Sanctions against Russia have led to a ban on importing guns made in the country by Kalashnikov Concern, including the infamous AK-47 platform. Long touted as the most popular gun in the world, word of the sanctions set off a buying frenzy for the AKs already in the United States, driving prices up and inventories to zero.
Just in time to take advantage of the spiking interest in AKs coupled with empty shelves, Arsenal, Inc., announced that its flagship gun, the SLR-107FR, is back in stock and available once again. The SLR-107FR is a stamped receiver AK manufactured in Las Vegas, Nev., using a Bulgarian-made mil-spec receiver and a cold hammer forged 16-inch chrome-lined barrel. It’s chambered in 7.62x39mm and the barrel features a one-piece removable muzzle brake and a bayonet lug. It has a US-made two-stage trigger.
The SLR-107FR’s furniture is US-made polymer. The stock is a left-side folder and the receiver features a standard AK-style side scope rail. It has a stainless steel heat shield and comes with a 10-round magazine. It is available in black or desert sand.
The sanctions preventing the importation of Russian-made firearms may cause more than a bit of panic among AK fans and sellers, but, despite the gun’s popularity, only about 200,000 Russian-built guns were imported in 2012 according to the BATF. While not a small number, it pales in comparison to the 8.5 million guns built in the US that same year, or the 4.8 million imported from other countries. There are estimated to be 100 million AKs in circulation around the world. Or more.
