New Armalite AR24

[Bret]

I just picked up my new full sized 9mm Armalite AR24, which is a CZ75 clone that's made in Turkey for those who don't know.  It was $465 out the door.  My initial impression is that it feels very similar to a CZ75.  Yes, it's heavy.  The white dot sights are way better than the ones that come on CZ's.  The slide serations around the rear sight allow you to get a good grip on the slide while pulling it back.  The finish is every bit as good as a CZ finish if not better.





Of course the ultimate test is how it works.  I'll let you know.

[DenStinett]

Very nice
Makes me think of the Bren Ten
If it was in 40 cal, it'd be a Bren Ten Lite 

[bang bang]

congrats.

i have one too, but my CZs still get more time on the range.

[tekarra]

I have been thinking about one for a long time now.  How do the grips feel Bret?

[JimThornTX]

Very nice! 

[Bret]

How do the grips feel Bret?

They feel great.  There's no need to put the Hogue wrap arounds on this pistol.

[jwc007]

Very very Nice! 

Congratulations and let us know how it shoots! 

Excellent Photography, BTW! 

[couchcommando]

Good looking pistol. For additional magazines what ones would work in it. CZ or Witness?

[Bret]

I'm guessing that Witness magazines will work, but I'll let you know for sure once I shoot it.

[jwc007]

I'm guessing that Witness magazines will work, but I'll let you know for sure once I shoot it.

Others have reported that Magazines for the original small frame Witness/Baby Eagle will work.

I've had mixed results with magazines.  It has used the Baby Desert Eagle mags without an issue.  I can use the CZ mags but I have to hold some of them in as they drop out.  The ones that do lock into place don't lock the slide to the rear after the last round. 

[Indy_Tim]

I have an AR24K and can use standard CZ mags in mine.  They stick out a bit, but fit and fire with no problems.  My AR has been a really good gun.  The workmanship seems to be a notch above my CZ Compact and I really like being able to eject a round with the safety on.  The grip on the AR seems a bit thicker and more sculpted than on any of my other CZs and really fits the hand well.  Plus, the larger trigger guard makes the gun a good choice for winter carry when gloves could be a factor.

One odd thing about the AR24K is the mag choice.  They went with a shorter grip, but extended the magazine base plate to give the same grip length as my CZ Compact.  I wish the would have done what CZ does with the Rami and offered a flat bottom 13 round magazine as well as an extended 16 round magazine.  Instead, they ended up with the length of the 16 round magazine but the capacity of the flat bottom mag.

It's been a great gun though.  I would not hesitate to buy the 10mm, 17+1 version they have if they were to ever import it.

Tim

[tekarra]

That is one of my gripes as well Tim.  Why make a short grip then put a finger extension on the magazine!  Is there a flat plate hidden at the bottom of the plastic extension?

[Jessie James 58]

If they ever import AR in 10MM (plus do it in brushed SS) you will have the fabled BREN TEN!!

[Bret]

I took my new AR24 to the range today along with 50rds Geco 124gr FMJ, 50rds Federal American Eagle 124gr FMJ, 25rds Fiocchi 115gr FMJ, and 25rds Winchester 124gr FMJ +P.

The Good:  The dot sights are nice and big enough to see, definitely a cut above CZ's.  The slide is the easiest to grasp of any pistol that I own.  Accuracy was very good.  The trigger was decent and actually seemed to improve as I shot the pistol.  As you'd expect, the pistol feels good in the hand.

The Bad: The pistol has a problem ejecting spent cases.  It experienced several stove pipes of spent cases.  Sometimes spent cases would fly out so fast that I literally couldn't see them.  Other times they seems to just make it out of the pistol.  The stove pipes looked like the extractor was having a hard time letting go of the cases.  Or, it might just be that the recoil spring is too stiff.  I'll look this over later and compare it to a couple of similar Witness pistols that I have.

So right now I'm undetermined how I feel about this pistol.  If I can figure out what's wrong with it and fix it, then I'll be happy.  Otherwise, Armalite will get it back so they can figure it out.

[tekarra]

Well that is a bummer for a new pistol, hope you can work it out.  Let us know how it comes out.