AK Sponsor
Posted: 4/29/2010 7:30:18 PM EDT
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Picked up a slightly used SGL31 a couple weeks ago and finally took it out on the range today. I was impressed with the SGL's fit and finish, but the proof is in the pudding. I've owned 3 AKs in the past, and all were lemons (2 due to shadetree gunsmith butchering, the other due to the Century monkeys), so I was REALLY hoping the SGL31 would work right.
I'm happy to report it works GREAT! I fired 150 rounds with zero problems. Used Russian mil-surp mags and a mix of Silver Bear and Russian mil-surp ammo. Zeroed it in at 25 yards, then moved to 50 yards and had to make some slight sight adjustments. Then moved to 100 yards without having to rezero. The SGL's recoil was softer than my Colt 6920, and muzzle rise was definitely less. I shot them one after the other to compare, and the difference in recoil is definitely noticeable, but not radical. The SGL is a sweet little shooter. I mostly shot offhand rapid fire (a round every second or so) at 50 yards, using targets with 5.5" black centers (NRA 25yd pistol targets). My groups with the Colt were tighter at 50 yards, but not by much. I have a lot more trigger time on the AR than the AK, so that may have something to do with it. AK iron sights aren't great, but I like the SGL trigger better than the Colt. I think with comparable sights, I could probably shoot the SGL as well as or better than my Colt. But still had no problem keeping rounds in the black (at least most of them  ).
The AR definitely wins hands down when it comes to ergonomics and how easy it is to adjust the sights, though. AK sights are kind of a pain to adjust, just glad I managed to find my old SKS sight adjustment tool. The point of impact of Silver Bear and Russian mil-surp 5.45 was nearly the same. There's probably some difference, but I couldn't really tell shooting offhand like this. Cleaning the AR was easier, as I felt the need to scrub the hell out of the SGL to deal with the corrosive mil-surp ammo. Big +1 for the SGL31! Fun little rifle. Thanks to everyone here who suggested it to me, I'm real glad I picked one up. I shot at a public range (English Pit) but unfortunately no shenanigans ensued. I mostly had the range to myself. Only three other guys there, an older father-son pair sharing an ancient Winchester 30-30, and a guy with a Hawken blackpowder rifle. All were friendly and no one sneered at my evil black rifles. Sorry no range pics, but here's one of the 6920 and SGL side by side. 
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English pit? Theres a range here in vancouver,wa called english pit is this the same range we are talking about? grats on the sgl31 I would like to pick one up myself, weird you have a 6920 as I was deciding which to buy next between the two.
I have a sgl20 and I love it. |
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Yep, that English Pit. They reopened under new management a while back.
Honestly, if I only had one rifle, I'd probably go with the 6920 just because I know the AR much better, but I plan on shooting the SGL a lot more because the ammo is so much cheaper. Quoted:
English pit? Theres a range here in vancouver,wa called english pit is this the same range we are talking about? grats on the sgl31 I would like to pick one up myself, weird you have a 6920 as I was deciding which to buy next between the two. I have a sgl20 and I love it. |
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Quoted:
Did you find a good deal on your 6920?? I bought it shortly after the AWB, and got a good deal on it at the time, I think ~$1250. Traded the SGL for some ammo that I acquired for quite a bit less than it's worth, so I only have about ~$650 in that. I don't think someone could go wrong with either rifle, depends on if they prefer ARs or AKs, and how much they want to spend on the rifle and ammo. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Did you find a good deal on your 6920?? I bought it shortly after the AWB, and got a good deal on it at the time, I think ~$1250. Traded the SGL for some ammo that I acquired for quite a bit less than it's worth, so I only have about ~$650 in that. I don't think someone could go wrong with either rifle, depends on if they prefer ARs or AKs, and how much they want to spend on the rifle and ammo. Yeah thats eactly what I have came to conclusion with, ive decided to pass on the 6920 as much as I want one I love the ak platform and LOVE arsenals. |
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