Where to buy a SAR-1

Strakele · March 18, 2008, 10:26 AM

So I've been researching different kinds of cheaper AK47 models since I'm going to be picking one up in about a month. I'm pretty sure I've decided on the Romanian SAR-1.

In the research I've done, I've seen many people mention their SAR-1 that they got for $200-$300. That's the price range I'm looking for, maybe up to $350. I'm going to a gun show in April to look, but if I can't find anything I like there, then I'd like to know where to get one in that price range. Of the few places I've seen that sell them, it seems like you have to be a dealer or FFL to even place an order or see the prices. Is there anywhere that just sells the darn gun for a good price that you don't have to jump through hoops to get? (Better yet, anyone selling one?

)

I'm also going to be looking at the local gun shops, but I'd like to know where other people are getting these great deals.

Doug S · March 18, 2008, 11:15 AM

The SAR-1', aren't as plentiful as they once were. Prices have gone up accordingly. I think they are more in line with $350+. You may want to consider a WASR, another Romanian variant, that seems to be more in your price range. The only difference between the SAR-1 and the WASR is that the SAR had the dimples about the magazine, whereas the WASR was originally a 10 round gun, that was modified to take regular AK mags. Also, the SAR-1 was preban, so it doesn't have the bayonet lug, muzzle brake, etc., that the current production WASR' do.

KCB · March 18, 2008, 12:35 PM

You will be lucky to get a hold of a WASR for under $300, not a chance on an SAR-1. Start looking around at some pawn shops and you might find one at a gun show, however prices are rarely very good at those.

Doug S · March 18, 2008, 01:22 PM

Classic Arms has some WASR's under the $300 mark, and the Yugo's for $429. They say the Yugo parts kits are about to dry up, so get one while you can.

CGSteve8718 · March 18, 2008, 04:29 PM

Because of the availability issues with the SAR series due to importation restrictions previously mentioned, your best bet to find one would be Gunbroker or other gun auction sites.

Expect to pay more than the prices you listed. $200 - low $300s were common when they were readily available, but now, you can surely see closer to the $400 range.

You could go the WASR series route as mentioned, but although I am not knocking the WASR series rifles, the SAR series at least has a closer military grade parts and receiver than the WASR ever will. It doesn't make that much of a difference really, because they are both beaters, and the AK/AKM platform in general, no matter how pretty is one to be used and abused.

When not looking at any AK platform rifle in person (yes even vaunted Arsenal), be sure to ask the seller about canted sights and gas blocks. With the Romanian rifles, especially the WASR series, this is a bigger problem, and contrary to popular belief, it is not Century Intl. Arms' fault, they were assembled that way in Romanian at CUGIR.

Good luck.

DMK · March 19, 2008, 07:56 AM

You just have to be persistent and get lucky. Sign up on all the forums and regularly scour the classifieds/trader sections. Go to every gun shop, pawn shop and gun show in your area. Pawn shops often turn up interesting finds and some are "off the radar" of many gun buyers.

I bought mine second hand, but like new, off a guy who just didn't like it. Maybe he was more of a "sporting rifle" guy or it just wasn't accurate enough for him. Whatever the reason, it fits in my collection nicely.

dglockster · March 19, 2008, 08:06 AM

Check out this site: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...?Item=95079454

Very close to your price range.

Strakele · March 19, 2008, 12:28 PM

I will be going to shops around here to look. That's a nice package on gunbroker, but its at $350 and there is a reserve which isn't met. I don't care for the vertical grip and I don't think I'd need that many mags. I'm really just looking for a traditional looking AK, maybe with a folding stock. Anyway, I'll keep looking. Thanks for all the input.

March 18, 2008, 10:26 AM	#1
Strakele Member Join Date: November 3, 2007 Posts: 56	Where to buy a SAR-1 So I've been researching different kinds of cheaper AK47 models since I'm going to be picking one up in about a month. I'm pretty sure I've decided on the Romanian SAR-1. In the research I've done, I've seen many people mention their SAR-1 that they got for $200-$300. That's the price range I'm looking for, maybe up to $350. I'm going to a gun show in April to look, but if I can't find anything I like there, then I'd like to know where to get one in that price range. Of the few places I've seen that sell them, it seems like you have to be a dealer or FFL to even place an order or see the prices. Is there anywhere that just sells the darn gun for a good price that you don't have to jump through hoops to get? (Better yet, anyone selling one? ) I'm also going to be looking at the local gun shops, but I'd like to know where other people are getting these great deals.

March 19, 2008, 07:56 AM	#6
DMK Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2001 Location: Over the hills and far, far away Posts: 3,211	You just have to be persistent and get lucky. Sign up on all the forums and regularly scour the classifieds/trader sections. Go to every gun shop, pawn shop and gun show in your area. Pawn shops often turn up interesting finds and some are "off the radar" of many gun buyers. I bought mine second hand, but like new, off a guy who just didn't like it. Maybe he was more of a "sporting rifle" guy or it just wasn't accurate enough for him. Whatever the reason, it fits in my collection nicely. __________________ - Homeland Security begins at home: Support your Second Amendment - www.gunowners.org - www.saf.org - act.nraila.org - www.grnc.org

March 18, 2008, 11:15 AM	#2
Doug S Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2000 Posts: 745	The SAR-1', aren't as plentiful as they once were. Prices have gone up accordingly. I think they are more in line with $350+. You may want to consider a WASR, another Romanian variant, that seems to be more in your price range. The only difference between the SAR-1 and the WASR is that the SAR had the dimples about the magazine, whereas the WASR was originally a 10 round gun, that was modified to take regular AK mags. Also, the SAR-1 was preban, so it doesn't have the bayonet lug, muzzle brake, etc., that the current production WASR' do.

March 18, 2008, 12:35 PM	#3
KCB Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2007 Posts: 101	You will be lucky to get a hold of a WASR for under $300, not a chance on an SAR-1. Start looking around at some pawn shops and you might find one at a gun show, however prices are rarely very good at those.

March 18, 2008, 01:22 PM	#4
Doug S Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2000 Posts: 745	Classic Arms has some WASR's under the $300 mark, and the Yugo's for $429. They say the Yugo parts kits are about to dry up, so get one while you can.

March 18, 2008, 04:29 PM	#5
CGSteve8718 Senior Member Join Date: May 14, 2007 Posts: 798	Because of the availability issues with the SAR series due to importation restrictions previously mentioned, your best bet to find one would be Gunbroker or other gun auction sites. Expect to pay more than the prices you listed. $200 - low $300s were common when they were readily available, but now, you can surely see closer to the $400 range. You could go the WASR series route as mentioned, but although I am not knocking the WASR series rifles, the SAR series at least has a closer military grade parts and receiver than the WASR ever will. It doesn't make that much of a difference really, because they are both beaters, and the AK/AKM platform in general, no matter how pretty is one to be used and abused. When not looking at any AK platform rifle in person (yes even vaunted Arsenal), be sure to ask the seller about canted sights and gas blocks. With the Romanian rifles, especially the WASR series, this is a bigger problem, and contrary to popular belief, it is not Century Intl. Arms' fault, they were assembled that way in Romanian at CUGIR. Good luck.

March 19, 2008, 08:06 AM	#7
dglockster Member Join Date: July 26, 2007 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 54	Check out this site: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...?Item=95079454 Very close to your price range.

March 19, 2008, 12:28 PM	#8
Strakele Member Join Date: November 3, 2007 Posts: 56	I will be going to shops around here to look. That's a nice package on gunbroker, but its at $350 and there is a reserve which isn't met. I don't care for the vertical grip and I don't think I'd need that many mags. I'm really just looking for a traditional looking AK, maybe with a folding stock. Anyway, I'll keep looking. Thanks for all the input.