I looked at a SAR1 this afternoon at the local shop.  I was surprised, I'm used to being sickened when I look at them but this one was pretty decent.  The wood looked like wood and was evenly stained, not just dunked in red crap.  The finish was even, not super but not the spray bomb job I expected.  Mind you this thing was no browning but usually after looking at a SAR it extinguishes the flame I have burning to get an AK style rifle, this one didn't.  Anyone else notice this recently?

I think they are better, I just picked up mine a couple of weeks ago.

I saw some really crappy ones last year. I saw this one, and was impressed.

Theres a pic here...
www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=4&f=64&t=56849

Clearly better than the 1999-2000 period. But I still say that it is fair to pay up to $50 more to handpick at a shop/show compared to rolling the dice on an order if you have a choice.

The laminated stock one I just picked up for $319.00 was straight, no canting and it shoots great.  The finish is about typical for an SAR