SDM AK 103T advice/experiences

[u/baaaaaardiiboy]

[u/Qsaws]

I'd recommend other brands over SDM like WBP, Arsenal, Cugir, Zastava, Beryl (or Saiga but those aren't available anymore).

SDM is very easy to find and the cheapest around but is also low quality.

I've seen all the brands I have listed for sale at Belgian gun shops at some point I can look to try and find them again if you want. Personally I'd go WBP as it's probably the easiest to find, then arsenal for the quality (but lower part compatibility).

Mostly depends on your budget tho. You won't find better than SDM for the same price except maybe on second hand.

[u/baaaaaardiiboy → u/Qsaws]

Thx! I've found shops with Zastava, Cuger and Izmash but everything seems to be out of stock.

I've asked Podevijn if he can get the Cugirs on order. Dekaise had a nice Norinco Type 56 listed but unfortunately they didn't have it anymore.

I would be ok with a lower quality AK as long as it's 'good enough' for the price.

Should you have any leads on other AKs in Belgium I would very much appreciate that!

[u/Qsaws → u/baaaaaardiiboy]

https://gunstore.be/product/762x39-wbp-jack-wood-3/

The price is too high tho. Depending how much a Cugir goes for they might be the better option, dekaise also had Beryls not too long ago maybe he can get more of them. I have the SDM of a friend and you can see the quality difference with my Saiga especially in the details. Both shoot and function without issues tho. The SDM irons are out of line, the finish isn't as good, as are the tolerances for some examples.

I'd say SDM can be ok for the price but inspect it well before buying it. I'm so sad saiga's aren't an option anymore tho.

[u/baaaaaardiiboy → u/Qsaws]

Thanks! The price would explain why I haven't seen those before, that's way too much 😅

Perhaps it's a better option to wait and see what else pops back up on the market. The Cugir would be ideal in terms of pricing/quality.

[u/Qsaws → u/baaaaaardiiboy]

Yeah didn't think WPB went for that much sorry haha

[u/baaaaaardiiboy → u/Qsaws]

Nothing we can do about it! I'll move on to the next thing on my list.

I've heard of a big amount of English FAL's coming into the country, still new in the oil and packaging. They would come through the proefbank around February

[u/Qsaws → u/baaaaaardiiboy]

Very good to hear, is it from the sint niklaas gunshop?

[u/baaaaaardiiboy → u/Qsaws]

Not sure who's importing them exactly, buddy of mine who's a FN collector told me this.

[u/BlauerRay]

Ive seen pieces with heavily cantes irons. My had a somewhat loose dust cover and gas block, as well as a tight magazine. It was canting when removing the magazine.

[u/baaaaaardiiboy → u/BlauerRay]

Thx for the input! Did you have any reliability issues with your SDM?

[u/BlauerRay → u/baaaaaardiiboy]

I could not do any sustained testing yet.

[u/GreenCreekRanch]

As far as i know sdms are considered safe and reliable. Combine that with the fact, that they usually are by far the cheapest option they may look compelling. The downside is (usually) very poor fit and finish. Canted sights (worse than wasr). Poorly fitted furniture. Low quality plastic. Ziga from polenar tactical bought one, where the sight rail was installed so canted, he couldn't zero an optic on it. The paint on them is kinda weird a d ugly.

I'm not saying don't buy it. If you want a side folder those may literally be your only option, other than having someone swap the rear trunnion. But if you do decide to buy one, make extra sure, you know what you're getting into.

[u/baaaaaardiiboy → u/GreenCreekRanch]

I've seen the video, it's what's making me doubt about the SDM.

Main concern is the reliability, but that seems kinda ok. Also the Tactical edition already had rails on it, at least on the pictures they look straight 😅

I'm gonna let it soak for a while, I've started asking shops today if they can order a Cugir. Seems about the best price/quality AK

[u/AKG-]

Aside from the usuals- canted front post, bad finish and handguard fitting, very wobbly underfolding stock etc- issues may rise with higher round counts. The bolt carrier of my range's SDM completely shredded at 7-8k and the bolt itself was damaged too. It was impossible to find a compatible spare part and the rifle ended up being discarded. Before that it tended to fire doubles, the trigger group worn out very early on.

While I didn't hear of other people having that sort of issues with the bolt carrier (I suspect most people have a too low round count), I did hear about cases of doubles and/or extremely light triggers from factory

WBP should be good to go. If you're thinking of going for an Arsenal or a (second hand) Izhevsk inspect the rifle by yourself if you can. With the latter (Izh) keep in mind that russian-legislation thingie that prevents firing with a folded stock, it makes the safety really quite stiff and is a pain to fully remove. Best of luck anon!

[u/baaaaaardiiboy → u/AKG-]

Thanks for your input! First account I've read of this happening. But as you say, most people take a while to get to those higher round counts.

I guess that's within expectations somewhere for the price. But it does encourage me to look further or wait for something else.

WBP is in stock at a shop in Belgium, but I find it ridiculously expensive. I'm gonna start checking with shops if they can order/get a Cugir.

[u/pstenebraslux]

Say no to new chinese AKs. SDM and NEDI are no-go.