romanian sar1 question

[pakydak]

Hello,
I know there are ak forums for this question but I figured I would ask here.

Does anyone know how to determine the date of a sar1 by the serial #?
Is it just the last 4 digits?

And is it true the 2001-2002 are of better quality or does it not really matter?

Any info is appreciated.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Carlos]

Date is after serial no., I believe. I have a 2002 model in perfect shape. AS far as I know, the only quality issues were canted site blocks, which don't affect in any way the shootability of the SAR rifle.

Sure wish these were still around.

 

[Gewehr98]

Something else to watch for in a SAR-1...

Is the horrible trigger slap. Word has it the last examples to be imported had properly contoured fire control internals, and the trigger slap was eliminated. Mine, however, required a replacement fire control group.

 

[Chipperman]

Trigger slap seems to be a little bit random. Neither of mine have the slap, and they were made in 2000 and 2001.

 

[clange]

If you have trigger slap get a G2 fire control group from tapco.

As far as which years are better, i've heard both ways. Some say the quality trailed off towards the end and carried over to the WASRs, some say the first years were the worst and later SARs are better.

I think the only thing you can really do is look at it for yourself.

FWIW my 2000 is perfectly straight and has pretty nice wood, little to no trigger slap.

 

[pakydak]

Thanks all for the replies.

Clange, can you give me an idea of what the G2 fire control group from tapco would cost?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[xdoctor]

I'll get that for you. Try this: www.tapco.com

 

[clange]

Looks to be $40 on their site, but i've seen them around for ~$35 shipped.

 

[Gewehr98]

The G2 fire control group is well worth the money.

That's what I installed on my SAR-1. Remember to buy the single-hook G2 group if you have a SAR-1.

 

[pakydak]

Gewehr98,
Thats a nice looking rifle, is that the original wood? the wood piece above the handguard is that the gas tube? is that easily replaceable?

Are you happy with the finish and build quality?

What kind of grouping could you expect at 100 yards?
Whats a fair price for a used sar just the rifle (in good condition)?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[dc2wheel]

Mine initially had horrible trigger slap. 20 minutes with a dremel following these instructions fixed it right up:

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

Now it's almost smoother than my RRA ar15 match trigger.
-dc2wheel

 

[walking arsenal]

Mines a 2003 model which also had the horrible trigger slap. I bought a single hook fire control group from CDNN and now it has a beautifully smooth trigger, way better than my bushmaster AR.

Red star arms has a lot of great info about modifiing the trigger group for each model.

 

[pakydak]

how are they for accuracy at about 100 yards? is 4-8 in groups realistic? can it do better?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Logistar]

I was one of the "lucky ones". My SAR1 had NO trigger slap. But after one year it just appeared. Anyway, I went with a new trigger from Red Star Arms.

It wasn't the cheapest option but it IS ONE NICE TRIGGER! I have it adjusted to exactly where I want it. I wish I had installed it as soon as I got the gun. I'd suggest that ANYONE with a SAR1 replace that Century trigger ASAP if they plan to shoot the gun much! It makes a LOT of difference!

 

[clange]

how are they for accuracy at about 100 yards? is 4-8 in groups realistic? can it do better?

Depends. Out of my MAK-90 i could only do about ~8 inch groups. Out of my sar, they were similar, maybe ~6. I put a PK-AV red dot on (no magnification) and shot a group under an inch at 60-70 yards. I have a big problem with the iron sights, as i imagine others do. It makes the guns seem less accurate than they are capable of.

 

[MAUSER88]

I get 3" groups with my reloads out of my 2002.