Decent AK deal? FEG SA85M

[WSM]

Looking for an AK and I know little about them other than I'd really like to have an Arsenal. I found this and I'd like to check it out tomorrow. Assuming that bubba hasn't touched it and it's in good condition, good price?

https://www.tropgun.com/shop/used-feg-sa-85m-ak47-762x39-102570508

 

[Jimbob2.0]

Don't get too hung up on Arsenal. I have a couple good guns but not the "head and shoulders" people claim. Even in their day (e.g., SLR95) the machining was good but the finish was basically spraypaint (and yes I still covet my SLR95 and its finish is crap!)

I have been a big fan of real FEG's, that looks like abut the same as any AK parts kit jobbee. Honestly, if I was in a friendly state my top current production AKs would be:

SLR107 (ok the finish wipes off but its still a good setup)
PAP
Century Model 39, yes they are Century but not assembled by them. They are milled.
Jury is still out on PSA

Stuff floating around shows

Any Mak90
Any SLR
Id grab one of those Iraq contractor guns that are still hanging around $500. They may be WASRs but that's pretty cool history.

 

[WSM]

I have been a big fan of real FEG's, that looks like abut the same as any AK parts kit jobbee. Honestly, if I was in a friendly state my top current production AKs would be:

So what about it makes you think it's from a parts kit? Done by the importer or done at home? The receiver is stamped FEG and Made in Hungary. I see around the web people seem to really like these AK's.

 

[Jimbob2.0]

So what about it makes you think it's from a parts kit? Done by the importer or done at home? The receiver is stamped FEG and Made in Hungary. I see around the web people seem to really like these AK's.

Its not that its a bad AK, SA85s are premium. But...........this one has very few details. A true pre-ban Kasner SA85 should have matching furniture and be stamped Kasner. $2,000 gun absolutely.

Lets move on to postban. You are looking at something that was originally a dumbhole which this one may have been

The gun in the picture could have looked like that, but right now its sporting a mix of poly. It may be worth it with more details, it may not. There are better deals out there. A FEG 85 was a nice AK but it was still just a low-import stamped gun, about the same quality as the early Chinese guns.

 

[WSM]

Its not that its a bad AK, SA85s are premium. But...........this one has very few details. A true pre-ban Kasner SA85 should have matching furniture and be stamped Kasner. $2,000 gun absolutely.

Lets move on to postban. You are looking at something that was originally a dumbhole which this one may have been

The gun in the picture could have looked like that, but right now its sporting a mix of poly. It may be worth it with more details, it may not. There are better deals out there. A FEG 85 was a nice AK but it was still just a low-import stamped gun, about the same quality as the early Chinese guns.

Soooooooooooooooo...back to my original question. Can I find a better AK under $699?

 

[Jimbob2.0]

That's up to you. The SA85 is a fine gun, one of the better stamped guns for fit and finish (and yes I was buying them back in the day). But there is nothing super special there that will shoot measurably better than a good Mak90. The one you are looking at has been monkeyed with, has cheap plastic parts, and you don't know what else.

If it were my money in a friendly state I would double down on PAPs and Centurions before buying that. They probably will be equal or better guns in the long run.

 

[WSM]

That's up to you. The SA85 is a fine gun, one of the better stamped guns for fit and finish (and yes I was buying them back in the day). But there is nothing super special there that will shoot measurably better than a good Mak90. The one you are looking at has been monkeyed with, has cheap plastic parts, and you don't know what else.

If it were my money in a friendly state I would double down on PAPs and Centurions before buying that. They probably will be equal or better guns in the long run.

Gotcha, thanks for the info!

 

[WSM]

PA seems to have some aversion to the AK47. I hardly see any sitting in shops and anything of quality seems to get snapped up pretty quickly. I saw a Mak90 sitting used at Trop and they wanted 7 or 800 for it. It was gone in like 3 days.

 

[F-Stop]

I've kicked around the idea of selling a NIB pre ban Poly Spiker but, it would obviously be more than 700. It sits in the safe since I can't buy another and can't sell it in MD. Maybe I will just shoot the damn thing and keep it forever.

 

[AssMan]

Any reason you're not looking at a VEPR?

 

[WSM]

Any reason you're not looking at a VEPR?

VEPR's are pretty cool but I'd like a traditional pattern that can be customized.

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[Hicap]

At that price it's most likely a postban SA85m. I have one, the Hungarians built quality AK's. The SA85's pre and post ban are some of the best AKM's to have been imported into the US.

The rifle the OP linked( if post ban) has been debanned, meaning the butthole stock removed, gas block with bayo lug added and the muzzle threaded. Somebody also added a Russian side folder, in doing so they altered the receiver, to me as a collector this detracts from the value.

I wouldn't buy it without looking at it in person, this could be a Bubba job. They still pop up on gunbroker and WTS ads for about the same price or just a little bit more.

 

[aquaman]

you have no idea who did the trunnion work or what kind of parts they used. I wouldn't buy it for 700. New production WASR 10/63 or OPAP would be a better option. If you can swing it save up 950 and go with the SLR107-FR

 

[WSM]

I think maybe I'll skip the AK. Me like this http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/com...fr-762-x-39-rifle-w-rail-detail.html?Itemid=0

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[Hicap]

I think maybe I'll skip the AK. Me like this http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/com...fr-762-x-39-rifle-w-rail-detail.html?Itemid=0

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They're nice, I have one, I've only shot it once. I just prefer AK's, everybody should have at least one AK.

For the price of the ptr you can get a wasr/opap, mags n ammo.

 

[WSM]

I handled about 10 different AK's at the shop, put the FEG on layaway. It was much smoother and had a better finish than a lot of the newer guns. Fingers crossed that bubba didn't do anything terrible to it!

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[Hicap]

I handled about 10 different AK's at the shop, put the FEG on layaway. It was much smoother and had a better finish than a lot of the newer guns. Fingers crossed that bubba didn't do anything terrible to it!

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Post some pics when you get a chance.

 

[fivepointstar]

FEG are great!! I'm a fan of Mak90 and Maadi AKM's

wahts your budget?

 

[Hicap]

I'm just hoping it's not a Bubba build on a FEG receiver. FEG receivers were available for sale not that long ago. I hope it's really an import rifle.

 

[WSM]

I'm just hoping it's not a Bubba build on a FEG receiver. FEG receivers were available for sale not that long ago. I hope it's really an import rifle.

Any distinguishing serials on those receivers? Mine is SM 00236 or something like that which I assumed was a kbi import number

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