Alpha_Male
11-20-2011, 03:45 PM
Just joined the site and thought I would make a contribution to start things off right. First off my name is Alex and I'm from far west Texas. I've had my Arsenal SGL-21 for a few months now and absolutely love it. I decided to make it more practical (not "tactical"...I hate that word) by adding some new furniture to it. I wanted something I could make compact but not folding so I went with a Mako collapsible stock with "recoil reducing tube" which I'll explain later. Up front I also went with Mako with their top and bottom vented hand guards and pistol grip. I wasn't too crazy about the 2-stage trigger so I went ahead and replaced it with a tapco g2 single hook trigger. For plinking purposes I purchased a bushnell trs-25 red dot that I mounted on the top front hand guard and a cheap nc star folding bipod. When I was in high school a 300lbs line man landed on my hand/wrist injuring it. I can grab the lower hand guard just fine but found it to be more comfortable with the front pistol grip. I'm not a huge fan of how it looks but it's functional for me. Enough about that lets get down to some talking points.
Mako Collapsible 6-Position Stock
Install was easy as pie and requires no special tools or adjustments. Simply remove old stock and insert the mako stock. I have linked a how to video (not mine) below in case anyone wants to see it for reference or research. The stock is very sturdy with no wobble in any direction and has a nice, thick, soft pad in the back that is molded kinda like a tire tread. That pad also pivots down accessing a compartment for batteries and what not. As far as the "recoil reducing tube" I don't really notice it but it came with the system so I don't really mind it all that much. The Ak47 doesn't have much of a kick anyway so it's kind of benign. The screw that inserts closer to the receiver not only holds the stock in place but actually pushes the stock against the receiver as you tighten. In conclusion I'm happy with it as it is pretty rugged and reaches the bottom line of being practical.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGqFplu-8-0
Mako Hand Guards (Upper/Lower)
I was a bit skeptical getting plastic hand guards but I took a chance on these anyway. They are VERY tough and built like the ak itself. They don't get hot even after a bump fire and you can visually see how the vents on the side are functional. The top hand guard installs just like how you remove the stock hand guard which is by twisting it on. The tolerance is VERY tight and is extremely sturdy. The lower hand guard is just a simple install. It has rails on the 12, 3, 6 and 9 o'clock positions but the side rails are kind of small for some light mounts. You have the option of removing the side rails though just in case. All in all I'm very pleased with this set up and I can honestly say it is built like a rock.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23LeFQ88oAI
Mako Pistol Grip
Significantly better ergonomics compared to the stock arsenal grip. Has a compartment on the bottom for storage of batteries, small oil bottle or tools. Not much to say about it except that it's functional, comfortable and tough.
Tapco G2 trigger
Happy without the 2-stage trigger that came with the arsenal. It wasn't a big deal but I figured the g2 trigger was cheap enough to validate buying it. The stock arsenal trigger is about 8lbs and the g2 trigger is about 3-4lbs. It's a clean crisp break and I couldn't be happier with it. Install was not AS DIFFICULT as some people make it out to be. There are some videos on youtube that really help out.
ATI Folding Pistol Grip
Not much of a fan of these but it's functional for me and is a lot more comfortable. Has a six position folding mechanism but I only us the full down or full up. It's pretty sturdy and haven't had any trouble with it. I wouldn't recommend it for people with small hands because my sister has trouble with it. Works fine for me though and works well.
NC Star Folding Bi-Pod
Not a fan of this at all but it was cheap and I only use it for sighting in. The leg extensions are weak and it has a rather narrow base. It has a lot of perpendicular movement in reference to the rifle which is expected with rail mounts.
Bushnell TRS-25 Red Dot
Holds zero fairly well, costs less than $100 shipped and seems more like a 2moa red dot rather than a 3moa.The dot is round up until the 8-9 power setting which really isn't needed. Practical power levels are from 1-6 and 7-11 are just over kill even for a bright day. The mount, which I'm not to happy with, is a single allen screw in the center of the mount. I haven't really had any problems with it so I can't complain. The knob for power setting is nice and stiff with a nice loud click which is a plus. With the mako rail and this red dot co-witnessing is not possible. So far I love this little thing as it is accurate and reliable.
Amber-Bright high contrast lens coating One-piece tube Unlimited F.O.V. Dry nitrogen- filled 100% waterproof, fogproof, shockproof and receives a CR2032 battery. Weighs 3.7 ounces.
Tapco Polymer Magazines and Polymer Clamp
The tapco magazines are a little tight getting in the receiver but not all that hard with practice. They are extremely tough and I've never had any issues with them feeding. The magazine clamp is used because at my range the firing line and shaded table area are separate. It was more practical to use these clamps as opposed to a belly rig. I laugh at those guys when I see them at the range wearing them. The clamps are made of plastic unfortunately and I have had them break when dropped only because I kind of over tightened them a little.
Time for some pics!
With everything minus the bipod
http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m577/RNS915/DSC02171.jpg
Stock W/ Recoil Tube
http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/2421/dsc02180m.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/225/dsc02180m.jpg/)
http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/9625/dsc02181g.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/522/dsc02181g.jpg/)
http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/2677/dsc02182g.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/683/dsc02182g.jpg/)
http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/7448/dsc02184m.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/198/dsc02184m.jpg/)
Mako Pistol Grip
http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/3749/dsc02185bi.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/338/dsc02185bi.jpg/)
http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/1627/dsc02186a.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/832/dsc02186a.jpg/)
Guards/Forward Pistol Grip/Red Dot/Bi-Pod/Trigger
http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/71/dsc02187c.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/225/dsc02187c.jpg/)
http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/2852/dsc02188gn.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/690/dsc02188gn.jpg/)
http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/9636/dsc02191d.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/254/dsc02191d.jpg/)
http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/184/dsc02195r.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/14/dsc02195r.jpg/)
Tapco Magazines & Clamps
http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m577/RNS915/2011-08-19114933.jpg
http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m577/RNS915/2011-08-19114649.jpg
Arsenal Markings (Misc.)
http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/535/dsc02192as.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/263/dsc02192as.jpg/)
http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/1516/dsc02193a.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/824/dsc02193a.jpg/)
http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/7452/dsc02194l.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/821/dsc02194l.jpg/)
http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m577/RNS915/2011-09-16162648.jpg
Mako Collapsible 6-Position Stock
Install was easy as pie and requires no special tools or adjustments. Simply remove old stock and insert the mako stock. I have linked a how to video (not mine) below in case anyone wants to see it for reference or research. The stock is very sturdy with no wobble in any direction and has a nice, thick, soft pad in the back that is molded kinda like a tire tread. That pad also pivots down accessing a compartment for batteries and what not. As far as the "recoil reducing tube" I don't really notice it but it came with the system so I don't really mind it all that much. The Ak47 doesn't have much of a kick anyway so it's kind of benign. The screw that inserts closer to the receiver not only holds the stock in place but actually pushes the stock against the receiver as you tighten. In conclusion I'm happy with it as it is pretty rugged and reaches the bottom line of being practical.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGqFplu-8-0
Mako Hand Guards (Upper/Lower)
I was a bit skeptical getting plastic hand guards but I took a chance on these anyway. They are VERY tough and built like the ak itself. They don't get hot even after a bump fire and you can visually see how the vents on the side are functional. The top hand guard installs just like how you remove the stock hand guard which is by twisting it on. The tolerance is VERY tight and is extremely sturdy. The lower hand guard is just a simple install. It has rails on the 12, 3, 6 and 9 o'clock positions but the side rails are kind of small for some light mounts. You have the option of removing the side rails though just in case. All in all I'm very pleased with this set up and I can honestly say it is built like a rock.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23LeFQ88oAI
Mako Pistol Grip
Significantly better ergonomics compared to the stock arsenal grip. Has a compartment on the bottom for storage of batteries, small oil bottle or tools. Not much to say about it except that it's functional, comfortable and tough.
Tapco G2 trigger
Happy without the 2-stage trigger that came with the arsenal. It wasn't a big deal but I figured the g2 trigger was cheap enough to validate buying it. The stock arsenal trigger is about 8lbs and the g2 trigger is about 3-4lbs. It's a clean crisp break and I couldn't be happier with it. Install was not AS DIFFICULT as some people make it out to be. There are some videos on youtube that really help out.
ATI Folding Pistol Grip
Not much of a fan of these but it's functional for me and is a lot more comfortable. Has a six position folding mechanism but I only us the full down or full up. It's pretty sturdy and haven't had any trouble with it. I wouldn't recommend it for people with small hands because my sister has trouble with it. Works fine for me though and works well.
NC Star Folding Bi-Pod
Not a fan of this at all but it was cheap and I only use it for sighting in. The leg extensions are weak and it has a rather narrow base. It has a lot of perpendicular movement in reference to the rifle which is expected with rail mounts.
Bushnell TRS-25 Red Dot
Holds zero fairly well, costs less than $100 shipped and seems more like a 2moa red dot rather than a 3moa.The dot is round up until the 8-9 power setting which really isn't needed. Practical power levels are from 1-6 and 7-11 are just over kill even for a bright day. The mount, which I'm not to happy with, is a single allen screw in the center of the mount. I haven't really had any problems with it so I can't complain. The knob for power setting is nice and stiff with a nice loud click which is a plus. With the mako rail and this red dot co-witnessing is not possible. So far I love this little thing as it is accurate and reliable.
Amber-Bright high contrast lens coating One-piece tube Unlimited F.O.V. Dry nitrogen- filled 100% waterproof, fogproof, shockproof and receives a CR2032 battery. Weighs 3.7 ounces.
Tapco Polymer Magazines and Polymer Clamp
The tapco magazines are a little tight getting in the receiver but not all that hard with practice. They are extremely tough and I've never had any issues with them feeding. The magazine clamp is used because at my range the firing line and shaded table area are separate. It was more practical to use these clamps as opposed to a belly rig. I laugh at those guys when I see them at the range wearing them. The clamps are made of plastic unfortunately and I have had them break when dropped only because I kind of over tightened them a little.
Time for some pics!
With everything minus the bipod
http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m577/RNS915/DSC02171.jpg
Stock W/ Recoil Tube
http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/2421/dsc02180m.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/225/dsc02180m.jpg/)
http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/9625/dsc02181g.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/522/dsc02181g.jpg/)
http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/2677/dsc02182g.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/683/dsc02182g.jpg/)
http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/7448/dsc02184m.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/198/dsc02184m.jpg/)
Mako Pistol Grip
http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/3749/dsc02185bi.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/338/dsc02185bi.jpg/)
http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/1627/dsc02186a.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/832/dsc02186a.jpg/)
Guards/Forward Pistol Grip/Red Dot/Bi-Pod/Trigger
http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/71/dsc02187c.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/225/dsc02187c.jpg/)
http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/2852/dsc02188gn.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/690/dsc02188gn.jpg/)
http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/9636/dsc02191d.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/254/dsc02191d.jpg/)
http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/184/dsc02195r.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/14/dsc02195r.jpg/)
Tapco Magazines & Clamps
http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m577/RNS915/2011-08-19114933.jpg
http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m577/RNS915/2011-08-19114649.jpg
Arsenal Markings (Misc.)
http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/535/dsc02192as.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/263/dsc02192as.jpg/)
http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/1516/dsc02193a.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/824/dsc02193a.jpg/)
http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/7452/dsc02194l.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/821/dsc02194l.jpg/)
http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m577/RNS915/2011-09-16162648.jpg