AK Sponsor
Posted: 11/24/2010 8:30:43 AM EDT
|
Just got an SLR107 in 7.62x39 and not planning on changing anything until I get some experience with the stock setup, just exploring options and I think I have an idea of how I eventually want to set it up:
- Barrel shortened to 16" including permanently attached flash hider. - Bolten gas block. - Upgraded front sight - Fuller rear sight mod - Krebs retaining plate I already have an Ultimak and will get an H1 eventually once I get some practice with the iron sights. I have some questions. 1. The Arsenal web site says that SLR107 comes with a 2-stage trigger already. Will the G2 make a big difference in the feel of the trigger? I believe these rifles use the single hook trigger, is that correct? 2. Does the Bolten gas block make a big difference in terms of handling of the rifle? Does it improve the sight picture? Is it a possible reduction in reliability? From pictures I've seen, it looks higher than the standard sight, does this improve the cowitnessing with an Ultimak-mounted H1? 3. How does shortening the barrel affect the ballistics, accuracy and reliability of the rifle? Being an AK I'm guessing it doesn't make much of a difference. The barrel is already just 16.25", if I have the barrel shortened as much as possible without going SBR, and a flash hider like the Type 84 permanently attached, will it make a noticeable difference in handling? 4. Is the Type 84 a decent flash hider? 5. I have a difficult time quickly acquiring the standard front sight against a dark background or at night. What options are there for replacing the front sight with something more visible? |
|
I assume you're looking at shortening the barrel to in the neighborhood of 14.5" to 15" and then permanently attaching a flash hider to bring it to 16", not actually having the barrel cut to 16" as it is already just slightly over 16" and there is no need to permanently attach the FH with a 16"+ barrel. Considering the SLR-107 comes with an AK-74 style muzzle brake, I think you would loose about 3" of OAL. I don't think that would make much difference in handling, but in the end it's up to you as to weather or not it is worth it. It won't handle any differently than it does with the current brake removed, as the OAL will be the same either way. You can always look into the Manticore 24mm flash hider which will fit on your current muzzle threads and is considerably shorter than the AK-74 style brake.
As to the tigger, I can't answer that one. I would say that if your current trigger feels like it could use improvement, get the Tapco. If the current trigger is fine, I would leave it alone. Why the gas block mounted front sight? Are you aware that it would shorten your sight radius, which tends to reduce practical accuracy? What advantages does such a setup have? There is no way for it to improve the sight picture, the sight picture would remain unchanged. Both the stock sight and the sight you're considering (as well as most other front sights) are simply posts. If it was higher, your rifle would not zero. The height of the post itself is determined by adjusting up and down as needed to zero the rifle. I'm not aware of the performance of the Type 84 flash hider. As for front sight visibility, have you considered some model paint or finger nail polish on the existing front sight post? Or possibly a set of night sights! It sounds like with a bottle of fingernail polish and the Manticore you could get what you want with no mailing guns for work, a lot less money, and you'd gain a longer sight radius. Only thing you'd lose is that you'd gain whatever the length of the Manticore's tines are, maybe a little over an inch. |
| Well my thinking was that the Bolten gas block and shorter barrel w/ permanently attached flash hider would make the front of the rifle lighter and give me better handling/balance. But having the barrel shortened, flash hider permanently attached and gas block installed is expensive so if it doesn't make a noticeable difference I won't bother. What I'm trying to figure out is if it makes a real difference or not. It would make the sight radius shorter but I plan to run the H1 most of the time with the iron sights as backup so it's not too much of an issue. |
|
Quoted:
1. The Arsenal web site says that SLR107 comes with a 2-stage trigger already. Will the G2 make a big difference in the feel of the trigger? I believe these rifles use the single hook trigger, is that correct? The G2 fire control group is single stage and is lighter than any "2 stage" Arsenal trigger I've encountered. If you like two stage triggers, (or a reasonable copy of one) keep the Arsenal fcg. If single stage, light triggers are your preference, get the G2. If you want an adjustable pull get the Red Star Arms trigger. |
|
Quoted:
Just got an SLR107 in 7.62x39 and not planning on changing anything until I get some experience with the stock setup, just exploring options and I think I have an idea of how I eventually want to set it up: - Barrel shortened to 16" including permanently attached flash hider. - Bolten gas block. - Upgraded front sight - Fuller rear sight mod - Krebs retaining plate I already have an Ultimak and will get an H1 eventually once I get some practice with the iron sights. 2. Does the Bolten gas block make a big difference in terms of handling of the rifle? Does it improve the sight picture? Is it a possible reduction in reliability? From pictures I've seen, it looks higher than the standard sight, does this improve the cowitnessing with an Ultimak-mounted H1? 3. How does shortening the barrel affect the ballistics, accuracy and reliability of the rifle? Being an AK I'm guessing it doesn't make much of a difference. The barrel is already just 16.25", if I have the barrel shortened as much as possible without going SBR, and a flash hider like the Type 84 permanently attached, will it make a noticeable difference in handling? I think it makes a big difference in handling to have your barrel shortened by even a couple of inches. An ounce of the end of your barrel is equivalent to several ounces off the back of your rifle. I removed the '74 muzzle brake from the end of my rifle and I could already notice a difference. Considering that the barrel is much heavier than the muzzle brake, cutting it down and moving the FSB back should improve handling even more. I am going this same route myself on my '74, but I'm still deliberating whether to stick with the stock FSB and the '74 muzzle brake or to get an AKM FSB installed and thread the barrel to attach a US hider or brake. Since the muzzle device will have to be permanently attached, I'm undecided about whether the '74 brake would be a pain to clean. I'm hesitant to go with the Bolton gas block because it adds cost, detracts from the original look, and requires some modification to the gas hole since the Bolton gas block was designed for 45 degree angle gas blocks found on AKMs. Also, I'm unsure if I would be happy with the Bolton gas block front sight. Maybe others can chime in on this who have gone this route? |
AK Sponsor