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Posted: 9/5/2003 4:07:13 PM EDT
| I no nothing about this gun. I bought a new Hungarian FEG SA-85M w/ thumbhole stock many years ago and never shot it. This gun has just been sitting in my safe. What is this gun worth now? Would this rifle be considered an ak-47, if not what would you call it. Is it a good brand/quality if not who would make the best version of this gun? Any input would be great! |
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Do to it's stamped receiver, it would be considered an AKM, the replacement for the AK-47 and next in line before AK-74. "AK" is the term we apply to the whole family, so you may as well call it that. The Hungarians make great AKs and your rifle is just one of there AKMs with a thumbhole stock tacked on for legality after the ban. Are you familier with laws regarding parts count and rifle configurations? You can make this rifle look like a traditional AK with normal pistol grip and stock if you replace a certain amount (5) of the foreign made parts with US-made ones. The thumbhole should switch out directly with a standard stock and pistol grip, and you can do it if you stay parts compliant. What I would do is buy a US-made fire control group, which counts as 3 US made parts out of 5. Then get a US-made pistol grip for 4, and a US made buttstock or gas piston for the fifth and final part. You can make this:  Look like this:  For surprisingly little money! |
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your hungarian akm is one of the best ever imported. i would offer you the same advice ajjer gave you. keep it and upgrade it to legal postban configuration. as it sits now, your sa-85m is worth $450 or thereabouts. reconfigure it for about $200 and you'll own one of the best looking, quality ak's in the country. |
| I like the info so far! Was wondering if I should keep the gun stock for collecting reasons or would you change it to the traditional AK look. If you would change it where would the best quality parts be found with the same blonde wood. One last thing would the change out hurt the collecting value? thanks |
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Most folks would prefer a "real AK" to a thumbhole sporter. For collecting purposes, I'd just keep the old furniture and fire control parts tucked away to throw in the package should you ever sell it. For a nice looking blonde stocks set you'll be hard pressed to find anything nicer than the ones here: www.globaltrades.com(since this is a foriegn set, you'll need a US gas piston and pistol grip to be compliant) For a top quality fire control group: www.redstararms.com www.tapco.com usually offers a complete compliance kit short of the stockset. (US made fcg, gas piston and pistol grip) *another option for US parts count would be magazine followers and floorplates |
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Clubbie, Just a little something to keep in mind if you're going to replace the piston. Most of the SA85s imported (at least all that I've seen)use the shorter gas system of the AMD-65 which will require a shorter piston. I think Krebs Custom makes one that will work. |
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