Pre-Ban Springfield EBO Greece SAR-8 Sporter 7.62×51 18” Rifle G3 HK91
SOLD FOR: $1,851
WOA#: WY240202JT010
Make: Springfield Armory, EBO Greece
Model: SAR-8 Sporter
Serial Number: 11303
Year of Manufacture: Pre 1994 Ban (EBO)
Caliber: 7.62×51
Action Type: Semi-Automatic
Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked “S” and “F” and “SAR-8 SPORTER / EBO GREECE / MADE IN GREECE 11303”. The right side of the receiver is marked “SAR8 7.62MM / SPRINGFIELD ARMORY / GENESEO, IL”.
Barrel Length: 18”. Has a faux flash hider barrel shroud.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a hooded post and the rear sight is a twist knob aperture/diopter drum rear sight with 4 positions.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is HK G3/ HK91 style polymer stock with a synthetic pistol grip with thumb rest, sling bar in the left side of the buttstock, polymer serrated buttplate, and appropriate cutouts for a folding Bi-Pod (not included). The LOP measures 15.5” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Excellent overall condition. There are some scratches on the heel of the buttplate. There are no chips or cracks. The stocks are pristine for the most part.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: None.
Type of Finish: Black
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling sharp. There is no visible erosion in the bore. There is some minor fouling in the grooves. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its black painted finish.There are some minor spots of wear at the rear of the ejection port. There is some minor finish loss around the edges of the magwell. There are some small scratches on the trigger group frame. The face of the bolt is clean and does not appear to have ever been fired much. The screw heads are sharp, the pins are unmarred. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Excellent condition for a Pre Ban EBO Greece Springfield Armory Import.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: Are there any original ideas left? Maybe, but this Springfield Armory SAR-8 isn’t one of them. That doesn’t mean you should discount this firearm. If anything, it just means that there are years behind its development of trial and error that you won’t have to experience. The Springfield Auto Rifle aka the SAR gets its roots from the German HK G3. Sturdy and as dependable as the sunset, these guns were made by more than a dozen countries under the HK license. One of these nations was Greece, and the Greek arms manufacturer EBO (or Hellenic Arms Industry) decided to manufacture semi-auto sporters for the open market. Springfield Armory teamed up with EBO to sell these Greek-made semi-auto sporters in the American markets in the mid 1980s, dubbing them the Springfield Auto Rifle Model 3, aka the SAR-3. With the increasing import restrictions on foreign “military-style” firearms, Springfield began to import parts from Greece and built the SAR-8. With G3 style furniture and the reputation for reliability and accuracy, this SAR-8 looks so good and is just begging to be added to a new collection. The EBO’s are considered some of the finest G3 style rifles on the market. Whether you’re shooting for accuracy and you need a firearm to help stock your freezer with game or give some protection against things that go bump in the night, the SAR-8 is a classic design that belongs in everyone’s lineup. – L.S.
