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Posted: 3/15/2003 3:28:32 PM EDT
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Greetings, I've done some reading in this great section, as well as in the general AK forums. As I'm looking for a relatively inexpensive yet decent shooter, I've settled on either a SAR-1 (7.62 x 39) or SAR-2 (5.45 x 39). - Are these all imports by Century? - Where's the best source for them (funshow, AIM Surplus, etc.) and what would I expect to pay for them (I'm in Dallas)? - I'm familiar with FALs and US parts requirements. Is there something similar with the SARs? - Any recommended upgrades - trigger groups (Red Star), furniture? Is the AK-74 muzzle brake a "looks" item, or does it really help with recoil/muzzle flip? If it's just a noisemaker like the Bushmaster AR-15 Y-Comp, no thanks. - Accessories - which mags would y'all recommend, and which would you stay away from? - Ammo - Barnaul, Wolf? Where to buy? I plan on doing the "MRW" SAR makeover, but with Norrell's SOCOM black instead of the Duplicolor (I have a pint sitting in the garage.) www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=4&f=79&t=53915&page=1 Thanks in advance, and apologies again for another newbie thread. Gabe |
| Welcome to the wonderful world of the AK. I own a Bushmaster also but I enjoy the AK More. I bought an SAR2 for 289 at a local gun show in Virginia. As for the SAR2 I believe there is a place called rpbusa that sells Bakelite mags 30 rounders for 5 dollars. I have 3 for mine and they all function perfectly. If you buy an SAR just make sure the front site and the gas tube isn't canted. I would recommend another trigger group for it or look up the fix on the board and try that. I put a Red Star trigger in mine but haven't went to the range with it yet. It took some home fitting to make it work but hopefully it will cease the trigger slap deal. Good luck on your purchase. By the way I like the 5.45 round alot. |
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All SARs go thru Century and get new HTS, pistol grip, gas piston. Your hts/fcg will vary in feel, but the RSA set is always better. $309 was the going rate at an Ohio show today. But don't bitch about much over wholesale for the ability to handpick for a tidy build and wood you may like. A true 74-style brake helps but is very optional in semi fire. I have a minor tendancy for Wolf in 762 and Barnaul in 545. Bad AK mags are hard to find, and $7 lightly used steel 762 or bakelite 545 are fine as long as you have a big pile of them :) Sights are a good upgrade, but that depends on how you plan to shoot it. |
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i prefer the 5.45x39.5 round, myself. "Any recommended upgrades - trigger groups (Red Star)," yes..the redstararms unit is the best and the gordontech g2 set runs in second place. "furniture?" www.k-varcorp.com/ has a very nice selection of polymer and wood, usa and commie made, std. length and 1-1/4" longer than std.. "Is the AK-74 muzzle brake a "looks" item, or does it really help with recoil/muzzle flip?" the real commie '74 brake is the most efficient military brake in use today. you have to see a full auto ak-74 run to witness just how good these things work. most of the cloned ak-74 brakes are only marginally effective due to poor copying of the original design. "If it's just a noisemaker like the Bushmaster AR-15 Y-Comp, no thanks." the y-comp sucks (i just bought a bushy m4gery today and that blast enhancer is coming off fast!). no one seems to complain about my ak-74 with the romanian brake on it, though. " Accessories - which mags would y'all recommend, and which would you stay away from?" bulgarian polymer for 5.45 or 7.62. any imported steel 7.62 mag. east german 5.45 bakelites work perfectly, also. "Ammo - Barnaul, Wolf? Where to buy?" either or. both are fine in my opinion. try: www.ammunitionstore.com/ |
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Thanks for all the excellent info so far! I hadn't thought about replacement sights, is there a ghost-ring type rear aperture available for SARs? I plan to use the rifle mostly as a range plinker and as a "SHTF" firearm if needed. As I understand it, the recent-production SARs (2001 and 2002) are much better than the earlier ones? How can I tell if I'm at a funshow, are the dates marked on the receiver? Dumb question - are the bores and chambers chrome-lined? I imagine they are, given the legendary reliability of the AK design  Also, do you recommend the Red Star Arms "shepherd crook" replacement? What is this part for? Thanks, Gabe |
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"is there a ghost-ring type rear aperture available for SARs? I plan to use the rifle mostly as a range plinker and as a "SHTF" firearm if needed." there are several apeture rear sights on the market. ace offers an ar-15 type rear sight, restararms offers the mojo and brownells sells the williams. "As I understand it, the recent-production SARs (2001 and 2002) are much better than the earlier ones? How can I tell if I'm at a funshow, are the dates marked on the receiver?" the year of import is incorporated into the serial number. (xxxxxx03 or 03-xxxxxxx or 2003-xxxxxxxxx or xxxxxxxx-2003) |
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SARs do get better every year, but I still suggest handpick. You can spend money on a peep, or you can glue a washer on the rear leaf sight. Yep, chrome lined. For blasting and demon slaying with your AK, the Kobra is a very good genuine Russian Military spec red dot sight for both-eyes open target finding, and only around $140. The hook is a PITA, buying the plate depends on your hourly rate. Get the gun (I prefere the 5.45 overall) and blast away. The tell us how it goes. Some things we can type you thru cheap, others require purchasing decisions to get just what you want. |
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