The SAM7 is pretty amazing. Great deals on used SAM7’s are out there. IME milled guns are smoother than stamped. They do weigh more. Although a recent discussion about that puts it in perspective.
Arsenal SLR-107R 7.3lbs
Arsenal SAM7R 8.0lbs
Loaded gen2 AK Pmag ~1.45lbs
So real world the difference is less than half a loaded magazine difference. Now consider where that weight is located. All that extra weight is in the receiver placing it right over the hands. IMHO the balance is better and the milled guns don’t seem as nose heavy.
Arsenal Bulgaria
Cugir Romania
VEPR Russia (no longer imported)
Saiga Russia (no longer imported)
Norinco China (no longer imported)
Krebs Customs, Definitive Arms and a few others put out excellent guns.
Any thoughts about kit builders? I want to get a 1985 (birth year) numbers matching, original barrel kit and have it done up. I'm thinking Polish AKM or a AKS74U but with AK-100 Folding Stock Set in Walnut.
"Well you know, it's a toolbox. You put the tools in for the job." Sam
A numbers matching 1985 AKS-74U kit with original barrel will be a VERY expensive kit, and hard to find. Being a 1985 it'll also have a 4.5mm stock pin which will be incompatible with that stock set, and the handguards won't fit the shorter AKS-74U handguard length. Though that walnut is damn pretty!
It's entirely possible to just get a 1985 trunnion and mixmaster the kit to suit your ideal combination - it's just not going to happen on a OG barrel matching kit.
"Well you know, it's a toolbox. You put the tools in for the job." Sam
Forgot how much I like the Unity Tactical VFG. Big enough to be useful but small enough not to interfere with mag changes. This is the last pic of the beater SF looking like a rescue. She’s getting a fancy cerakote job from Eleven Mile.
http://instagram.com/p/BvT4RTiHoO0/