I won't ever use it as a 'defensive' rifle...but..

rfurtkamp · June 10th, 2006, 07:46 PM

One of the glaring holes in my otherwise stupid collection was some sort of AK in 5.45x39, a hole that's been filled for a few days by a new Arsenal SLR-105. A ban-era closeout with no muzzle device (oh, what a shame) showed up on one of our distributor's lists for a very reasonable price, and it had to come home with me.

It didn't help I'd stashed some 5.45 a while back and had some of the Russian 5N7 ammo on order.

Fit and finish are what I expect from an Arsenal - generally better than a regular AK but not perfect. The 105 comes with a stamped receiver, NATO-length furniture, and is a bit lighter and handier than the other AKs I have in the house. What amazed me was how little the loaded Bulgarian 30 round polymer or EG Bakelite magazines actually weighed when loaded - it was like going from a M14 mag and then some to an airsoft.

I did a quick range evaluation after purchase. 200 rounds through three shooters without a hitch, engaging steel to 200m. It hit what it was aimed at, and rapid fire was extremely pleasant.

Recoil was on par with a regular AK, partly due to the reduced weight of the weapon and the rest partly due to the increased velocity of the shell. Cyclic rate was substantially higher than the regular AKM-pattern guns I've fired, but after a couple shots it was a lot more controllable than a 7.62x39.

Trigger on the Arsenal was actually good. Not AK good, or battle rifle good, but genuinely, actually, compared to anything you stack it against good. Smooth, crisp, and very light. Bump firing this thing is criminally simple. ;0

As a negative, the ammo availability for 5.45 has always been extremely poor in the US - so it's one of those guns you stock up for and only shoot it when you can replace what you're going to use. Once this current plinking case is done, I probably won't shoot it with any regularity, but I don't really shoot AKs with much regularity anyway. I just wanted one this time for purely irrational reasons.

or, as I prefer it, with the traditional Bakelites:

That pretty well finishes my 'traditional AK' collection, and I can go back to buying pointless things like more Sigs.

P95Carry · June 10th, 2006, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Bump firing this thing is criminally simple.

Quote:

I can go back to buying pointless things like more Sigs.

Useful addition Robert - tho as you say, the ammo is not the easiest to find. Great for completeing the ''AK chapter'' tho

rstickle · June 10th, 2006, 08:09 PM

That's a nice looking gun. If this ends your quest, how many do you have now?

rfurtkamp · June 10th, 2006, 08:15 PM

Quote:

If this ends your quest, how many do you have now?

Ak pattern guns, 3. Regular AKM (SAR-1), underfolder (Yugo M70), and this. The AK just doesn't do a whole lot for me but I wanted one of each of the major variants just to play with.

I may get a RPK-variant at some point, but it's sort of low on my list. My AKs already get enough benign neglect.

CombatEffective · June 10th, 2006, 09:17 PM

Nice find. It looks great.

kansas_shooter · June 10th, 2006, 09:23 PM

Looks to be in great shape. Nice (lucky) find.

Rock and Glock · June 10th, 2006, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfurtkamp

One of the glaring holes in my otherwise stupid collection was some sort of AK in 5.45x39, a hole that's been filled for a few days by a new Arsenal SLR-105. I just wanted one this time for purely irrational reasons.

Jeez!! Don't ya just love irrationality!&^%$#$%^(*&^ Yee Haaaa!!

srfl · June 11th, 2006, 01:38 AM

Boy, you aren't kidding about lack of ammo for this AK; it took me six months of searching to finally find some Russian ammo for my WASR 2.

Doc Holliday · June 23rd, 2006, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfurtkamp

My AKs already get enough benign neglect.

Send them my way.

I promise to treat them right!

June 10th, 2006, 07:46 PM	#1
rfurtkamp Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Pocatello, Idaho Posts: 940	I won't ever use it as a 'defensive' rifle...but.. One of the glaring holes in my otherwise stupid collection was some sort of AK in 5.45x39, a hole that's been filled for a few days by a new Arsenal SLR-105. A ban-era closeout with no muzzle device (oh, what a shame) showed up on one of our distributor's lists for a very reasonable price, and it had to come home with me. It didn't help I'd stashed some 5.45 a while back and had some of the Russian 5N7 ammo on order. Fit and finish are what I expect from an Arsenal - generally better than a regular AK but not perfect. The 105 comes with a stamped receiver, NATO-length furniture, and is a bit lighter and handier than the other AKs I have in the house. What amazed me was how little the loaded Bulgarian 30 round polymer or EG Bakelite magazines actually weighed when loaded - it was like going from a M14 mag and then some to an airsoft. I did a quick range evaluation after purchase. 200 rounds through three shooters without a hitch, engaging steel to 200m. It hit what it was aimed at, and rapid fire was extremely pleasant. Recoil was on par with a regular AK, partly due to the reduced weight of the weapon and the rest partly due to the increased velocity of the shell. Cyclic rate was substantially higher than the regular AKM-pattern guns I've fired, but after a couple shots it was a lot more controllable than a 7.62x39. Trigger on the Arsenal was actually good. Not AK good, or battle rifle good, but genuinely, actually, compared to anything you stack it against good. Smooth, crisp, and very light. Bump firing this thing is criminally simple. ;0 As a negative, the ammo availability for 5.45 has always been extremely poor in the US - so it's one of those guns you stock up for and only shoot it when you can replace what you're going to use. Once this current plinking case is done, I probably won't shoot it with any regularity, but I don't really shoot AKs with much regularity anyway. I just wanted one this time for purely irrational reasons. or, as I prefer it, with the traditional Bakelites: That pretty well finishes my 'traditional AK' collection, and I can go back to buying pointless things like more Sigs. __________________ Driver carries less than $45 worth of remorse.

June 10th, 2006, 08:09 PM	#3
rstickle Senior Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Laurel, MD Posts: 10,041	That's a nice looking gun. If this ends your quest, how many do you have now? __________________ Rick EOD - Initial success or total failure

June 10th, 2006, 09:17 PM	#5
CombatEffective Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,000	Nice find. It looks great. __________________ Shooters' Legacy Special sections for S&W and Ruger

June 10th, 2006, 09:23 PM	#6
kansas_shooter Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Kansas City, KS Posts: 317	Looks to be in great shape. Nice (lucky) find. __________________ One shot. One kill. Primary Carry - Taurus PT-111 Mil Pro 9mm DAO with 12 + 1 in the pipe. Holstered in a Brigade OWB M2. Secondary Weapon - Taurus PT1911 5" 45acp SA with 8+1. Holstered in a Kydex paddle.

June 11th, 2006, 01:38 AM	#8
srfl Senior Moderator Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: FL Posts: 6,432	Boy, you aren't kidding about lack of ammo for this AK; it took me six months of searching to finally find some Russian ammo for my WASR 2. __________________ USAF: Loving Our Obscene Amenities Since 1947

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