South African R series of weapons information thread (lots of pictures)

[gekishibu86]

Differences on recoil rod assembly.

Galil on the left has a wider shoulder and machine is different shape. Ends are also machined differently.

Galil assembly on bottom is significantly longer.

Galil spring and back part of the rod is longer. Galil spring retainer can be installed on both ends, R series only on one end. Galil telescoping rod end is chamfered, R series is squared. Both have the same length.

 

[Ady]

That's a lot of CR-21's in one place.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1KmQa_Qptc

Many CR-21's were given to units for anti rhino poaching. My CR-21 was carried extensively on patrols and has a well worn plastic body, but hasn't worked very hard in terms of lead down range.

 

[Obitwo]

Not R series but Vektor H5 , posted some info in "other guns" but more relevant here: http://www.uzitalk.com/forums/showthread.php?92874-VEKTOR-H5-with-iron-sights

 

[Machinegun Messiah]

R-Series pistol grip

I’ve looked at all the grip info on this thread. And looked over many pics elsewhere. I find it very difficult to tell what’s South African when it comes to the grips. “A dull finish” and “flat sides” as opposed to rounded sides are found (to some degree) on 75% of the grips I have. Is there any sure fire way to tell? I know if it’s shiny it’s Not SA. Aside from that I’m very unsure.

 

[gekishibu86]

I’ve looked at all the grip info on this thread. And looked over many pics elsewhere. I find it very difficult to tell what’s South African when it comes to the grips. “A dull finish” and “flat sides” as opposed to rounded sides are found (to some degree) on 75% of the grips I have. Is there any sure fire way to tell? I know if it’s shiny it’s Not SA. Aside from that I’m very unsure.

You probably haven’t gone through all the 75 pages, it’s actually been discussed already. Any here’s pics on this thread that can help you distinguish the differences.

 

[Machinegun Messiah]

75 pages. I have looked over every page more than once. And I’ve seen all the pics. Even the pics that are now missing. And I have many grips in my collection. Still doesn’t seem cut and dried to me. Most people say “not shiny in finish” and and “flat sided” in profile. I have varying degrees of these features on grips in my collection. I’ll have to post pics of some of mine. It doesn’t help that some vendors sand blasted grips to alter the finish.

 

[Cognard]

is there a chance you can send me a pic of your rifle as well as the place where the serial is located ?? i am writing a book about AK, sigs , Galils and Vektors ! thank you so much !

Rick

 

[andresere]

What an amazing thread! Learned a ton and read through every page. Some of you I recognize from other gunboards (Howdy Hagar).

 

[Ady]

is there a chance you can send me a pic of your rifle as well as the place where the serial is located ?? i am writing a book about AK, sigs , Galils and Vektors ! thank you so much !

Rick

This book has a wealth of information about Vektors.

https://www.thequartermaster.co.za/...-1949-2000-signed-by-contributors-1st-edition

 

[tsmgguy]

My Action Arms Galil (Mod. 386, barrel date 4-87) has no bayonet lug and an original wooden handguard without bipod cutout. It looks very R-4. Interestingly, the barrel has the same stamped circle P marking found on the barrel of my Group Industries/Vector FA Uzi. Vector used South African Uzi parts kits demilled in Switzerland in the manufacture of their guns. I understand that the Uzi barrel marking shows manufacture by Littleton Engineering in Pretoria, South Africa. Was there some exchange of Galil parts and assemblies between South Africa and Israel during the time both guns were made, when both economies were under crippling international sanctions?

 

[dubagel]

The original batch of SA R4’s were actually made in Israel and the IDF Galil ARM configuration/pattern. The change in handguards, sights, buttstock did not occur till after the initial ones started being produced in SA.

 

[hagar]

Old thread, but here is a picture of me taken in 1977 in Rhodesia. Smuggled my R1 in and back. My hair was definitely not Sadf regulation, but I was working night shift in the computer center before I left on vacation, and it always grew like a weed

 

[Ady]

This post popped up on a gun forum in South Africa. I asked the original poster for their permission to share the post and they were happy for me to share.


This weekend, I photographed an odd Vektor R4 in a private Swiss collection.

The rifle itself matches a brown R4 that I photographed a few years ago.. But with oddball wood furniture that doesn't match anything I have seen. The owner said that this is how he bought it, and it was in one other collectors hands since importation 30 year ago. Said that the story he was told was that this was sometimes down by SA Army Sergeants and the like as some sort of status symbol, and there is a Dutch (Afrikaner?) name engraved in the pistol grip, but the rifle is brand new.
Serial number is in the 789xxx range. The earlier one I photographed was in the 799xxx range.
Anyone know if this is legitimate, or just some sort of collector dolling up his rifle?

 

[Ady]

Here is the link, if you'd like to go follow the chat.

R4 with wood handguard

GunSite South Africa - South Africas Firearm, Tactical & Hunting Discussion Forums

www.gunsite.co.za

 

[lcastillo]

Here is the link, if you'd like to go follow the chat.

R4 with wood handguard

GunSite South Africa - South Africas Firearm, Tactical & Hunting Discussion Forums

www.gunsite.co.za

Ady Howsit man! Long time

 

[lcastillo]

Old thread, but here is a picture of me taken in 1977 in Rhodesia. Smuggled my R1 in and back. My hair was definitely not Sadf regulation, but I was working night shift in the computer center before I left on vacation, and it always grew like a weed

Hagar thanks for sharing your picture. I enjoy old pictures like that. Hard to find a good barber in Rhodesia 😁

 

[Beadey]

Hey y'all, thanks for the info on this thread, its great stuff.
It seems like some R4 rifles have rectangular selector notches instead of the usual pointed oval. Any idea why/when that was done?

Also, in mishaco's LM5 video, he had an XM177 style muzzle device that he said came welded on from SA due to USA gun laws. Did any organization in SA use an XM177 style muzzle device?