SDS Imports AR-T02?

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Deanimator

Deanimator

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Does anybody know anything about the SDS Imports AR-T02?

It's a gun comparable in configuration to the Citadel Warthog, albeit from a company with a much better reputation when it comes to shotguns.

From what I've seen, the SDS AKSA S4 semi-auto that's comparable to the Charles Daley 601 seems to get excellent reviews, both for build and reliability.

According to the Ohioguns webstore (Ashtabula) they take Remington pattern magazine extensions.

IF IT WORKS, this seems like exactly what I'm looking for.

image1092427-3bfdc1953a93b981dda6a30d007cab8d.jpg
 
Still haven't seen a SINGLE review for this shotgun, although I did find a store in Akron that has them in stock for a decent (competitive with Citadel) price.
 
Deanimator said:
Still haven't seen a SINGLE review for this shotgun, although I did find a store in Akron that has them in stock for a decent (competitive with Citadel) price.
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Pretty much every review I've read or watched (video) has nothing but praise for SDS Imports firearms. Yes, I know that specific model hasn't been reviewed neither has my new (today) M12 PT Bullpup 12 gauge but the other M12 models all have glowing reviews.
 
kje54 said:
Pretty much every review I read or watched (video) has nothing but praise for SDS Imports firearms.
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Their Charles Daley 601(?) clone is especially praised.

I just find it weird that the gun in the title has (as far as I can tell) NO reviews, good OR bad.
 
Deanimator said:
Their Charles Daley 601(?) clone is especially praised.

I just find it weird that the gun in the title has (as far as I can tell) NO reviews, good OR bad.
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Mine doesn't even have an unboxing review. I believe SDS Imports are up there with SAR, HATSAN & Panzer Arms

A lot of it has to do with their relative newness on the market, give it a couple more years you'll probably see a hundred or more reviews per firearm.
 
kje54 said:
Mine doesn't even have an unboxing review. I believe SDS Imports are up there with SAR, HATSAN & Panzer Arms

A lot of it has to do with their relative newness on the market, give it a couple more years you'll probably see a hundred or more reviews per firearm.
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I might just have to make a partial leap of faith on it. Probably not until September or October now, maybe Christmas.
 
Deanimator said:
I might just have to make a partial leap of faith on it. Probably not until September or October now, maybe Christmas.
Click to expand...
In my owners manual they do have a parts list and pictorial field strip. Once I do the field strip (after taking it to the range) I might do a field strip video though I've never done a single video before, learn something new....... :thumbup:
 
Well, it works. The finish is about what you would expect, not great, not terrible. Sling swivels are pretty small. It wouldn't cycle trap loads, but heavy field load birdshot and buck cycled fine. Ran about 50 rounds through it with no failures except the short cycle of the trap loads. Even the Nobel reduced recoil )) buck ran well; empties were ejected vigorously.
The trigger is "ok". A little mushy, but seemed to improve with use. I'm guessing it will go to pretty good over time.
Shot straight; I was hitting right off.
The rail is held on with one screw, which is something I have seen people complain about. What they don't mention is that the rail is on a dovetail, and the screw keeps it from sliding of. It isn't the only thing fighting recoil. I plan to pull it off and lay some epoxy down, then screw it back on.
If it breaks, I expect is will be the small pieces, not major assemblies. I bet we can replace most things with Remington parts with a little fitting.
Initial impressions; Nice, and very nice for the money. I'll run another hundred rounds or so over the next week and see if anything falls off. If not; I'll trust it.
 
OhioCruffler said:
Well, it works. The finish is about what you would expect, not great, not terrible. Sling swivels are pretty small. It wouldn't cycle trap loads, but heavy field load birdshot and buck cycled fine. Ran about 50 rounds through it with no failures except the short cycle of the trap loads. Even the Nobel reduced recoil )) buck ran well; empties were ejected vigorously.
The trigger is "ok". A little mushy, but seemed to improve with use. I'm guessing it will go to pretty good over time.
Shot straight; I was hitting right off.
The rail is held on with one screw, which is something I have seen people complain about. What they don't mention is that the rail is on a dovetail, and the screw keeps it from sliding of. It isn't the only thing fighting recoil. I plan to pull it off and lay some epoxy down, then screw it back on.
If it breaks, I expect is will be the small pieces, not major assemblies. I bet we can replace most things with Remington parts with a little fitting.
Initial impressions; Nice, and very nice for the money. I'll run another hundred rounds or so over the next week and see if anything falls off. If not; I'll trust it.
Click to expand...
Outstanding.

I'll be holding off a little bit, due to the added expense over the Citadel when it was on sale, and buying a bunch of tools and hardware for a macrophotography product, but the AR-T02 is definitely on my radar now, probably as a Christmas present to myself.

Thanks for the useful information.
 
Funny story: I took it apart last night and dropped the end cap that screws in to the mag tube. I lost the part that goes into the cap to secure the spring; it's a little plastic cup. The dogs must have run off with it, because I can't find it.
I found a nickle with a piece of gaffer's tape wrapped around it once is the right size, so that's what is holding my mag tube spring in place now. I'll probably try to get a replacement part, but it works fine for now.
If I get a mag extension, which I will if this thing stays reliable, it will replace that part anyway, so no real loss.
 
OhioCruffler said:
Funny story: I took it apart last night and dropped the end cap that screws in to the mag tube. I lost the part that goes into the cap to secure the spring; it's a little plastic cup. The dogs must have run off with it, because I can't find it.
I found a nickle with a piece of gaffer's tape wrapped around it once is the right size, so that's what is holding my mag tube spring in place now. I'll probably try to get a replacement part, but it works fine for now.
If I get a mag extension, which I will if this thing stays reliable, it will replace that part anyway, so no real loss.
Click to expand...
Keep us updated. Photography builds have eaten up a bunch of money, but I still plan to get one, barring serious defects coming to light.
 
After another 10 rounds of buck and some hand cycling, clean and lube; it runs light trap loads well.
No evidence of peening or galling as some have reported with similar guns. I think the galling at least is a lack of lube. The peening may be fixable, I have a theory about that. If it happens I'll let you know.
 
OhioCruffler said:
After another 10 rounds of buck and some hand cycling, clean and lube; it runs light trap loads well.
No evidence of peening or galling as some have reported with similar guns. I think the galling at least is a lack of lube. The peening may be fixable, I have a theory about that. If it happens I'll let you know.
Click to expand...
From what I saw of the Charles Daley 601 video, both the galling and peening appeared to be a direct result of improper heat treatment of the bolt/carrier components resulting in the too soft parts becoming deformed and creating greatly accelerated wear.

On the first generation Citadel Warthog, the problem seemed to be improper design of the gas and bolt mechanisms, possibly coupled with improper heat treatment of the locking surfaces, leading to accelerated wear, peaning of the locking surfaces, and resultant out of battery firing.

The T-02 and it's cousins (so far) don't appear to suffer from these design/QC issues.
 
Hello everyone , I also have the AR-T02 . Took it to the range this weekend with winchester bird shot (1100 fps) and turkey loads (1600 fps) . It would not cylcle the bird shot . I only ran about 40 rounds through it. However the turkey loads ran exceptionally well , my shoulder can back me up. It ejected the casings so far that at first I wasnt looking in the right spot . So high velocity/heavy loads are a definite to start. I did order as well the AR-T02HP . It has a longer barrel but it comes with a plus one extension but more importantly it comes with light and heavy round pistons . I am almost positive that they will interchange with the AR-T02. We will see. Overall I have had no complaints with the gun or SDS . I have several of their guns including their 1911s
 
Fcastle1974 said:
Hello everyone , I also have the AR-T02 . Took it to the range this weekend with winchester bird shot (1100 fps) and turkey loads (1600 fps) . It would not cylcle the bird shot . I only ran about 40 rounds through it. However the turkey loads ran exceptionally well , my shoulder can back me up. It ejected the casings so far that at first I wasnt looking in the right spot . So high velocity/heavy loads are a definite to start. I did order as well the AR-T02HP . It has a longer barrel but it comes with a plus one extension but more importantly it comes with light and heavy round pistons . I am almost positive that they will interchange with the AR-T02. We will see. Overall I have had no complaints with the gun or SDS . I have several of their guns including their 1911s
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That's great.

Probably the only reason I don't have one yet is that I'll have to drive to Akron to buy one and the store is closed on my days off. I'll actually have to take vacation to buy one.
 
OhioCruffler said:
Funny story: I took it apart last night and dropped the end cap that screws in to the mag tube. I lost the part that goes into the cap to secure the spring; it's a little plastic cup. The dogs must have run off with it, because I can't find it.
I found a nickle with a piece of gaffer's tape wrapped around it once is the right size, so that's what is holding my mag tube spring in place now. I'll probably try to get a replacement part, but it works fine for now.
If I get a mag extension, which I will if this thing stays reliable, it will replace that part anyway, so no real loss.
Click to expand...

I sent an email to the importer about this; they sent me back a couple forms, had me copy my driver's license; basic warranty stuff. They said they are sending me the part for free. Sounds like a standup company.
 
From what I understand this gun is a Beretta 1301 clone. Problem I'm having is SDS says it works with Remington extension tubes . I ordered one from Wilson Combat and the threads were wrong. So now I have one coming for a Beretta 1301. Hopefully this one will work
 
I just found a place much close that lists this gun. The price is right too.

Things are inching closer (especially with supplies of 00 buck and slugs loosening up).
 
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