Any thoughts on the EAA SAR K2-45 14rd

[TheTman]

I guess EAA is importing the Sarslimaz K2 45acp pistol, unfortunately with only 1 mag. I've kind of been checking out the higher capacity .45's, and this one caught my eye. It's a based on the CZ-75. A reviewer remarked that the pistols grip reminded him of the dimensions of the Beretta 92, so it's not exceptionally wide for my smallish hands. It's evidently made to be carried cocked and locked, with the safety in the proper place for a .45, with a downward motion to release it. After looking at the Glocks and other pistols holding 10-13 rounds, this one really caught my eye, steel frame, no extra mag hanging out below the pistol, the CZ-75 based design. Not too worried about it being made in Turkey, they've produced some fine firearms for awhile. It will probably have to be one of those order it and see what you get type of things, as I doubt anyone carries them in stock. Sights are fully adjustable, windage and elevation both.
Here is a review from someone that was pretty impressed with it:
http://www.czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=47715.0 he posted targets, and the pistol seems accurate enough.
The price is around $500 or so, varies widely depending where you order from. Seems like a lot of pistol for the price. But Turkish products seem to deliver that. Sounds like Para 14 mags might work in it with a little mod to the baseplate to get it to seat better. Factory mags are $44.

Just wondered if anyone had any comments, warning, suggestions or anything they'd like to share. I think having 14+1 rounds of .45 available is a pretty impressive package and would make my ventures into the seedier parts of town more comfortable. Not that I have to go there often, but one of my Doctors office is in a pretty bad spot.

I thought it was one of the better looking hi-cap .45's around, it's a heavy beast at 50oz. Just hope it performs as well as it looks.

Thanks for looking.

Here's what it looks like:
http://kartalk.pccomps.com/K2.png

[MW surveyor]

Definitely modeled after the CZ 75. Looks like those that have it, likes it. Also looks to be plenty accurate. Like the adjustable rear sight.

Go for it! :)

[TheTman]

Always have wanted a CZ-75. A clone in .45 should fit the bill. And a steel frame is a good thing in my eyes. Definitely not a CC gun, but something nice to have in the vehicle for those trips through the rougher parts of town.

[JFootin]

...The price is around $500 or so, varies widely depending where you order from. ...I thought it was one of the better looking hi-cap .45's around, it's a heavy beast at 50oz. Just hope it performs as well as it looks.

Thanks for looking.

Here's what it looks like:
http://kartalk.pccomps.com/K2.png

That's a beauty! Bud's has it for $521: http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/76461. They say it is 40 oz, but add 15 .45 slugs and it'd be like trying to carry a Howitzer! Are you thinking of carrying it, or having it as a home defense and range gun?

[KKing]

Man based on those reviews and the capacity AND a steel frame, I think you're onto something for sure.

[johnh]

I shot one the first year they were available at SHOT Show's Media Day. The gun feels fantastic in the hand. The grip is not that large for a 14 shot 45. Sarsilmaz did a great job keeping the diameter down. It points well, has a good trigger, and the common LPA adjustable sights you see on a lot of imports these days. The gun I fired malfunctioned a lot, but it was also using modified XD mags. The importer said his magazines were stolen in customs so he had to buy something off a gun store and modify them himself. No shock that they were not working right. It was a soft shooter for a .45. I think you will like it, just keep in mind it is a heavy pistol when fully loaded. Probably not something you would use for CCW. :)

[TheTman]

Thanks John, yeah they said 50oz loaded, that's a bit much to carry all day. It'd be a bedstand or something to pack in the vehicle when I'm in the rougher parts of town.

JFootin, have you heard of slickguns.com? They show some really good prices on the gun, though most of them are sold out, I check that ever so often to see whats on sale here and there, it's a customer driven website where people can submit good deals they run across. I've been thinking about your occasional problems with the TCP, I wonder if the metal framed Mini Desert Eagle .380 might work better for people like us with small hands. It would eliminate the flexing problem that seems to foul us up. What I don't like about it is it's even shorter barrel than most other pocket .380 I think it's on 2 1/4 inches vs 2 3/4 inches most others have. In lieu of that, the elsiepees I've fired have not exhibited the problems some other pistols have with the frame flexing. I know you like your TCP, I was just throwing some things out there.
Here is a shootout of 10 .380's on You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N16eTHbTNH0 The didn't like the Mini Eagle much at all.

[chrish]

Cool looking gun. As a new CZ owner, I find it very cool. But yikes, 50oz loaded. Nah, couldn't do it, even OWB or laying in the car. Too heavy. I think at that weight, I'd rather have a SP-01 in one flavor or another and 19 rounds of 9mm.

Have you checked out the Sig P227? That'd be a lighter option, but you have to go extended mag to get 14rds, otherwise it's 10. Still, a nice looking 45 option. If I ever buy a .45, it's gonna be the P227 carry, no question.

[Popeye]

I'm sure it's a nice pistol even if it is a bit heavy (OK a lot heavy) . I personally would opt out for a CZ75B or one of it's clones in a 9mm. JMHO;)

[TheTman]

That's about the same weight as a S&W 629 Classic .44 mag 6.5 inch barrel with the full length underlug. Never thought of that as being all that heavy. That is the loaded weight with a full mag listed for the Sar. I have my 17+1 round M&P for a high cap 9. It's just one of those guns that I saw it, and read the review, and just added to my "get one" list. You know how that happens, sometimes you just see something that trips your trigger and you want one. Price seems pretty reasonable, so why not. I'd still rather get the CM45 first as that would most likely become my main carry piece.

[O'Dell]

Too heavy for me. Currently my heaviest pistol is 32 ozs and I don't carry that one. If I feel the need for more than eight rounds [HK45C] I'll pack an extra mag which will give me sixteen + one in the chamber.

[getsome]

I took my Smith 4506 out of the safe the other day and almost dropped it because I forgot how heavy that hunk of steel was and that wasn't even loaded with 9 .45 acp's...I can't imagine what it would be like to carry that thing around in a duty holster all day every day.....Thank God for polymer

[Alfonse]

Don't expect me to tell you a reason not to get it.

These folks who are whining about the weight probably don't drink 16 oz beer either. C'mon, he said it wasn't for carry, but a nightstand or vehicle gun. I don't think it will have any noticeable impact on your fuel mileage.

So, I must say it looks very cool. If you are into .45, what could be better than having 15 rounds in a magazine? And, if you carry a spare magazine, you should have enough ammo for most casual encounters. Plus, it is fun to still be firing while long after the 1911 guys had to stop to reload at the range.

Do not delay, get it!

[JFootin]

Thanks John, yeah they said 50oz loaded, that's a bit much to carry all day. It'd be a bedstand or something to pack in the vehicle when I'm in the rougher parts of town.

JFootin, have you heard of slickguns.com? They show some really good prices on the gun, though most of them are sold out, I check that ever so often to see whats on sale here and there, it's a customer driven website where people can submit good deals they run across. I've been thinking about your occasional problems with the TCP, I wonder if the metal framed Mini Desert Eagle .380 might work better for people like us with small hands. It would eliminate the flexing problem that seems to foul us up. What I don't like about it is it's even shorter barrel than most other pocket .380 I think it's on 2 1/4 inches vs 2 3/4 inches most others have. In lieu of that, the elsiepees I've fired have not exhibited the problems some other pistols have with the frame flexing. I know you like your TCP, I was just throwing some things out there.
Here is a shootout of 10 .380's on You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N16eTHbTNH0 The didn't like the Mini Eagle much at all.

Yeah, I go on Slickguns every day and click on the link that shows all deals in the last 24 hours. I looked at that Baby Eagle, but found that people didn't much like it. The P380 has continued to scare me with the problems I see reported here on KT, though less lately. Though the price break on the CW380 is attractive. Both the P3AT and LCP don't have slide lock levers, though the LCP does lock open after last round. They both have relatively bad triggers.

Another all metal alternative would be the Beretta .32acp Tomcat (http://www.berettausa.com/products/3032-tomcat-wide-slide/), but none seem to be available anywhere. Holds 7+1 rounds and weighs 14.5 oz. Tip up barrel so you can load and unload it without wrestling with the slide is a nice feature. Pretty little gun! If I see one at a LGS, I may consider it. I know it is even less caliber than a 380, but we are talking about a BUG and a pocket gun and they make high performance SD rounds in .32acp.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ea/Alleycat.jpg/300px-Alleycat.jpg

I am delighted with the functionality and the trigger on my <$200 TCP! And though I don't know if I have gotten past all feed issues with ball ammo, I carry it as my BUG with confidence because it has always been 100% with my carry ammo - Hornady Critical Defense. I really haven't shot it much, yet. Haven't shot any of my guns since it turned cold last year (no indoor shooting ranges anywhere close to me at all). And it has been too wet and rainy so far this year for me to go to my relatives' property out in the country. As soon as it warms up and dries out a bit, I'm going! And I'm going to try to put a lot of rounds thru all of my guns this summer. I am also going to experiment with grip enhancements for the TCP.

[O'Dell]

I took my Smith 4506 out of the safe the other day and almost dropped it because I forgot how heavy that hunk of steel was and that wasn't even loaded with 9 .45 acp's...I can't imagine what it would be like to carry that thing around in a duty holster all day every day.....Thank God for polymer

I used to have one of those and you're right, it's a big hunk of SS. It was stolen a couple of years back along with ten other pistols. I've bought four S&W 3rd gen's since, but I made sure the model number ended in "3" to get the aluminum frames. Here's a picture of the 4506's replacement, a 4563TSW.

And Alfonse, you're right; I don't drink 16 oz beers or any other size for that matter. In 69 years, I've never even tasted beer, nor do I plan to do so. ;)

[johnh]

Oh you had to post that. I have always wanted an alloy, Gen 3, TSW 45. I have yet to find a decent deal on one. They are great shooting pistols, that is for sure.

On the subject of CZ pattern 45s, the MRI Baby Eagle 45 Semi-compact model is a great choice. It has a slimmer grip than the K2, as it uses a 10 round magazine. It is hard to tell the difference between it and the 9mm model when you hold one.

Baby Eagle 45 (http://www.magnumresearch.com/Firearms/Magnum-Research-Baby-Desert-Eagle-II-45ACP-Steel-Semi-compact-10-round.asp)

http://www.magnumresearch.com/GetDynamicImage.aspx?dir=itemImages&path=SVimg-BE4500RS.jpg&w=326&h=278

[Alfonse]

And Alfonse, you're right; I don't drink 16 oz beers or any other size for that matter. In 69 years, I've never even tasted beer, nor do I plan to do so. ;)

LOL, I don't drink beer either, but I am certainly not deterred by the extra 4 ounces if I did.

[Bawanna]

I been hankering for the CZ97? the 45, kind of a 75 on steroids. But I think I need two. One for each side to balance things out.

That MRI looks decent too though. Probably lose my membership in the 1911 fan boy club though.

[wyntrout]

The trigger guard looks big enough for a decent sized chain so you could use it when you're fishing... just load it up with 230-grain bullets and use it to anchor your boat!

I fell into the Intracoastal trying to put my depthfinder's transducer back into the detent after rough water... and slipped head first into the water just before entering the bay area at Saint Augustine. The loaded Walther TPH .22LR at 14 ounces didn't keep me from scrambling back aboard without my wallet even getting soaked. THAT pistol would have taken me to the bottom... maybe!:D

Wynn:D

[TheTman]

You could also throw it in the back of a pickup truck for extra traction in the snow.
The 8 round Taurus .357 revolver is in the same weight range, A 1911 weighs around 40oz, few complain about that weight. A Super Redhawk is even heavier, at 53oz, without scope, Yet is desired by many of us. Weight is relative, when the SHTF, you're not really going to care how much your weapon weighs, as long as it functions flawlessly.
John, that Baby Eagle does look nice, my brother has one in .40 and it is a really nice shooter. Springfield has a 13+1 round XD .45 at 30oz, with polymer frame. There are several High Capacity (over 10rd Mag) .45's out there. I prefer a metal frame, which eliminates many of them. 10 rounds would probably be plenty for most situations. I'm just thinking 14 rounds might be even better in some cases. Say you take s a wrong turn in one of the large cities and find yourself in unfriendly streets, as has happened to me in Baltimore, and Washington DC. I really didn't care what the law was, I had my standard capacity 15+1 9mm ready to go loaded with Black Talons. That was the only semi I had back then. Neither of those cities are known for their friendliness. But I just acted like it was no big deal, and drove until I found a road back to civilization. DC is a strange town, one minute you are in the nice area around the Capitol Mall, and take a wrong turn, and you'd think you were in Beirut or something. That SAR loaded with Black Talons would have been even more comforting in those situations.

[Ljutic]

If EAA has maintained the quality that their Witness 9mm had back in the 90's, you will love the pistol. I still kick myself for getting rid of mine, but the replacements aren't too shabby.

If (when) the SHTF, I'm reaching for 80 oz of CZ comfort.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhOmjtXQGt8

[TheTman]

Most of EAA's CZ-75 based pistols are made by Tanfanglio, in Italy. Reviews have been very good on the Tanfanglio based weapons. The SAR-K2 is made in Turkey, which has been producing mid to high quality weapons for years. They currently produce the Stoeger (formerly Beretta Cougar) there, and people have been quite pleased with the Stoeger, particularly it's lower price. I have a Turkish Mauser, that I'd put up against any other long Mauser in 8mm. A wide variety of weapons are made there, and sold as Charles Daly, and other brand names. The Charles Daly is a copy of a Benelli or Beretta Semi-Auto, and from what I've seen on the sporting clays course, do a fine job.
I ran across a youtube video of it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivBSjkjxu14
Notice the lack of muzzle flip.

[O'Dell]

Oh you had to post that. I have always wanted an alloy, Gen 3, TSW 45. I have yet to find a decent deal on one. They are great shooting pistols, that is for sure.

On

Baby Eagle 45 (http://www.magnumresearch.com/Firearms/Magnum-Research-Baby-Desert-Eagle-II-45ACP-Steel-Semi-compact-10-round.asp)

http://www.magnumresearch.com/GetDynamicImage.aspx?dir=itemImages&path=SVimg-BE4500RS.jpg&w=326&h=278

I found the 4563TSW online in a gun store in Tennessee. It was NIB and about $600 if I remember correctly. Unfortunately, about six months after the first burglary, I had another and the pistol was lost along with nine others. I think I only had a couple of hundred rounds through it, but you're right, it was a great shooter.

I now have a better security system and a 1000 LB safe for my guns and valuables. BTW John, where were you on February 11, 2011 between 1:30 and 4:00 PM? :D

[Smity79]

I think it would be a hoot to shoot all 3 classes of IDPA with one and then shoot heavy metal 3 gun the next day.