1KPerDay
Member
I know next to nothing about AKs other than I want one... is the SAR-1 a good variant? Romanian okay? What do you think's a good price for one in very good condition?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Romanian SAR-1... a "good" AK?
- Thread starter 1KPerDay
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I think that SAR-1s are the same as AK-47s but they do not come with the bayonet lug, flash suppressor, and they do not have folding stocks.
1KPerDay, if www.ak47.net ever comes back up, you should check there for some info on the SAR1. Also, check out this page: http://www.gunsnet.net/Linx310/index.shtml
For less than $400 in very good condition, the SAR1 is a good buy for an AK. Most of them have everything but a threaded barrel.
jm
For less than $400 in very good condition, the SAR1 is a good buy for an AK. Most of them have everything but a threaded barrel.
jm
OP
OP
1KPerDay
Member
Thanks for the info so far. So I assume by that: I shouldn't pay more than $400 for one, right?
My dad told me how he actually went through the same thing you are when he was deciding on getting his first AK.
After years of searching, we found a super high quality brand that IMO can't be beat.
http://www.arsenalinc.com/
Quality does come with a price though. A good arsenal will run about $800. If you're willing to spend it (I am), I definately recommend one of these fine guns.
Arsenal recently discontinued many lines of the milled receiver AK, though. Milled is the type of receiver I prefer and many others do as well, they're really nice. If you can find a milled one, you better buy it fast before someone else does, because in the future the Arsenal milled lines will not be produced again until at least mid year 2007 and when they are it will be in very short limited quantity runs.
OP
OP
1KPerDay
Member
I'm not. Thanks for the info anyway, but since I don't really know if I'll like the AK type, I don't want to spend a mint on my first one.
I'm already having a hard time convincing myself to take $400ish out of my motorcycle fund.
After all, I already have a lot of guns... and only 3 motorcycles.
LOLThat's understandable. But when you are ready to try the best of the best, get an Arsenal
. I think you'll learn to like the AK if you choose a good brand. Also, VEPR is a Russian brand. They're really nice too but unfortunately in about the same price range as Arsenal.Hahaha, I love motorcycles.
1 old 0311
member
The SAR-1 is a very good AK. Ck to see that the front sight isn't canted off to the side, some are.
For a stamped fixed stock AK that shoots 7.62x39 you dont need any more than a SAR-1. $350-$400 high end.
If you want better fit and finish, or certain options like folding stocks, you're going to pay more, but the SAR will go bang every time you pull the trigger just like any other well made AK.
If you want better fit and finish, or certain options like folding stocks, you're going to pay more, but the SAR will go bang every time you pull the trigger just like any other well made AK.
AK103K
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The SAR-1's can be decent guns if you get one with straight sights and no trigger slap. Some were better than others. I've seen them with badly canted sights and others with perfectly straight sights and some in between. Mine is one of the better "in betweens" and has a slight cant. It also had BAD trigger slap that could not be filed out, so I replaced it with a RSA trigger, and its great now. The SAR's were originally made to take the 30 round mags. The WASR's are the 10 round rifles modified here to take the 30 rounders. Other than that, they too are a SAR.
The SAR's are not real pretty, but usually work fine for the most part. The crappy US trigger parts are usually the culprit if there is trouble. Buying a higher priced AK will not always guarantee you will get a more accurate or more reliable rifle. I have a Global Trades SSR-85C that is real pretty and cost about $250 more than my SAR. Its no better or worse accuracy wise than my SAR, and its had its disconnector fail. My WASR will out shoot it, and it was even cheaper than my SAR. Its been my experience, with the right ammo, the Russian made Saiga conversions are the most accurate.
The SAR's are not real pretty, but usually work fine for the most part. The crappy US trigger parts are usually the culprit if there is trouble. Buying a higher priced AK will not always guarantee you will get a more accurate or more reliable rifle. I have a Global Trades SSR-85C that is real pretty and cost about $250 more than my SAR. Its no better or worse accuracy wise than my SAR, and its had its disconnector fail. My WASR will out shoot it, and it was even cheaper than my SAR. Its been my experience, with the right ammo, the Russian made Saiga conversions are the most accurate.
1KPerDay I would recommend the SAR-1. I bought one in 2003 for $330. The price has gone up since then I'm sure, but I love it.
Mine shoots dead on up to 100 yards, has NEVER jammed, and can lay down 7.62 x 39 lead very fast. The one I got has solid sights and no trigger slap. I like the SAR-1 because you can use it blaze away on a farm at targets, cans, water bottles, effigies of Bin Laden, etc, but also rely on it for security during a civil disorder crisis. It is even short enough to negociate during house clearings, but keep in mind the round would over penetrate walls.
I got 40 round mags online for like $12 each. Sure you could get a neat looking drum, but why spend $90 to $140 on a drum when you can pay much less for 40 round mags? I even taped two of them together with heavy duct tape and it worked well.
The cons? It isn't as high in quality as a Norinco or any of those Russian ones another member pushed. But do you really want to spend $700 or $800 plus?? You have other guns, you have a motorcycle interest- don't over pay for something you don't need. There is no need to put perfume on a pig. It isn't an AR-15 or an M1A. It is an AK-47 clone, designed to take a beating and fire a whole lotta lead when you need it.
Sure it lacks a bayonet- darn now I can't bayonet wounded defenders when I storm a fortified hill! It also lacks a cool looking muzzle brake. If you really want these so bad get a WASR (quality is a little less). But for a good rifle that can throw lead around generously, get an SAR-1.
I don't think you should pay more than $400 for it, if you can find one. Good luck 1KPerDay.
Mine shoots dead on up to 100 yards, has NEVER jammed, and can lay down 7.62 x 39 lead very fast. The one I got has solid sights and no trigger slap. I like the SAR-1 because you can use it blaze away on a farm at targets, cans, water bottles, effigies of Bin Laden, etc, but also rely on it for security during a civil disorder crisis. It is even short enough to negociate during house clearings, but keep in mind the round would over penetrate walls.
I got 40 round mags online for like $12 each. Sure you could get a neat looking drum, but why spend $90 to $140 on a drum when you can pay much less for 40 round mags? I even taped two of them together with heavy duct tape and it worked well.
The cons? It isn't as high in quality as a Norinco or any of those Russian ones another member pushed. But do you really want to spend $700 or $800 plus?? You have other guns, you have a motorcycle interest- don't over pay for something you don't need. There is no need to put perfume on a pig. It isn't an AR-15 or an M1A. It is an AK-47 clone, designed to take a beating and fire a whole lotta lead when you need it.
Sure it lacks a bayonet- darn now I can't bayonet wounded defenders when I storm a fortified hill!
It also lacks a cool looking muzzle brake. If you really want these so bad get a WASR (quality is a little less). But for a good rifle that can throw lead around generously, get an SAR-1. I don't think you should pay more than $400 for it, if you can find one. Good luck 1KPerDay.
+1 on buck00's remarks, I added a slant break to mine with a set screw and blue thread lock. It hasn't moved in over 1K rounds, Also added a tapco trigger kit and powers retaining plate, along with a Ultimak rail. That's about all I want to do with it unless I get nuts and want to add an aimpoint, one of the few (or only) red-dots that willl co-witness with the irons.
SatCong
SatCong
AK103K
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The Ultimak with a red dot on it, is hands down the best add on for an AK. If you use the right ring or mount, you can co-witness the iron sights with some of the dot sights.
The Aimpoint is really your best bet, but if you want a quickly removed and replaced mount, with no loss of zero, you have to go with AR mounts that sit a little high to co-witness. They do pop right off though.
Aimpoint ML2 on a Larue lever mount on a Saiga AK103K
Tasco Pro Point on a SAR1. Its no longer on there as it didnt survive a fall from the truck to the car port floor. When I get around to it, its getting its own Aimpoint.
The Aimpoint is really your best bet, but if you want a quickly removed and replaced mount, with no loss of zero, you have to go with AR mounts that sit a little high to co-witness. They do pop right off though.
Aimpoint ML2 on a Larue lever mount on a Saiga AK103K
Tasco Pro Point on a SAR1. Its no longer on there as it didnt survive a fall from the truck to the car port floor. When I get around to it, its getting its own Aimpoint.
P95Carry
Moderator Emeritus
Price range being discussed is about right IMO - they have gone up a bit.
I have had mine 3 or 4 years now and it is great - and have really done little to it except for mounting a cheapo red dot. It shoots within minute of pie plate at 100 yards, which is fine by me.
I have yet to fully cure the trigger slap mine has but found a piece of 6mm silicon tubing on the trigger is a reasonable semi cure for finger discomfort.
I have had mine 3 or 4 years now and it is great - and have really done little to it except for mounting a cheapo red dot. It shoots within minute of pie plate at 100 yards, which is fine by me.
I have yet to fully cure the trigger slap mine has but found a piece of 6mm silicon tubing on the trigger is a reasonable semi cure for finger discomfort.
P95Carry
Moderator Emeritus
Thanks - realize that - it's just a case of near total procrastination
OP
OP
1KPerDay
Member
Er... What's trigger slap? Sorry, I'm dumb.
P95Carry
Moderator Emeritus
Think of it as being, with some AK's - a rather over strong trigger reset.
After a shot is fired the trigger forcefully tries to return and reset - the effect then being sometimes a mild impact on the trigger finger. After a coupla mag's full of ammo it can get unpleasant.
possum
Member
If you really don't want to spend that much then you could go with a wasr, i don't like em, but that will run you less than the sar-1's. i think the sar-1's are a good deal and a great example of the ak. my dealer sells them for $325-350 back home, and i have never ever seen one that he had that wasn't in excellent shape. look around you can find a good deal, i just don' think you would be as happy with the wasr, but it is an option.
soul_rapier
Member
Thin Black Line
Member
I just saw a Jugo underfolder yesterday with a new barrel for $400.
dglockster
Member
To get info on the Romanian SAR-1, the link below will take you to the best site on the Internet:
http://www.gunsnet.net/Linx310/index.shtml
By the way, here is my SAR-1 (it came with a bayonet lug):
http://www.gunsnet.net/Linx310/index.shtml
By the way, here is my SAR-1 (it came with a bayonet lug):
Attachments
I bought a SAR-1 on a whim...
I already had a Bulgarian SLR-95, so I knew what the de-facto standard was with respect to semi-auto AK clones.
Once I got over the rough appearance and finish of the SAR-1, I pulled the SLR-95 off home defense duty and replaced it with the latter.
My SAR-1 had horrible trigger slap, so I installed the Tapco G2 trigger group. Since I'm not made of money, I also installed a bolt buffer to protect my investment, just like I did with the SLR-95. The previous owner of the SAR-1 really liked the laminated wood furniture, so I sold it back to him to recoup some of my investment, then installed a new K-Var forend and handguard, and a Romanian wire sidefolder. I threaded the muzzle and installed an original slant brake, and that's the configuration I'm most pleased with when it comes to range time or sitting by the nightstand:
I already had a Bulgarian SLR-95, so I knew what the de-facto standard was with respect to semi-auto AK clones.
Once I got over the rough appearance and finish of the SAR-1, I pulled the SLR-95 off home defense duty and replaced it with the latter.
My SAR-1 had horrible trigger slap, so I installed the Tapco G2 trigger group. Since I'm not made of money, I also installed a bolt buffer to protect my investment, just like I did with the SLR-95. The previous owner of the SAR-1 really liked the laminated wood furniture, so I sold it back to him to recoup some of my investment, then installed a new K-Var forend and handguard, and a Romanian wire sidefolder. I threaded the muzzle and installed an original slant brake, and that's the configuration I'm most pleased with when it comes to range time or sitting by the nightstand:
I never fretted about the fit/finish of my Sar-1 when I had it. It was what I felt an AK should be like. The only issue is finding one with a straight front sight and gas block. Other than that, enjoy it for what it is. I will have another Sar-1 before too long. It was pretty much the only gun I've regretted selling. And this comes from a man that has an M1A Scout/Squad and a Stag AR in his safe. I've had "better" guns but, there's something about AK's. The Sar-1 for all of it's ridicule for "shoddy" fit/finish deserves to have back it's place in my safe right next to the previously mentioned rifles.
BTW, the G2 trigger is well worth the money along with mojo sights.
Flip.
but, there's something about AK's. The Sar-1 for all of it's ridicule for "shoddy" fit/finish deserves to have back it's place in my safe right next to the previously mentioned rifles.BTW, the G2 trigger is well worth the money along with mojo sights.
Flip.
An SAR-1 in good condition with a non-canted front sight tower and gas block would be a good, utility AK to have and keep. If you can find one for less than $400 in good shape, I'd buy it especially if it came with a few mags and/or ammo. They are nicer than the WASRs being sold now in many peoples opinion and that keeps the price of SAR-1s up. They were made in the same plant that made AKs for the Romanian Army; sort of commie mil-spec.
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