[ArmoryDoc]

Well, I've added a second AK to the collection. I have a preban Norinco AKM-47S that I don't like to take out much. So, for a working gun, I settled on the Arsenal SGL 21-61. I gotta say, they make a sweet shooting AK. The machining is excellent. Much better than my Norinco. Polished surfaces and little in the way of machine marks. I am very happy with the gun excepting one aspect. The finish.

The finish is basically enamel paint over bare metal. Rumor has it that this model is parked under the enamel but this isn't so. I corresponded with Arsenal customer service today and found there is no parkerizing under the enamel. She called it a "military finish", meaning in her words, just enamel paint. According to Arsenal, the Russian Army gets the same finish.No matter. If it gets that beat up, I'll send it in to have it parked.

Great gun. Well built and really accurate for an AK. If you want a quality AK, I highly recommend the Arsenal SGL series.

 

[post-apocalyptic]

I tend to suspect that whomever you contacted at Arsenal is just a CS rep and doesn't know all the details of some of the rifles they sell. Your new SGL rifle is a Saiga, produced at Izhmash. Every Kalashnikov-pattern rifle and shotgun they turn out is indeed parked under the paint.

What did you do to come to your conclusion that yours is not parked, (besides talking to that CS rep)? You could always rub something like Hoppe's no. 9 onto part of it, I know from personal experience that'll strip the paint and reveal the park.

Anyway, congrats on the new rifle, man! I love mine.

 

[scromer]

They are parked under the paint. And that paint is tougher than you think.

 

[ArmoryDoc]

Here's what I received back, which is a direct quote.

"The finish is a military finish, there is no Parkerizing and is not treated in any other way. We recommend only cleaning the rifle with Brakefree CLP.

Thank you for your purchase.



Annette

Arsenal Inc.
Customer Service"

Well, I hope she is wrong. I've read the debates on other forums so thought I would just contact them directly. Anyway, the rifle is a great piece and I'm not really invested in the enamel/parkerized debate myself. It's a working gun so what the heck. I wish I had dropped the scratch on an Arsenal earlier. The Norinco preban is a nice gun but I'm really liking this Arsenal.

Anyone care to share some pics of your Arsenals ?

 

[post-apocalyptic]

Here's what I received back, which is a direct quote.

Well, I hope she is wrong. I've read the debates on other forums so thought I would just contact them directly. Anyway, the rifle is a great piece and I'm not really invested in the enamel/parkerized debate myself. It's a working gun so what the heck. I wish I had dropped the scratch on an Arsenal earlier. The Norinco preban is a nice gun but I'm really liking this Arsenal.

Anyone care to share some pics of your Arsenals ?

Well man, that's just weird. Have you actually tested this on your rifle? I did, albeit accidentally.. learned that day that Hoppe's #9 was really overkill, (except for fouled bores), as it scrubbed the exterior black paint right off, revealing the dark grey park beneath. I find her term of "military finish" interesting, cause that is literally paint over park..

If you need a suggestion of where to try this where it won't show, I suggest the top of the barrel just behind the rear sight block, (under the dust cover). I'll get you a pic of that spot in particular, but for now, here's one of my '09 SGL21-62(s) w/ a PK23-01 in place:

 

[ArmoryDoc]

Wow ! Looks great ! Love the plum furniture.

I haven't tried it on my gun. You're probably right, she was just shooting from the hip I imagine, in her response. Parked is great and if not, what the heck. If yours is, I'm sure mine is parkerized.

Kinda odd that Hoppes took it right off. I'll just use the CLP on it and avoid the hassle. LOL.

 

[CarlosC]

Mine, wearing a Russian 8x42 scope

 

[ArmoryDoc]

Great rig Carlos !

 

[post-apocalyptic]

Here's the spot:

Also, I should mention that the outer finish didn't come off easily with Hoppe's #9. I was using it to scrub off some polymer fouling, (cheap Russian steel ammo is great, but lacquered, not polymer-coated, is to be preferred). It took a little elbow grease to strip the factory paint in the spot circled. Now, I just use CLP for cleaning, and it works well enough without threatening the outer layer of the military finish.

 

[WayaX]

Here's the spot:

Also, I should mention that the outer finish didn't come off easily with Hoppe's #9. I was using it to scrub off some polymer fouling, (cheap Russian steel ammo is great, but lacquered, not polymer-coated, is to be preferred). It took a little elbow grease to strip the factory paint in the spot circled. Now, I just use CLP for cleaning, and it works well enough without threatening the outer layer of the military finish.

Interesting with the hoppes. I used some #9 to clean out the barrel of my converted Saiga the other day, but didn't get any on the finish. I'll have to be careful from now on.

 

[stopatrain]

Very nice!

 

[ArmoryDoc]

Well, you guys are right about the durability of that finish. I "tried" with Hoppes #9 to get it to rub off in the area about the chamber but it is proving to be a real chore. Even "soaked it" for about 15 minutes. I just said the heck with it. So, I'm happy that it's an acceptable finish in addition to being a very well built AK.

I'll still use CLP, which I use for cleaning my other guns anyway so no gripe there. I'm going back out today for some more range work, then a good cleaning afterwards. I'll post a followup this afternoon. Thanks guys !

 

[Glock 1]

I am looking to buy this same AK. Glad to see you are happy with it. What is the going price on this? Did you buy it new?

 

[ArmoryDoc]

I bought mine new. Got it for $715.00 out the door but most times it's a little more green than that.

It runs great ! Love this gun.