Arsenal SGL-20/21 melting handguards?

[Ricker]

I've been looking into getting a new AK-47. I've come down to the conclusion of getting the Arsenal SGL-20 or 21. But, I've heard that the handguards can melt on them. Does anyone know anything about these? I couldn't find anything about them anywhere else.

 

[W L Johnson]

you mean like this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNAohtjG14c
They can get hot, but you would have to fire an insane number of rounds in a very short period to melt/catch it on fire.

 

[Ricker]

Those look like wood grips though if you look closely. The SGLs have like a polymer type material.

 

[W L Johnson]

Wood will catch fire at what, 451 degrees? I know 451 is for paper but wood may even be higher, depending on type of wood. At what temp does polymer start to melt? But ether way it would still take an insane number of rounds in a very short period of time to do it. Long before that I would think it would a PITA to hold, watch how the guy in video is holding the AK. So I think a melting hand guard is the least of your worries.

 

[InkEd]

The Arsenals have steel heat shields inside.

 

[kwelz]

Fired about 800 rounds over the course of a day and a half in a Ken Hackathorn Class last month. No problems to speak of on my gun. No melting parts that I could find.

 

[ny32182]

If you are melting handguards, the cost of new handguards will be insignificant compared to your ammo costs.

 

[briansmithwins]

Do I believe you can fire enough rounds to melt the handguards off a AK, yes.

What I have difficulty believing is that you can carry enough ammo to do this in a semi-automatic AK. I've got my SLR107FR hot enough to smoke the oil out of the front of the receiver. The poly (with heat shield) handguards are undamaged.

BSW

 

[bri]

If you "heard" about the melting handguards from some guy on youtube, please ignore.

Put enough rounds through any AK style rifle and the handguard will either catch fire or melt a bit (depending on the material it's comprised of). Don't endlessly dump mags for no reason and you won't have a problem.

 

[deadduck357]

I have a SGL20, I have never even felt the handguard get hot, it hase a heat shield inside also. I'm having a hard time believing this. You will be very pleased with the SGL21, the 21 replaced the 20. The only real difference between the 20 and 21 is the 21 has the accessory lug. Get one...

 

[briansmithwins]

Mine has been hot enough that I was glad I had gloves on.

Still no damage to the rifle.

BSW



Yes, I was overenthusiastic when I oiled it before shooting. That took care of itself.

 

[ECVMatt]

Here is a pretty funny comment that seems to be directed at that video, "When selecting an AK, you need to ask yourself why you are getting one. If it is for playing gun games, or to do the Bubba Bump-Fire at the local gravel pit between beers and doughnuts, then don't bother reading anymore because I cannot help you. Go get the cheapest thing you can find and go enjoy yourself. Gun games are not our focus and we cannot make any suggestions for such endeavors."

It is from this article...

http://www.warriortalknews.com/2010/09/getting-into-the-kalashnikov-game-2010.html

I once had a friend drive his motorcycle with no oil to see how far he could go..I am not sure what that proved other than ruining a good engine. All mechanical things can be pushed to the breaking point, but how close the breaking point is to actual use are two very different things.

Arsenals are great rifles.

 

[nalioth]

Arsenals are great rifles.

So Arsenal keeps saying.

WASRs are great rifles, too. They do everything an Arsenal will, and cost half as much.

 

[Ricker]

Ok, thanks for the answers! I forget where I heard it from, but I don't shoot off loads of ammo at a time, so I probably shouldn't have to worry about it anywyas. Just making sure.

 

[kwelz]

Nalioth you seem to have a bone to pick with Arsenal.

 

[briansmithwins]

Nalioth you seem to have a bone to pick with Arsenal.

At least he is consistent.

BSW