First AK47 - Need just a little guidance/opinions...Arsenal?

[tradertator]

Haha.. So.. What would you call it exactly..? It's not an AK47, it's not an AKM.. It's not an AK74.. It's not an AK-101 or whatever series. So would the 5.56 just be considered it's own rifle?

Off the top of my head, I can't remember what the longer version is called, but the stubby one is an AR-M4 SF

 

[Clay]

it's a milled AK47 variant. All bulgarian milled rifles (commercial and military) have a 90 degree gas block with either a standard FSB and 14mm threads OR AK-74/AK-103 style FSB/muzzle brake. Arsenal USA calls it either a SAM7SF-84 OR just an SAM7SF: SAM7SF SERIES, 7.62, milled receiver rifle

Arsenal Bulgarian calls it an AR-M9F: http://www.arsenal-bg.com/c/556x45-...ngth-415-mm-44/556x45-and-762x39-mm-ar-m9f-44

Here's some AK info for your spank bank: Assault Rifles - Arsenal JSCo. - Bulgarian manufacturer of weapons and ammunition since 1878

 

[Light]

Looking at these two options - only difference is that one has the Quad Rail and the other has the normal polymer. Anyone have opinions on the Quad Rail? They are supposedly the same weight.

Wood(polymer) or metal, either way it will get hot after you put enough mags through it.
If you go with the polymer version and want the "rail", if all you are planning is to add an optic you can get a railed gas tube replacement in the future.

 

[tomylee0123]

Stay away from anything built by Century, and Arsenal is top notch. I would oick Arsenal ober any AK any day

 

[tomylee0123]

But for a starter AK, I would recommend a Saiga, vepr, or a maadi. Those are true Russian AKM and high quality. Century is junk while Arsenal is too expensive. Another good brand is DDI.

 

[Clay]

While maybe made on Russian equipment the maadi is Egyptian built. They are rough looking but function fine for the most part. There are some models of maadi to avoid that were built here in the US by century. The misr-90 is the mossy famous because it's a Chinese front end stuffed into an Egyptian back end. Maadi aks have some of the worst machining and tolerances I've ever seen in any AK but once they're together they function just fine.

 

[tomylee0123]

While maybe made on Russian equipment the maadi is Egyptian built. They are rough looking but function fine for the most part. There are some models of maadi to avoid that were built here in the US by century. The misr-90 is the mossy famous because it's a Chinese front end stuffed into an Egyptian back end. Maadi aks have some of the worst machining and tolerances I've ever seen in any AK but once they're together they function just fine.

Agree! Most Russian AKM are for real combat, not for wall hanger. I would pick any Russian or Maadi over any other AK any day except Arsenal. Arsenal AK is beyond excellent and their price are worth it.

 

[genXer]

For a starter AK I'd have to say WASR before they get too stupid price wise. CHF barrel, import, and newer ones are much better built than they used to be. But if you have no issues with the price difference then you can't go wrong with an Arsenal