The SLR (bulgarian) and SGL (russian saigas) rifles are the pretty much the only factory AK’s on the market right now. A competent smith can build you a good rifle from a saiga too.
That being said, there are a lot of older SLR’s and Chinese AK’s on the secondary market right now.
What is the difference between the arsenal sgl 20 and 21?I purchased a sgl 20 3 weeks ago,it came with one 5 rd mag,muzzle nut and a nato stock.Liked it so much bought another last week but this one came with a 30 rd mag,bulgarian muzzle brake,USA stock and bayonet holder.Both boxes were marked sgl 20-41.I’m confused.
Now that Arsenal has came out with a milled RPK in 5.45x39, do you think that they will eventually produce a Milled AK74?
I’m just waiting for Arsenal to bring in a 9mm AK
I received my SGL-21 last Thursday and took it to the range on Saturday. OMG, it was a blast.
The Good: The fit and finish is excellent. Reminds me of my Colt LE6920 when it comes to detail. All part numbers match. The box included the rifle with muzzle break, test target, matching Russian Saiga papers (with signature and S/N) and 5 round magazine. The 25 yard test target was one ragged hole less than 3/4" of an inch. The front sight has ZERO cant and the post is centered. Whoopee! I had no issues firing Wolf HP ammo, another plus.
The Really Good: There are 9 foreign parts that are on the 922(r) list, leaving room for 1 more 922(r) listed foreign part and still remain US compliant (maybe add a Russian folding stock or muzzle break or ?). These 9 foreign parts include the 3 magazine parts, so this rifle can legally use any foreign magazine. There is no sign of the trigger group being moved forward and filling in old rivet holes. The magazine well is perfect too, with no missing paint on the edges. I have no magazine wobble using Romanian 30 round steel mags or a 75 round Romanian wind up drum. (I don’t think they come to Arsenal as fully assembled sporter Saiga’s. Just my personal opinion)
The Bad: There is no sling, oiler, cleaning kit, or bayonet.
It’s A Dead Ringer For An AK-103: I have studied these 2 sites http://www.izhmash.ru/eng/product/ak103.shtml and http://tantal.kalashnikov.guns.ru/variants.html . The SGL-21 looks just like an AK-103 with the following exceptions. No folding stock (there is one available for the SGL-31), no FA notch, no FA trigger group parts, and no reinforcement plate between the pistol grip and stamped receiver. Even the rear sight leaf is correct.
My Personal View: I do not like the 2 stage trigger at all and have ordered the Arsenal single stage trigger group from midwayusa.com http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=944990 . Less than $30. My only other AK is a Draco-C with original Romanian trigger group. I prefer the single stage.
Watch Out: Read the circular that comes with the SGL-21. A copy is here: http://www.arsenalinc.com/downloads/SGL21.pdf. Also check out this online warranty and it’s reference to the use of USA made magazines here: http://www.arsenalinc.com/warranty.htm
Use only Break-Free CLP and non USA made magazines to not void the warranty.
Damn it… I bought an Arsenal SGL21-71 today.
Oh well.
I ordered it UPS Ground and it’s SHOT Show this week so, even though I ordered it before they opened today, the lady said she was the only one there answering phones today, the rest were at SHOT, that it’d probably be tues-thurs of next week.
(I mean what gives, why would a manufacturer that’s based out of Las Vegas go to a massive firearms convention in Las Vegas… I just can’t connect the dots. :D)
I’ve heard a lot of great things about the SGL21, the only negative thing I could find online, was a bunch of guys boycotting K-Var on Youtube and not explaining why.
But I’ll tell you this, straight up, I’ve been hunting for reviews on a what I’d consider quality AK for a decent price 600-800 since july. (ETA: wow, I’m tired, I’m not finish sentences/thoughts, time to head to bed.)
It seems to be the only thing that’s a major company that’s between parts bin gun shop specials and higher end semi-custom/custom AK’s.
I was looking at Lancaster Arms and there’s just been horror story after horror story.
The Arsenal’s are made in Russia as much as possible, modified in the U.S., I haven’t heard of any issues, the only thing I’ve ever heard of being a problem is the front sight base can be canted in AK’s in general, so I’ll be looking for that when I unbox it at an FFL’s next week.
I think it’s the only really affordable, great quality option, seems to be the best value available on the market.
I look forward to getting mine.
I’d also look into Chinese Magazines for AK’s, seem to be the best thing going, metal followers, slick back and overall very well built.
Seem to be just much better quality than the Bulgarian AK mags as far as construction quality (feedlips even look much cleaner, etc) I have, funny thing is, you’re talking a dollar difference usually. I’ll be ordering some more soon…
ETA: I will say this, some of Arsenal’s Warranty Policies do make me scratch my head, this is a durable/reliable world renowned better than an AR design, right?
First, my P.O.S. BCM AR comes with a Lifetime Warranty. This comes with a 1-year warranty, that makes me somewhat hesitant, but I’ve heard so many good things, the only thing I’m even remotely concerned about is a canted front sight base. What happened to legends of lore of burying it in the rice paddy kicking open the bolt and firing it and then throwing it in the paddy again after using it. Or using shoe laces with knots to clean barrels like the egyptians?
Second, voiding you warranty for using anything buy CLP? It’s an AK-47, I was going to put Slip 2000 EWL on it as that’s what I’m familiar with with my again, POS BCM AR. I’ve never had a company mandate a Lubricant.
Third, American made magazines void the warranty? Do they hate Tapco that much? Because that’s the only logical conclusion that I can come to as why they’d have that in the Warranty.
ETA 2: In case someone misses the sarcasm, I’ve had nothing but a good experience with my BCM AR, I recommend them, I recommended it to my Father, and he bought one as well. When I buy another AR, I’d bet money it’ll probably have BCM’s name on it then too.
For 900$ I would be all over one of these:
http://www.sturmgewehr.com/webBBS/semi4sale.cgi?read=237218
In Range builds some nice guns.
They’re telling you what lube/cleaner to use because the Russian and Bulgarian paint finishes do not hold up well to aggressive Western solvents like Shooter’s Choice bore solvent, or to spray degreasers like brake cleaner.
There were some very loud crying going on a few years back when guys were hitting their rifles with brake cleaner and the finish was washing off.
As long as you use something similar to the what the Bulgarians or Russians use, you’re fine. I’ve been using Ballistol for years and never had a problem.
But, take a look at pictures of Russian AKM’s and AK-74’s that have seen significant use in the field…most of the finish is worn off. Just the way it is.
Now, I’ve had my Arsenal AK’s out in the rain and snow in various classes, and not experienced any problems.
As far as the magazines go, they want you to use good quality magazines vs. US made crap. Take a look around for the Arsenal magazine test video that’s on youtube.
In Range does indeed, but I wouldn’t trust the seller further than I could throw him.
What’s wrong with the seller if you don’t mind me asking?
Any reason you’d think that Slip 2000 EWL wouldn’t run fine?
You’re right about the finish and I’m fine with that, I just don’t want them to void my warranty if something is defective because the finish wears.
and I get them wanting you to use quality magazines, and believe me I try buy quality magazines when I buy them.
(What do you think of Chinese magazines by the way? I’ve gotten the impression pretty much they’re the best thing going, I’m relatively new to AK’s (6 months) I’d say I have a good understanding but not nearly as complete as I do with AR’s)
But, I don’t like the idea of being forced to use them. You know?
I mean, you look at Arsenal and to be non holds barred honest with you, they’re an importer mostly, they do some stuff in America, but it seems the majority of their products are produced over seas.
I think it’s crap that if a guy calls up with an issue (if he manages to find it in the first year of owning the gun, because let’s be honest, most gun owners, buy a gun, shoot it maybe 4-5 times and then just let it sit, said gun owner may not use it enough to recognize the problem) and accidentally mentions his Tapco magazine they’re going to say “You’ve voided your warranty, sorry but we’re not going to do anything for you”.
I’ll never buy a Tapco magazine, just because I’d rather get a quality steel one, or I’d go with Bulgarian Circle 10’s if I wanted Polymer, but it’s kind of the principle of the thing for me.
What’re they going to do when Magpul releases an AK mag? :haha:
I’m kidding, I don’t think magpul ever will.
ETA: I forgot to finish that train of thought, They’re an importer, and it kind of seems like they’re trying to force one’s hand into buying what they’re selling with their weapon’s warranty.
Thankfully it’s only good for a year, so it really doesn’t matter. But just sayin’
Chinese military magazines are some of the best out there, no worries.
I don’t know if they’d say no soup for you if you mentioned using a Tapco magazine, but they had people saying their rifles weren’t working with the Promag waffle mags, thinking that they were the same as the Bulgy Circle 10’s.
Understood, I’d buy Circle 10’s if I wanted Polymer magazines, but I was just concerned.
Thanks for the feedback, as always, very insightful.
I’m going to buy some more Chinese magazines ASAP, and for $10 a magazine?
These prices are making it hard to look at any other weapon platform. 
I still love my AR though.
Here’s a vid they made, there are 5 in total, comparing different polymer magazines to the Arsenal Bulgaria Circle 10 mags.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQalsPMe3tY&feature
There are four more, each highlighting a different polymer magazine. These were done before the US Palm mags came out.
I have been hoping they would do another video featuring the AK30 mags.
You’ll never see one. At least, not one from Arsenal or K-var.
People advertising a product don’t show competing products that can match them in testing.
Now, a third party might try to do a test. I know Gabe Suarez had a few videos out where he tried dropping loaded mags (metal, circle 10s, and us30s) such that their feed lips would directly impact cement. And he sells all 3, so as far as commercial vendors go I’d say he’s pretty close to neutral.
There are pictures in the thread linked below as well as others here on M4C.com and ARF.com of cracked AK30 lips after MINIMAL use. Not just the spear chunking into the concrete in Gabe’s driveway. The Circle 10’s have steel reinforements where it counts, the US Palms do not.
He didn’t come off that way in the conversation I had with him in this thread.
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=50013
Can you attach a folding stock to an SGL like the one found on the SLR models?
If you’re talking about the modern AK-100 folding polymer stock, as seen >>here<<, then yes. You’d just need to remove the old trunnion, cut the receiver some, reinstall the new folding trunnion, and cut a slot and hole for the latch and pin up on the front left of the receiver. It’s somewhat involved, but you can do it… (I just did it to my Saiga, which is what the SGLs are made out of 
). In fact, I believe there are some SGLs that come with that stock already, now (the SGL-31 I believe?)
Yes, but it’s not something I’d recommend if you’re not intimately familiar with the AK system and have the proper equipment.
It would be much easier and cheaper to buy one with the stock already attached, like the SLR series.
