Romanian SAR-1 Question

[verbatim]

A local shop has a new Romanian SAR-1 (7.62x39) with 1 30 round magazine for sale at $375.00. I know that they used to sell for a little less online, but have not seen any lately. Is this an ok price?

Also, what should I watch out for on these guns? I know about the canted front sight and trigger slap, but am not really sure what to look for specifically.

Thanks.

 

[jobu07]

howdy, i'm a fellow new guy at thr. might as well post on something i know though. I've had a romanian sar-1 for about a year now, I bought it from a local gun shop here in new york for $325. It came with a 40 rounder, and a 10 rounder.

 

[Poodleshooter]

$330-$360 is a little more appropriate,but it really depends on your area. If you are 50 miles from the nearest gunshow,it's a darn good price.
Things to watch for:
-Canted sights-These are usually quickly noticed by looking at the small horizontal cylinder under the front sight. It's referred to as the "sight drum". If it is extended far to one side, odds are your sights are canted. You can sometimes tell by aiming the rifle and comparing the sights to the centerline of the rifle,but this isn't always conclusive due to the occasional presence of of a....
....Canted Gas Tube-This is the nasty one. In this case, the gas tube (part above the barrel in which the gas piston rides) is actually canted away from the centerline of the barrel and receiver. It's difficult to fix,but is usually a little more obvious than canted sights. If it looks even slightly off center, than you need to avoid the rifle.

 

[J. Parker]

Well, by golly, welcome to the both of you. I do think $375 is a little on the high side but what the heck....if ya want it go get it! SAR-1's are good, solid AK's. I had an SAR-3 in .223 calibre. I liked it alot. The front sight? Simply look at it to see if it's on straight. Simple. Also, the gas tube behind the front sight....is it on straight? Simple. Check out www.ak-47.net for more info. Also there is a Romanian AK (SAR-1) website but the address escapes me at the moment. This Romanian AK website can tell you everything you want to know about the SAR-1. Good luck and once again, welcome. Best, John

 

[TODD3465]

Good question.
The price is ok I guess considering it's a regular shop and not a wholesaler.

The canted front sight assembly will be obvious, it'll be tipping over to the left or right as you look down the length of the barrel towards the muzzle.
However to notice the trigger slap you'll have to fire the gun to feel.

As a personal prefrence I'd try to get one with the laminated wood stock if they are still being offered.

 

[ReadyontheRight]

http://www.gunsnet.net/Linx310/links.htm

Here's a link w/ a lot of good Romanian AK info.

Welcome to The High Road!

http://www.southernohiogun.com/

SOG still has SAR1s for $280, but it might be worth the extra $$ to take a look at what you're buying. Maybe use SOG to haggle a little or get some extra mags and accessories thrown in w/ the deal.

Shoot safely and Enjoy!

 

[verbatim]

Thanks for the replies.

So, are these the only two things to watch out for on the Romanian rifles?

Also, if this gun does have trigger slap, can it be easily (cheaply) fixed? Something I can do?

Lastly, is SOG the only online retailer selling decent priced AK's now? I can't find them hardly anywhere anymore.

 

[TimH]

Saw one at a Mid-Huson Valley NY gunshop for $349 about a month ago.
Try http://www.gunsamerica.com/ or http://www.gunbroker.com/

They always have some there. You may be able ro find ones in your area using their "Smart Search"

 

[ReadyontheRight]

Check out www.gunsamerica.com

You might want to hold out for a laminated stock set. They look a little nicer, but I've only seen the more rough standard stock set.

 

[J. Parker]

Verbatim,
The Romanian AK website that ReadyOnTheRight gave you addresses any and all problems you might have with the SAR-1. I believe "trigger slap", which isn't as common in '02 and '03 models is an easy fix. Best, John

 

[jobu07]

My SAR1 has the dreaded canted front site. It never seemed to bother me until I started looking on this site. And even so, it's merely cosmetic for me. The rifle shoots right where I point it everytime I pull the trigger. The Romanian SAR1's are a great value

 

[JimJD]

Also, if this gun does have trigger slap, can it be easily (cheaply) fixed? Something I can do?

I believe one of these should clear it up:
AK TRIGGER GROUP, DOUBLE HOOK

I'm wondering, how are some of You NY members getting those SAR-1's?
I thought those were'nt available due to pataki and the "round limit" law and other NY laws on the books.

 

[TimH]

I'm wondering, how are some of You NY members getting those SAR-1's?

All I know is that they are available upstate.

 

[JimJD]

All I know is that they are available upstate.

That's great to hear TimH!

 

[Mulliga]

That's an okay price if you are far away from anywhere else to get them.

I (over)paid a crapload for my SAR-1: $425 . Didn't have anywhere else to get them from (nearest other gun shop with AKs is about an hour away, and I don't have a car). It even had canted sights AND a badly canted gas tube.

There is a happy ending, though. The shop let me return the rifle (try getting that kind of service from Wal-Mart ) and handpick another one from their entire stock of SAR-1s. My current SAR-1 has a perfectly straight FSB and gas tube, and they even threw in a few mags for my trouble. I mentioned how I paid too much, and they said they'd price match any offer in the future.

The moral of the story? Sometimes, you have to grease the wheels a little.

 

[jobu07]

In response to the Pataki issue (might be the wrong forum for this). Yeah, he's done a lot to screw us over in New York. He initially ran in 94 on the pro gun ticket and won with a large portion of NRA votes. But that rapidly declined as he did many things to end gun rights here. There is a state copy of the AWB in place in NY so when it dies in september it'l still be around for us in new york, gotta love the empire state. But, things are a LOT more leniant north of the Hudson thankfully.

 

[MeatWagon]

Hey guys,

The word around the campfire is that those $280 Sar-1 that SOG is offering are really converted WASR single stacks. Check again on the web site and notice that nowhere does it say SAR-1..... it only says Romanian. Just wanted to give anyone a heads up that might be looking to purchase one!


Good Luck!

P.s. id pay $375 for a SAR-1 it seems that the prices are slowly creeping up and are the sars are gettting scarce. Look how there are hardly no Sar-2's left.

 

[jobu07]

Is there anyplace left out there still selling SAR2's? I'd like to get one, but I haven't seen them around for quite some time.

 

[JimJD]

I hear You Jobu07.
One of the many reasons I moved out of NYC this past summer.
Still love NY, I just could'nt stand for some of the stuff happening there over the past few years.

Anyone who's interested in SAR-1's might find them at:
Gun's N' Stuff

Not sure if they're in stock though. Some laminated stock versions listing for $299.00 .
I'd love to get one of those SAM-7-S's!

 

[Moparmike]

Wow!. I am glad I got mine on layaway when I did. Mine is $360 w/ 2 30rd mags, or 400 out the door. Heaven forbid I had waited any longer.

 

[Nick1911]

Moparmike - quit it, your making me have second thoughts about waiting until March 30th to get my WASR-10 high-cap w\ 2 30 rd mags; $319

(I turn 18 march 29th; PS can i buy a gun THE day I turn 18? I figured I'd wait until the day after to make sure I'm good to go..)

 

[TCD]

"I believe one of these should clear it up:
AK TRIGGER GROUP, DOUBLE HOOK

I'm wondering, how are some of You NY members getting those SAR-1's?
I thought those were'nt available due to pataki and the "round limit" law and other NY laws on the books."



Negative, you DONT want the double hook. My SAR1 takes a single hook only. Getting a double hook would mean having to alter the hook(make it a single) or cutting the reciver to allow the extra hook


TCD


BTW, I paid 400 for mine, it is on the high side, but when factoring shipping to Alaska, there isnt much I can do about that.

Nick, the WASR-10 shouldnt have enourmosly high prices like the SAR. For whatever reason they stopped importing the SARs which then just comes down to a supply and demand type situation. The WASR should still run under 325 IMO

 

[G1FAL]

However to notice the trigger slap you'll have to fire the gun to feel.

Its POSSIBLE to be able to tell without firing, but you have to really know what you're looking for, and know the difference between a rifle with slap, and a rifle without. None of my SAR's have slap, but the MAADI that I had did (notice I said HAD?) My MAK doesnt, either.

Dry fire it, keep your finger on the trigger, and work the action. Even on rifles without slap, you'll feel a little bit of movement. It will be worse on ones with slap. Like I said, you really gotta know the difference in how they feel.

SAR's are good AK's, no matter what anyone says. They may not look as nice, but are you concerned with how it looks, or its ability to perform? I bought my first SAR-1 at a gun show (so you KNOW I paid too much), but even with that I could have gotten at least a case of ammo and a bunch of mags (if I didnt already have them) for the cost of one of the nicer looking AKs. And what would have been the difference, as far as function goes? Nothing.

But I'm a function-over-form kinda guy. Appearance is a distant second to how it works.

 

[Logistar]

KY Imports has them for $319 I believe. There have been mixed reports abot KY Imports but I have not had any trouble.

I saw several SAR-1's there today!

http://kyimports.com

 

[JimJD]

TCD, good lookin'!
I goofed and posted the wrong link, this is the one:

AK FIRE CONTROL GROUP, G2 USA SINGLE HOOK
Thanks!

My uncle has this one installed, felt so much better than the stock one.
Now My finger feels a little better after I go to the range with Him.