The Leader Dynamics T2 was produced in Australia as an inexpensive rifle for export, and a later variant with a folding stock was submitted in 1986 to military testing with the intent of replacing the Australian military’s FAL rifles. It did well in testing, but not well enough to be adopted. The rifles were available on the civilian market in both Australia and the US for a short time. After Leader Dynamics went under, production was briefly continued by Australian Automatic Arms out of Tasmania as the SAC.
The T2 rifle is interesting primarily because of the way it is manufactured – almost entirely from metal stampings.This makes it possible to build with minimal industrial infrastructure and at minimal cost. Similar in concept to the AR-18, but the Leader is more simplified than the AR. The MkV version was the imported variety from Leader, while the other Marks included two wood-stocked versions, a pistol version, select-fire rifle and select-fire carbine. When AAA took over production they removed the carry handle and designated the guns SAR and SAC.
Videos
Photos
Australian Automatic Arms SAC with wood furniture (download gallery at high resolution):
Resources
Oleg Volk has a couple photos with a Leader, posted here.
As I have 2(Two) of these magnificent rifles I brought one a long time ago at a show for a good price as was astouned by the rifle even more than the 180. Before today I was unaware of the wood stock version as you show very nice you think about parting with it give me a hollar.
The rifle shown in the picture is actually my AAA SPB (Straight-pull bolt). It is similar to the SAR only it has a 20″ barrel and no gas-system.
It was an attempt to produce a rifle that would comply with Australia’s 1996 Firearms laws, which prohibited self-loading rifles.
It is a one-off factory prototype and is unusual in having the AR-15 type bolt rather than the triangular bolt.
AAA were transitioning to the Stoner type bolt and all new rifles were to have it. They made two other prototypes with this bolt, a SAR and a SAP.
I also own the SAP prototype, which is also built on the original prototype AAA receiver. I was unable to purchase the SAR prototype as I didn’t have the correct category licence for it.
The production facility was bought by the Australian government and closed down in order to comply with a UN resolution against independent arms manufacturers. At the time AAA was the last non-government arms manufacturer in Australia.
I tripped over this site looking for gun parts, and after several hours of viewing I have to say “Great Work” In 1975 AR15′s and AR18′s were for sale most everywhere in the States. In 1975 I purchased a Colt SP-1 AR15 instead of the AR18 because I did not like what I considered to be “crude” a stamped steel and welded receiver assy. Oh how I wish I had bought the AR18 instead, as it is now a rare and somewhat valuable piece, whereby the AR15 design has become as common as popcorn.
I bought one of these before the first awb desperate to get something and over paid .
but as I have had it for almost 20 years it has some very nice attributes tough and scratch resistant the alloy receivers on AR’s will scratch up something fierce .
if it wasn’t so rare I would put a 4 position stock and a picatinny hand guard and cut off the carry handle and scope it. but as it is it will do every thing I need out of a carbine
and it’s use of stanag mags makes it very compatible with my AR’s
also it’s nice to have something not everybody else has.
I don’t know for sure but Wikipedia say’s it had a Parker Hale barrel it is quite accurate
even with my old eyes
I am looking for spare parts for the Australian Automatic Arms Leader rifle. In particular the 2 piece firing pin that the SAP utilizes. Any and all info would be most appreciated
Can you tell me if the AAA sap came with a folding stock and whether there are any sources to obtain one?