I was in my local fun store today and saw a used Springfield SAR-8 and have some questions about it.
It has the following markings on the side:

         SAR-8 .308 Cal.
         Springfield Armory
         D.C. Industries INC.
         Bloomington, MN USA
         SR  13XXX

         It has a pistol grip and green furniture.

It is used and they want $1025 for it.  Is this a good HK clone or junk?  Is this a decent price?  Should I look at Vector Arms and Ohio Rapid Fire instead.

Thanks,

Paraord16

I think it is a good clone and made in Portugal under a contract from H&K.

I would buy it for that price, about 1/2 of what a good H&K 91 costs.

There are two types of SAR-8's.  

The first is a SAR-3 that was later over stamped to an 8.  These are steel receivers that were Greece HK licensed tooled built using new parts and imported.

The second type of SAR-8 was when SA could no longer import the SAR-3's rifles, they started to produce the rifles on aluminum receivers.  These SAR-8's are very less desirable since they are just part kit rifles built in the USA on an USA non-HK tooled receiver.

If the SAR-8 is a steel receiver over-stamped SAR-3, then it's a good buy.

Edited: The Port rifles were imported by Sarco ( I think). Later I/O imported just the completed receivers (FMP) with now the the receivers stampings being imported and completed here in the states (welded).

How do you tell if it is an SAR-3 overstamped to an SAR-8?  The markings on the side were very crisp, I doubt they changed the 3 to an 8.

Thanks for the info.

Paraord16

The imported Springfields came from Greece, not Portugal.  There was a Portrugese/FMP version imported; I think it was called the G3S prior to the '89 EO restricting imports, and later changed to the XG3S after the '89 import ban and a thumbhole stock was added.  If you're looking for an overstamped SAR-3, you'll notice the "8" is stamped slightly deeper than the rest of the letters and numbers on the receiver.

Quoted: There are two types of SAR-8's.   . The second type of SAR-8 was when SA could no longer import the SAR-3's rifles, they started to produce the rifles on aluminum receivers.  These SAR-8's are very less desirable since they are just part kit rifles built in the USA on an USA non-HK tooled receiver. If the SAR-8 is a steel receiver over-stamped SAR-3, then it's a good buy.

The SAR3s are definitely HK91-clones made in Greece. From what I undertand, there are 2 different SAR8s. One with the standard sheet metal receiver and an aluminum receiver. I know that the older sheet metal version is made in Greece, and takes all HK91/G3 accesories, including buttstock, trigger packs, forearms etc. Personally, I don't know anything about the current production aluminum receivers.

Quoted: How do you tell if it is an SAR-3 overstamped to an SAR-8?  The markings on the side were very crisp, I doubt they changed the 3 to an 8. Thanks for the info. Paraord16

Look at the thickness of the metal on the mag well opening.  The steel receivers metal is thin, as the aluminum receivers mag well sides will be thick.

good


Bad

Quoted: good www.impactsites2000.com/site3/images2/sar8.jpg Bad mwdg3.homestead.com/files/SAR8.jpg

Thanks,

I guess I won't be buying this one because it looks exactly like the "BAD" one.

Paraord16