Sar-80 Background Information and Identification

Advertisement showing a "Gen 3" SAR-80 (Note the triangular rear sight and barrrel mounted sling swivel)

SAR-80 Background Information

The SAR-80 was manufactured by Chartered Industries Singapore after being developed in partnership from Sterling's SCR (Sterling Combat Rifle). It carries a lot of design features over from the m16 / AR-180 rifles, and shares some parts commonality. Notably, a semi auto AR15 trigger group is a drop in conversion, and m16/AR grips should work with some fitting. The lug is designed for m16 bayonets, and the gun takes standard NATO/Stanag 5.56 magazines. Full auto M16 trigger groups will not work properly as the SAR-80 uses a sear that trips from the front of the bolt instead of above. 

The BCG design of the SAR-80 is a copy of the AR-180 and as such is piston driven and is quite smooth in operation. There are four gas settings adjustable via the regulator on the front of the gas block, 3 settings being for adjustment and position 0 turning off gas for launching grenades. Tag us if you end up suppressing one..

There are three distinct versions that we are referring to as "generations" of rifle from what we can tell:

Gen 1 (Picture example below): 

• Short rounded rear sight housing.
• Has reinforcement discs on both sides of the receiver
• May have "STERLING ASSAULT RIFLE" stamped on the left side for early examples. 
• Gas block mounted sling swivel and barrel cut for m16 style bipod.
• Left side pivoting lever style mag release

Gen 2:

• Triangle shaped rear sight housing
• Reinforcement disc only on left side
• No letter stamping on receiver
• Gas block mounted sling swivel and barrel cut for m16 style bipod.
• M16 style mag release

Gen 3 (Picture example above): 

• Triangle shaped rear sight housing
• Reinforcement disc only on left side
• No letter stamping on receiver
• Sling swivel moved to rotating collar on barrel, bipod cut eliminated.
• M16 style mag release

All of the kits we have seen on market have been Gen 3.

It is rare, but any of the generations may have an optic rail installed in front of the rear sight. This seems to be a proprietary rail for a Trilux scope with unknown mount, as seen in advertising pictures. This rail does seem to be the same as some seen on the Ultimax machineguns.

A folding stock was also offered, but how many if any were sold like this is unknown.

Gen 1 SAR-80 (Note the short, rounded rear sight housing, as well as the sling swivel mounted to the gas block instead of barrel)

SAR-80 barrels are available now on our store
SAR-80 receivers will be available pending ATF determination.
Stay tuned for other build accessories.