There were many innovative and exciting new products at the 2019 SHOT Show that have already put a dent in my annual firearms budget. However, not all innovation needs to be groundbreaking. Rather, sometimes innovation simply takes something that is already great and adds something simple that makes it better. That is what I found in the new Arsenal SAM7K-04 Pistol. Many of you have probably already shot or own an Arsenal SAM7K pistol and, like me, know the quality of the craftsmanship and reliability that is inherent in all Arsenal products. But, Arsenal has now made this great pistol better by integrating a picatinny rail on the back of the receiver, so now you can attach your favorite accessories. Whether that means using the included sling swivel or finding a compatible brace, the potential for enhancing this pistol just became exponentially greater.
The Arsenal SAM7K Line of Pistols
The SAM7K pistol line are Kalashnikov-patterned pistols chambered in 7.62x39mm build on the Krink gas system. Each SAM7K pistol receiver is milled from a hot-die, hammer-forged receiver blank by the Arsenal in Bulgaria. While other milled-receivers are machined from bar stock, Arsenal’s hot-die hammer forging produces stronger and finer-grained steel which combined with its 5-ton hammer forging process eliminates internal voids and cooling deformations. Other integrated features in the SAM7K pistols are a peep rear sight, ambidextrous safety lever, and AK scope rail. Simply put, Arsenal is the gold standard for AKs and the SAM7K is setting the standard for AK-pistols.
The Arsenal SAM7K-04 Pistol
I was able to pick up a SAM7K-04 from the great guys over at K-Var. The box included a QD sling swivel as well as one 5-round magazine, oil bottle, cleaning rod, and cleaning kit. For me, the first thing I did was remove the sling swivel to make room for a Sig folding brace I had around the house. After taking all the measurements to ensure I was still working with a pistol and not an inadvertent SBR (make sure you know the regulations or work closely with your local gunsmith or ATF agent to make sure you do not inadvertently convert any pistol into an SBR), I was ready to head out for some test firing.
To say the least, I was not disappointed. The gun performed flawlessly, eating every round like the insatiable little beast it is. I ran Circle 10 mags, steel mags, X-Tech Mags, and even ran the KCI 75-round Drum without any issue.
The Krink gas system performed again and again. The ambidextrous safety was nice as I changed out mags and reset targets. The rear peep sight was a nice upgrade but, given the scope rail system that comes standard, a red dot may be my next addition to this fun little project gun.
After a bit of shooting, I wanted to make sure everything on the inside still looked good and found cleaning and accessing the internals was easy to do with the hinged dust cover and the easy removal of the upper handguard and gas tube once the dust cover was open. I was also able to get a good look and feel for the bolt, bolt carrier, and double-hook trigger that make this firearm run so smoothly.
In the end, I feel confident that any shooter looking for an AK pistol or wanting an AK that they could convert into and SBR, would be happy with the Arsenal SAM7K-04 pistol. I am happy with mine and already searching to figure out what I am going to do with it next.
What would you do with the Arsenal SAM7K-04? Share your answer in the comment section.
Sign up for K-Var’s weekly newsletter and discounts here.
What measurements would you have to take to insure legality??
Great addition to this rock solid AK pistol! I own a few SAM7K pistols and feel it’s difficult to control with the short barrel and powerful round so believe the stabilizer is a welcome addition. Any 7.62×39 is a fire breathing dragon with short barrel length as evidenced by your first picture and the flame exiting the barrel. I have 2 getting “converted” as I type this with a triangle stock and pinned / welded barrel extension (faux PBS4). I wish the threads weren’t turned down on the FSB/Gas Block, however, and would welcome leaving the threads intact on future versions. I appreciate the side rail for optics but a picatinny rail that allows co-witness of the iron sights integrated into the dust cover / hinge assembly would also be a welcome addition.
Ultimately I’ve never shot a SAM7K in SBR form and have been reluctant to get into the SBR period. I’m thinking it would be nice to do the brace on my other one and wonder if there’s an upgrade path for those in my situation.
Finally, I’m sure this offering in 5.45×39 would get a ton of traction and would like to see this caliber offered. Now that 5.45×39 has been classified as a pistol round by the ATF for a gun that was never imported, I would hope to see these come to market to ease the pain of 7n6 no longer being plentiful and cheap.