AK Sponsor
Posted: 12/27/2009 7:34:56 PM EDT
|
I'm been putting off buying an SGL-31 for a few weeks now b/c I have to first sell my TGI AK-74. (I'm too poor to one more than one rifle. Any takers?). The TGI has served me well..zero malfunctions in about 800 rounds...but I want an AK-74 with an optic rail so I can mount a scope.
One worry I have with the SGLs is the finish. I called Arsenal and they said only CLP can be used. Is this true? For those of you who clean your SGLs regularly, have you noticed the finish coming off (or even scratching off)? I typically run corrosive surplus ammo so I clean after every range trip by pouring hot boiling water down the barrel, in the gas tube, on the gas piston, and on the muzzle brake. After that, I clean with WD-40 to remove moisture and then maybe use Hoppe's No. 9 in the barrel (might not be necessary). Do you think the SGLs are good to go with this method? Also, please allay my fears on the canted sight issue I recall reading about on a couple SGL-21s (well, maybe one). I'd hate to sink $800 into a Saiga only to find out that it suffered from these issues. thanks! |
|
I shoot mostly corrosive, and clean with CLP and have no issues. The Arsenal finish will come off if you use anything harsh. My finish has not come off or been scratched by using CLP or my scrub brush (old dinosaur kids toothbrush) I use when cleaning. Your method is good up until the Hoppes. I have heard Hoppes will remove the Arsenal finish. Again, stick with CLP. Arsenal had a run there with some crappy QC, but they seem to have it figured out. Also I think that was all before they even introduced the 31's. Good luck and post pics!! |
|
The Legion finish is a lot tougher than the Bulgarian Arsenal finish, but I still wouldn't use Hoppes on it.
FWIW I've tested a little Hoppes under the barrel near the accessory lug a few times to test the finish and it's holding up fine, no discoloration or flaking. I've also dipped the brake in Hoppes, so far it's doing alright as well. But I seriously don't think anyone should use harsh solvents on the SGL's...it may survive once or twice but I have a feeling it will come off under repeated exposure. I'm just doing a little ad hoc testing for my own reasons...surprised so far yes, but not convinced it will take Hoppes on a regular basis. I'm expecting the brake will end up with the finish coming off before too long. Just remember to use CLP or Ballistol, rinse with water, dry and the lube for storage. I've been doing that for years on all my rifles and they've been fine. I shoot exclusively corrosive ammo out of my SGL's and SLR rifles, no problems at all with the method. Z |
|
I think if you look at other sites you will see more then one person complaining about the canted sights. I had also seen one posting of a very poor finish looked like bubbles in the paint. I ordered a SGL 21 and the finish was perfect. Pain in the a$$ to clean wiht just CLP. I remove the break and clean the barrel with #9 no problem. My rear sight was slightly canted to the left. You had to look hard to notice it but it was there.
Other then that it shoots great. With the sale price I paid I am happy. |
|
My SGL31-44 had a badly canted from sight and the finish was mildly flaking off in two small places. The second SGL31-61 had a very mild canted front sight and the finish was perfect, though the dust cover is darker and shinier than the rest of the rifle.
Both front sights were easily fixed by a rubber mallet, I do mean easily. I don't think you have anything to worry about even if the sight does have some cant, it ought to be quickly fixable. Also I do use Hoppes #9 in the barrels of all my rifles, they are chrome lined and aren't harmed by Hoppes. Just take care not to splatter it all over the rifle. Z |
|
If my SGL DOES show up with a canted sight (or unacceptable paint job), do you think they will exchange it for another? K-var.com told me they don't accept returns...you have to go through Arsenal. Not sure what Atlantic's policy is.
On the cleaning issue, do you think WD-40 is good to go? I've been pleased with the results using this so far. No rust. |
|
Quoted:
If my SGL DOES show up with a canted sight (or unacceptable paint job), do you think they will exchange it for another? K-var.com told me they don't accept returns...you have to go through Arsenal. Not sure what Atlantic's policy is. ... i mentioned my sights were a off and possibly canted; KVAR told me to contact aresenal directly. my sgl21 groups about 4 or 5 inches to the left at 50 yards, and it appears that the front site post is as far left as possible (if it moved any more to the left, the post wouldn't be gripped on the right half and would just dangle in the air). |
|
To my knowledge WD40 doesn't clean, it just lubricates. It's probably best to use CLP which is
designed for firearms and does both clean and lube. We lived off CLP in the Army and never let anyone down. If the rifle is canted and you don't want to tap it back in place yourself, you will have to deal with Arsenal for warranty work. K-Var and Arsenal are one and the same btw, but K-Var only sells stuff, warranty is handled at Arsenal. Legally they are two different companies but operationally they are just two halves of the same business. Dealing with Arsenal warranty has been a real pain for a lot of people in the past 3 years, not sure if they've improved or not. And it's not that they won't take care of you, it's that you end up paying shipping and loosing time fixing what shouldn't have needed to be fixed. FWIW I own 4 rifles related to them...2 Arsenal SLR's and 2 Saiga Legions. Neither SLR had issues and one of them was bought during they heyday of canted sight problems, both SGLs had cant but like I said both were easy to fix. I personally have no worries a out buying another. Z Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
|
I only have about 300 rounds through my SGL21 and I clean it after every trip to the range and haven't noticed any issues with CLP. I usually just clean with CLP and that's it. It works well enough for my needs.
My rifle's finish from the factory was quite nice with no flaws really and the sights were aligned. Required no adjustments for a tight group at 50 yards. A lot of guns can have canted sights, even high end brand AR-15s can have canted sights. It happens. |
AK Sponsor