[Golden Hound]

I was dead set on getting an M1A but now an acquaintance is offering to sell me his SAR8 (Springfield's clone of the G3) and it looks very tempting. Anyone here have an SAR8? How is it? How's the accuracy and the ergonomics of the thing? What kind of groups do you shoot with it? Is it relatively easy or time-consuming to strip it?

[Onmilo]

Early versions of the SAR-8 were of Portugese manufacture and the later versions were of Greek manufacture.
They are in every way comparable to the German H&K-91 and the PTR-91 rifles.

These rifles are semi-automatic versions of the G3 battle rifle, the accuracy and ergonomics are the same.

[Gator]

These rifles are semi-automatic versions of the G3 battle rifle, the accuracy and ergonomics are the same.

Yep, they are actually pretty good versions too (the early ones), especially the Greeks. But it also means that, being a G3, they are heavy, clumsy, not as accurate as an M1A, hard on brass, and with much worse sights and triggers. If you have been wanting a semi-auto G3 clone the early SA's are good ones, but if you want a rifle to shoot and enjoy get the M1A.

JMHO

[Mister Peace]

Watch quality.
Following post helpful:
http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-175126.html

[Golden Hound]

Hmm...leaning more towards the M1A...The guy with the SAR8 has a bunch of different fore-ends and stocks and other stuff for it, a bipod, and a "buffer" which he says will prevent the ejected brass from being damaged, and it's all at a pretty good price. I wish I could just buy them both.

[Onmilo]

You want them both?
Just keep telling yourself you only live once and what's the point if you can't enjoy owning some stuff you don't really need and can't really afford to keep around,,,,,,,,

I own a PTR-91 G3 clone and three M1A rifles.
I don't regret this.
I would regret NOT owning my rifles.

[Seven High]

Does the rifle have an aluminum receiver? If so, I would avoid it. Springfield has quality control problems with them. I had one for a short while.

[chauncey]

Springfield has quality control problems with them.which, in my experience, they will still address under the terms of their lifetime warranty...