I am not surprised, though I am a bit disappointed. I have run an SLR through classes, and in the rain, with no bubbles or rust. Admittedly it was krylon camo'd before hand. So I think Arsenal dropped the ball somewhere trying to crank these out fast.

He essentially confirmed what everyone who spends a good deal of time behind an Arsenal already knows. The finish is garbage (but typically not this bad). The trigger is horrible and should be replaced or worked over well. And they only guarantee straightness as far as it being able to zero. However, they work. They work very well.

Having said that, I cannot stand how Arsenal (and K-var) jack up the prices just because they can. Or, maybe I should blame the people who buy them at these prices. Having the market on a modern AK100 series cornered has really sucked for the consumer. So unless you are a purist and must have the left-side folder, they aren't worth the $950 price tag. Of course the entire AK market is inflated at least 50% over where it should be (in terms of value per firearm quality).

On a side-note, I watched a RAS47 dust cover fall off while firing.

 

I am not surprised, though I am a bit disappointed. I have run an SLR through classes, and in the rain, with no bubbles or rust. Admittedly it was krylon camo'd before hand. So I think Arsenal dropped the ball somewhere trying to crank these out fast.

He essentially confirmed what everyone who spends a good deal of time behind an Arsenal already knows. The finish is garbage (but typically not this bad). The trigger is horrible and should be replaced or worked over well. And they only guarantee straightness as far as it being able to zero. However, they work. They work very well.

Having said that, I cannot stand how Arsenal (and K-var) jack up the prices just because they can. Or, maybe I should blame the people who buy them at these prices. Having the market on a modern AK100 series cornered has really sucked for the consumer. So unless you are a purist and must have the left-side folder, they aren't worth the $950 price tag. Of course the entire AK market is inflated at least 50% over where it should be (in terms of value per firearm quality).

On a side-note, I watched a RAS47 dust cover fall off while firing.

I can understand the cosmetic issues, but not in a $1000+ gun.

It's good that the gun works without destroying itself like the Century Arms crap and other craps being offered, but damn, for a thousand dollars, the gun better not have flaking or bubbling finish coating or misaligned sights, gas blocks, etc.

 

mines an xm55 serial number rifle and According to them it should have had this happen to mine by now.I respect their opinions and they are doing the ak world a great service by calling these places out. I paid 899 for my 107 a few months ago and don't regret it one bit.

20160505_173342(0) by 03scgt, on Flickr

 

I agree that many AK manufacturers need to have shenanigans called on them. Arsenal will just create another "shortage" due to a military contract, then have some just in time to sell at inflated prices during the coming President Klingon panic.

 

2000-rds Test by Rob Ski.

Now they have problem with the trigger resetting correctly.

For heaven's sake, how hard is it to make an AK?

 

2000-rds Test by Rob Ski.

Now they have problem with the trigger resetting correctly.

For heaven's sake, how hard is it to make an AK?

I have 3 Arsenals an SLR 107F, a SAM7, and a SGL. The SLR and SAM7 are made in Bulgaria and the SGL was made in Russia. Arsenal imported these and made a few changes to satisfy the compliance of law. A G2 trigger group has improved the trigger pull and the triggers are smooth and flawless. There are no problems with any of the sights or anything else. The modernized AK series that are military contract rifles are not blued like the older AKM styled rifles. I may be wrong but I have never seen the more modernized rifles blued. Bubbles with paint over heated is a reality. I am fine with the paint and would rather have bubbles than other issues like crappy steel bolts that lose headspace within 5000 rounds like the RAS47.

 

If you're fine with a $1000+ AK that isn't built correctly, then that's your money to do as you will.

 

By the way, using paint does not equal built incorrectly. Paint is standard on new military issue modernized AK weapons. Your other grip about the trigger is a non-issue for me as I want a G2 trigger on any AK I own.

 

So, when you buy a 1000+ gun, you have to put in more money to make the trigger work correctly?

Note that I said make the trigger work correctly and not to improve the trigger pull or feel. Somebody don't give a damn about whether or not the trigger pull on a military semiauto is match grade or whatever. But they sure would like to have a trigger pull that works and not having reset issue, or fire when the finger is not even on it.

BTW, why is it that some Arsenal paint jobs don't bubble and some do? If paint were to bubble then shouldn't them all suffer the same thing?

I noticed you didn't comment on canted sights and canted gas block.

What exactly is acceptable as a defect on a $1000+ gun?

 

Forget a true AK.

M10X Elite is the way to go. Modern features with 7.62x39 goodness.

 

Funny, all of these problems are traced to U.S. made parts. 922r strikes again.

Again, this is another "duh" moment. Arsenals have had known trigger failures for years. In fact, most of the people I have talked to who encountered the Arsenal failure to reset had around 2,000 rounds through the rifle.

The lack of competition has led to a lack of concern from the Bulgarian mafia. Maybe this will be a wake up call, but more than likely not. If you want evidence, just read their facebook post about 90 round "torture tests". Stay classy, Arsenal.

Edit: AR prices being low is all about demand. Joe Bob is buying up anything that is remotely shaped like an AR, regardless of quality and cheap manufacturers are happy to sell them garbage. AR costs and quality have never been lower. Two months in a row now I have had to trouble shoot someones gun show special AR. "But the dealer told me this is just as good as a Colt".

The price of AR's from good manufacturers (Colt quality or better) has been steady for the past few years with the exception of Colt, who was forced to come in line or be pushed out of the market.

 

It's great that Rob ski is doing this and holding Arsenal et al testicles to the fire as it were.

Is AK... I understand, cheap commie gun for peasant masses and all that.

Arsenals ain't cheap. Caca occurs now and then and it pisses off some peasants, rightfully so (if they have similar issues); meanwhile others rush in to defend and/or rationalize... also a natural human trait.

Mine's Fine. Too bad yours sucks. Hope "They" fix it.

Some companies have a reputation for excellence in both QC and customer service and fixing things on their dime on time when and if the need arises (it does from time to time), e.g., Springfield. Their Fine reputation is known and worthy of consumer respect (and I think in their history the past few decades, with good cause).

But I would bet Rob ski could even make a PRO cry, bleed and puke... maybe? (Muahahaha) And SAI would quietly make it right gaining more good notoriety all along the way. Smart business model.

BTW, MY SLR-106FR... it's Fine... just fine. (so far, but I'm a sweet little kitteh compared to Rob ski's ballbustin') Too bad Robs broke tho, ain't it?

Is AK. Spend 3 minutes to fix using handy dandy AK cleaning kit/tool built for peasant masses, load and shoot more.

I have even seen videos of peoples AKs smoking then catching wood handguards afire!!! Ohs Nos. (not germane to this conversation but still and all, kinda cool. don't know if that's a design or mfg flaw or feature or whatnot.)

But when they don't go "BANG!" when they oughta... that can get ya kilt... maybe. (if killing is in your professional repertoire of tricks, I'm sure you make all your tools right as rain before you load up and head out the door for work)

 

If people are willing to pay $1000+ for Arsenal and put up with shoddy workmanship, then good for them. It's their money they can spend it any which way they want.

I sure as hell won't be spending a grand on an AK with shoddy workmanship. I'd tolerate some of that crap on a $400 gun but not a $1000.

Besides, I got me some real commies made AKs anyway. NORINCO all the way.

 

I would be pissed if I spent $1000 on an SLR 107 and that was the rifle I ended up with. Arsenal isn't known for their paint, and a slightly canted front sight isn't that uncommon with AKs. But the entire rear sight block being misaligned, faulty trigger, and the rust is complete BS.

Interested to see how this shapes up as I was expecting better from the SLR 107.

 

I own a 107cr. Paint bubbled almost instantly. Paint came off the receiver after the first cleaning. Luckily for me I didn't buy it for looks. Very accurate and haven't had a fail yet. That said I thought it would become my favorite ak. I was wrong. My Chinese are still my number ones. Nhm 90 being the best I own. Milled Mak 2nd. Then my stamped Mak . Probably won't by another aresnal although I might be trading on one ( got a guy want to trade a 107fr on my evo scorpion ).

 

Very accurate and haven't had a fail yet. That said I thought it would become my favorite ak. I was wrong. My Chinese are still my number ones. Nhm 90 being the best I own.

this. I like my 107 fine, and thought it would be my favorite, but I have an older Polish 1960 that is solid, runs better and looks great. After that is my NHM 91.

 

I would be pissed if that was the sample I received and I really enjoy everything Rob does. I feel like I got really lucky with mine. Front sight straight, zeroed with the post in the center, mine's actually parkerized underneath (confirmed this when removing the lower handguard), and have not had any bubbles or rusting after getting the barrel smoking. The only gripe I can come up with is slightly canted rear sight. Trigger was very gritty in the take-up when I first got it but very smooth now. I honestly can't complain too much at this point, but feel pretty fortunate with the one I have.

 

3000-rounds report.

 

The rifle doesn't have any fucntional issues other than a ****ty finish, and that is a cheap/easy fix for anyone who it legitmately bothers...so I personally don't understand all the hate, because otherwise it's a great gun and Rob even admits to that much...

The US MADE trigger group in my SLR was actually the first thing I tossed...believe it or not for a RAK-47, which is far superior. All this hand-wringing about "it should be better for a $1k gun" need to understand several things:

1. The current market actually dictates that the SLR is a better value than ever...considering WASRs are well over $600+ on average, and ****ty US made AK's dot the landscape at nearly the same price or higher.

2. There is literally no other products AK-100 series variant on the market to be found...so if you want a legit AK-100 series sytle rifle made in an actual military arsenal with properly forged and specced parts, Arsenal's the only game in town.

3. Arsenal supply is far lower than competitors, but demand is much higer...so supply and demand guys, come on.

4. If an import ban or Assault weapons ban were ever to occur, Arsenals would carry far greater collector's value than American made AK's

5. I bought my SLR-107 for exactly $932 shipped just last year...and still can find plenty selling for closer to the upper $800's and $900 than I can $1k.

6. Even if your Arsenal does peel or bubble the finish (mine never has for the record), it's still parkerized underneath. Simply apply $6 can of Rustoleum applicance epoxy or VHT engine enamel of choice and you can have a "better" than factory finish.


At the end of the day, if you'd rather have a RAS47 or C39 V2 just because it has a nicer looking finish...by all means...

 

If you think that it's acceptable to pay $1000 or more for a gun that has canted front sight, canted rear sight, canted gas block AND bubbling paint finish, then by all means. Knock yourself out.

The gun works well and that's supposed to be a cause for celebration? It's a damn AK. It better works well.

The rifle doesn't have any fucntional issues other than a ****ty finish, and that is a cheap/easy fix for anyone who it legitmately bothers...so I personally don't understand all the hate, because otherwise it's a great gun and Rob even admits to that much...

The US MADE trigger group in my SLR was actually the first thing I tossed...believe it or not for a RAK-47, which is far superior. All this hand-wringing about "it should be better for a $1k gun" need to understand several things:

1. The current market actually dictates that the SLR is a better value than ever...considering WASRs are well over $600+ on average, and ****ty US made AK's dot the landscape at nearly the same price or higher.

2. There is literally no other products AK-100 series variant on the market to be found...so if you want a legit AK-100 series sytle rifle made in an actual military arsenal with properly forged and specced parts, Arsenal's the only game in town.

3. Arsenal supply is far lower than competitors, but demand is much higer...so supply and demand guys, come on.

4. If an import ban or Assault weapons ban were ever to occur, Arsenals would carry far greater collector's value than American made AK's

5. I bought my SLR-107 for exactly $932 shipped just last year...and still can find plenty selling for closer to the upper $800's and $900 than I can $1k.

6. Even if your Arsenal does peel or bubble the finish (mine never has for the record), it's still parkerized underneath. Simply apply $6 can of Rustoleum applicance epoxy or VHT engine enamel of choice and you can have a "better" than factory finish.


At the end of the day, if you'd rather have a RAS47 or C39 V2 just because it has a nicer looking finish...by all means...

 

4,000 rounds

 

Ain't pretty anymore, but still going BANG with boring regularity. (pretty much a given) with a fluke MOA group for fun.

 

My factory stock Arsenal SLR-106U has over 3K on the clock.
Perfect sights, perfect finish and outstanding trigger.

 

If you think that it's acceptable to pay $1000 or more for a gun that has canted front sight, canted rear sight, canted gas block AND bubbling paint finish, then by all means. Knock yourself out.

The gun works well and that's supposed to be a cause for celebration? It's a damn AK. It better works well.

Personally...I didn't buy any AK I own for the finish, and IMO anyone who uses the finish as a major reason for selecting one AK over another has their priorities mixed up.

Everyone by now should know that Arsenal of bulgaria since last year, is focusing on filling military contracts, and most of their 2015 year production rifles were rushed out the door to meet the demand for the consumer market. My 2014 model SLR-107fr has absolutely none of the issues Rob's or some of the other 2015 rifles had for the record. Even if the finish DID wear off of mine, I wouldn't care...because the rifle is parkerized underneath, so who cares? WASR's and quite a few other mil spec AK's are parked only, so if my Arsenal's paint somehow oneday starts to run, bubble, whatever...it's nothing a quick rattlecan job can't fix.

An AK is a rifle that's supposed to go bang every time, be dead nuts reliable in pretty much all conditions, and be easy to use and operate. So what if the sights are canted? As long as they zero, they're within spec. I personally place a trivial amount of concern into what the finish looks like, because I have no problem refinishing a rifle myself...can do so for less than $10, and actually enjoy doing it. It's a non-factor for me...and while others such as yourself may not feel the same way, ultimately it's an AK...it's not supposed to be "pretty". If you want a "pretty" ak, there's other outfits like Rifle Dynamics, Krebs Customs, Definitive Arms, etc that can scratch that itch for you, but they cost a hell of a lot more than an Arsenal. The Arsenal, contrary to your personal belief, is priced accordingly for what you get. Some of you guys with the mentality that the AK shouldn't cost anymore than $300 like it did 20 years ago need to let go of that way of thinking...because building an AK is MUCH more labor intensive and requires more skill than any AR and many other modern battle rifles. In the current market, the cheapest AK"s out there are IO's, and even they cost $500+ these days. The next tier up is Century, then comes outfits costing just barely less than Arsenal...such as DDI, Petronuv, etc...and most of those are parts kits guns. Arsenal is the only game in town that makes a commercially available arsenal built AK-100 series rifle, and is as close to the real deal "milspec" as it gets...PERIOD.

If you'd rather have a gun with straight sites and a pretty nitrided finish...but cast parts in critical areas, a horrible track record of QC, proprietary parts, and a fraction of the longevity of the real deal (along with the added bonus of possibly KABOOMING <5k rounds)...then by all means, save a few dollars and buy a RAS-47. In reality...you're talking about an actual price difference of MAYBE $300 in the current market between a rifle that lives up to everything an AK is supposed to do (along with being the ONLY commercially available AK-100 series rifles on the planet), and the rest of the bottom feeders that are only for the "causal" crowd...

 

Let's keep this simple; you think it's acceptable for an AK to have that sort of poor quality being sold for a THOUSAND bucks?

 

hoevito, I don't think anybody is arguing that Arsenal cannot and has not built great rifles. But that particular rifle with the unsafe trigger, rust, and misaligned gas block is not one of their best specimens. Arsenal isn't known for their finish, that's not a deal breaker. The rust, despite the parkerization, on a new rifle is not desirable. A trigger that double fires unexpectedly could lead to some serious accidents. Compared to other SLR series rifles, I believe that this particular gun came with more baggage than should be considered acceptable.

 

Let's keep this simple; you think it's acceptable for an AK to have that sort of poor quality being sold for a THOUSAND bucks?

And likewise, do you think it's acceptable for $800 AK to have cast parts and metallurgically unsound critical components? See the C39V2's for example...

We can split hairs all we want, but here's keeping it simple: Rob's gun and a few others that were having the same issue he had should rightfully be perturbed. Arsenal's stock triggers aren't great (but a simple polish job does WONDERS for them). The spray job they coat their rifles with isn't great in some cases (although there are tons of rifles that have never experienced finish issues...mine being one). Some do have canted sights. They are not all perfect.

Bottom line is those are relatively minor issues at the end of the day. Canted sights that zero are a non issue. The finish is the finish...for a battle rifle that is used as intended, who cares? The trigger can be replaced with a superior G2/RAK1/ALG for a little bit of nothing, and most opt to do that anyway. Only people who opt to turn their rifles into safe queens and shoot them once a year will be irked by the finish...people who actually use them likely won't care as much. The rust issue is a little more concerning, but that's likely due to poor surface prep at the factory prior to being coated. An annoyance yes...but let's be serious here...it's not like it's going to put your rifle out of commission or get you killed out on the battlefield...

 

Hell no, it's not acceptable for an AK to be made as flimsy as paper mache.

 

hoevito, I don't think anybody is arguing that Arsenal cannot and has not built great rifles. But that particular rifle with the unsafe trigger, rust, and misaligned gas block is not one of their best specimens. Arsenal isn't known for their finish, that's not a deal breaker. The rust, despite the parkerization, on a new rifle is not desirable. A trigger that double fires unexpectedly could lead to some serious accidents. Compared to other SLR series rifles, I believe that this particular gun came with more baggage than should be considered acceptable.

Completely agreed. Rob didn't get a complete lemon per say, but he didn't get the pick of the litter that's for sure. Arsenals in general however are much better than the rifle he obtained, as you stated. 2015 manufacture date rifles have been much spottier on the QC side of things since Arsenal prioritized their military contracts over the US commercial market...

I personally was a tad surprised about the trigger...but one of the first things I did when I bought my SLR was ditch the stock trigger for a RAK-1.

 

And just picked up my second 107. It's a Fr ( others a cr ). It already had a alg trigger ( that thing is sweet ). Got to order one for my cr. My nhm90 still my fav but surprisingly to me I like my Fr more than my cr. Finish on the Fr was already flaking on the barrel. Why the guy wanted to get rid of it. Traded a milled Mak for it ( sweet trade imo . Seeing hoe I got another
Side note. I also pick up a sa m7 Classic . This thing is sweet. It's never been fired and I said I probably wouldn't fire it either but finding it hard not to. Thinking i finally own one that I'll like more than my nhm 90 . Will see I think