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5/18/2011 3:46:18 PM EDT
Looking at adding an AK to the collection. I'd like one one my life could depend on. What is the difference between the Arsenal and RJ Polish underfolder other than the obvious cosmetic differences? I like the old school look of the under folder but quality reigns supreme with me. If the Arsenal is better quality, I may go that route. Thanks.
5/18/2011 4:02:21 PM EDT
[#1]
Quoted:
Looking at adding an AK to the collection. I'd like one one my life could depend on. What is the difference between the Arsenal and RJ Polish underfolder other than the obvious cosmetic differences? I like the old school look of the under folder but quality reigns supreme with me. If the Arsenal is better quality, I may go that route. Thanks.


If you have never shouldered / fired an underfolder I'd suggest doing so before buying.

I made the mistake once.

Wont happen again unless its to fill out the collection
5/18/2011 4:45:32 PM EDT
[#2]
Really, they should both be fine AKs.  I'd just make sure Red Jacket is using quality barrels... preferably foreign made and chrome lined.

With those two rifles it really just comes down to whether you want an underfolder or not.
5/18/2011 5:46:38 PM EDT
[#3]
I had an underfolder.



For 1 day, if that tells you anything.
5/18/2011 5:47:36 PM EDT
[#4]
Quoted:
I had an underfolder.

For 1 day, if that tells you anything.


I have one and i love it, if that tells you anything
5/18/2011 5:54:37 PM EDT
[#5]
I love my underfolder.  If I was only going to have one, I probably would not choose it over a fixed stock gun.

But........It is still effective and fun!!!
5/18/2011 6:24:48 PM EDT
[#6]
both great quality AKs. Like stated above, find someone with one and shoot 1st. They're not for everyone. OTOH, I'm an Arsenal snob. Yup, I admit it. I'm especially a sucker for the side folders!
5/18/2011 6:47:39 PM EDT
[#7]
Just picked up a new SGL-31 and got a chance to fire it Monday.  I have had and shot a couple other AKs, but so far really impressed with the Arsenal.
5/18/2011 7:09:10 PM EDT
[#8]




Quoted:



Quoted:

Looking at adding an AK to the collection. I'd like one one my life could depend on. What is the difference between the Arsenal and RJ Polish underfolder other than the obvious cosmetic differences? I like the old school look of the under folder but quality reigns supreme with me. If the Arsenal is better quality, I may go that route. Thanks.




If you have never shouldered / fired an underfolder I'd suggest doing so before buying.



I made the mistake once.



Wont happen again unless its to fill out the collection
This 100%.  While they are easily folded for storage or stealth, I would have to rate shouldering an underfolder at the bottom of the list.  A romy/eg/polish sidefolder is way better in my opinion, and those have their druthers.



As far as Arsenal vs. RJ goes, while RJ has a great reputation there is nothing like a factory made AK.  The Arsenals are made in Bulgaria on commie tooling using real commie barrels and receivers.  With estimates of total Kalashnikovs as high as 90 million, you can be rest assured that Arsenal has produced them in the millions vs. the thousands that Red Jacket has built.  The quality of Bulgarian AK's are considered to be one of the best.  If you are referring to the Saigas marketed by Arsenal as SGL's then we are talking about the same issue, it's just that the Izhmash factory has quite a bit more experience than Arsenal.
5/18/2011 8:09:45 PM EDT
[#9]
Personally I wouldn't even consider a UF if I had the option of a sidefolder, Arsenal all the way.
5/18/2011 8:21:54 PM EDT
[#10]
I wouldn't give a red cent to those tools at Red Jacket.

Those who make us look like fools on national television are no friend of gun rights, or gun owners.


Arsenal all the way.
5/18/2011 8:22:11 PM EDT
[#11]
I have had both I like them both, but nothing hurts worse than getting the web between your thumb and forefinger piniched in the side folders locking block! OUCH!
5/18/2011 10:27:04 PM EDT
[#12]
I'd pick a factory gun any day over the unknown Red Jacket. I have 4 Arsenal guns and three of them are side folders.  As others have said, the side folders are the better option IMHO, but I'd still pick  a fixed stock SGL over the Red Jacket underfolder.
5/18/2011 10:56:52 PM EDT
[#13]
Quoted:
I wouldn't give a red cent to those tools at Red Jacket.

Those who make us look like fools on national television are no friend of gun rights, or gun owners.


Arsenal all the way.


Ignorance at its finest. Have you ever handled one of their actual AK builds or do you just automatically assume they make a shit product because of some Hollywood TV show that really has nothing to do with their production line?
5/18/2011 11:00:19 PM EDT
[#14]
Quoted:
Quoted:
I wouldn't give a red cent to those tools at Red Jacket.

Those who make us look like fools on national television are no friend of gun rights, or gun owners.


Arsenal all the way.


Ignorance at its finest. Have you ever handled one of their actual AK builds or do you just automatically assume they make a shit product because of some Hollywood TV show that really has nothing to do with their production line?


i have. the quality wasnt very good. the bolt carrier had some serious "grind" marks on it,
the overall fit and finnish was sloppy,and the bottom handgaurd was very loose.
i wan not impressed.
pass.
5/18/2011 11:18:00 PM EDT
[#15]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I wouldn't give a red cent to those tools at Red Jacket.

Those who make us look like fools on national television are no friend of gun rights, or gun owners.


Arsenal all the way.


Ignorance at its finest. Have you ever handled one of their actual AK builds or do you just automatically assume they make a shit product because of some Hollywood TV show that really has nothing to do with their production line?


i have. the quality wasnt very good. the bolt carrier had some serious "grind" marks on it,
the overall fit and finnish was sloppy,and the bottom handgaurd was very loose.
i wan not impressed.
pass.


Thats surprising because my UF build quality was just as good as any arsenal ive handled, finish was excellent and furniture was actually really tight and hard to get off. Im referring to the Polish Underfolders offered by Atlantic Firearms. Seems everyone else who has one thinks the same.

My point being is that people judge RJ off their show. You obviously have first hand experience, others do not. I can bet you any amount of money that if any gun company had their own TV show it would look exactly the same. Hollywood wants entertainment for the average Joe, not some show with guys rambling about how their barrel isnt chrome lined, parts kit doesnt match, or how their headspace is off.

But purely basing someones work quality over a TV show is like i said, straight ignorant.

On that note, Ive seen and heard of a few LEMONS made by Arsenal. They all got a few of them somewhere

5/18/2011 11:23:53 PM EDT
[#16]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I wouldn't give a red cent to those tools at Red Jacket.

Those who make us look like fools on national television are no friend of gun rights, or gun owners.


Arsenal all the way.


Ignorance at its finest. Have you ever handled one of their actual AK builds or do you just automatically assume they make a shit product because of some Hollywood TV show that really has nothing to do with their production line?


i have. the quality wasnt very good. the bolt carrier had some serious "grind" marks on it,
the overall fit and finnish was sloppy,and the bottom handgaurd was very loose.
i wan not impressed.
pass.


Thats surprising because my UF build quality was just as good as any arsenal ive handled, finish was excellent and furniture was actually really tight and hard to get off. Im referring to the Polish Underfolders offered by Atlantic Firearms. Seems everyone else who has one thinks the same.

My point being is that people judge RJ off their show. You obviously have first hand experience, others do not. I can bet you any amount of money that if any gun company had their own TV show it would look exactly the same. Hollywood wants entertainment for the average Joe, not some show with guys rambling about how their barrel isnt chrome lined, parts kit doesnt match, or how their headspace is off.

But purely basing someones work quality over a TV show is like i said, straight ignorant.

On that note, Ive seen and heard of a few LEMONS made by Arsenal. They all got a few of them somewhere



true on the arsenal lemons.......
5/19/2011 6:42:06 AM EDT
[#17]
Quoted:


But purely basing someones work quality over a TV show is like i said, straight ignorant.






No its not.  Red Jacket is the only AK builder with a TV show.  How they decide they want to present themselves directly affects their business.  To claim otherwise is pure ignorance.
5/19/2011 7:56:09 AM EDT
[#18]
Red Jacket makes gun owners look like jackasses on TV.  It's understandable why some people don't want to support their business because of that.  It has nothing to do with ignorance when it comes to the quality of the product.

Similar to how guys wanted to boycott Arsenal because they supported a politician they don't like.  Or that high end private range near DC that has very few members because they supported the Obama campaign.
5/19/2011 8:49:04 AM EDT
[#19]
Quoted:
Quoted:


But purely basing someones work quality over a TV show is like i said, straight ignorant.






No its not.  Red Jacket is the only AK builder with a TV show.  How they decide they want to present themselves directly affects their business.  To claim otherwise is pure ignorance.


Like i said, its Hollywood entertainment. I highly doubt that show affects thier quality of builds. It sure as hell didnt affect mine
5/19/2011 12:54:27 PM EDT
[#20]
I have four arsenals three SGL21's and one SGL31 and one red jacket AK103 conversion. My arsenals win hands down. Better build, fit/finish, and function. I paid more for the Red Jacket. I would love to get rid of it for another SGL31. My opinion get the arsenal.
5/19/2011 2:01:09 PM EDT
[#21]
I'd get an Arsenal. Nothing wrong with Red Jacket, just my preference and I think the Arsenal is a better deal.
5/19/2011 2:20:48 PM EDT
[#22]
Quoted:
Quoted:


But purely basing someones work quality over a TV show is like i said, straight ignorant.






No its not.  Red Jacket is the only AK builder with a TV show.  How they decide they want to present themselves directly affects their business.  To claim otherwise is pure ignorance.


A giant +1 here.  I will not purchase a gun they make.

5/19/2011 2:21:46 PM EDT
[#23]
Arsenal FTW.........Krebs Custom on the other hand, hmmmmmmmm?
5/19/2011 2:41:12 PM EDT
[#24]
my position on the "high" end of anything always boils down to taste. Like Mercedes and BMW...
5/19/2011 4:50:32 PM EDT
[#25]
nvm
5/19/2011 6:17:30 PM EDT
[#26]
Let's keep this civil and factual.

It seems that every time a "this vs that" thread comes up I ended up locking it and issuing a warning or two.

Gracias.
5/19/2011 6:34:29 PM EDT
[#27]
Arsenal.

After seeing the show, no way I'd use Red Jacket. Sorry.
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