Confusion on Arsenal Inc, Arsenal USA, AK-USA..

[natedog]

Arsenal Inc, Arsenal USA, and AK-USA all produce American made AK clones, correct? Which companies make stamped versions, and which make milled versions? Are they all manufactured 100% in the USA, or are they built of some imported parts? How do they stack up against eachother in quality and performance (price too!)? Thank you.

 

[MAKOwner]

AK-USA builds several models off of Saigas, converting them to their AK103 etc specifications. They run pretty expensive from what I've seen, $700+ but they're NICE.

Arsenal, USA is in league with Global Trades (one owns the other I guess, not sure). They build the SSR-56 and soon the SSR-74. They're stamped models, used to build with really nice polish kits and some hungarian I think, not sure what they're using now. I think you can get them for $500ish

Arsenal, Inc makes the milled SAM-7 and SAM-5 family of rifles. Brand new Bulgarian parts on their US milled receivers. They are supposedly going over to stamped receivers but I don't know. They're in the upper $500s unless I'm mistaken. They also have done/maybe still are doing some semi auto RPKs, they were like a grand though...

 

[Kenneth Lew]

This should answer part of your answer.

http://www.globaltrades.com/

 

[CZ52GUY]

Arsenal Inc.

http://www.arsenalinc.com/index1.html

Milled receivers, very high quality, good value for the expenditure...read more from their web site...I have the SAM-7S. Plan on $700-$800 for a SAM-7S...$600-$650 for the SLR101S. Gunbroker dealers sometimes provide better prices, but the prices I list I've observed at local shops.

Arsenal USA/(a.k.a. Global Trades)

http://www.arsenalusa.com/

This are 922(r)/ATF Part 178 compliant AK's made with a mixture of domestic and foreign parts...I call my SSR-56 my "Heinz-57" AK (no reference to the "first lady pretender" intended ). A quality stamped AK a step well above a SAR-1 or WASR Hi-Cap...I wouldn't put it in the same class as my milled SAM-7S though. Plan on $550-$600 at a local shop.

AK USA

http://www.ak-103.com/

My understanding is that he does very good 922(r)/ATF Part 178 Compliant conversions of Russian Saiga's. I believe these are still stamped receivers but over at www.ak-47.net, his work is very well thought of. This is an AK that by reputation compares very favorably to the Arsenal Inc. Milled Receiver models...many would say exceeds them in overall quality...comparing them for instance to a Krebs Custom (out of my wallet range). My understanding is that "long distance transfer" is the only way to get one of these...plan on at least $700 plus shipping and transfer fee.

Another company with an emerging reputation is Ohio Rapid Fire. I believe he's working with www.joekens.com and some other distributors and you can do the long distance transfer deal also. Known to me only by reputation again from www.ak-47.net but folks that have them seem to like them...plan on $600-$750 direct depending on model and features...tack on shipping and transfer fee on top.

http://www.ohiorapidfire.com/



Safe shooting,

CZ52'

 

[BigFreddie]

I can highly recommend Chris Butler at AK-USA. His work is excellent. Two of the best things about his guns are the finishes he uses and the triggers. Both AK-USA guns I have are finished perfectly. The triggers are a dream - by far the best trigger I've ever experienced on an AK variant. Another great thing about Chris is the fact he has EXCELLENT customer service... You can ask questions until you're about to pass out and he'll keep answering them. To buy an AK from him is an awesome experience and you will truly get exactly what you want...

BigFreddie

 

[Shadowman]

thanks for the links cz

 

[JG]

Chris at AK-USA does any number of AK projects, not just Saiga builds........does amazing work.

His work costs more, but it's worth it.