I currently own an SA-85M w/ thumbhole stock. Over this weekend I thought I may investigate collecting all the SA-85M versions. I have only noticed two the underfolder version and thumbhole one. Are there any others, perhaps one that looks like a traditional AK. Where would be the best place to find info and estimated prices on the other versions.  One last Q could anyone tell me when mine was made KBI Inc import w/ serial # SM111xx.

There is a full stock one, and I think that rounds it out, except for the ones with the shorter AMD style gas tube.  

You do know there will be a considerable price differential between the one you have now and the pre-ban versions you speak of right?

Most underfolders are around $1400 everywhere I've seen them.  

The full-stock preban is about the same.  

I was digging around on the auction sites and saw an underfolder for $1600.00 or so. You were right big difference. If I undersand you right there are only three SA-85M variations(Thumbhole, Underfolder, and Traditional). Which one would be the most rare or desirable of the three. Any more info would be great!    

Well since nobody else has chimed in yet, I'll keep on going.  

After looking at the preban Hungarians long and hard, I have found that easily 3 out of ever 4 I see will be underfolders.  I don't know if it is because there are more or what, but I see a lot less of the full stock versions.  

Having noticed that I would say the full stock version is more rare, but if anyone knows better feel free to say something.

The SA-85M was imported for only part of 1986.
There were 7,000 total guns imported.
4,000 were underfolders,
3,000 were traditional full stock versions.

KyARGuy

OK, was the SA-85M ONLY imported in 1986?

When you say "traditional full stock versions", do you mean "pistol grip and unattached buttstock" or "thumbhole stock" ??

GunsAmerica has the underfolders for about $1500 and change, and the thumbhole stock models for $500-$700.

Did it ever come in the pistol-grip-with-unattached-buttstock variety?

Also, as you say they were imported in 1986, does that make all SA-85m's pre-ban?  If all are pre-ban rifles, they can be configured however you desire, yeah?

Sorry,My Bad....

>>When you say "traditional full stock versions", do you mean "pistol grip and unattached buttstock" or "thumbhole stock" ??<<

Traditional full stock = Pistol grip and unattached buttstock...

>>Did it ever come in the pistol-grip-with-unattached-buttstock variety?<<

Yes they did. They were the 3,000 pre-ban guns imported in 1986

The 7,000 imported in 1986 were all PRE-BAN configuration guns imported by Kassnar
in Harrisburg,Pa.

>>Also, as you say they were imported in 1986, does that make all SA-85m's pre-ban? If all are pre-ban rifles, they can be configured however you desire, yeah?<<

Nay Nay....although i would love to find a post ban and Change it over with the USA parts.
They are the best quality guns in the AK realm you will see.

Once the ban hit, they were De-Luged and the angle breaks were changed, and they were fitted with thumbhole stocks to be post-ban legal.
These guns were imported by K.B.I.

Hope this helps,

KyARGuy

Thanks for the help on the pre ban SA-85Ms. Does anyone know what year(s) KBI imported the thumbhole version and how many? Where did the info come from on the quantities imported for the pre ban versions?  

Here is the link:

http://kalashnikov.guns.ru/wwwboard/messages/5787.html

KyARGuy

Would anyone know how many post ban SA-85M w/ thumbhole stocks were imported from KBI? I figure once I get this and with the other info learned about the pre-bans I can start to be dangerous and perhaps buy another.

Dont forget the SA-2000.  This was a single stack SA-85M that had a Choate Dragunov type stock and handguards.  It also had the AMD-65 type muzzle brake permanently attached.