Is my SAR-1 legit?

[Crucial]

Hello all, I went into my local gun shop today and this AK caught my eye. I've never had much experience with the AK's in the past. The owner even let me shoot a box of round through it to see if I liked it.

So a long story short I purchased it and I really do enjoy it so far, but when I got home I did some research and I can't seem to identify some markings on this one.

The two that concern me are the circle with "CTC 21" and the other circle with appears to be a "0".

Also how much would you have paid for this?






Thanks!

[Helen Keller]

Easily worth $400-500

what year is it??

last 4 after the serial #

[Crucial]

2001 - Any idea about the other markings? All the other ones I see online do not have it?

[imanaknut]

Welcome to the group !!!

Looks like you found a standard, that is how they came, SAR-1. Most writing on them was by a vibro-etcher that looked like it was done by a drunk. The other marks are proof marks. That CTC 21 is a mark that I have on a couple of my SARs, but I really don't know for sure what it stands for. The other mark, if not both marks, are more likely an inspector stamp.

The SAR-1 was fairly crude as it was the only military issue AK variant imported into the United States. All others were commercial rifles for sale in the land of shall not be infringed. That is why some will be marked one way, some another. The Romanians didn't hold, and probably still don't hold their firearms to the same standards that we do.

Value-wise, they are selling in the $500 range +/- about $50.

[Krupski]

Hello all, I went into my local gun shop today and this AK caught my eye. I've never had much experience with the AK's in the past. The owner even let me shoot a box of round through it to see if I liked it.

So a long story short I purchased it and I really do enjoy it so far, but when I got home I did some research and I can't seem to identify some markings on this one.

The two that concern me are the circle with "CTC 21" and the other circle with appears to be a "0".

Also how much would you have paid for this?

Thanks!

You got a good one. In the early 2000's they were selling for around $300 to $350. Its easily worth double that now.

I've got a nice Romanian 2001 SAR-1 (just like yours) and a Norinco AK... I like the Romanian a lot better.

Hang on to that rifle... and if you do sell it don't take a penny under $500 for it.

[Schuetzenman]

Nothing to add but congrats on getting a real SAR-1. They work well.

[FunkyPertwee]

Things needed by an SAR in my opinion: Tapco G2 trigger, new pistol grip, and thread the muzzle.

[Crucial]

Wow I'm really shocked and thank you for all you're input, I was kind of worried for a little bit thinking it might have been a copy. I paid a little more than it's worth I guess. But I'm really satisfied with what I got. Maybe years down the road it will be worth more than what I paid for it.

Any information on how easy or how much it would cost to have the Tapco trigger installed?

Also about about a decent pistol grip?

And last question is why would you thread the muzzle?

Sorry for the noobish questions, this is just my first AK and I wanted to know more about it.

Thanks!

[kikenna]

The G2 trigger can be found at http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/AKS-497 for $30 (probably could find cheaper). It's easy to install it, just use this video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3G32TgxOwo . You just need some nose pliers, a flat head screw driver and a vice if you have one (I did it in my lap). Not sure how much it would cost to get it installed, but to be honest, it was fun putting it in. I learned how the mechanics worked and now I know how!

The SAR1 barrels aren't threaded, so you can't add a flash hider on it I guess. How much does it cost to get your barrel threaded, anyone know? I'm a bit new to the AK47 also. Good luck n have fun!

[FunkyPertwee]

The G2 trigger can be found at http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/AKS-497 for $30 (probably could find cheaper). It's easy to install it, just use this video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3G32TgxOwo . You just need some nose pliers, a flat head screw driver and a vice if you have one (I did it in my lap). Not sure how much it would cost to get it installed, but to be honest, it was fun putting it in. I learned how the mechanics worked and now I know how!

The SAR1 barrels aren't threaded, so you can't add a flash hider on it I guess. How much does it cost to get your barrel threaded, anyone know? I'm a bit new to the AK47 also. Good luck n have fun!

It cost me about $20 to have another forum member mail me the tools, then I spent another $20 on parts I think.

AK FCG replacement is the easiest "gunsmithing" anyone will ever do.

[El Laton Caliente]

Nice SAR1, I have one just like it. Mine had trigger slap w/o the G2 trigger. It is easy, do that yourself... Thread the muzzle if you want. I think they are the most fun shooters of the AK bunch...

[mrkalashnikov]

My '01 SAR-1 Romanian was my intro to the joys of AK ownership, though I had fired them long before that.

I paid $320 for my rifle back in 2001, which included a couple of 30-rd mags & the fat Romy green sling. I spent a lot of time looking over & comparing various ones before I got mine & it paid off. 8,000 rds later it still shoots without a hitch, accurate for it's make, and no trigger-slap since day one.

I agree fair market value nowadays is around 500 bucks, though I sometimes see them at gunshows & on Gunbroker going for much higher, 6-700 $$ and even more.