In some cases it is true but others not. A lot of their recent ACW range, the masters are the same as the actual bods, 9-10 in most cases for the mold at PSR, a Rating which I can confirm. I bought one test box on the look of both the masters and the end result...I was being cautious as I´ve also found the online pics (and PSR Reviews) to be slightly misleading. They turned out "as seen" so I ordered the rest.
They also, in a lot of cases, seem to use different lighting (and plastic Colour) for the masters as compared to the final product..why I can´t understand, although they have also used poor lighting for the masters..the recent French line inf Standing at Attention for example.
http://www.strelets-r.com/Pages/Set.aspx?SetID=314&M=Mand the end product Looks better..again, due to the lighting or the Colour of the plastic ?
http://www.strelets-r.com/Pages/Set.aspx?SetID=314&M=FThey also appear to be using two (or more) sculptors.. and possibly two (or more) casters which could lead to a loss in end product Quality(?)
edit. Just as a thought. If you mean by excess plastic not the flash but the huge sprues, then I totally agree with that. I nearly filled my recycling bin with the cut off sprue from the ACW aquisitions