SAR the poor person's 97?

[Roscoe2212]

Just found out SAR, the Turkish / American gunmaker , has a license from CZ to make what looks like
a 97B, but it holds 14 rounds.  Anybody have experience with that pistol, the K2-45?

[rocket7191]

I had a compact model in stainless…. I’m not  sure you could call it a poor mans CZ 97b though. There are places online selling the 97b for $699 right now. The stainless K2 isn’t much less, some places more. The gun seemed ok, but there’s little in the way of aftermarket parts available. Grips, sights, etc.  But as a service pistol as is,  I’m sure it would be just fine.To me the grip felt a bit large, guess it has to be to hold 14+1 45 acp. Not as long front to back in the grip area as a 97b but seemed a bit wider. Kinda like a fatter Tanfoglio Witness large frame.

[alp3367]

Just found out SAR, the Turkish / American gunmaker , has a license from CZ to make what looks like
a 97B, but it holds 14 rounds.  Anybody have experience with that pistol, the K2-45?

 It's not that it's licensed, it has to do with the patent on the 75 series design. Or more accurately the lack of one. That's why you see so many clones of the 75 series. It's all related to the history of the Warsaw Pact.

 Having said that, the SAR guns have a pretty decent reputation. I'd get the CZ every time. I think they're better built, and they certainly have better customer service in the U.S.

[Smitty79]

I have a K2-45.   It runs great.    I'd shoot it more if I had a better use case.    For all of the things I like to do, a 9 mm is a better gun.

[Gunnerdad80]

I don’t know if I would call it the “poor” man’s CZ97 being that it’s typically in the $650-$700 range. Maybe “kinda sorta budget minded maybe slightly less expensive” man’s CZ97 would be more accurate. 

[jwc007]

Actually, I would NOT call the SAR K2-45 a poor person's Cz97.  The SAR K2-45 design is considerably different.  I could call the Full Size Steel .45 Witness a poor person's Cz97, as they can use the same 10 round Magazines.  The SAR K2-45 on the other hand uses a 13 round Magazine patterned after the old ParaOrdnance Magazines, being tapered at the top.  The K2-45 Grip angle is also more like that of a 1911 and is significantly heavier.  SAR K2-45 Slide profile more resembles that of a Sig P220/227 Pistol.


EAA Witness .45 - 1992
EAA Witness .45 - 2005
SAR K2-45             2013

Of my SAR K2-45, I can say it's very accurate, but it's grip is significantly larger than that of the .45 EAA Witness or my 1911's.
It feeds FMJ Ball and most Hollowpoints well, but does not like Semi-Wadcutters, whereas the .45 Witnesses will feed everything .45.
In many respects, it is the Pistol that the now discontinued Sig P227 should have been. 

[Gunnerdad80]

Actually, I would NOT call the SAR K2-45 a poor person's Cz97.  The SAR K2-45 design is considerably different.  I could call the Full Size Steel .45 Witness a poor person's Cz97, as they can use the same 10 round Magazines.  The SAR K2-45 on the other hand uses a 13 round Magazine patterned after the old ParaOrdnance Magazines, being tapered at the top.  The K2-45 Grip angle is also more like that of a 1911 and is significantly heavier.  SAR K2-45 Slide profile more resembles that of a Sig P220/227 Pistol.


EAA Witness .45 - 1992
EAA Witness .45 - 2005
SAR K2-45             2013

Of my SAR K2-45, I can say it's very accurate, but it's grip is significantly larger than that of the .45 EAA Witness or my 1911's.
It feeds FMJ Ball and most Hollowpoints well, but does not like Semi-Wadcutters, whereas the .45 Witnesses will feed everything .45.
In many respects, it is the Pistol that the now discontinued Sig P227 should have been.

I like that 1992 model jwc007

[ams]

I had one for a while then I sold it, then I bought another one, then I sold it. It was decent

[jwc007]

I like that 1992 model jwc007

Thankyou!  I've put around 18,000 plus rounds through that one as it was my USPSA/IPSC Major Power Factor Pistol.
It has also served as my Home Defense Pistol and CCW for about three Winters, long ago.
With all of that use, it's needed a few Springs and a new Barrel, but still runs really well.
Slide to frame fit is still as tight as the day it was made.
Back in the early 2000's I converted it to fire .45 Super, for use when hiking in Black Bear Country,
then converted it back to run regular .45 ACP again.  Overall, it's been a great .45 ACP Pistol.

[newageroman]

Ive run them both, back to back, love them both.
I also run p-01 and P8L back to back too. they are similar and great shooting, but a little different.
I shoot the 97 better, I think its because of the better trigger, FO front sight and grips. I like think boomerang like guns vs short fat grips - have med. sized hands.
The k2-45 is very nice, and shoots well. It could use a better trigger and the grips aren't the best. BUT it has a rail, is stainless AND holds more so win in SD/HD.

I have carried it shoulder holster with no light, same as 97. I wish they had a soft rubber grip like the P8L has, it is like a custom velvet mitten.
I did have a friend that had sight issues with his pistol. I never got to shoot it but seemed like a weird 1 off problem.

I would not feel bad at all recommending the SAR over the 97. Theres also mag extensions for the Sar mags now as well so thats even more cap.

[Practical Shooter]

I just acquired the SAR 2000 (9 mm), the SAR K245 baby brother. I wouldn't say it's the poor man's CZ. They are very well made and with some upgrades, will shoot better than some top tiers manufacturer, and with parts from Tanfoglio, or its clones, as most of those guns are now Tanfoglio's clones, most of the parts are interchangeable.
It just happened I just made a video on fully disassembling the SAR 2000. That video will also apply to many SAR handguns, which the K245 is part of it.
By the way, I find the SAR 2000 to be a hidden gem.
https://youtu.be/ChIbjgmLgPc

[erwos]

I recently bought a K2-45... is there a better solution for a fiber optic front sight yet, or am I still filing down a different one to fit? (Contacted Easton Refinishing, they're not in the K2 biz anymore, alas.)

[Practical Shooter]

I recently bought a K2-45... is there a better solution for a fiber optic front sight yet, or am I still filing down a different one to fit? (Contacted Easton Refinishing, they're not in the K2 biz anymore, alas.)

From my short experience with the SAR2000 (9mm K2's little brother), I can say that you will have to make a front sight fit for your K2.
I Have tried all the one I had on hand, all the one I have replaced from different CZ type handguns, and none would fit. To even find one to file might be a pretty involved project. A project that might end up being costly, a project that I am not ready to try yet, but if you find a solution, please, please, please, share it.

[erwos]

My current plan is to buy one of the HiViz CZ sights and file (grind?) to fit. Depending on how spicy I get, I may even design a 3D printed one using PETG or ABS that's got a hole for a fiber optic rod. There's no reason per se that shouldn't work, but I might have to think about what orientation I print it in.

[Practical Shooter]

My current plan is to buy one of the HiViz CZ sights and file (grind?) to fit. Depending on how spicy I get, I may even design a 3D printed one using PETG or ABS that's got a hole for a fiber optic rod. There's no reason per se that shouldn't work, but I might have to think about what orientation I print it in.

I did try the Hiviz CZ sight on the SAR2000, and it has to be sand down for height, it is also too long and will need to be shortened. Then drill a small hole from the top to accept the roll pin. Not impossible to do if you have the right tools to cut the excess length.