Ak-47 Advice on new purchase?

[Logistar]

I found an SAR-1 at my local dealer. Looks nice. It is $350.

After checking THR, it appears that the front sight is definitely canted to the right. Also it appears that the gas tube is SLIGHTLY canted to the right. (It is difficult to tell for sure as the gas tube is pretty close to being centered.)

I was going to buy it today but I thought I'd better check with THR for some "real" opinions of what I should do once I noticed the "cant problem".

Should I....

A. Skip it and wait for a "perfect" one?
B. Ask the dealer to knock off $50 and let me worry about it.
C. Buy it and send it back to Century Arms to be repaired.
D. Another idea I didn't think of.

Hmmm. -Would've made a nice poll question!

Thanks guys!

Logistar.

 

[john l]

I would skip it altogether because there are too many good ones out there.
With the front sight being off to one side means that adjusting your front sight for elevation and windage is limited, because the barrel was over or under turned onto the receiver. ok, big deal, maybe you would be able to get a good zero, but why risk it, if you buy it, perhaps you will try to sell it one day and no one wants it for those reasons.
I believe that Century had problems with the 1999 guns doing that with the front sight being off. I have a 2001 and it is fine. The last four digits of the serial number tell you what year the rifle was made. The problem was fixed but as you can see, there is some still out there.
Now, if you offer say, $250 and get the gun then you could justify a lot, but with a lot of perfectly fine guns out there why buy a boat anchor? Good thing you know about it now instead of after you bought it.........
john l

 

[556A2]

If the dealer would knock off some cash, then buy it. There is a great tutorial at http://linx310.nothingbutguns.com/ on how to fix both of these problems, and also more infomation of the Romainian AKs. However, if he doesn't then just shop around for a good one.

 

[Dave R]

I agree. Wait for a good one. You might let the dealer know about the cant, and see if he has (or wants to get) another one.

Or just keep shopping.

 

[Logistar]

Thanks! I really take you guys seriously! I will wait for a better one.

I DID point it out to the "saleswoman". I don't think she is particularly knowledgeable (compared to the owner who seems to know his stuff) but she readily agreed that the front sight was way off.

I will stop back by and ask if they have any more in stock (doubtful). Otherwise I will just keep checking around. THANKS for your advice!!!!!

Logistar

 

[Captain Scarlet]

crooked front site?

yes, I would definitely wait until you find a better one, even if it
was $50 off I wouldnt buy an SAR-1 w/crooked sites.

 

[MAKOwner]

Go to a local gunshow where you can hopefully pick and choose between several, and buy based on the one with the least cant/no cant. Both my 99 SAR1 and 02 SAR2 are literally 100% straight... (lucked out on the 99, picked the 02 from 4 others at a show (all crooked 02s except this one). You could also fix it pretty easily yourself anyway...