Armalite AR24 Pistol

[Adam5]

A few weeks ago I aquired a LNIB Beretta 92F Compact in a trade. It was in new condition and felt great, but I had a problem with it. Something with it didn't agree with me and I could not shoot it on target. After four range trips and several hundred rounds I was still shooting very low. I had others shoot it accurately, so I know that it was me. With my other pistols I was dead on durring the same range visits.I sometimes say that some people just don't shoot certain pistols well and this was one of those cases.

I traded it in this afternoon for a NIB Armalite AR24. It's a Turkish copy of a CZ75, but felt way better in my hand the CZ did. After a quick cleaning I took it to Bullseye and WOW!! My first mag was at about 10 yards and all rounds went into the black. I moved the target to 15 yards and with the exception of 3 or so flyers, all rounds in the black. At 15 yads, I was all over the target with the Beretta.

The following is from Armalite's website. Mine is last year's model. The only difference is that mine has std 3 dot sights not the luminous ones.

The latest addition to the ArmaLite line of products!
Incorporating traditional lines, innovative designs and state-of-the-art factory production, the ArmaLite AR-24 pistol simply outshines similar models made by other manufacturers. The ArmaLite AR-24 pistols are CNC machined to the finest manufacturing standards using the highest quality materials. Slide, frame and barrel are fully machined from all steel forgings resulting in the best possible slide to frame fit of this design on the market today.

The AR-24 Tactical Custom full size pistol features checkering on the forestrap and backstrap, and dovetail front sight, adjustable rear sight 3 dot luminous sights. Safeties include external thumb safety and internal firing pin box, half cock.

Included with Pistol: Two 15 round magazines, pistol case, pistol lock, manual and cleaning brushes.
10 round magazines available.


Model: AR-24 Full Size Pistol with Adjustable Sights and Checkering
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 4.671" Machined from Alloy Steel Forging
Rifling Twist: 6 Groove, RH Cut Rifling
Rear Sight: Adjustable 3 Dot Luminous
Trigger: 12 lbs Double Action, 5.5 lbs Single Action
Weight: 34.9 oz
Finish: Manganese Phosphate, Heat-Cured Epoxy

 

[burningsquirrels]

bullseye in cumming or lawrenceville? probably cumming?

 

[SureThing]

Nice, and a nice box. Does it use CZ mags, and does it have a barrel bushing?

 

[RPCVYemen]

Does it use CZ mags, and does it have a barrel bushing?

I have one, and like it a lot. I am pretty sure the answers here are no and no.

Evil

 

[GZOh]

RPCVY... Just curious, do you own any CZs?... Wondering how they compare re: quality, internals, shooting, etc.
I own several CZs and have talked with others who own the Armalites and they're impressed. Never had a chance to see one in person, or hold one/shoot one... would like to.
Love the CZs and that AR24 is a 'dead' knock-off of the 75B...
Keep us up-to-date on how she shoots.

 

[burningsquirrels]

they got one at my gun shop, but they're asking too much for it... to the point where i might as well buy real if i had to lol.

 

[Dobe]

Nice, and a nice box. Does it use CZ mags, and does it have a barrel bushing?

The AR-24 does not accept CZ mags, but does accept Witness mags. There is no barrel bushing.

RPCVY... Just curious, do you own any CZs?... Wondering how they compare re: quality, internals, shooting, etc.
I own several CZs and have talked with others who own the Armalites and they're impressed. Never had a chance to see one in person, or hold one/shoot one... would like to.
Love the CZs and that AR24 is a 'dead' knock-off of the 75B...
Keep us up-to-date on how she shoots.

I own both, and there is a difference in the way they are made, and the craftsmanship of the AR-24. The AR-24 is not a clone of the 75B. It is an adaptation. In other words, you will not swap parts between the two the way you can a 1911 or AR-15.

In my opinion, the AR-24 is an improvement of the CZ. It offers more features for just a little more money. The craftsmanship is much better than what you see on the CZ.

I still have my CZ, but the AR-24 goes to the range with me, while the CZ is generally loaned out.

 

[GZOh]

Ditto bs... friend showed me a catalog... dead knock-off of a 75B... asking $550 and $645 (adjustable sights)... in Adams pics, it looks like a real nice gun, but for that $$$, not sure.

BTW: Dobe... what CZ do you have?... Are those prices correct for the AR-24?... what can you get one for from a shop?
.

 

[Dobe]

Your price may be a little high.

http://http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=AR24&osCsid=ab435e9693ada4e157388db5868b9920&x=15&y=14

I have the 75B SAO. It's a nice handgun, but the ergonomics on the AR24 are better. The quality of the craftsmanship is better, the FP safety is better, etc.

 

[burningsquirrels]

he was talking about retail pricing. the street price i see for armalite copies are mid to high 400's, which is where CZ pistols also sit.

 

[RPCVYemen]

RPCVY... Just curious, do you own any CZs?... Wondering how they compare re: quality, internals, shooting, etc.

No. I shot a CZ after I go my Armalite - someone at the range wanted to compare the two. I got the "Tactical" AR 24, which has more checkering and adjustable sights. Most of what I noticed between the two was the adjustable site, the checkering, and the weight of the AR 24.

Mike

 

[gb6491]

Congrats on the new piece and thanks for the quick range report.
One of the local shops has one and it looks like a nicely made pistol. I like the feel of it; comparing the ergonomics of it to CZ, it feels SP01 like in the grip area (at least to me) and balances more like my 75B. The treatment on the front and back straps is a nice touch. The slide sculpting gives it a vague SIG P210 look. The firing pin looks like it is held in with a firing pin stop (similar to a 1911) vice a cross pin in the slide. To me, that's a definite improvement over CZ. I did notice that the rails on one side of the slide (only viewing the front end) were cut more shallow than the other side. Overall, I liked what I saw.
Regards,
Greg

 

[Adam5]

Burningsquirels, I was at Bullseye in Cumming. It's only a mile form home.


The AR24 felt better in my hand and IMO the trigger felt better. As far as price, I got it at a steal. One of my local dealers ordered 4 over a year ago and only moved 2 of them. He was asking $499 for it and let it go for quite a bit less than that to move it. It was quite a bit less than Buds and I didn't have to pay shipping and FFL.

 

[ceadermtnboy]

I bought mine for 455.00 it is the full size with adjustible sights and checkering. I do not have a CZ, but the ones I have seen and handled are not put together as well or finished as nice. Mine also is very accurate and feels better when actually shooting than just holding. In my opinion it is definitely a bargain.

 

[SureThing]

I actually got to compare the Armalite to the CZ 75 today. Here is what I noticed.

1. Armalite's Checkering is nice, and the forged frame looks good. CZ's polycoat seems to be used to hid imperfections.

2. The sights are better on the Armalite IMO.

3. The trigger on the Armalite was closer, and not as far of a reach.

4. The frame to slide fit, was the same as the CZ on the Armalite. Both had a tiny bit of side to side play, but they were still very tight.

4. The trigger on the Armalite, when pulled slow, felt a bit gritty, but I'm sure that will smooth out.

5. I prefer rubber grips, and the Armalite has those, while the base CZ has plastic.

5. Armalite has a full length steel guild rod.

6. The case it comes with is waaayy better than most guns.

My only problem is...they simply are not selling. I don't want to buy a gun that may not be sold 2 years from now. Also, I don't like Turkey but that is just me.

 

[Dobe]

There will be plenty of parts for years to come. Do not pass up a good gun, for that fear alone.

I own and collect P7M8's. This handgun was dicontinued. Parts are available as well as service.

The problem is that Armalite has never been a good marketing company. The AR24 is one of the great sleepers.

 

[RPCVYemen]

4. The trigger on the Armalite, when pulled slow, felt a bit gritty, but I'm sure that will smooth out.

Mine did. I have a little over a 1000 rounds through mine now.

Since I am also learning how to shoot, it's hard to tell how accurate it is - since it's more accurate than I am.

I went out yesterday, and a couple of times shot 2-3 shots in a row that were touching at 15 yards, standing. That was the first time that I have done that. Pretty cool - and maybe an indication of the accuracy potential of the weapon.

Of course, the shots before and after those groups might be 4" away - but that's me.

I really enjoy shooting it.

Mike

 

[GZOh]

I'm a CZ'er and have been trying to find/see one of these guns myself (curious). Ditto Dobe... re: Armalite's marketing, or lack there of... but then again, CZ has one of the finest lines of pistols out there, and you basically can't find one in most gun shops or ranges around the country... yet EVERY shop has S&Ws, XDs, Beretta, Glocks, etc.... Yep, these companies do need some MAJOR help with marketing in the US.

Considering all the posts on the AR24's quality... I don't think the 'Turkey' thing should be an issue. One of my finer made pistols is the STOEGER COUGAR (also made in Turkey)... great quality, great shoot, and at $350 a great value or as they say, a 'sleeper.' Heck, quality XD's are made in Croatia, so go figure?

Armalite's history is basically making combat, or assault rifles... I called them up the other day asking for 'Sales' and wanting to know if their pistol came in a 'decocker' model?... Salesman said 'Let me check the Manual." Well, if you make ONE pistol, with two variations (Full-size and Compact), and you DON'T know your product... either I got the janitor or this guy just came from selling cars or insurance, and is OJT for guns. Just says something about the Company and their commitment to pistols. Call up S&W, Springfield, CZ or Sig... and you'll see the difference.

Looked at the Armscor MAPS1 (Tanfoglio) for $350... for me, if you want to get people into your gun, a $500 price tag on an 'unknown' pistol is alittle tough.

Anyway, will try to see one of these babies and one day hopefully shoot one. Keep us posted on your experiences with the AR24. Thanks.

 

[Dobe]

Well put CZOh about the marketing, but CZ is a great marketer. They have Armalilte beat hands down in the marketing department. When I think about CZ, I think of a beautiful babe holding a CZ handgun, and she is simply CZbeautiful.

 

[GZOh]

Dobe... I agree with you but as much as I love CZ, I really wouldn't consider them a 'great marketer!' I don't know what part of the country you live in (and how hard/easy it is to find a CZ) but I get a chance to travel around the country and trust me, most gun shops and ranges DON'T stock CZs. It's a great gun with a 'cult following' that's growing every day... ie. 'word-of-mouth'...

And be careful Dobe, that's MY WIFE in the CZ poster!!

 

[SureThing]

For me, I can get a SP01 for the same price as a AR24, so the choice is clear.

 

[JHansenAK47]

And be careful Dobe, that's MY WIFE in the CZ poster!!

Prove it.

Considering all the posts on the AR24's quality... I don't think the 'Turkey' thing should be an issue. One of my finer made pistols is the STOEGER COUGAR (also made in Turkey)... great quality, great shoot, and at $350 a great value or as they say, a 'sleeper.' Heck, quality XD's are made in Croatia, so go figure?

Turkey has one of the biggest armies in the region. Plus they have direct access to machine tools in Europe and can important from any country abroad. Besides mags are easy to get just use the Mecgar witness mags. I recommend either the armalite or the Mecgar manufactured but not the EAA manufactured mags.
http://www.cdnninvestments.com/wi9mm16manew.html I use these mags in my AR24.
I love the ergonomics of the AR24 and the stock trigger is superior to my CZs stock trigger. (SP01) However it has one annoying quirk in that it won't necessarily eject the last round. I talked to armalite about it and they said that it was normal. Apparently ejection is aided by the next round in the magazine moving up. Isn't really a problem because when you drop your mag the spent casing falls out and I have never had any problems when I change mags with it staying there. I just find it annoying.

 

[Dobe]

Dobe... I agree with you but as much as I love CZ, I really wouldn't consider them a 'great marketer!' I don't know what part of the country you live in (and how hard/easy it is to find a CZ) but I get a chance to travel around the country and trust me, most gun shops and ranges DON'T stock CZs. It's a great gun with a 'cult following' that's growing every day... ie. 'word-of-mouth'...

And be careful Dobe, that's MY WIFE in the CZ poster!!

It is more than word of mouth. CZ out spends Armalite on advertising, and CZ got its launch in many ways the same as Glock. They sold cheap, and there is nothing wrong with that. They also began an ad campaign, and they have been successful. It hasn't been that long ago you could get a CZ 75b Miliatry for a little over $300 - Great buy. But when they start getting to the price of other handguns of higher manufacturing standards, then I believe the hype may not carry them as far.

By the way, you married well, and my hat's off to 'ya.

However it has one annoying quirk in that it won't necessarily eject the last round. I talked to armalite about it and they said that it was normal. Apparently ejection is aided by the next round in the magazine moving up. Isn't really a problem because when you drop your mag the spent casing falls out and I have never had any problems when I change mags with it staying there. I just find it annoying.

I have followed this handgun almost since its begining. These handguns were made to eject based upon a round being in the mag. But that doesn't mean they haven't changed the design. Mine exhibited the same trait. I broke a trigger rebound spring through abussive dry firing (reads compulsive dry firing). Upon receiving my repaird AR24, it no longer requires a loaded magazine in order to eject. Apparently they changed out or altered the extractor when they repaired the trigger spring. I have since read of others who have AR24's, which eject the last round also. Now, there are many things I like about the AR24, that the CZ does not offer, and one is the more massive extractor. I guess Armalite has adjusted the newer releases to eject with an empty mag, which makes it even a better buy.