hello im new to this site. I recently picked up an sa 85m at a gun show. im curious as to what it might be worth? ive seen a huge range in prices for these rifles. this has feg stamped on the side as well as kbi. from what i understand this is one of the better stamped ak variants that can be purchased. any and all info will be very much appreciated. thanks
http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/q622/llwrdlfstyl/IMG_20120505_190430-1.jpg

From the picture it is a post ban SA 85M probably imported by KBI in the 90's during the AWB.  The pre ban guns were imported by Kassanar.  The difference is post, no bayonet lug, no threaded muzzel, thumbhole stock.  The prebans go for $1200-$1800 post bans $500-$800.  They are basically the same rifle.  I had a post ban that I demilled ( made post ban config) and it shot flawlessly.  It should have a FEG reciever and was made in the FEG plant in HUngary.  They came with two different gas tube lengths (long and short).  The short had the same gas piston as the AMD 65.  Great guns, wish I had not sold mine. Definitely one of if not the best made stamped AKMs.  Looks like yours has the short gas tube.  
Just wondering what you gave for your?

Your rifle has possibly an aftermarket top cover with rail. The original cover was numbered to the gun, along with the bolt carrier and bolt. You can get a replacement by getting an AMD65 top cover. Numbers won't match but at least its the right kind. The beautiful unfinished Hungarian wood has been contaminated with some kind of polymer finish. You should strip that off and just use Ballistol to oil the wood. There is no particular downside to the short gas system, and the AMD65 gas piston works with it if you ever need one. The naked AMD65 gas tube also works, of course, if you wanted to use the bare tube and AMD65 vented steel forearm/pistol grip on it. You can switch these parts back and forth in about five minutes with no fitting required in most applications. Right now you should verify that the bolt carrier and bolt are original. Also clean the bore and inspect the chrome lining for any loss, particularly around the muzzle. The ammo pictured with the gun is Yugo and is corrosive, so look it over good for any rust, particularly in the barrel, chamber, bolt and gas system.

All good info guys thank you. I paid 480 plus a 20 backround check. Out the door for 500 even. Is there a way to telk if its the shirt gas tube? Also barrel looks clean and shiny. I didnt check the bolt carrier but the bolt and reciever numbers match. Rifle shoots flawlessly. Its actually a really fun gun to shoot.  Also, what wiuld be the advantage to changing the gas tube and piston? How would i know if i needed new ones? Thanks

I mentioned the piston IN CASE YOU EVER NEED A REPLACEMENT. One might change the gas tube to the naked AMD65 one JUST FOR THE HELL OF IT. You cannot convert the rifle to the standard length gas tube, and there would be no reason to anyway. You can tell the short gas tube right away by looking at the space between the lower hand guard retainer and the gas block and comparing it to a standard AK, which is almost twice that dimension. This post-ban SA85M is the standard length.

wow is that what the bare wood looks like? there is no finish at all on it? that looks awesome. i was considering mounting some kind of red dot sight on that rail. ive read though that it wont keep zero. will it atleast stay close? just checked also. the bolt and bolt carrier have and reciever all have matching numbers. the dust cover however doesnt have any number on it. the finish on the dust cover is also slightly different. you must be right about it not haveing original. seem that everything else is original though. does this mean i got this gun for a good price?

I think $500 was an excellecnt price.  I sold my SA 85M post ban w/ short gas tube for $1050 about 2 yrs ago.

I think $500 is top dollar for that one. You didn't get screwed and you didn't steal it. You can make an incredible AK out of it and the FEGs are known for precision assembly and smooth action.

what do you suggest i do to it to make it what you consider an incredible ak? it seems pretty incredible the way it shoots now. what would make this particular one worth more? thanks

The only way you can make it worth more is to find the original action cover and clean up the wood. What I meant was to turn it into a clone of a military AKM, specifically a Hungarian FEG AK63F, like this:



To do that, you have to find the correct buttstock or use a Bulgarian blonde wood. The wood pistol grips are available, usually sold as 'AMD65' grips. That's the bulk of it, then you would thread the barrel and add a slant brake. Then you have to make it 922 compliant by putting in a USA-made Tapco G2 3-piece trigger set and using only a USA-made magazine with it.
Now, I'm not telling you that you SHOULD do this - I'm just saying that since your SA85M is no longer collectible since it has been altered, many of us would do that conversion. Here's mine that I bought new in '96 and altered before I knew what I had, so I went ahead and finished the job.

If it was mine I would find an origianal receiver cover and replace the stock with an Ironwood designs Hungarian set.  
http://ironwooddesigns.com/IWDNEWHun_2.html

i do like those stocks and pistol grips. what else would i have to do to the gun to make it legal?