Arsenal .223 or 5.45 AK?

[chris in va]

Yeah sure, domestic companies will start making 5.45. For $14/box...like the x39 stuff.

Don't know about you guys, but I'm not *that* rich.

 

[okiewita40]

I'd also vote for the Saiga. you can get one in either 223, 7.62x39, 308 and even 30-06. Plus it is an AK at heart.

 

[Revolver Justice]

Get a Winchester 1894 30-30. Buy American!!!

 

[MechAg94]

Are you certain that 100% of that Winchester is US made?

Arsenal is at least a US company building the rifles. Same for Tromix. I figure at least half my Tomix Saiga was domestic work. My Tantal was built on a US made receiver.

 

[Deer Hunter]

Okie,

The saiga does not come in 30-06. It does, however, come in the other calibers you listed as well as .410, 20, and 12 gauge shotgun.

 

[nalioth]

The saiga does not come in 30-06.

The Saiga rifle is offered in 30.06.

http://www.raacfirearms.com/Saiga_100.htm

 

[Deer Hunter]

That's not like any saiga I've ever seen. Interesting.

 

[HorseSoldier]

BTW, newb question - what makes a Tantal a Tantal? Are all AK-74s Tantals? Or is it the name of the Polish 74?

It's basically the Polish version of the AK-74, which they designated the Model 88 (wz. 88). Like Nalioth noted, they used a significantly modified selector/safety set up compared to a standard AK, and a different compensator design than the standard '74 brake. They also used the wire folding stock design shown in the Atlantic Firearms ad earlier in the thread, rather than the Russian patterns, etc.

That's for an actual .mil Polish rifle, though. Here in the US, calling something a Tantal usually means it's made from a Polish parts kit. It may or may not have the left side selector at all (note that Atl Firearms add does not), or if it is installed it obviously won't function the same as the military rifle (Krebs does put it on theirs, as do some other people, as a secondary safety lever). It may or may not even have a fixed stock, though I don't think the Poles ever made more than a handful that weren't side folders.

 

[nalioth]

That's for an actual .mil Polish rifle, though. Here in the US, calling something a Tantal usually means it's made from a Polish parts kit. It may or may not have the left side selector at all (note that Atl Firearms add does not), or if it is installed it obviously won't function the same as the military rifle (Krebs does put it on theirs, as do some other people, as a secondary safety lever).

Mine just rotates and makes clicky noises. It has nothing to with anything internally. I thought about pinning it to match the safety lever, but somehow didn't think I could get the leverage needed out of the short little thing . . .

It may or may not even have a fixed stock, though I don't think the Poles ever made more than a handful that weren't side folders.

Yep, any Polish fixed stock Tantal is gonna be in a museum or something as they were pretty experimental. If you see one here in the USA, it's most likely due to lack of a real Tantal parts kit, or other reasons of capitalism.

 

[Foxtrot427]

The Poles did away with the safe-semi-full selector switch, and went to a safe-fire selector and a left side selector for semi-3rd burst-full auto. They have followed this design in their subsequent rifles.

whats on the other side of the gun then?

 

[elmerfudd]

That's not like any saiga I've ever seen. Interesting.

Tony Rumore did a full blown conversion of one and posted pictures over on Saiga12.com. It was a MUCH more involved job than just putting a pistol grip on an S308 and still only had the 3 round mag when he was done, but it's pretty awesome to realize that they managed to get a 30-06 to operate with a standard length AK receiver.

 

[Deer Hunter]

Well, that's an AK for you. I believe someone was making a 45-70 out of a 12 gauge Saiga at one point.

 

[nalioth]

whats on the other side of the gun then?

The standard AK selector switch. Only is a safety, though. On or off.

 

[yongxingfreesty]

well, i shot the ak. 300 flawless rounds in one sitting at paper.
100 remington umc
100 l c 5.56
and
100 monarch steel casing
some crazy extraction all over the place.

front sight is too big, ill need to put get an eotech. shot as fast as I could pull the trigger. wasnt going for accuracy, first day is always a test run.

I have no idea how to adjust left/right on this damn thing. hopefully, my red dot will fix it.

the stock is american or whatever it comes with.

 

[nalioth]

I have no idea how to adjust left/right on this damn thing.

Everything you need to know about sighting in an AK: http://www.gunsnet.net/Linx310/sightin.htm

 

[Dollar An Hour]

Couple more questions...

AK-74 - Can an optics rail be added to the Tantal easily, or no? I don't plan to add optics right away, but maybe eventually. I like the cheap 5.45 ammo though!

If I want an AK-74, but something nicer than the Tantal, what is out there, since I can't find an Arsenal SLR-105.

Arsenal .223 - From the searching I've done, it seems the Arsenal has gotten over the initial teething problems, and youngxingfreesty's new SLR-106 seems to be a good example.

What about an Arsenal in 7.62? Is the recoil pretty mild, or does it take the fun out of it that you get with the low recoil & fast follow up of .223 or 5.45? I think I fired 7.62 in a buddy's SKS and it was pretty fun.

Saiga Tromix looks like a cool option, but I can't find anyplace that sells 'em.

 

[nalioth]

Dollar, You can add a optics rail to any AK

7.62x39 AKs have no recoil at all, imho.

Saiga rifles can be converted on your kitchen table or garage workshop. It's a very very easy operation.

 

[Line Rider]

I'd rather had a real MBR like M-1 Garand, DSA SA-58, or a AR15-A3.