New SAR2 review

[ellisr7.62]

It is good to be back on this forum.
I ordered 3 SAR2's from AIM for our gunshop last week, much to the dismay of the proprietor; and took them to our test range to check out. They are 2000 series, with some slight fitting problems. Two of the three shot remarkably well, with groups running about 1.5 inches from a sitting position at 45 meters. I was very impressed with the accuracy and lack of recoil. We did dremel the primary? disconnector that held the hammer back, as it blocked the bolt travel on one of the rifles. The hammers on all three were definitely soft. After only 30 rounds a piece all of the SAR2's were showing definite wear on their hammers. Nothing like that on my SAR1's at home. Anyway, upon cleaning them, I noticed that all three gas pistons could be unscrewed from the bolt carrier. One had already backed out two turns on rifle #2. To summarize: I think these are great rifles that need a little fine tuning. $239 is a small price to pay for such a great gun. If I was not so heavily encumbered with a SAR1/7.62 setup, I would re-arm with 5.45. I just love what a 7.62 will do to concrete and white tails.
Ellis out.:)

[neverenuf]

I guess its hit or miss on the SAR series rifles.
I own a 2000 model SAR-2 bought back in July.
I've run about 100 rnds through it so far and my hammer shows no signs of wear.
Also, there is no trigger slap. (must have got a good one)
Overall I have been pleased with the rifle, even the furniture looks decent.
Shoots better than my mini-14!!

[STEEL CORE]

Question? You bought 3 SAR-2's for a gunshop or at a gun shop for yourself, cause if I see a gun at a store thats been testfired by anybody except the factory, I consider it used. Kinda like driving around the new cars when they come out each september at the local dealership...Dont get me wrong, you do whatever you like and I am happy to read the info you posted, but I wouldnt like to buy a test fired at the gunshop gun.

[Immortal LuD]

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He just got three SAR-2's though...

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[ellisr7.62]

I understand your sentiments Steel Core. Frankly, I don't buy used guns either, especially AK's. Two of the guns are special orders and one was for myself (possibly). The great benefit of special ordering from me is that I range test all compliance guns at the request of our customers. The feedback from the test is shared with anyone who wants to buy, as we have several dozen AK customers who enjoy hearing about a test shoot before buying. I have sent rifles back that were not within specs that I consider norm. They get all of this info for only 20 or 30 rounds per rifle. It is also a basic liability policy of our shop. We have had in the past, more than a few SAR1's, SAR2, and Intrac MKII's, with parts missing, full auto fire, doubling, etc... My goal on this forum is to share this knowledge, as I'm in a special position to evaluate a large number of AK's.

[STEEL CORE]

Thanks El for clearing that up, I appreciate the info, it just sounded like the best job in the world ordering lots of guns and getting to try them all out first. Keep us informed.

[ellisr7.62]

Yes, It is an awesome job- Not to drag out this thread any longer but there was one more thing I wished to add. From what I can tell, the AK's are definitely getting harder to find. I went through 5 wholesalers before finding the SAR2's.
We used to buy 10 gun boxes of SAR1's at a time, all seemingly from the same batch. Now were lucky to get 3 at a time, and my search for wholesalers becomes longer and longer. I really hope the glory days for Kalishnikovs are not over yet, despite ATF's re-interpretation of 922.