Arsenal SGL20 7.62×39mm
East meets west to create a true custom RUSSIAN STYLE Kalashnikov!
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Featuring the upgrades of the AK-74M series of rifles, the SGL20 sports an Arsenal Inc. manufactured muzzle brake and a 90-degree gas block. Also note the bayonet lug at the bottom of the front sight base.
The fit and finish of the SGL20 I received for testing was excellent with no obvious machining marks on any parts, clean markings and an attractive powder-coated black finish on all steel parts. The black polymer stock set is attractive with a matte surface and clean molding lines. Arsenal Inc. also clearly pays attention to the even the smallest of details with the raised portion of the stock featuring the correct small gap between it and the rear of the receiver to allow for recoil forces and prevent undue wear on it.
Although the SGL20 may be a very sophisticated Kalashnikov variant, it still is ultimately a very simple rifle, which is much of the ubiquitous design’s appeal. Operationally, the SGL20 (like all Kalashnikovs) is a gas-operated, rotating bolt rifle. When a cartridge is fired, gas is bled off the barrel through a port in the gas block. This gas pushes back a large, heavy piston attached to the bolt carrier of the rifle. This rearward movement causes the bolt head to rotate and unlock from the barrel trunnion located inside the stamped steel receiver.
Complementing the simple mechanism of the SGL20 is the simple operation of the rifle. To load it, one simply rocks in a loaded magazine from front to back until it locks in place. After sweeping down the large safety lever of the SGL20, the action can be charged by pulling back on the reciprocating charging handle of the bolt carrier exposed through the ejection port and releasing it. The rifle does not feature a bolt hold-open device. Magazines are released by pushing forward on the magazine release paddle located forward of the triggerguard and rocking the magazine forward.
Range Time
For testing, I took the SGL20 out with a selection of Federal, Remington and Winchester ammunition. Over the course of a few hundred rounds, I did not experience a single malfunction. Accuracy of the rifle proved to be quite good, particularly considering I was firing it at 100 yards with iron sights.
Brass was vigorously ejected with a prominent dent showing from where it impacted the rifle during ejection. Perceived recoil, due in no small part to the highly effective muzzle brake, was pleasant and much lighter than a comparable Romanian Kalashnikov I have with the standard slat brake.
For American shooters who have always wanted to own a Kalashnikov that bears both the charms of the lineage and the high quality of Russian manufacturing, the AK-103-style SGL20 from Arsenal Inc. and Legion Ltd. is an irresistible opportunity.
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September 14th, 2011 at 6:22 pm
I am an FFL holder and have purchased for customers as well as myself several variants of the AK over the years. Though there is no beating the top notch (currently designated) SAM7 with its milled reciever, I can honestly find no disadvantage in owning the current crop of stamped reciever Saiga reconfigurations. They are VERY accurate. If you want to make an improvement I would recommed the installation of a trigger plate available from several suppliers to replace the “Shepards Crook” but most especially, invest in a trigger assembly made by Red Star. It is fully adjustable and can be set to operate in either single or double stage operation. On my latest “keeper” Ak, an SGL 21-71 (NATO length stock) I installed both the trigger plate and the Red Star trigger and found I owned the finest AK I have ever fired from an accuracy standpoint. I would in fact put my AK up against most AR type rifles on any 100-200 yard range…and I dont have to deal with the incredibly overcomplicated design flaws of the AR type rifle. I now own an AK with a trigger that breaks right at 3lbs with NO creep….it breaks like a tiny glass rod. If you are younger than I and can still use open sights effectively, I would also suggest upgrading to one of the fully adjustable rear sights that utilize fiber optics (of course replace the front sight with a fiber optic sight). I use a Redfield 3X9X40 scope on the KVAR side rail mount and have replaced the foreend with an aftermarket aluminum foreend that features four sets of rails. Mine currently carries a streamlight TLR1, a fully adjustable laser sight that fits neatly in front of a multi postionable fore end grip. Up top sits an Eotech with side positioned buttons so that I can use a magnifyer with the Eotech (no need to pay the big bucks that Eotech demands for their magnifyer, there are other excellent makers that offer optics for use with the Eotech for a fraction of the extravagant cost of the Eotech….the Eotech sight itself…well, you cannot cut corners there. It is really sweet having a rapid acquisition whose red dot is a mere 1moa….I have little use for those 4-8moa sights some use..I want to hit exactly what I aim at not within 4-8 inches from it.
A chamberable laser bullet like device makes zeroing everything extremely easy.
I highly recommend even the stock version of this series of rifles. My next “keeper” will be the Saiga 12 gauge shotgun…..it accessories promise to provide me with a great deal of fun and more than enough protection from just about anything that breathes.
These are the finest AK variants currently being made, flat out.
April 14th, 2011 at 6:18 pm
just took my recently purchased SGL21-61 out to the range for a test firing. what a GREAT SHOOTING WEAPON! i have 2 wasr ak’s which i love to shoot but the SGL 21 is on a whole different level.accuracy at 100 meters is outstanding! it breaks down and cleans very easily. a QUALITY rifle.
March 19th, 2011 at 4:13 pm
ARSENAL-LEGION IF THERE IS A BETTER RIFLE OUT THERE PLEASE LET ME KNOW
December 14th, 2010 at 12:12 am
I was thrilled with the last Gunners match the other day, i hope we can get the points up and win the premier league, Come on you gooners!
July 18th, 2010 at 9:53 am
I own 2 one sgl 20 and one 107
bought are outstanding rifles very accurate.
June 30th, 2010 at 9:34 pm
I’ve owned a couple of these rifles and have fired well over 10,000 rounds with NO failure to fire using Wolf and Brown and Silver Bear ammo. Considering some of the ammo, that really says a LOT about the rifle. Scoped you can really wring suprising accuracy out of these rifles. I even put an EoTech on one and it made for an accurate and fast to acquire the target rifle. Superb workmanship and one hell of a great rifle. I just put a Tapco folder on one and its nice. The available regular looking folder that is available looks a lot better than the Tapco though and that might be my next purchase. GREAT RIFLES!!