Despite SAM7R-61 being a mouthful to say, this milled AK really is packed with all the features you could ever want in an AK 47 rifle from Eastern Europe. In January 2013, the SAM7R line was debuted by US-based Arsenal Inc. out of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Featuring hot-die forged steel receivers milled at the Bulgarian Arsenal factory, the US Arsenal Inc. gunsmiths put the finishing touches on the milled receiver by opening up the single-stack mag well to accept double-stack magazines. The Cold-hammer-forged and chrome-lined barrels are made using Steyr machinery in the Bulgarian Arsenal factory.
Introduction to the Arsenal SAM7R-61
The US-based Arsenal Inc. has a close working relationship with the Bulgarian Arsenal factory from which it got its name. Some of the most up-to-date forging and milling technology goes into making the SAM7R line and the quality controls are second-to-none. Many AK purists harken back to the original Russian era of milled AK receivers after the Russians failed to advance the technology of making the original stamped receivers work.
These milled receivers add another pound of weight to the AK which adds to the rifle’s rigidity and durability. Milled receivers also cost quite a bit more, in terms of machine time and material cost, but provide a higher quality that is more refined with tighter tolerances. Of course, Russia eventually figured out how to rivet the stamped receivers instead of using welds to hold them together. This solved the stamped receiver issues and production of the milled receivers ceased.
Fun Fact: There is a popular fiction that milled receiver AKs are more accurate, due to tighter fitting parts, but this is just a misguided fallacy! Stamped or milled, the most important factor for achieving accuracy is the quality of the barrel.
Though most AK 47s produced today are using stamped receivers, there is still a demand amongst collectors for the superior milled receiver AKs. But, that’s not to say that stamped AK receivers are weak and frail in comparison! As Arsenal’s Harry Pakhanyan put it, “The milled receiver will last you two lifetimes. The stamped receiver will last you one.” That may be true, but how many people will be alive long enough to confirm it?
If you really want to know how long these stamped receivers can last (without having to wait a lifetime to find out) then check out this article about a fully automatic AK gun range in Las Vegas!
Specifications of the Arsenal SAM7R-61
Caliber: 7.62 x 39 mm
Total Length: 927mm (36.5”)
Barrel Length: 415 mm
Weight without Magazine: 3.67kg (8 lbs.)
Muzzle Velocity: 710 m/s
Rate of Fire (practical): 40 rds/min
Twist Rate: 1 in 240 mm
Effective Range: 400 m
Max Effective Range: 1350 m Bulgarian hot-die hammer forged receiver, bolt, and bolt carrier
Steyr technology cold hammer-forged 16.3” barrel from Arsenal’s Bulgarian factory
Hard-chrome plated bore and chamber
Muzzle nut for 14x1mm left-hand threads
Intermediate length US-made 10” buttstock with cleaning kit compartment (Total length of pull 13.4”)
922(r) compliant with US or imported magazines
Side-attached scope rail
Potential QC issues on the SAM7R-61
Arsenals are not without their quirks! One of the most common issues on earlier batches out of Bulgaria was less-than-stellar finishes. Some of the painted overcoats would chip off rather easily after a few trips to the range or after some vigorous training exercises. We’ve heard that current batches have improved upon their finishes but may still not live up to the hype of the Arsenal name.
Note: These are typical mil-spec military finishes that aren’t as concerned with looks but rather rust prevention. The undercoating is purportedly “parkerized” and then painted over so, despite paint chips, rust shouldn’t be an issue.
As far as function goes, Arsenals are known for their “boring” functionality, and silky-smooth action, but they may not be the accuracy “kings” as some have claimed. At 100 yards using cheap surplus ammo, you can expect 2 to 3 MOA out of their cold-hammer-forged, chrome-lined, barrels. Exceptional marksmen may be able to pull off 1 MOA at that same distance, but that is far from what the average shooter is capable of.
Don’t get us wrong, 2-3 MOA will suffice for just about any scenario you can think up. We have seen accuracy-test reports that show there are more accurate AKs out there that aren’t sporting milled receivers- but they do have exceptional barrels! Sure, you can get more exceptional results with higher quality brass ammo but most of us will stick with what’s cheap, available, and can reliably send bullets downrange with repeatable results.
Our Take on the Arsenal SAM7R-61
Honestly, the Arsenal SAM7R series is a bit on the heavy side but is going to be a reliable rifle for as long as you care to use it. If you want rock-solid reliability in a heavier package, and you’ve got over $1,800 to spare, the SAM7R-67 will get the job done for you each and every time! At its current prices though, it’s more likely to become a safe queen in most collections. And, if you want it to stay looking nice, you may have no other choice than to store it safely amongst your highly prized possessions!
Arsenal SAM7R-61 500 Round Non-Torture Test
Usually, this is the part where we post a Robski video putting at least 5,000 rounds through the rifle in question. Unfortunately, all we could find is a regular guy taking his SAM7R to a local range and putting a not-so-torturous 500 rounds through it. Our assumption is that this particular AK may be a bit too on the pricey side to find anybody willing to abuse it that much. Not that it’s not up to the challenge because we have no doubt it would survive that test with flying colors! Let’s just imagine that we just saw a video of Robski shooting 10 thousand rounds through it without a hitch and going on to the next chapter!
Results of the 5,000 Round Torture Test
Besides the milled receiver, the SAM7R-61 shares similar build quality as its stamped receiver sibling (SLR-107R) so the wear pattern on the bolt, trunnion, and carrier should be comparable. If you want to see pics of those parts you can find them here: Torture Test
SAM7R-61 Price & Availability in 2023
Starting at roughly $1,950 and up, the Arsenal SAM7R-61 is for serious collectors and avid AK enthusiasts that will appreciate what it means to own one of the best AKs money can buy. If you’re not keen on spending that much on an AK, that’s understandable. There are plenty of cheaper options that won’t dig as deep in your pockets- but also won’t disappoint for lack of features and build quality. Due to the higher cost of the milled Arsenals, they can usually be found in stock (in smaller quantities) on most popular gun sites.
Our Final Score of the SAM7R-61
It’s hard to award just one AK “the greatest of all time” but the Arsenal SAM7R is definitely one of the G.O.A.T. and holds a high position amongst the rest of the competition.
