Armalite AR-24 good or bad?
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For a long time, the Sarsilmaz pistols were only known by hearsay (mostly from people who had travelled in Turkey). At CZF, they were sort of the Holy Grail, because they were the only Tanfoglio-derived model not available in the U.S.
The Sarsilmaz pistols have always had a good reputation. The AR-24 is similar to the Jericho/Baby Eagle in that it actually incorporates new features not found on a CZ or Italian Witness.
There is a pretty good write-up on the AR-24 here at THR that was done about a month ago.
The Sarsilmaz pistols have always had a good reputation. The AR-24 is similar to the Jericho/Baby Eagle in that it actually incorporates new features not found on a CZ or Italian Witness.
There is a pretty good write-up on the AR-24 here at THR that was done about a month ago.
HorseSoldier
Member
The seem to be nicely built, from handling them at the gun store.
For me, though, the fact that they don't take CZ mags is a deal breaker, since I already have a stack of CZ-75 mags.
For me, though, the fact that they don't take CZ mags is a deal breaker, since I already have a stack of CZ-75 mags.
For the same reason there are so many 1911 pattern guns out there - tastes vary.
I just got back from shooting my AR-24 over lunch.
Mine functions well, and my groups are getting smaller. I am still learning, but I had several four shot groups at 15 yards shooting offhand that were 2" - the other two out of six shot group were often fliers, but very clearly my error. I don't know anything about the absolute accuracy of the weapon, because I occasionally squeeze one off, and as the hammer releases, I am thinking, "That sight picture sucks! Where the hell am I aiming?" That's clearly my fault, not the weapon.
I don't know much about CZ-75s, but I did shoot a magazine through someone's CZ-75 while he was shooting a magazine through my AR-24 right after I got it. It's a little hard to compare the two, because they have a very different feel.
The AR-24 weighs more, and seems to sit lower in my hand - but I can't tell if the beaver tail is different, or the gun is just heavier. I got the "tactical" AR-24, which has pretty nice checkering, so that changed the feel of the gun a lot as well.
In general, the CZ-75 seemed looser in some way, but that's just a subjective impression.
The AR-24 (with 100-150 rounds through it) seemed to have about the same trigger feel as the CZ-75 (with "thousands" of rounds through it). The AR-24 trigger is smother now ( just under 1000 rounds) than it was then. It would be very interesting to shoot them both again.
I think the American Rifleman article actually caught the flavor of the AR-24 pretty well - I'd think of it an an "upscale" CZ-75. That is what Westrom wanted to build it, and that's what he built.
Wether the AR-24 is worth the money or not is up to you. Armalite was not trying to make a low cost clone of a CZ-75. I got a patent award, which I treat like "funny money", so the AR-24 was definitely worth the money to me when I bought it.
Mike
Well Ive had many CZ's and quite a few clones from TZ-75 to AT-84. Obviously Ive always liked the CZ platform but the AR-24 takes it to a new level for me. From the looks to the way it feels in the hand, its the best all steel gun Ive ever had. Mags are no problem either because they will take the Megar mags for the Witness at $17.99 a pop from CDNN. The only thing that I had to adjust was not putting my thumb on top of the safety using the thumbs forward position. If you do the slide will not set back after the last round. Maybe because you can have the safety up when the hammer is down and there is one in the chamber thus making it more sensitive with the thumb on it? Its the LAST all steel nine Ill ever buy. By the way its very accurate-grin
Boarhunter
Member
Excellent gun, jece, but do not expect any support from either the distributor or the manufacturer if there is a problem. And there is no significant aftermarket support for the gun either. I traded mine for a CZ and was pleased with the trade.
Suggestion: Search for other threads for "AR 24" in this forum. There has been a great deal of previous debate on the issue.
Boarhunter
Suggestion: Search for other threads for "AR 24" in this forum. There has been a great deal of previous debate on the issue.
Boarhunter
Tell you what,,,,
I happen to know Mark Westrom, the owner of Armalite Inc.
I will let him know that he doesn't provide any support or backing for the customers who buy his products.
I am sure this will amuse him to no end.
Mark went to Turkey and set up the production line for the AR-24 pistols to his specifications.
If the guns don't meet his quality demands, and Mr.Westrom is an engineeer who is very a demanding kind of guy, a perfectionist really, anyway, he has the right to send them back, the whole lot.
The AR-24 is, in my opinion, the smoothest, best fitted, CZ type pistol available on the market today.
If you like CZ-85 type pistols you will really like the AR-24.
I happen to know Mark Westrom, the owner of Armalite Inc.
I will let him know that he doesn't provide any support or backing for the customers who buy his products.
I am sure this will amuse him to no end.
Mark went to Turkey and set up the production line for the AR-24 pistols to his specifications.
If the guns don't meet his quality demands, and Mr.Westrom is an engineeer who is very a demanding kind of guy, a perfectionist really, anyway, he has the right to send them back, the whole lot.
The AR-24 is, in my opinion, the smoothest, best fitted, CZ type pistol available on the market today.
If you like CZ-85 type pistols you will really like the AR-24.
Boarhunter
Member
CraCZ,
My AR-24 was beautiful, but it had a very serious problem...it was a fixed-sight gun and hit 4" low or so at 25 feet.
I could not find any aftermarket sights on my own to remedy the problem, so I called Armalite for guidance. I was told that Armalite had no replacement fixed front or rear sight that would fix the problem; Armalite had no adjustable sights available that would fix the problem; Armalite could not direct me to an aftermarket sight company that could fix the problem; Armalite could not tell me even the dimensions of the dovetail cuts in the slide for the sights so I could go elsewhere for a solution. I was told they had never taken the sights off an AR-24, so they had no idea the dovetail dimensions.
So I tried to take the sights off myself to get the dimensions, without success. They were apparently installed with some serious hydraulic equipment ensuring they would not come off at the hands of mere mortals.
So, I had a gun that was beautiful and shot very, very well (just not where I pointed it).
I decided to throw in the towel and trade for a CZ, and have had no problems since. Plus, the CZ is supported by aftermarket accessories (grips, etc.) that made its ownership more appealing.
That is my story in a nutshell. The AR-24 is a great gun; it just did not work out for me. Perhaps if I had purchased an adjustable sight gun and had no interest in aftermarket accessories, I would be reporting entirely differently.
Boarhunter
My AR-24 was beautiful, but it had a very serious problem...it was a fixed-sight gun and hit 4" low or so at 25 feet.
I could not find any aftermarket sights on my own to remedy the problem, so I called Armalite for guidance. I was told that Armalite had no replacement fixed front or rear sight that would fix the problem; Armalite had no adjustable sights available that would fix the problem; Armalite could not direct me to an aftermarket sight company that could fix the problem; Armalite could not tell me even the dimensions of the dovetail cuts in the slide for the sights so I could go elsewhere for a solution. I was told they had never taken the sights off an AR-24, so they had no idea the dovetail dimensions.
So I tried to take the sights off myself to get the dimensions, without success. They were apparently installed with some serious hydraulic equipment ensuring they would not come off at the hands of mere mortals.
So, I had a gun that was beautiful and shot very, very well (just not where I pointed it).
I decided to throw in the towel and trade for a CZ, and have had no problems since. Plus, the CZ is supported by aftermarket accessories (grips, etc.) that made its ownership more appealing.
That is my story in a nutshell. The AR-24 is a great gun; it just did not work out for me. Perhaps if I had purchased an adjustable sight gun and had no interest in aftermarket accessories, I would be reporting entirely differently.
Boarhunter
atblis
Member
Well
I only bring this up because I did it and was reminded of my idiocy. It could save somebody a lot of grief. Probably was not your problem, but just thought I'd mention it.
Usually it is to the right to install, and then to the left for removal.
Sometimes they are just that tight though.
I only bring this up because I did it and was reminded of my idiocy. It could save somebody a lot of grief. Probably was not your problem, but just thought I'd mention it.
Sometimes handgun dovetails are tapered. The sights only come off in one direction. Trying to take them off by going tighter into the taper doesn't work so well.
Usually it is to the right to install, and then to the left for removal.Sometimes they are just that tight though.
yhtomit
Member
I read a M. Ayoob reiview of the AR-24 (published in 2006 or 2007), in which he mostly gushed over it as an excellet Cz-alike. On the other hand, I don't bellieve I have ever read a *negative* gun review from Mr. Ayoob, so I'd take that with a (small) grain of salt. Nothing wrong with positive reviews, though -- after all, modern guns *should* all be good!
timothy
timothy
Boarhunter
Member
RPCVYemen,
I tried a variety of ammo...from light bullet to heavy bullet, standard pressure to +p+, different manufacturers, all without any success in materially improving the problem.
One thing I did not do was take a file to the front sight. Obviously, that would have raised the point of impact, but by the time I got to that point, I decided to simply "punt" and start over with another gun.
Boarhunter
I tried a variety of ammo...from light bullet to heavy bullet, standard pressure to +p+, different manufacturers, all without any success in materially improving the problem.
One thing I did not do was take a file to the front sight. Obviously, that would have raised the point of impact, but by the time I got to that point, I decided to simply "punt" and start over with another gun.
Boarhunter
I too have the fixed sight model. It shoots POI/POA. I wish I had gotten the adjustable sight model. I prefer a 6 O'Clock hold. I guess that will be an excuse to add to the stable. They are nice guns. I wish Armalite the best of luck with these quality handguns.
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