I wanted a place to discuss my handguns and firearms in general. Everyone seemingly has lots to say about guns, so I promise you this won't be a rant blog.
I’d planned on mounting them on my PSA AK pistols. I mounted one on the AK-V and the other on the AK-P.
I had to remove it from the AK-P, though, because I have an enhanced safety on it and I can’t use the charging handle and the enhanced safety at the same time (the charging handle interferes with the usage of the safety.
I put it on my SAM7UF instead. They look great and the handles offer good traction. They are easy to mount, too, although I need to go back and add thread locker so that they don’t come off.
I took the cleaning rod from my SAM7UF to see if it would fit on my AMD-63 and it does. I tried it before and it wouldn’t go in all the way and would poke out a bit beyond the latching spot under the front sight. Well, I put it back in and wiggled it around a tad and it dropped fully into place. It will latch.
I wanted to share that since it’s is supposed to be common knowledge that these will not accept cleaning rods. They will.
So, I think I’m going to just order one from K-VAR to use in the AMD-63.
As well, I removed the gas tube and hand guard from the SAM7UF today, since I hadn’t done it since I bought it (wanted to be sure there was no damage or hidden anomalies). The latches were stiff but I was able to remove them. I saw no flaws but there was preservative on the underside of the hand guard. Because of this, I’m almost positive that this firearm has never been fired, otherwise that preservative would’ve either baked onto the heat shield or dissipated.
I also looked at some of the 7.62×39 casings from my last range visit and found that they’re dinged to hell. I also have brass markings on the dust cover of the AMD-63. I researched and found that this is normal for AK-47s. I’d initially thought that there was something wrong with the firearm, but the research shows that this normally occurs with these rifles.
No, I’ve not yet been to the range. Maybe I’ll visit the range tomorrow after work.
I cleaned them. I actually took them apart and soaked them in dish soap (Dawn) and hot water, then scrubbed them, then let them air dry. I then gave them a coat of oil and put them back together.
All four fit in my SAM7 (they fit very snug but not as tight as the PMAG it came with). All four also fit in my AK63, although loosely (I don’t mind — as long as they don’t come out).
I still have to test them at the range, though.
I’ve the other set of Croatian mags arriving tomorrow. I’ll have to scrub them down as well, but I may save that for this weekend. I’ll test fit them to the SAM7 tomorrow, though. I hear these mags can be problematic when it comes to fitment. We’ll see. If they are, I’ll just file them a bit.
So, I’ve been not only looking at SAM7UF reviews online, but doing things such as swapping mags between my AK-63DS and SAM7UF.
I’ve 6 Tapco mags that came with the AK-63DS. The Arsenal came with one Magpul (Gen 1, I think). The SAM7UF will not take the Tapcos. The AK-63DS will take the Magpul without issue.
Most people talk crap about the Tapcos, mainly because of issues like this, but this really isn’t an issue with Tapcos. It’s an issue with the Arsenal. Why is the mag well that tight? My ratty-assed AK-63DS will take both without issue, so it’s NOT the mags, and in the AK-63DS’s case, it isn’t the gun.
If I want to take the Arsenal to the range, I’ll only have that one mag, unless I go to Cabelas and pick up a few Magpul mags. I solved the problem by ordering 3 metal Polish mags from Atlantic Firearms and 4 metal Croatian mags from Apex Gun Parts (both groups being 30-round mags).
I also added 550 cord to both arms of the spars of the collapsible stock.
Eventually, I’ll also find some bakelites, but they’re really scarce. In fact, it was moderately difficult to find even European metal mags.
The plan is to continue to take my AK-63DS to the range and practice with it. I’ll use my experience with that particular gun as an AK-47 baseline of knowledge.
I also have to order more ammo, but I’ve enough for a decent start.
I sold a wheel/tire combo that belonged to my previous vehicle so I had some money to blow.
I was eyeing a PSA AK47 GB3 MOEkov in FDE but kept wondering about what issues it would have when I took ownership, so I was hesitant.
I know the mantra. “Get a WASR”. Nope. That wasn’t going to happen either, as WASRs have some of the same issues that purists bitch about when talking about PSA AKs (only WASR folk let WASR issues pass and whine about other makes/models with similar issues).
I thought of getting a Century Arms imported underfolder (AK63DS)…they’re difficult to find.
I actually visited several different local gun stores to see what they had in stock.
Cabelas had none, not even used.
Another small store had the ones that should not be bought (C39v2 and RAS47). They also had an Arsenal but it was $1300. I passed.
I went to another small store and they had an old, used WASR…it looked like someone drug it behind their car for several thousand miles. They had a RAS47 pistol. That thing looked NICE! I was able to handle it. It’s the first time I got a close look at one and it had heft and the workmanship was very nice, but it was a RAS…they can explode on you. The store also had an Arsenal underfolder, the SAM7UF. I took a long look at it and asked to handle it. It had little wear and was pretty much immaculate (similar to the RAS). It had a milled receiver. It had good alignment and the tang on the bolt carrier was not touched (it appeared the rifle wasn’t fired by the previous owner). That was this past Friday. Today (Monday), I went back and asked to take another look at it. The price was $1000. I ended up buying it. Me. An Arsenal.
Why did I buy this when I was looking at lower priced variants? Because the price was $200 less than what it is new, for one. Secondly, the thing had not been used…it was extremely clean. It was local and I wouldn’t have to pay FFL fees and shipping and all that other mess. I could have it same day. If I end up not liking it, I can recoup what I spent on it, since it’s an Arsenal. Underfolders are also badass and combined with Arsenal, I’ve a very nice new firearm! It’s probably one of the most valuable in my collection thus far (I’ve spent a tad more on a handgun but that handgun will not resell at the same price I bought it…the Arsenal will).
So, I’ve another range visit and review in my future!
