I have decided to go with an Arsenal Bulgarian SLR101 as my next rifle.

My teen son told me he liked shooting AKs more than the AR, too.

I've never owned a milled AK. Good buy at $990?

ArmoryDoc · 11-12-2012, 09:16

About as good a buy as you're going to get right now. Good choice in an AK. You'll like it.

**MrMurphy** · 11-12-2012, 09:53

Out of all of the AK's, short of an actual Izhmash, an Arsenal is the best out there.

You could go with a Saiga Krebs conversion (which IS an Izhmash) but for a factory complete gun, the Arsenals are good.

Restless28 · 11-12-2012, 09:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrMurphy

Out of all of the AK's, short of an actual Izhmash, an Arsenal is the best out there.

You could go with a Saiga Krebs conversion (which IS an Izhmash) but for a factory complete gun, the Arsenals are good.

I have never owned a milled AK. These even have the side rail.

It looks like a deal, in these times. $990 at Bud's

**MrMurphy** · 11-12-2012, 12:34

Nothing really 'better' about a milled AK.

The milled receiver AKs came to be because Soviet stamping was not up to par. The AK was designed to be a stamped metal gun, and the vast majority (since the mid 50s) are stamped guns. Milled AK's as opposed to AKMs are out there, i know a bro who even ran into an original 1949-1950 made Russian AK in Afghanistan.

But out of the 100 million+ AK's out there, probably 98 million of them are stamped.

They also weigh less, a not inconsiderable thing when carrying a full load.
I'd be happy with either.

Reswob · 11-12-2012, 13:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Restless28

After much thought and some discussion, I have decided to go with an Arsenal Bulgarian SLR101 as my next rifle.

My teen son told me he liked shooting AKs more than the AR, too.

I've never owned a milled AK. Good buy at $990?

Not really. Milled offers zero advantages over stamped, and weighs more to boot. For the same price you can pick up an Arsenal SLR-107 series.

fnfalman · 11-12-2012, 17:53

Buy one of each. I have a stamped NORINCO MAK-90 and a milled Bulgarian SLR-95MB.

Dubble-Tapper · 11-12-2012, 18:23

yeah, they are great guns, but dont think you have to get a milled receiver to have a quality Kalash. either way, great guns. i love my stamped SGL-21...

ithaca_deerslayer · 11-12-2012, 20:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Restless28

These even have the side rail.

You mean the scope mount, or something else?

mjkeat · 11-12-2012, 20:26

Nice AK.

I had the AK and VZ58 out tonight. Nothing like deforming 1/4" AR500 steel plate. I really enjoy shooting x39.

mixflip · 11-12-2012, 22:52

I only have a cheap stamped non dimpled WASR 10/63. But I love it!!! Im sure you will be happy with an Arsenal though.

Restless28 · 11-13-2012, 04:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by mixflip

I only have a cheap stamped non dimpled WASR 10/63. But I love it!!! Im sure you will be happy with an Arsenal though.

Ain't nothing wrong with a WASR.

SGT HATRED · 11-13-2012, 04:59

Love my SLR101! I was lucky enough to find a nice crack head selling it dirt cheap...

HexHead · 11-13-2012, 05:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrMurphy

i know a bro who even ran into an original 1949-1950 made Russian AK in Afghanistan.

Hmmm, that's when production of the SKS first started.

HexHead · 11-13-2012, 05:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Restless28

Ain't nothing wrong with a WASR.

I agree. It will get the job done as well as the others.

DEADEYEGUY · 11-13-2012, 08:41

I bought one a long time back when they weren't so expensive. The people at the range I've let shoot it all say "this doesn't even feel like an AK". More are surprised by the trigger. It breaks just a bit under 4 lbs. and is very smooth. I put a Mojo adjustable peep sight on it to replace the lousy AK rear sight. An UltiMak that can be co-witnessed on the front.
With good ammo if you can do it the gun will put groups into about 2" at 100 yards give or take. Pretty impresive considering most AK's get 4"-6" at best at 100. It is not as ergonomic as my M4. My M4 is much easier to shoulder. Almost no recoil. Will shoot under an inch with good ammo at 100 yards. And since I use good mags, keep it cleaned and lubed, it has never not gone bang.
I know we are not getting into the M4 vs. AK thing. It still has the lame AK safety. It still isn't as natural a pointer. But having said all that I've decided in most instances if I had to take off into the woods because things went bad it would be my AK I'd grab. I think the AR series of weapons is superior in many ways. But it has a lot of small parts. Is tougher to break down and clean.
The AK from Arsenal is more than accurate at the ranges you would use it. I have Winchester soft points for game taking or nasty wounds. Sapsan fragmenting rounds for terminal effect. And plain old FMJ in case I need penetration. And they will penetrate. Their are a ton of aftermarket parts for AK's now if you want them. It's come a long way in versatility and choices. I'm just saying you have a first class weapon that will bring a smile to your face. Not some expensive POS that has rough parts, canted sight blocks, and so on. Enjoy!

mixflip · 11-14-2012, 01:26

Gotta love crack heads with AK's lol. As long as the crack head didnt burglarize someones home to get that beautiful milled Arsenal?

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGT HATRED

Love my SLR101! I was lucky enough to find a nice crack head selling it dirt cheap...

SGT HATRED · 11-14-2012, 02:13

Well I sure hope he didn't. I do still have his info if it comes up...

***faawrenchbndr*** · 11-14-2012, 04:08

Arsenal is a great choice,.......

PlasticGuy · 11-15-2012, 09:59

Arsenal makes very good AK's, and the milled 101 is an excellent example. I don't know that it offers any performance advantages over stamped, but they are smooth and solid. You won't regret it. Oh, and $990 is a good price. You did great.

bmoore · 11-15-2012, 10:06

Arsenal is top notch.

**MrMurphy** · 11-16-2012, 10:43

The SKS was in production in 1945, the AK was adopted in 47 but didnt achieve full production till 49ish and started mass issue in 51-52 in secret, from all ive seen and read.

adamg01 · 11-16-2012, 16:20

Did you get rid of those two AMD's you had a couple of months ago? I bought an SLR101 from Buds also and shipped it back to Arsenal last week. I hope they resolve my issue with the rifle but I am not holding my breath with their track record for CS.

SGT HATRED · 11-16-2012, 17:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamg01

Did you get rid of those two AMD's you had a couple of months ago? I bought an SLR101 from Buds also and shipped it back to Arsenal last week. I hope they resolve my issue with the rifle but I am not holding my breath with their track record for CS.

That's a first. What was your issue with your 101?

adamg01 · 11-16-2012, 18:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGT HATRED

That's a first. What was your issue with your 101?

I noticed the front sight pin was higher than normal and I just figured that they didn't zero it. I went to shoot it at 50yds and it was shooting so high that I was missing the target. By the time I zeroed the rifle at 100yds, I had to raise the pin so high that it is flush with the protective ears. It makes it impossible for me to shoot the rifle naturally and the ears give the pin little protection also. I am just waiting to see if Arsenal will do anything about it, they have it in their possession now.