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SAR-1

I personally own this model rifle. Imported by Centruy Arms between 1999 and 2003, the SAR-1 is assembled in the United States with a mix of Romanian and American components. As a post-ban rifle, the SAR-1 is built to reach limits as allowed by the 1994 assault weapons ban. The barrel is 16.5 inches long and lacks threading for muzzle attachments. The rifle is 35 inches in length.While Federal regulations allows rifles to be no less than 26 inches in length, the barrel is already half inch away from the allowed minimum length. If this rifle were fitted with folding stock (i.e. regulation were such that folding stocks were allowed), the rifle will be able to operate with the stock in the folded configuration. For a rifle that maximizes barrel length while minmizing the rifle length consider the M17S.

The wood stock typically comes with a compartment to hold the cleaning kit. I have seen two versions: one has a button, different from the cleaning kit compartment, that is pressed to eject the cleaning kit and the other ejects the cleaning kit by pressing your finger directly into the cleaning kit compartment. Note, the latter version can result in some discomfort if your finger gets caught by the compartment cover. Also, notice the short length of the stock relative to more traditional American rifle stocks. While this smaller stock is default on AK-47s,  AKMs, and AK-74s, some people find the small stock to be uncomfortable. I personally prefer the smaller size as it reduces the rifle length and the amount of torque felt in holding the rifle up against my collar bone.

The SAR-1 is said to be inexpensive and plentiful in the United States. As of July 2003, SAR-1 are typically availible between $280 and $380. You get what you pay for. The wood furniture is generally roughly finished and may not even match. Trigger slap, a condition where the trigger bounces back into your finger upon rifle discharge, is a common occurence. While trigger slap in my rifle is not detrimental, discomfort in my finger results with excessive rapid fire. The front sight block is often canted, i.e. tilted away from the vertical. I was able to compensate the cant on my rifle by adjusting the front horizontal windage.

Quality of the SAR-1 is imprecise but functional. Observing the action reveals that the bolt carrier does not fit tightly into the piston chamber. Secondly, the guide rails on the reciever and the bolt carrier does not yield an exact horizontal movement of the action. There is some vertical movement that causes the bolt carrier to bump slightly into the reciever cover. However, because of the loose tolerances allowed in the Kalashnikov design, the rifle works very reliably. I've been informed that the imprecise machining results in larger groupings. Unsighted, I have achieved 18 inch groups at 100 yards. Unverified sources chave claims actual accuracy closer to 3 inches at 100 yards

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SAR-2

The SAR-2 is another AK variant imported by Century Arms from Romania between the years 1999 - 2003. Fit and finish are most comparable to the SAR-1. The main difference between the SAR-1 and SAR-2 is the ammunition. The SAR-2 uses the 5.45x39mm round. This particular model was imported in 2003 and it has been speculated on many discussion forums that the latest 2003 batches were of slightly higher quality due to the Romanians trying to get Century Arms to agree to higher importation costs. As such, I picked this SAR-2 out of a batch of 6. All were acceptable, but I preferred this one. It came with no front sight block or gas block cant that is common among SAR's. After a few hundred rounds I have yet to detect any trigger slap. In terms of accuracy, all the rounds I have expended were during sighting. The sights out of the box were way off. I have not adjusted them yet. I was working on sighting in a Kobra EKP-1S-03M. In terms of precision, the rounds do group rather nicely. I estimate groups of 2 inches at 50 yards with a pretty unsteady hand, and the occasional flyer. This was with Barnaul 5.45x39mm FMJ. The recoil with this round can best be described as "none". Honestly, after using the 7.62x39mm round the recoil is negligible. The wood furniture comes different than previous years finish. In fact, I'd say it comes un-finished. There appears to be no varnish, which is a plus to some buyers. The quality of the wood is quite nice, but it does need some sanding and something to protect the wood if you want to use it with the included furniture. I purchased this rifle for $269 as there is a deal running at Aim Surplus right now. Prices are steadily rising for all SAR models at this time, because Century Arms has announced they are no longer importing them. The SAR-1's have nearly saturated distribution channels and will maintain lower prices for a time, but they are already showing up at nearly $400. SAR-2's are in slightly less supply (and less demand), so prices should remain low until Aim Surplus runs out. Currently, Aim claims to have 200 in stock. My suggestion, get them while you can. The only drawback to the SAR-2, which is substantial, is the round used. In some areas of the country, it is difficult to find. One other note I should make is that it holds my 30 round bakelite magazines very tightly. This occurs after the receiver heats up. When cool it is not observed, but it is easily remedied. The fix requires filing a little off of the end of the magazine release lever. One could file on the magazine instead, but that would result in the magazine being "married" to that particular receiver.

SA-M7

The Arsenal Inc. SA-M7 is an American made semi-auto version of the Bulgarian Arsenal AR-M1. In fact, Arsenal Inc. is trained, certified, and licensed by Arsenal Bulgaria to produce their rifles. Just like its Bulgarian counterpart, the SA-M7 is built on a milled receiver using modern production methods. Apparently, milled receivers are no longer milled from solid blocks of steel. Now they are produced by milling out the final features from something that was cast. This saves material and results in a stronger receiver. Fit and finish on the SA-M7 is superb. It comes only with the cleaning kit, 5-round waffle magazine, and sling. I installed a green Blackjack buffer to reduce wear and recoil. I also changed out the pistol grip to a Falcon Technologies "HK" style Ergo grip. It looks a little strange on an AK, but it fits my hand much better and is very comfortable. The synthetic stock that comes on the SA-M7 is one of the 1.25 inch extended types. While I am now used to using it, I prefer the standard length stocks. The torque that results from the extended length is enough to make the SA-M7 feel much heavier at the shoulder than a SAR-1 with wood stocks, when in fact the SA-M7 is only about 1 pound heavier (using, my right arm as a scale). A secondary confirmation of this is with another rifle. A SAR-2, which weighs about as the same as a SAR-1, with a Kobra mounted on it is about the same weight as the SA-M7. The Kobra weights slightly less than a pound. The SA-M7 comes in 3 basic varieties.

1. The SA-M7 Carbine: Basically, a (milled receiver) AK-47 with a 90 degree gas block. This has wood furniture.
2. The SA-M7: Take the SA-M7 Carbine, switch out the stocks with synthetic stocks (extended length buttstock), and add a shark's gill style muzzle break.
3. The SA-M7S: Take the SA-M7 and add a sight rail.

SSR-85C

The Arsenal USA SSR-85C is an AKM replica built by Arsenal USA in Houston, Texas on a stamped Hungarian FEG receiver with a Bulgarian parts kit. This was a limited production rifle. According to Arsenal USA, approximately 500 were built. Few problems seem to be reported with its operation, but the one I purchased had what is called "bolt override". Basically, the causes could be many, but the result is that the bolt closes faster than the round loading in the chamber from the magazine. The bolt then catches in the middle of the round and gets jammed. To clear the round you remove the magazine and then pull back the charging handle to let the round fall out. According to Arsenal USA the problem was that the rear of the magazine well was milled out too low. Now aside from that problem, the rifle was immaculate. The recoil wasn't bad. Muzzle climb was reduced compared to the SAR-1 due to a slant compensator. Accuracy was better than me at the time. Rounds basically went where I aimed, but this was only at 50 yards. The steamed Hungarian Elm furniture was beautiful. It maintained the lower handguard bulge in AKM styling, but the buttstock had AK-74 style dimples milled. As a result, Arsenal does not bore out the buttstock to allow for the cleaning kit to be inserted. Unlike, most AK variants on the market, this rifle does not include a scope rail. I have been told that this is because standard issue AKM's did not have them, but I have yet to confirm this. The packaging interestingly includes a Buffer Technologies recoil buffer and a trigger lock. Overall I liked this rifle and I would buy one again given the chance. It is just too beautiful to pass up.