Hungarian FEG sa 85m AK? Help a newb out, please!

[Spanky46151]

Completely unfamiliar with AK's. What do you think of the Hungarian FEG sa 85m AK, non-sportorized? Value? I've got chance to buy one and everything I read is good, but I guess I trust you folks more than the internet...lol.

 

[sporter]

Good quality ak for sure. Depends how much you want it.

 

[indykid]

What do you mean by "non-sporterized"? If you mean pre-Bush1-ban, an rifle imported by Kassnar, they are highly collectible and very sought after. If you mean a post-Bush1-ban rifle that has been made to look original it is still a very nice rifle, and worth having if you like AKM style rifles.

The SA-85M were very well made and among the better of the AK variants. For the right price I personally would be hard pressed to pass one up.

Pre-bans are selling for $1200 and up. Post-ban for around $700 to $900 depending on condition and if it is in "new in box".

 

[Spanky46151]

Current owner purchased "new" 20 years ago, fired 20 rounds through it, cleaned it and stored it in a safe. Says the bayo lug is ground off, so I'm assuming post ban. By non-sportorized, I mean it does not have the thumbhole stock. I would be trading a brand new unfired Ruger Mini 30 in the box and 5 extra magazines.

 

[nsheepdog]

I would do the trade.

 

[Colt556]

I would do that trade if the AK is unaltered and in good condition.

 

[Barista]

Current owner purchased "new" 20 years ago, fired 20 rounds through it, cleaned it and stored it in a safe. Says the bayo lug is ground off, so I'm assuming post ban. By non-sportorized, I mean it does not have the thumbhole stock. I would be trading a brand new unfired Ruger Mini 30 in the box and 5 extra magazines.

bayo lug ground off doesn't sound like a pre-ban to me but sounds more like a ban era rifle that was "non-sportorized" to look like pre-ban.

20 years ago is very close to the ban timeframe.

I bought one of these pre-ban Hungarian SA85M back in 2006 and I paid upwards of $1,600 (still have it). I occasionally look on GunBroker to see where they are selling today and I've seen them in the range of $1,800-2,500.

If it is a ban era then I would place the value in the $700 range.

Good luck and post some picture if you take the deal...

 

[tacdriver]

agree with Barista in his assessment, and the price range is spot on from what I've seen on the market. they are nice variant of the AKM for ones collection

 

[Spanky46151]

Thanks for all the input. As I said, no experience with Mr. Kalashnikov's gift to the world and all the reading I did on the net only served to confuse the issue in my mind. As counter-intuitive as trading a brand new modern rifle for a 30+ year old one was in my mind, I trust your assessment. Thank you!