First AK, how did I do?

[MaxMax700]

Well after much deliberation, I decided to trade one of my AR's for an AK yesterday. I did what research I could in the short period of time I had and found that the rifle, a Romanian SAR 1, is actually a well respected AK variant so I bit the bullet.

The only thing I have noticed that I dont like is that the rear sight block is canted, there's a gap on one side where it should be flush with the top of the receiver. But, since I'm not a HUGE fan of AK sights as it is, I ordered some Tech Sights last night so I wont even need the stock rear sight.

This is my first AK, so go easy on me. It came with the Tapco folding stock shown, as well as the original wood furniture, and a set of green polymer furniture. Also included were 4 magazines, 200 rounds of 154 gr SP rounds, a case, and a scope mount.

I'm happy, cant wait to shoot it! Let me know what you think, did I do okay?

 

[readyeddy]

Looks great! Congratulations!

Don't give up on the rear sights yet. Give them a try. You can drift the front sight to adjust windage. There's a tool for the front sight that adjusts elevation and windage, but if you just need to adjust windage, you can just tap it with a hammer/punch.

 

[Jackal]

Thread the barrel and lose the breakage prone Tapco stock. Good rifle.

 

[Stuffs]

Looks good to me!

 

[dvdcrr]

Nice. Have fun!

 

[Girodin]

I'd scrap the low quality tapco folder if it were mine, but that's just me.

 

[leadcounsel]

Great platform. A premier battle rifle. Probably close to an even trade given what you got, or pretty close. Seems that AKs are around the $600 mark, and ARs around the $700-800 mark today...

Put the wood stock back on. That Tapco is garbage. Sell it for whatever you can get for it. Get as many steel surplus mags as you can. Have fun.

 

[PabloJ]

I would take that over basic AR any day. The rail system alone is $100 or more.

 

[bannockburn]

Seems like a decent enough trade, without knowing of course what you had tied up in your AR. One thing to consider about using the original stock is that the length of pull is a bit on the short side so you may want to shop around for a slightly longer stock or some sort of buttstock extension. Let us know how it does at the range.

 

[TIMC]

I've had an SAR1 for many years now, good rifles. If it doesn't have on already install a G2 trigger, they make a huge difference.

 

[benEzra]

The SAR-1 is one of my favorite rifles I've ever owned. I had to sell mine in 2012 to put a roof over my head, but I definitely plan to get another when I can.

Mine, with a 20-round Hungarian tank-crew magazine and a Kobra optic:

If I ever get another, I'll probably go with an Aimpoint of some flavor, if I can afford it. The Kobra is an excellent optic for shooting, but fragile and rather bulky for its lens size, and can't be cowitnessed.

+1 on the recommendation for the Tapco G2 trigger (some SAR's have rough triggers and "slap" a little, though mine smoothed out over time and I never got around to upgrading). If you do thread the muzzle, avoid the AKM-style slant brake unless you are trying to build an AKM replica, as the slant brake seems to reduce accuracy.

 

[lxd55]

Looks nice. Lose the poly go back to the wood furniture, it will look natural that way.
Not sure I have seen 154 grn SP in 7.62x39 but I haven't seen a lot of things.
The mags look to be, by the rib pattern, Yugo if they haven't been messed with, they should be BHO mags. Buy a case of bulk ammo to store and a case to shoot.
Buy 10 more mags and the canvas sling for it. To me you really do not need to thread the bbl as it takes away from the originality of the rifle.
Oh and be careful, AK variants can be habit forming. Have fun!
10 mags 100$ Hungarian are good mags. http://whatacountry.com/30-round.aspx

 

[MartinS]

Did you buy the aftermarket rear sight before you zeroed the rifle? I have a SAR 1 and I don't think I've seen many, if any, upgrade parts that look like they would be an actual improvement. It's basically a good rifle and it is the AK as designed that is the world renowned weapon, not the Tapcoed deviations.

 

[MaxMax700]

Well, I'm back. I've since done some work with the new SAR-1. There were a few parts I was planning on re-bluing late last week but never got around to it. That's why they look polished and shiny. I have to admit the look is actually growing on my, if my perma blue doesn't get here soon I might end up just leaving it!

I also installed my Tech Sights. Now the rear sight block was crooked when I got the rifle which was originally the reason I purchased the tech sights. But now I have to say I REALLY like them. Not only is the sight picture vastly improved (not to mention much more like the AR sight picture which I am very comfortable with) but I think it looks awesome! I am off to the range tomorrow morning to try it out along with my new CZ P-07 Duty. It's going to be a great day!

 

[justice06rr]

Nice rifles. Congrats.

The AK looks much improved.

 

[GAMEOVER44]

Aside from the folding stock it looks like a gem to me, dont have anything on my 358 though..

 

[lxd55]

Yeah now that is what I am talking about, wood is always an improvement IMO.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

I would take that over basic AR any day. The rail system alone is $100 or more.

My thoughts exactly. Loui Awerbuck was a big fan of the AK platform. The man had more thought and experience than I will ever have so if he liked it then I like it.