AK Sponsor
Posted: 12/3/2012 4:31:47 PM EDT
|
I have been thinking about possibly getting an AK in 5.56, sometime in the future. I have been reading all the threads on the Archers and everyone seems to have mixed opinions on them. A lot of people are saying that they are not "correct" in features resembling the originals while others say they are very well built and reliable.
Is this a good choice for a 5.56 AK? Before I go further, my options for a 5.56 AK are limited and an SLR is not going to happen. I live in a state that does not allow any rifle with "SLR" in its name (it sounds like a joke but it's not). Also, I am not a collector, so I can care less for a fake selector lever on the left hand side of the rifle. Actually I rather have no fake selector levers. I just care about the correct twist rate (1 in 9 in), and the muzzle device at the end of the barrel is not a problem since I would have the barrel cut and pinned with a FH at 16 in anyway. My other concerns are: 1) Is the Archer compatible with the same stock sets that other stamped AK variants have? For example the SGL 21? I would like to be able to install http://bonesteelarms.com/AK-Saiga-folding-stock-hinge-with-threaded-AR-15-stock-interface-akfsar.htm 2) How available are the magazines for the Archer? Are they reasonably priced and available as easy as the circle 10 5.56 magazines? 3) I have heard a few instances where the magwell work (done by IO) was very poor, is this common? I'm guessing if I buy one I would be able to get one hand picked without a messed up magwell but if this is a very common issue that might be difficult. 4) Would a TWS dogleg topcover work for these without problem? I figure since these have dropped in price to $1k, it might not be too bad. Thanks |
|
The Archer uses standard AK furniture, that stock will work.
They use the same magazines as Russian and Bulgarian 5.56x45 AKs, so you can use the Circle 10s or you can use the Beryl mags(which are a little cheaper). Unsure about the magwell. IO is total crap, so if they do open up the mag well then I imagine it's pretty hit and miss. Should work without issue, they use standard sized dust covers. The main issue most people have the Archer is that it is so expensive and comes with incorrect furniture and a very odd muzzle. The barrel extends past the muzzle threads and as a result the muzzle device is pretty long yet only about half of it is functioning as brake. |
|
Ok that's what I was hoping to hear. I just forgot to ask one thing: supposedly there is a bolt hold open on these that should not be there? Is the bolt hold open removable? I'm guessing it's on the safety lever, but I could be wrong. If I were to install a Krebs enhanced safety on the gun would that get rid of the BHO?
Thanks |
| I have An Archer. Not a bad gun. I got nine for a $1000 including collapsible stock and 2 hi cap mags. Not bad deal, if you consider $200 for stock and $80 for the mags. That comes out to about $720 for the rifle. Which is not bad, about as much as I paid for SLR 106 6 years ago. Really no issues to speak off. Yes it is not entirely correct for Beryl clone but with little work it can be close enough. And prehaps IO would not be my first choise as an importer. The circle 10 mags fit by supper tight. No problem with Polish green or back mags. No BHO on this gun, just cut in the safety lever to manually keep the bolt open. Again, not true to Polish design but it can be easily chaned out. |
|
Quoted:
I just forgot to ask one thing: supposedly there is a bolt hold open on these that should not be there? Is the bolt hold open removable? I'm guessing it's on the safety lever, but I could be wrong. If I were to install a Krebs enhanced safety on the gun would that get rid of the BHO? Thanks The Archer/Beryl/Tantal safety is a different shape than the standard AK safety lever, so the Krebs safety lever will not install into an Archer. The "BHO" on the Archer is nothing more than a slot cut into the back of the safety lever, to replace that with an uncut tantal lever loses the BHO "feature", and needs a pin punched out, as the Tantal/Beryl lever does not install the same way an AK lever does. |
|
Quoted:
I see. Now can anyone confirm if the barrel twist rate is 1 in 9 or 1 in 10? I keep hearing both answers Barrel twist is 1/9" (standard in Beryl: 228mm, 6 grooves), confirmed at factory. They were newer making any other twist for 5.56 barrels, as their CHF machine was set for that. Polish Army selected 1/9" twist for Beryl as universal one that will allow use equivalents of both M193 or M855 rounds. Actually only ammo we here use is with SS109 bullet equivalent (like M855), but when we were supplied by French on US mission, they worked well with M193. |
| Thanks a lot, that was one of my biggest concerns. I guess the only problems with these are non issues for me then. I am planning to have the barrel cut to shorter length and FH pinned for 16 OAL, so the odd muzzle thing at the end of the barrel is no problem. I just need to switch out that safety selector lever. Does anyone know how/if I can get a real Beyrl safety lever? without the cut in the back? |
|
Quoted:
Does anyone know how/if I can get a real Beyrl safety lever? without the cut in the back? RTG has Tantal right and left side selectors, which are the same as the Beryl uses. Link Here |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Does anyone know how/if I can get a real Beyrl safety lever? without the cut in the back? RTG has Tantal right and left side selectors, which are the same as the Beryl uses. Link Here Those fit Beryl, but are not exactly same. Beryl safety uses extended finger shelf for trigger finger operation, Tantal safety is standard AK ergonomy. |
AK Sponsor