Why is an Arsenal SGL21 worth the price?

stickman61

stickman61

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I was asked in my LGS the other day why an Arsenal AK was worth the price and I really couldn't answer.
I have an SGL21 that I traded for several years ago but I'm not sure I've even fired it.
I've considered letting it go but not really sure what the selling points are other than the name. What makes them worth so much more than another AK?
 
"Worth" the price is a subjective notion. Besides supply and demand, I think the primary reason behind the high prices is due to what you mentioned - the name. Arsenal probably has the strongest and most outspoken fanboybase that claims it is the superior AK, but the hard truth is a WASR can do the exact same thing an Arsenal can, for half, one third, and hell, against the SGL now in some cases - one sixth the price.

SGLs trend higher than their SLR brethren because you're getting a Russian vs. Bulgarian receiver. That also makes them more collectible/marketable due to the whole "OMFG BANNED 4 LIFE" fact, like you find in every Vepr and Saiga ad title. Thanks to that fanbase, Arsenal also has been able to weather a lot of the stormy issues like lousy triggers, canted parts, and even that recent bubbling paint and rust debacle.

Speaking of, I think we're in a bit of an Arsenal - especially SGL - bubble right now, so if you've been on the fence about letting yours go, now is as good a time as any to sell it.
 
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I’ve had one Arsenal and I’ve had a few WASR’s

As stated above worth the price is subjective. The only reason I had an Arsenal was I paid a WASR price for it. Then I traded it a few years later for full value. Still miss it though.

Also stated above a WASR will do the same thing but IMO that’s like saying a DELTON will do the same thing as a high end AR.

Sure they will both shoot well and be in spec but an Arsenal is a much smoother and better fitted weapon IMO.
 
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Bubble? Really? I wonder what I could get for mine?
 
Stamped metal cools a lot faster than the billeted receiver AK ones.
If you run an Arsenal hot it will be hot a lot longer than the stamped wasr.
You can usually by two stamped AKs for the price of one Arsenal.
My take on this, not worth the extra money.
 
bondjamesbond said:
Stamped metal cools a lot faster than the billeted receiver AK ones.
If you run an Arsenal hot it will be hot a lot longer than the stamped wasr.
You can usually by two stamped AKs for the price of one Arsenal.
My take on this, not worth the extra money.
Click to expand...

Arsenal makes plenty of stamped receiver guns, they're just never in stock
http://www.arsenalinc.com/usa/SLR-107R.html

Honestly it's at a WASR price point so I can understand why it's perpetually sold out.
 
Yup, the SGL21 is stamped. I have to agree with you though, if I was buying I'd buy something else because I don't generally buy stuff already inflated by collector value.
 
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Honestly I've never really thought they are. You can buy a lot of beans and bullets for what they want for a pretty standard AK.
 
I didn't realize that they'd spiked as high as they have until it was mentioned in this thread. The last 2 that sold on Gunbroker went for $1900 and $2100.
 
A buddy's got an Arsenal AK (dunno which model) & it's an alright gun, but man alive did that thing get HOT after just a couple of mags.
 
stickman61 said:
I didn't realize that they'd spiked as high as they have until it was mentioned in this thread. The last 2 that sold on Gunbroker went for $1900 and $2100.
Click to expand...
I payed $929 in 2012 for mine. Totally worth that over a WASR for $550 imo, but not much more. I love em both.

There is no doubt it's a superior rifle, but yes, it "does" the same thing.



Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk
 
Ikarus1 said:
Arsenal makes plenty of stamped receiver guns, they're just never in stock
http://www.arsenalinc.com/usa/SLR-107R.html

Honestly it's at a WASR price point so I can understand why it's perpetually sold out.
Click to expand...

Not to thread jack since the discussion is about SGLs, but FYI 107Rs are back in stock as of this posting at K-VAR. $849 for black furniture. Throw in an extra $20 for plum.

https://k-var.com/arsenal-slr-107r-...th-1625-inch-threaded-barrel-stamped-receiver
 
Probably "uncovered in the back corner of the warehouse" somewhere. ;):rolleyes:

Also, everyone note this is the R model and not the FR.

R = fixed stock
 
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