SAR 1 Sight Problems, Trigger Slap ??

[Newton]

I'm thinking of sinking $330 in a SAR1 but a little research has thrown up some problems.

Bent sights, trigger slap, and worst of all a bent bolt carrier seem to be very common problems.

Firstly the trigger slap, my understanding of that problem is that the trigger comes back and whacks your finger on each shot - not too pleasant.

Next the bent bolt carrier - so that would make it a non shooter - right?

Bent sights - so even if you make it fire and overcome the pain of the slap, you miss what you're aiming at.

I'd appreciate it if any owners have any info. I'm hoping this is all exaggerated.

Thanks

 

[bfox]

I got one about 2 months ago.
None of those problems it has been great
Try gunsnet.net if you haven't

 

[Geech]

None of the problems are so bad that they can't be fixed, by yourself if you're handy enough.

http://linx310.nothingbutguns.com/model.htm

This website talks about different models of AKs, and how to fix the "canting" problem.

 

[goon]

Most of the problems were encountered with the old SAR's. The newer ones seem to be pretty good from the start.
I had one, and other than the fact that I couldn't hit crap with it, it was a good gun. Worked reliably and everything was straight.
Don't blame the accuracy on the gun.
For some reason, I just can't shoot an AK very well.

 

[MAKOwner]

Nothing on them is "bent". The front sight base can be canted, ie it is not installed on the barrel perfectly straight up. This causes no problem other than cosmetic, since the front sight post is moveable for windage this just means once zeroed the post will be off to one side or the other slightly. None I have heard of were out of spec enough to not have enough adjustment to zero. If it bothers you you can remove the pins on the front sight base, rotate it to the correct position, redrill the pin grooves and re-pin it. Or you could use a replacement rear sight that adds windage adjustment too and even out the windage adjustments between both the front and rear together, would look less "off" than the front post being off center badly in the hood or whatever it's called... The cant section on the website listed above displays better than I can explain I'm sure: http://linx310.nothingbutguns.com/cant.htm

The "bent" carrier problem is actually just the gas piston not being mounted correctly, and is rare anyway. For some reason the US gas piston is tightened all the way down on the carrier on the SARs, and is either welded or pinned tight. You are actually supposed to run the threads down till it's tight, then back it back off 1/2 turn or so and pin it there. So that the piston has some "slop" and can move slightly. You could remove it without much work and reinstall, but frankly that causing conflicts is pretty rare anyway. It would require a pretty out of spec canted gasblock for it to be a problem.

Trigger slap can easily be fixed with a file or a dremel if you have one. Disconnector just needs a little clearancing on the back/bottom. Not a big deal at all. Or you can outright replace the trigger group with a better one for $30 (or $60-$80 if you want a fully adjustable trigger setup from Power Custom/RedStar Arms).

I have a pair of SARs and both are 100% straight, have not had a single malfunction in over 4000 rnds between them, and have zero trigger slap after 5 minutes of attention from my dremel...

They are as accurate and rugged (possible exception the Century fire control group, supposed a little on the soft side metal wise) as any standard AK. Mine shoot better than my previous MAK90s. Really love my SAR2 in 5.45x39
Here's a pic www.inter-scape.com/ray/sars.jpg

 

[Newton]

Very useful info. and links. The SARs sound like good value, the latest 2002 model especially.

Thanks

 

[Dave Markowitz]

The SARs are a great value. My suggestion would be to pick one out in person rather than ordering one sight-unseen. That way you can be assure of one without canted sights.

Fixing trigger slap is easy, as mentioned above. I used the instructions on Linx310's site to fix it on my SAR-1.

 

[NevadaPistolero]

WASR 10

Ive got a WAR-10 high cap and it has absolutely no problems. shoots just as good as any preban ak Ive owned.

 

[Texas Gunman]

NevadaPistolero, I purchased a wars10 hi-cap as well, it has proven to be a reliable shooter since day one.
All 17mags fit and function perfectly and FMJ and H-P's work great.

I liked it so well, that I refinished it and added new furniture from k-var and slant brake and scoped it.

Cant go wrong with any of the Romanian ak's.


TG