[Amish]

Also how is the DR-200 and A1 and A2 versions different from the K1 and K2? Do they all use the same internal parts?

[AK103K]

Try here:
http://world.guns.ru/assault/as32-e.htm

[Ian]

I think the K1 uses a gas system nearly identical to the AR's, rather than the piston system of the K2. I haven't been able to handle a K1 to see for certain, though. Also, the K1 has a 2" shorter barrel and a wireframe collapsing stock.

The DR200 is the postban version of the K2 with a thumbhole stock and no flash hider. There's also a DR300, which is a postban K2 chambered in 7.62x39.

As for the A1 and A2 versions, I don't know how they differ from the basic weapons.

[stevelyn]

I own a K2. The K2 is the full size infantry rifle used by the ROK (Korean) armed forces. It's was designed by Daewoo after Colt did not renew the license Korea used to make M-16's. Which is a good thing. The Daewoo is a much better more reliable design than the M-16. It has a gas operating system similar in design as the AK/SKS. Gases are vented to the front of the gas tube and down away from the shooter. The gas plug also has 4 settings w/ 3 apertures small, medium, and large, and can also be shut off to allow for manual operation. The lock work in the lower reciever for the most part is interchangable w/ the M-16 along with springs, mag release, and some of the pins including hinge and take-pins. This was done on purpose due to tooling already in place to make M-16s, particularly the magazines. The locking lugs on the bolt and chamber are exact replicas of the M-16. The K2 also employs a stationary spring loaded mechanical ejector dependent on bolt carrier velocity to eject spent cases. A superior (IMO) design over the M-16 ejector. Extractors are an exact match and inter-changeable. The K2 utilizes a captured recoil spring and guide rod which slides inside the operating rod/gas piston and extends about a 1/2" to the rear of the upper receiver and is used as the take-down and lock and rests in a recess drilled into the back of the lower receiver. There is also a heavy recoil spring set below it to prevent the bolt from slamming into the receiver. (Buffer Technologies if you're reading this, please design a recoil buffer for the Daewoo rifle)
Lastly pre-ban rifles employ a solid folding stock that folds to the right. Mine also has a scope mount attached in front of the rear sight adjustment. The front sight is post style inside a protective ring similar to those on HKs. The rear sight is adjustable for both windage and elevation. Accuracy from my K2 is about what you would expect from a military rifle and has knocked over every wolf I 've every pointed it at.
The K1 is a short and the first version of the K2. It has a short barrel, and a telescoping wire stock. It was suppossed to be used as one would a sub gun, only in rifle caliber.

[Amish]

Does the DR-300 take standard AK mags?

[Ian]

No, they use a goofy hybrid mag. The top section is like an AR's (so that it can fit and lock in the standard Daewoo/AR magwell) and the bottom is curved like an AK's.

[Peter Gun]

Cool! I was just going to ask about these rifles as i just saw a K2 at my local shop today for a nice deal. I think I'll go buy it!

[Ian]

Go for it, Peter! Daewoos are fantastic rifles. IMO (and based on my experiences with my K2), they're better than ARs in every area except spare parts availability.

[Peter Gun]

Yes, I like the ergonomics of it much more than the AR. I also like the see thru weaver mount. Is there anything in particular I should examine on this DR200 as it is used? I didn't inspect the bore or anything yet, but it didnt look like it had seen much use. Have you found it to prefer any particular .223 loads?

[Amish]

I plan to pick up a DR200 myself. I was going to buy a Valmet, but they cost the same as a K2 and they are still AK's, just a little better quality.

Does anyone know how many K2 and DR200's were imported total?

Is the barrel and chamber chrome lined? Also what is the upper and lower reciever made out of?

What's a good price for a used DR200 in excellent condition?

[Ian]

Let's see...

I don't know how many Daewoos were imported, and I'm not sure which (if any) are chrome-lined. The receivers are made of aluminum. The cheapest I've ever seen a postban one was $550 (and there's one on gunbroker right now with a Buy It Now price of $550), and they go up from there. I wouldn't pay more than about $750 for one, unless it's got lots of goodies with it.

There was a company or two making American parts kits for Daewoos for a while, which allowed the use of pistolgrip and normal (though not folding) buttstock. If you can find one of these, it will probably be more comfortable than the thumbhole stock on the imports.

I don't know about the DR200s, but the K2s have a very fast barrel twist (I'm pretty sure it's 1:7.9"), so they should work best with heavier bullets. I've only shot 55gr through mine (too poor to afford heavier ammo so far) but when I get my hands on some bigger stuff I'll post the results. As for reliability, hah! My Daewoo will eat anything at all. I put ~900 rounds of laquered Wolf .223 through it without cleaning, and it didn't even hiccup. I've never hand a malfunction with it that was not the magazine's fault.

Oh, and speaking of mags - Daewoos will use any AR mags. I've tried Thermolds, GI aluminum 20s and 30s, steel 40s, and a 100-round Beta-C mag and they all work just fine. I haven't tried any Orlite's, simply because neither me nor any of my local friends have any, but I would be very surprised if they didn't work without a hitch.

BTW: No, I don't get a commission from Daewoo sales. I just really, really like mine. :)

[stevelyn]

To the best of my knowledge all K2s have chrome lined bores. They are in every sense an exact, semi-auto only copy of the issue rifles. The easiest way to tell for sure is the letters MPC will be stamped somewhere on the barrel near the muzzle. Incidentally this "code" if you will, is also stamped on AR/M-16 barrels if they're made to mil-specs.
Hopefully the AWB will be allowed to sunset or be killed out right and these fine rifles with parts kits will once again be imported into the U.S.

[CWL]

You can shoot any kind of 55.gr ammo thru a DR200.

I can't remember the rifle twist ratio, but you WILL NOT be able to shoot heavier gr. loads as I found out when I tried .62gr match ammo, keyholed every shot.

AFAIK, only 2000-5000 Daewoo rifles were imported to the USA. I think the number is closer to 2K.

[Amish]

That few? Why then are they so cheap especially the DR200's?

Also, what is that grey finish on the upper and lower recievers? I thought that aluminum is usually black anodized.

[CWL]

No replacement parts. You break it, it stays broke.

They were cheap NIB to start with, the price did go up for a while prior to the assault weapons ban, but have come back down.

The grey color is another shade variation. Aluminum AR15s also come in this color.

[Amish]

Does anyone have a pic of one with a black finish? I'm thinking of buying a DR200 and having it refinished in all black.

[CWL]

Here's mine. Why do you even think you'd need to refinish it black? The dark phosphate grey contrasts nicely with the black furniture. Are you really Amish and need your shooting irons to match your black buggy? ;)

[stevelyn]

CWL,

How well does that HoloSight work on your rifle and how far have you shot using it?

[Amish]

Grey color is considered too flashy for us Amish, that is why I would need to change the color to flat black. It also matches my suit and hat.

[CWL]

stevelyn,

I've had that holoscope for ~7 years. I think it's been mounted on the Daewoo the entire time, but may have mtd it on other rifles (I have 2 holoscopes).

It has held true since mounting. I have sighted it in @ 50 yards & it will hit true @ 200 yards. I have used it rapid fire at tin can ranges and can keep cans in constant motion. Farthest measured range is 200 yards where I shoot 3' poppers at IDPA events from non-fixed positions & while moving. I'd probably use this over my ARs in a fight.

[stevelyn]

CWL,

Thanks for the info. Mine does double duty as a predator gun and when necessary as a patrol rifle. I've been considering putting a Holo or red dot style sight on it for both purposes and have been leaning toward the Holosight or perhaps a C-More due to the unobstructed and uncluttered view of the target they give.