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Two fairly common AK47 versions from a few years back.

We compare the Saiga & SAR-1
More pictures & Final Results on the way
Which one is the better rifle?

Cartridge: 7.62x39
Made in Russian
Weight: 3.8 kg empty magazine

The carbines are reloaded automatically due to the energy of the powder combustion gases, bled from the barrel bore and the energy of the return spring as well. The barrel bore is locked on turning the bolt round its axis whilst the bolt support slides lengthwise. The trigger and firing mechanism of a hammer type allows it to deliver single-shot fire and to set the carbines at safe. Found on the receiver left side is an unified rail for the optical sight accommodation. The iron sight allows to deliver aimed fire with the optical sight in place.

SAR-1
More Information - Click Here

Cartridge: 7.62x39
Made in Romania
Size: 415 mm
Weight: 4,300 g w/ empty magazine
4,876 g loaded

AKM (SAR-1 = Semi-Automatic Rifle #1) have ok wood featuring a Laminated Wood Stock Set, better metal workmanship and bluing but is otherwise unchanged from the basic AKM.

The Saiga has a 20" barrel. That's the first difference you notice, the Saiga is a much longer rifle. The SAR-1 is made with wood furniture and looks much different with it's pistol grip. Both have the same AK-47 receiver, magazine, bolt and mag catch. the trigger is the same, but moved much farther back in the Saiga. This makes the Saiga very dificult to shoot, It hurts your wrist after a while shooting it.

SAR-1 top, Saiga below Return springs are basically identical	SAR-1 left, Saiga right Different ejectors on the Saiga
SAR-1 top, Saiga below Quite a difference in the bolts, the handle and shape of the carrier	Saiga top, SAR-1 below Bolts & Carriers
SAR-1 top, Saiga below looking down into the receivers	SAR-1 top, Saiga below looking down into the receivers See the extra lever to move the trigger back in the receiver
SAR-1 top, Saiga below Neither can mount a bayonet Neither has a flash suppressor	SAR-1 top, Saiga below Gas tubes work the same, but look a little different
SAR-1 top, Saiga below Rear of the top hand guard. The saiga has an extra 'wing' that locks the lower hand guard. back against it's spring	Saiga top, SAR-1 below Rear trunion / stock screws are about the same Receiver covers are about the same and the spring / cover latch functions and looks almost the same.
SAR-1 top, Saiga below Front trunion and barrel are bit heftier on the Saiga No Dimple in the Saiga receiver	SAR-1 top, Saiga below Receivers are the same length Saiga has its trigger moved back a lot Both have a side rail for scope mounts and optical sights
SAR-1 top, Saiga below Safety selectors up	SAR-1 top, Saiga below Safety selectors down
SAR-1 top, Saiga below	SAR-1 top, Saiga below Saiga's barrel is longer by about 4 inches
SAR-1 top, Saiga below	Saiga top, SAR-1 below Rifles with magazines side by side
SAR-1 top, Saiga below Many parts are interchangeable	SAR-1 top, Saiga below All parts off the rifles Parts look different but function the same on each rifle
Saiga top, SAR-1 below Looking up at the trigger guards from below The pistol grip on the SAR-1 is in the same place as the trigger on the Saiga	Saiga with the SAR-1 front top & lower wood grips. This would require some fitting, but would have a unique look
Saiga top, SAR-1 below Saiga only has a 1,2 and 3 on the adjustable sight ramp	Saiga top, SAR-1 below The barrel is longer and the front grips are different on the Saiga than a typical AK-47
Side by side SAR-1 & Saiga	Side by side Saiga & SAR-1

Saiga & SAR-1 shootout results & more pictures on the way

	Saiga User Manual	443 kb
	SAR 1 / SAR 2 / SAR 3 User Manual	389 kb

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2010 SHOT Show Coverage

We compare the Saiga and SAR-1