Originally Posted By NHMike:
bought it at the five and dime....

Well I'm new here to ar-15.com just wanted to say hello and ask a couple questions. I just ordered an SGL-31-61 last week and expect it here any day now. I been wanting a rifle now for a while and settled on the AK because I wanted some experience in ak type rifles. I was in the marine corps infantry and not that I mastered the ar platform but I feel almost bored of it and want to try something new. I shot a couple AKs here and there in Iraq and really liked them. So far I purchased, a tapco 30rd mag, some tul ammo, and tin of 7n6. When I get the rifle Ill post some pics!

Question 1- The side folder was a little out of my budget but I love the idea of having one. Can the standard be converted to one or is it just easier to buy a new rifle?Yes, you can convert a fixed stock to a side folder without major modifications but the hinge is not at the rear of the receiver. Functional but not always aesthetically pleasing.

Question 2- I read the circle 10, 21 mags are the best for the rifle, but I cant seem to find them online. So I just bought one tapco because it was cheap and I need some thing temporarily. Where to look for the mags? Many of the site sponsors sell AK74 mags such as JG Sales, RGuns, as well as the equipment exchange (EE)

Question 3- Corrosive ammo, The gun shop guy talked to me like i was some kind of idiot becasue I was asking about shooting it through the gun. If you clean it after you shoot it, its not a big deal right?Guns store myth and nothing more. Yes, shooting corrosive ammo requires more cleaning but it is also the only rifle caliber ammo I have. You'll hear everything from "use Windex" to "Don't use windex" to "Use *this* latest snake oil". The salts found in the primers of corrosive primers can cause corrosion if not cleaned out. Here's what I do: After shooting and when I get home, I disassemble my AK in the laundry room. I them run very hot water through the gas tube, over the bolt and use a watering can to run the water down the barrel. I use hot water only because it dries quicker. Once dry, I clean as usual and when everything is done, I take a can of compressed air to blow dry and nooks as crannies where the barrel mates to the front trunnion/receiver. If I'm someplace where it may be a few days before I can clean it, I take a soviet WWII oil can filled with windex with me. Then, when done shooting, I take the nylon bore brush, dip it in the oiler, quickly scrub the bore then pour the rest of the windex down the barrel.

Again, its alittle more labor intensive than non-corrosive ammo but its not a big deal. The length of my reply is more due to all of the misinformation out there then anything. Since you were a marine, doing a detailed cleaning of your M16 is more labor intensive than cleaning from firing corrosive ammo.

Thanks-

Originally Posted By NHMike:
Thanks for the detailed reply, cleaning it doesn't sound to bad. I actually enjoy cleaning guns, so guess its kind of a win win for me. Ill have to check out those suppliers for magazines, probably have to wait a bit, just spent way to much on the rifle and ammo!

Thought of another question, any ammo you think shoots best in the gun? I noticed theres not to many makers. tula, wolf, surplus, horndady and silver bear from the looks of it.

Again thanks for the help

Originally Posted By BigAKFan:


IDK about what works better, but people buy a 5.45 rifle mainly for the cheaper surplus ammo.

I'd buy as many tins of the $130 per 1k stuff as possible, because it won't last forever.

Originally Posted By 7n6:
When shooting corrosive ammo, just make sure you hit the barrel with a boresnake before leaving the range and then use hot water down the bore, scrub everything, use a toothbrush in the gas tube and don't re-assemble until it's dry. You got a good rifle. Now buy a ton of ammo.