Ok, it's been a couple of days and I've had time to cool off and try to get a more centered perspective about Arsenal Inc.

For those who don't know, I was a moderator on Arsenal Inc./K-Var's discussion forum, and I have sold their rifles in the shop that I work in for the past 4 years.  I have always considered them to be the finest quality over the counter AK's available.  The shop that I work at, DeGoff's, is a fairly small shop, still family owned and operated, and because they have a resident AK freak (me ) working there we started carrying the Arsenal Inc. line as soon as they were available.

I resigned as moderator on the Arsenal Inc. discussion forum tonight.  I do not feel that I can continue to support a company with my time and effort to answer questions for them, on my own time, when they (Arsenal Inc.) won't support us.  

I have always been quick to endorse Arsenal Inc.'s products, because I feel that they are such high quality rifles it's hard to top them, not because I get any "kick backs" or payments.

Recently, I decided that in order to help build on the success of Arsenal Inc.'s limited run of no-ban SLR-105A1's (AK-74's), it would be an excellent idea to start to take special orders for the next logical model, the AKS-74 side folder.  I had been told several times by the president of Arsenal that they were going to offer these after the ban.  The SLR-105A1 and SLR-105RA1 were extremely limited runs of no-ban 5.45mm stamped receiver AK-74's.  A total of 100 non railed SLR-105A1's and a whopping 40 scope railed SLR-105A1R's were built.  DeGoff's was able to help supply several members of the board here with them.

For details on the side folder saga, see this thread: www.ak47.net/forums/topic.html?b=4&f=64&t=67655

When we sent our buyer out to the SHOT Show this year in order to talk to Arsenal Inc., we presented them with a tentative order for the no-ban SLR-105A1 side folders (AKS-74's).  Our buyer was told in no uncertain terms that the relationship that we once enjoyed with Arsenal Inc. could no longer be maintained at the level it currently was, that we would not receive, nor should we ask for, any special orders or runs of rifles, and that they have no plans to manufacture the side folding SLR-105's any time soon.  

DeGoff's was too small, and could not buy enough product, to warrant the continued status of "Distributor".  If you look at Arsenal Inc.'s ads in Shotgun News, we were listed right along with FAC and Lew Horton as distributors.  We'd been with them from the beginning as a small shop who sold a disporpotionate amount of AK's from Arsenal Inc.

Lew Horton and FAC will continue to be the two main distributors of the Arsenal Inc. line.

Lew Horton in particular helped to torpedo any of the new no-ban production of rifles, especially the stamped receiver SLR-105's.......they cut Arsenal Inc. a very large check on the spot to take the rifles the way they were, in neutered configuration.  I am assuming they did this for two reasons....1) they can keep the costs down if the rifles have had a minimum of smithing done to them, and 2) they can sell these rifles in New York and other states that have a home growm AWB with no problems.

In Arsenal Inc.'s defence, from their point of view, they have a major, solvent distributor who is paying them what they wanted for a product that they won't have to do much in the way of time consuming gunsmithing and expensive parts replacement.  I'm sure, from their perspective, it makes perfect business sense.

Doesn't mean that I think it's not one of the stupidest things they could do.  As another member said, Arsenal Inc. is fast becoming the Colt of the AK world.......top notch products, probably the best, but one of the most unresponsive organizations in regards to giving the public what they want that I have ever encountered.

In any case, in the future, if you are wanting an Arsenal Inc. product, my advice would be to contact Lew Horton or Federal Arms Corporation (FAC), since they will be handling the Arsenal Inc. line.

Now, on to what in in Arsenal Inc.'s 2005 catalog.

To start with, more of the same.  Arsenal Inc. will continue to offer post '94 ban compliant milled receiver rifles in 5.56mm (SA-M5 and M5S), in 7.62x39mm (SA-M7 Carbine, SA-M7 and M7S, and the imported SLR-101 series).  The stamped receiver 5.45x39mm SLR-105's are going to be available as a standard import/production item.

In NEW RIFLES, Arsenal Inc. will be offering these products:

SA-M7 Classic in no-ban threaded muzzle style.  I don't know if they will be limited run rifles like the post ban Classics were.  MSRP on the no-ban Classic is $1,200.00.

SA-M7 A1 and A1R with the AK-74 style front sight assembly and new Bulgarian flash suppressor.  These should be standard production items.  MSRP on the M7A1 is $980.00, M7A1R $1,060.00.

SA-M7 SF side folders with Galil style safeties.  These were a limited run of 200 rifles, with no more apparently planned.  MSRP was $1,3500.00.

SA-M7 SFC is a rifle with the AK-104 gas block on a milled receiver and SA-M7SF right side folding stock.  The barrel extends beyond the front site and appears to be smooth, not threaded.  A limited run of 40 rifles due Spring '05 will carry a MSRP of $1,500.00.

SA-M7 SFK are "Krinkov" style rifles with a short gas system, using a milled receiver, the same side folder and Galil safety that the M7 SF rifle uses, with the 16" barrel sticking out significantly from in front of the front sigth assembly.  Think IMI UZI Carbine or HK 94 style, where to make minimum legal length of 16", you have a funky barrel sticking out.  Limited run of 40 rifles will be available Spring of '05.  Arsenal is busy making these in the "real life" configuration with the standard short barrel and "go-fast" position on the selector for some high-speed-low-drag guys who work for the US Gov't.  MSRP for the SA-M7 SFK is $1,800.00.

SAS-M7 Classic is the clone of the Type 3 milled receiver underfolder with the proper milled buttstock struts.  Limited to 200 rifles and the MSRP on the SAS-M7 Classic is $1,300.00.

SLR-107 and SLR-107R is an AKM style clone in post ban compliant skin.  The R model has a scope rail, thumbhole stock, and neutered AK-74 style front sight block and 90 degree gas block.  Due Fall '05, no word on production #'s.  MSRP is listed at $575.00 and $615.00 respectively.

SLR-108 is the rifle many people have been looking for.  This is a true AKM clone.  Bayonet lug, 45 degree gas block, slant brake on threaded muzzle.  No scope rail.  It will sport the K-Var NATO length black synthetic stocks.  Available FAll of '05 and MSRP is listed as $650.00.

SA-RPK7 and RPK-7R in no-ban configuration, which means a threaded muzzle and that's about it.  Limited run of 50 rifles each and available Spring of '05.  MSRP is $1,200.00 and $1,2080.00 respectively.

SA-RPK-5S is the RPK in 5.56mm in no-ban configuration with a scope rail.  No word on the number of rifles available, in the Fall of '05.  MSRP is $1,300.00.

SLR-105 and 105R are the production post-ban compliant AK-74's with neutered '74 front sight blocks.  MSRP is $460.00 and $499.00 respectively.

SLR-105A1 and SLR-105A1R's were the no-ban AK-74's with the standard AK-74 front site and "zig-zag" brake.  Extremely limited production of 40 rifles with scope rails and 100 rifles without scope rails.  These rifles are gone, from what I understand.  No more planned in the near future.  MSRP was $599.00 for the non railed rifle, $650.00 for a rifle with a rail.  

I hope this post helps clear some things up.  If I came across as a little disgruntled, well, it's because I am.

I honeslty hope that Arsenal Inc. will wake up and smell the coffee and start making production no-ban rifles, soon!

I still think that Arsenal Inc. makes some of the best AK's on the market, period.  I am just getting very frustrated with their business plan, and I feel extremely let down by them.

I'm not ready to stop buying them if/when new stuff comes out, but it does mean that the money I'd set aside for that side folding AKS-74 will be spent on something else.

Quoted: Bastards.  And I agree with TRS, the prices are rediculous. I hate to think this, but I believe they are PURPOSELY restricting the numbers of no-ban rifles they make for the sole purpose of jacking up the price and justifying it with the whole "When supply is fixed, and demand goes up, prices have to go up." Just the thought of that makes me sick at my stomach...

There is a little bit of truth to that, I'm sure.  That's marketing though.  Arsenal Inc. never really thought the ban was actually going to go away, and they are still trying to adapt.  Getting parts and rifles from Bulgaria over to the USA is also a real headache.

Also, bear in mind that the prices that I posted were MSRP, "manufacturer's suggested retail price"....that's not necessarily what you're going to pay from a shop or from FAC or Lew Horton.

Quoted: I say f#$k Arsenal.

+1.....let capitalism work its majic on them!