AK Sponsor
Posted: 1/4/2010 4:34:06 PM EDT
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I have Three 47's but never owned a 74, whats out there.
BTW, I would rather spend a little extra for a better quality piece. |
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The top of the heap is the Arsenal imported Izhmash Saiga SGL31 (a Legion rifle, the custom shop of Izhmash). Fit and finish is excellent and it's an AK74M pattern rifle, basically the closest thing you can get to a Russian military AK74. Currently they are a couple hundred bucks more than the Lancaster Rough Rider, which pretty rough indeed (though fine shooters from what I have heard).
Z |
, for now anyways.
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One of lancasters non rough riders. Atlantic has them for $600 with an ar15.com discount. They have the chromed barrel. +1. These are very nice rifles, and a nice compromise between the high-end and low-end AK-74 rifles. (In terms of quality, these are closer to the high-end.) Order from Atlantic, and you'll be good to go. |
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My RR has a chrome lined barrel, got in while the going was good.
My co-worker ordered one that has the chrome moly barrel, should be here this week, going shooting on sat. I'll report on the "rustability" of it this weekend after we burn up some corrosive rounds and report back. If you clean after shooting I don't see an issue. Besides, everything else would rust without a cleaning. |
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Personally I think $200 is worth the Russian pedigree so I'd go with the SGL31 over the $600 Lancaster even as nice as it may be.
On the other hand I thought the rough rider at $300 difference is big enough that if I were in the market for a reasonably priced shooter I'd consider it over an SGL31. Z |
this.   $399 |
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The top of the heap is the Arsenal imported Izhmash Saiga SGL31 (a Legion rifle, the custom shop of Izhmash). Fit and finish is excellent and it's an AK74M pattern rifle, basically the closest thing you can get to a Russian military AK74. Currently they are a couple hundred bucks more than the Lancaster Rough Rider, which pretty rough indeed (though fine shooters from what I have heard). Z I think I'd say it's the closest thing you can get to a more modern Russian military AK74M. It's certainly not aesthetically the same as the old school AK74. The receivers are a bit different - mainly the rivet pattern and style of side scope rail mount. But it probably depends on how you look at it. The SGL-31 rifles are built on a Russian receiver and have Russian parts. For the OP, I think your choice of rifle in the AK74 realm may hinge on what you want - inexpensive vs. more expensive; original AK74 look vs. newer AK74M look; something for mostly aesthetics/looks vs. a shooter/toy, etc. The SGL-31 is certainly a great choice for those wanting a look-alike Russian AK74M. For those into a more accurate, "true" look, the furniture can be swapped out for the old school AK74 laminated stuff for the look but the receiver will slightly be out of aesthetical "trueness." That may matter to some folks, maybe not to others. |
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CVO, what do you consider better quality? finish or function or both?
i have mostly 7.62x39 rifles with a single 5.45x39 rifle. my personal limited experience is a higher price will get you better fit and finish, but i don't see a higher price guaranteeing accuracy or function. i've got a home converted saiga 7.62x39 sporter rifle, romanian SAR-1 and wasr underfolder that shoot straight, unlike the two sgl21s (arsenal rifles based on 7.62x39 saiga legion rifles) which both shoot a bit off to the side; my plum sgl21 just needs the sight post drifted to the right, while the black sgl21 has the front site has some front sight cant. all my rifles function and fire 100%, its just that the russian actions feel silky smooth compared to the romanian actions (even my home converted saiga with home made bullet guide which is JB welded in the receiver  ). also, my wasr underfolder appears to have the magwell milled or dremeled out to take hi cap mags (i received the rifle new with metal shavings inside the receiver and the portion that was cut wasn't refinished.)
my only ak74 is a lancaster rough rider. i posted a review with pictures a week or two ago, and it may be buried on page 2 or 3 of the ak discussion section. i think the rifle is a good value, especially with the extra mags, mag pouch, cleaning kit and bayonet that came with it. i don't know if the corrosion on the rifle (see my review for pics) was from me shooting and cleaning it improperly or if it came from lancaster/aimsurplus like that. my rifle shoots a bit to the right, but i don't think the front site is canted. considering the $300 price difference between the RR and the sgl31, i'm still satisfied with my RR purchase, but i personanly would not buy one with a stainless barrel. stainless isn't rust proof. i just wish that kvar/arsenal will sell sgl31s for $500 like they did with the sgl20s and 21s 
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CVO, what do you consider better quality? finish or function or both? i have mostly 7.62x39 rifles with a single 5.45x39 rifle. my personal limited experience is a higher price will get you better fit and finish, but i don't see a higher price guaranteeing accuracy or function. i've got a home converted saiga 7.62x39 sporter rifle, romanian SAR-1 and wasr underfolder that shoot straight, unlike the two sgl21s (arsenal rifles based on 7.62x39 saiga legion rifles) which both shoot a bit off to the side; my plum sgl21 just needs the sight post drifted to the right, while the black sgl21 has the front site has some front sight cant. all my rifles function and fire 100%, its just that the russian actions feel silky smooth compared to the romanian actions (even my home converted saiga with home made bullet guide which is JB welded in the receiver ). also, my wasr underfolder appears to have the magwell milled or dremeled out to take hi cap mags (i received the rifle new with metal shavings inside the receiver and the portion that was cut wasn't refinished.)
my only ak74 is a lancaster rough rider. i posted a review with pictures a week or two ago, and it may be buried on page 2 or 3 of the ak discussion section. i think the rifle is a good value, especially with the extra mags, mag pouch, cleaning kit and bayonet that came with it. i don't know if the corrosion on the rifle (see my review for pics) was from me shooting and cleaning it improperly or if it came from lancaster/aimsurplus like that. my rifle shoots a bit to the right, but i don't think the front site is canted. considering the $300 price difference between the RR and the sgl31, i'm still satisfied with my RR purchase, but i personanly would not buy one with a stainless barrel. stainless isn't rust proof. i just wish that kvar/arsenal will sell sgl31s for $500 like they did with the sgl20s and 21s I want both, but I am going to read your review. thanks for the info |
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Quoted: where's the review? cant find it.Quoted: CVO, what do you consider better quality? finish or function or both? i have mostly 7.62x39 rifles with a single 5.45x39 rifle. my personal limited experience is a higher price will get you better fit and finish, but i don't see a higher price guaranteeing accuracy or function. i've got a home converted saiga 7.62x39 sporter rifle, romanian SAR-1 and wasr underfolder that shoot straight, unlike the two sgl21s (arsenal rifles based on 7.62x39 saiga legion rifles) which both shoot a bit off to the side; my plum sgl21 just needs the sight post drifted to the right, while the black sgl21 has the front site has some front sight cant. all my rifles function and fire 100%, its just that the russian actions feel silky smooth compared to the romanian actions (even my home converted saiga with home made bullet guide which is JB welded in the receiver ). also, my wasr underfolder appears to have the magwell milled or dremeled out to take hi cap mags (i received the rifle new with metal shavings inside the receiver and the portion that was cut wasn't refinished.)my only ak74 is a lancaster rough rider. i posted a review with pictures a week or two ago, and it may be buried on page 2 or 3 of the ak discussion section. i think the rifle is a good value, especially with the extra mags, mag pouch, cleaning kit and bayonet that came with it. i don't know if the corrosion on the rifle (see my review for pics) was from me shooting and cleaning it improperly or if it came from lancaster/aimsurplus like that. my rifle shoots a bit to the right, but i don't think the front site is canted. considering the $300 price difference between the RR and the sgl31, i'm still satisfied with my RR purchase, but i personanly would not buy one with a stainless barrel. stainless isn't rust proof. i just wish that kvar/arsenal will sell sgl31s for $500 like they did with the sgl20s and 21s I want both, but I am going to read your review. thanks for the info |
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...where's the review? cant find it. i looked and its currently on page 5. if you're logged into JRS, go here http://www.jobrelatedstuff.com/core/topic.html?b=4&f=64&t=124558 Yumbeef, how does your RR shoot? my bolt/charging handle will stick if i pull it as far back as i can, but it cycles fine when firing. i'm not a good shooter. i was shooting 10 to 30 rounds into a 5 or 6 inch group at 50 yards a few inchs to the right of where i was aiming. i need to get myself a sight adjustment tool and drift the sight a bit. i like it. |
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Mine out the box needed a very minimal adjustment on the left-right movement to be on zero with my laser bore sighter.
The sight tools are a must, I've seen people bash the 10 dollar one thats out there, but I've used it on numerous AK's will no ill effects or breakage. |
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