My understanding is that the rear sights are the only difference between the 2A & the 2A1.

The first 50,000 rifles made in the 7.62x51 chambering utilized the original sights (2000 meters) and were, indeed, calibrated for the .303 round. We may have a bit of a challenge finding the sweet spot with these sights!

After that, they redesigned the sights, calibrating them for the 7.62 NATO (800 yds/meters?) thus the 2A1 designation.

Can't help you with who may carry the milsurp 7.62, locally, but you can order the South African stuff by the 140 round battle pack or 7 bp's (980 rounds) in a crate from www.aimsurplus.com.

I found the odorless mineral spirits and the BLO at a local True Value store. Walmart only had the BLO in 5 gallon buckets. Certainly didn't need that much. Unless you're going to be restoring many rifles, just buy the smallest quantities you can find of each. Like I said before, I used 1/4 cup of each, mixed together...gave the wood 3 coats & still had some left over. A little seems to go a long way.

Did you try Southern Ohio Guns (see earlier post for web-addy) for that bayonet?

For just having this one gun chambered for this round, I went a little crazy & bought two cases...but everybody seems to like it, its quite appropriate for our 2A's & will likely be gone very soon.

Besides, if I decide to pick up an FAL or some such item, I'll have ammo for that then, too.

Best regards,
Bailagent100