Romanian SAR-1, 7.62x39mm

[TacoDelRio]

Howdy guys,

http://www.floridagunworks.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/178.jpg

Did alot of shooting with one of these guys this weekend. I've always had a slightly soft spot for AK's, I like the round (cheap, powerful enough), and I can dissasemble one at light speed.

It was accurate enough to hit E-type sillhouette targets set at about 250 meters, rapid firing. Controlled-pairs were easily done offhand at about 100 meters on some of our propane tanks, which are about the size of a computer monitor, a bit taller though. Not a single stoppage at all, as is to be expected. Recoil was nice and light, mag changes are pretty quick, but you gotta get used to not having your bolt lock back when you're dry, and making sure the right magazine-lug goes into the well. :oops: (Slowed myself down a bit a few times!). It taught a burned-out Ford Taurus a lesson!

I really like it. I found it to be accurate enough for the job at hand (pounding ****), and the reliability of any AK is always reassuring. Plus I'd like to add that this particular one had the best fit and finish on metal parts of ANY AK-clone or variant I've ever handled. THe wood wasn't too great, didn't fit very well, but who cares. Good idea to get a synthetic set for it. I normally hate Russian iron sights, but these weren't too bad. THey were pretty quick.

Just curious if any of you guys own them (I know some of you do), and what your opinions are.

Thanks guys,
-Ryan p-)

[MEGR]

I love it! I'm planning on putting a rail on mine and doing all kinds of stuff to it.

It's great for it's price. Mags are plentiful and ammo is cheap.

[TacoDelRio]

Yeah!

Hey you were probably the guy who I knew had one. I want one, problem being my location. But still..... ;)

Surefire makes a rail system for it that isn't listed on their website (at least not last time I checked). Saw it in our dealer catalog crap or something. Maybe I'll pick one of those up and try it out. Everyone around here says that rail systems are overkil. COmplete BS. I'd mount a Surefire light on it, and a vert grip. Why not? Love the handling characteristics of the grip, and the light is very useful when you gotta point your weapon somewhere where there could be non-bad-guys (or you just gotta light **** up twice!)

I love it. Fastest thing I've ever taken down aside from better-worn-down M14's. One of my favorite rifles, period.

EDIT: Oh yeah, what kinda mags do you have? What is your opinoon (anyones opinion) on the Russian Bakelite mags in 7.62x39, commonly seen on AK74's, and those Bulgarian Waffle-mags that I've heard are supposed to be the ****? Any good?

Thanks for the reply!

[MEGR]

I know one is a Chinse mag. I think another is Russian... And the last one I have is from places unknown.

They are all steel I think. The thing is, two out of the three have a trouble squeezing in the magazine well. The Russian mag fit perfectly.

As for waffle mags and bakalite, I've never tried them out. They are too expensive from what I've seen.

[TacoDelRio]

I can't find mag prices anywhere, looke don AIM surplus, I'll just putz through Shotgun News.

What kind of rail system did you intend to stick on it? Also, did you intend to replace the stock with somethign more high-speed, such as a synthetic one or a folder?

Keep me somewhat-up-to-date on your mod's.

-Ryan

[Pook2]

I have an SAR-1 but I personally dont find it a very exciting weapon. The best part is the cheap ammo. I don't like any of the AK series fire selectors/safety levers. They are too dangerous for some of the people I introduce the weapon to. The mag release is annoying and not user friendly, as well as mag insertion. I do like the low recoil and it has good accuracy, and I love the fact that I can not clean it and never have a jam.

Right now I have a weaver rail on the reciever with a Tasco 4x20mm scope attached. Previously I had a cheap red dot sight which was zeroed perfectly but suddenly died.

[TacoDelRio]

I have long fingers, so I can manipulate the safety without taking my hand off the pistol grip. I do not like how the bolt doens't lock to the rear after the weapon is empty.

I don't mind the mag release. It's a bit different than an AR, but still, I don't mind it. Mag insertion is the same.

Keep the topic going, guys.

[yiorgo]

buy a VEPR

[MEGR]

I can't find mag prices anywhere, looke don AIM surplus, I'll just putz through Shotgun News.

What kind of rail system did you intend to stick on it? Also, did you intend to replace the stock with somethign more high-speed, such as a synthetic one or a folder?

Keep me somewhat-up-to-date on your mod's.

-Ryan

The price of the 30 rounders may depend on where you live. During the gunshow here in NC, I found a 30 round mag as low as $8 and as high as $30. You may want to look at gunbroker.com to find deals on multiple mag auctions.

As for the rail? I was looking at what ULTIMAK has to offer. It'll be a while until I purchase one though. I was thinking of putting a break on mine to see what difference, if any, it'll make on my shooting.

Stock? I installed a TAPCO synthetic folder on mine. The stock was around $50 and installation was as easy as removing some screws, drilling holes, and putting in new screws.

[Aussie E]

Good little rifle, I've got one and the only thing I did was add some US composite (read plastic) green furniture. I installed a Ultimak rail and tried all different types of scopes (Trijicon Reflex, Eotech and finally a Aimpoint) before reconfiguring it back to standard iron sights due to cheekweld/scope heating up issues. I don't use her as much as my 4 AR's but when I do it's a blast.
Mr.S one small piece of advice -> MOVE!
I lived in Ventura CA for 7 years before I saw the light and left.

[Geezah]

I have a 2001 WASR-10, it has a little trigger slap but the new ones are shweet, none at all. But given the choice I would get an AR, hell I have one WASR-10 and two ARs, so that should tell you something. There's allot more you can do with the ARs and now my AK just sits in the safe. The choice is yours ;)

[James]

I'm an AR guy. I don't really like AKs... They're good pieces of gear, I just don't like them very much.

[Durandal]

If you get one, do NOT pay more than 300.00 dollars for it.

[Pook2]

Heh, I payed 400.

[eggroll]

depends on what kind.... I would recommend an arsenal SLR95 ...

these run about 575 per.

EGG

[Virus]

Bakelite 7.62's are pertty exspensive in the states, about 120$+ giver or take....

Bakelite 5.45 of course is pretty plentiful



For steel 7.62 mags, a lot are pretty good, bulgarian, EG, romanian, chinese, and russian of course. They all work.

I LOVE ak's, i have a WASR-10(selling to my brother though) And you've seen the picture of my AKS-74 im sure, Im about to send in a polish underfolder kit to be built.

[TacoDelRio]

Cool beans. I hope to move to a nicer place, maybe the United States? (I live in the People's Republik of Kommiefornia)

I've looked at the Kreb's line of products, but all in all, I really don't plan on "pimping it out" that much. Just a synthetic stock set, maybe a G2 trigger group. Maybe those MOJO sights. Probably not. I like it for its simplicity.

And a flashlight would help! As always.

I like AR's, don't get me wrong. I'd get one too along with an AK, but I gotta move first.

I just have a softer spot for AK's. :hug:

[Geezah]

Bakelite 7.62's are pertty exspensive in the states, about 120$+ giver or take....

Bakelite 5.45 of course is pretty plentiful



For steel 7.62 mags, a lot are pretty good, bulgarian, EG, romanian, chinese, and russian of course. They all work.


You can always buy the Polish placci mags, those seem to work real well ;)

[Virus]

Ive read some stuff about polish synthetics cracking :(

But then again i've just bought a 7.62 bakelite mag for 90$ :o, it will be sexy though

[TacoDelRio]

Are there any AK74-style muzzle attatchments available for the SAR-1? (Not WASR)

[Virus]

you can replace the front sight base, with a a ak74 style thread already on it, check out www.k-var.com for that, and thats all you'd really have to do. Any gunsmith should be able to do it, its just two pins that you punch out, put on new, reinstall pins, and bam, threads for ak74 (atleast im pretty sure thats all you have to do :D)

[TacoDelRio]

**** I've been looking for that site for so long! Thanks Virus!

And do those AK74-style muzzle brakes actually WORK on 7.62x39mm rifles, or are they truly just cosmetic?

[TacoDelRio]

Ah yes, and a video of myself bump-firing. Enjoy:

http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling3/sumonutsack/BumpFire.AVI

(note excellent URL name)