Arsenal AKs: Junk?

Model12Win · January 21, 2018, 03:54 AM

The LGS has a handsome Arsenal SLR 7.62 plum AK on the shelf.

Looks good, they want about $950 for it. In my readings, I've read some recent problems with them such as break in problems and issues with triggers, paint flaking off easily, etc. etc.

The price is high and that leaves me wondering if Arsenal AKs are now junk? Are they just another garbage brand AK?

Thoughts?

marine6680 · January 21, 2018, 12:51 PM

Check out the most recent Rob Ski videos about Arsenal, about a year old or so. Should give you an idea of what to expect.

The biggest problem I can remember is the crappy painted on finish.

MJFlores · January 21, 2018, 07:16 PM

Arsenal is top quality Bulgarian AK sweetness! Nothing wrong with them. When you can buy one...you should, immediately. Consistently one of the best AKs on the market. As for the paint finish....dont over heat it by bump firing 15 magazines in a row. If the paint is flaking off....imagine what the heat is doing to the bolt, piston head, gas block, etc. Common sense is required no matter what you're doing. Notice how Rob Ski used an infrared temp gun and stops shooting at 450 degrees on the gas block? Arsenal is good to go.

Fishbed77 · January 22, 2018, 04:34 PM

Is this a joke thread?

Arsenal is widely considered to be among the best AK manufacturers.

Uncle Malice · January 23, 2018, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Is this a joke thread?

Arsenal is widely considered to be among the best AK manufacturers.

Kinda what I was thinking. I love my Russian SGL21. It's gone through several configuration changes over the years, but the thing ALWAYS works. Now it's running a cheese grater gas tube cover, a surplus/recovered wood hand guard, a folding stock, K2 pistol grip, and an ALG trigger. I bought it around 2010-2011 time frame and it probably has about 4500 rounds through it. Runs like butter. I can't remember ever having a single malfunction with it, even ammo related.

Venom1956 · January 23, 2018, 10:29 PM

Stamped and krink arsenals are good to go. I have issues with sam7s. I am curious what you consider top tier aks?

Ignition Override · January 23, 2018, 11:43 PM

Paint often flakes loose from ("Czech.") CZ-82/83 handguns, and they are considered very high quality products.

SLR triggers: what issues are they known to have? Without accurate 'first-hand' info quotes from SLR owners, there might not be any issues, except via the distortions of hearsay.

My five AK derivatives are all imported (SAR-1, Maadi Intrac, MAK 90, 'TGI' AMD-65, Saiga .223) , and the First Two have mild trigger slap. But the triggers on all five rifles have operated 100%, with no exceptions.

January 21, 2018, 03:54 AM	#1
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	Arsenal AKs: Junk? The LGS has a handsome Arsenal SLR 7.62 plum AK on the shelf. Looks good, they want about $950 for it. In my readings, I've read some recent problems with them such as break in problems and issues with triggers, paint flaking off easily, etc. etc. The price is high and that leaves me wondering if Arsenal AKs are now junk? Are they just another garbage brand AK? Thoughts?

January 23, 2018, 10:29 PM	#6
Venom1956 Senior Member Join Date: October 4, 2008 Location: WI Posts: 3,656	Stamped and krink arsenals are good to go. I have issues with sam7s. I am curious what you consider top tier aks? __________________ E-Shock rounds are engineered to expend maximum energy into soft targets, turning the density mass into an expanding rotational cone of NyTrilium matrix particles, causing neurological collapse to the central nervous system.- Yeah I can do that. I guarantee you will know it if a bicyclist hits your house going 1000 mph. -Smaug

January 23, 2018, 11:43 PM	#7
Ignition Override Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2008 Location: About 20 nm from the Big Muddy Posts: 2,887	Paint often flakes loose from ("Czech.") CZ-82/83 handguns, and they are considered very high quality products. SLR triggers: what issues are they known to have? Without accurate 'first-hand' info quotes from SLR owners, there might not be any issues, except via the distortions of hearsay. My five AK derivatives are all imported (SAR-1, Maadi Intrac, MAK 90, 'TGI' AMD-65, Saiga .223) , and the First Two have mild trigger slap. But the triggers on all five rifles have operated 100%, with no exceptions. Last edited by Ignition Override; January 23, 2018 at 11:53 PM.

January 21, 2018, 12:51 PM	#2
marine6680 Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2012 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 4,594	Check out the most recent Rob Ski videos about Arsenal, about a year old or so. Should give you an idea of what to expect. The biggest problem I can remember is the crappy painted on finish.

January 21, 2018, 07:16 PM	#3
MJFlores Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2013 Posts: 539	Arsenal is top quality Bulgarian AK sweetness! Nothing wrong with them. When you can buy one...you should, immediately. Consistently one of the best AKs on the market. As for the paint finish....dont over heat it by bump firing 15 magazines in a row. If the paint is flaking off....imagine what the heat is doing to the bolt, piston head, gas block, etc. Common sense is required no matter what you're doing. Notice how Rob Ski used an infrared temp gun and stops shooting at 450 degrees on the gas block? Arsenal is good to go.

January 22, 2018, 04:34 PM	#4
Fishbed77 Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2010 Posts: 4,862	Is this a joke thread? Arsenal is widely considered to be among the best AK manufacturers.