Arsenal SAM5 5.56 NATO 16.3″ Plum Furniture — Superb Milled Bulgarian AK

Description

The Arsenal SAM5 Plum is the milled-receiver Bulgarian AK in 5.56×45 NATO, wearing the plum-colored synthetic furniture that has become one of the most recognizable looks in the AK world. The rifle underneath is the same serious build as the black version: a hot-die hammer forged milled receiver, a 16.3-inch chrome-lined hammer forged barrel and a matching plum magazine.

The Plum Furniture

Plum synthetic stock, handguard and pistol grip, with a plum magazine supplied to match.

The color comes from the polymer itself rather than a coating, which is why the Arsenal SAM5 Plum keeps its shade as the furniture wears.

Plum furniture originated on Soviet-era AK-74 rifles and has been sought after ever since, which is most of the appeal.

Matte black steel throughout the receiver, barrel and small parts.

Receiver, Barrel and Trigger

Milled receiver, hot-die hammer forged in Bulgaria rather than stamped from sheet steel.

16.3-inch threaded barrel with a hard-chrome plated bore and chamber, cold hammer forged on Steyr manufacturing technology.

Muzzle brake fitted, with left-hand 14x1mm threads underneath.

Enhanced fire control group, ambidextrous safety and adjustable sights.

Scope rail on the left side of the receiver, plus a cleaning kit and sling.

Arsenal SAM5 Plum Specifications

• Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO
• Capacity: 30+1 with the supplied magazine
• Receiver: milled, hot-die hammer forged Bulgarian steel
• Barrel: 16.3 inch, threaded, hard-chrome lined bore and chamber
• Muzzle: left-hand 14x1mm threads with muzzle brake
• Trigger: enhanced fire control group
• Safety: ambidextrous
• Sights: adjustable
• Furniture: plum synthetic stock, handguard and grip
• Magazine: plum, 30 round
• Included: cleaning kit and sling
• UPC: 810054132400

Plum furniture is one of those details that divides AK owners completely. It was a production variation on Soviet AK-74 rifles, produced when a particular polymer formulation was in use, and it has been collected ever since. Arsenal offers it because there is real demand, not because it changes anything mechanically. If the color does not appeal, the identical rifle is available with black furniture for slightly less.

Why it is worth considering

• Milled Bulgarian receiver rather than a stamped commercial build.
• Chrome-lined cold hammer forged barrel from Arsenal’s own factory.
• Enhanced fire control group and ambidextrous safety fitted.
• Matching plum magazine supplied rather than a black one.
• 5.56 NATO chambering keeps ammunition costs close to an AR.

Who it suits

AK collectors are the obvious audience, and the plum furniture is the reason this version exists. Mechanically it is identical to the black-furniture SAM5, so anyone buying for performance rather than appearance can save money there. Ammunition is standard 5.56, though the magazines are AK-pattern rather than AR-pattern.

Ammunition, Magazines and the Rest of the Range

A 5.56 AK takes AR-pattern ammunition but not AR magazines: the SAM5 uses AK-pattern 5.56 magazines, and a plum one is supplied. 55-grain 5.56 ball is the standard practice load. The black-furniture SAM5 is the same rifle without the plum, and the rest of the Arsenal range covers the SAM7 series in 7.62×39. Arsenal publishes model details at Arsenal, Inc.

The scope rail is the standard AK side-mount pattern, which accepts the usual side-mount optic bases and holds zero through disassembly because it is attached to the receiver rather than the dust cover.

All firearm orders ship to a licensed FFL dealer for transfer, and MAG5 Firearms will coordinate the paperwork with the dealer of your choice. Note that 922(r) compliance depends on the parts fitted, so check the count before replacing furniture or magazines with imported components.

A practical note on milled receivers: they add roughly a pound over a stamped AK, and on a 16.3-inch rifle that weight sits low and central rather than out at the muzzle. The effect is a rifle that feels planted rather than nose-heavy, and it absorbs the modest recoil of 5.56 almost completely. Shooters coming from a stamped AK usually notice the difference within a magazine.