I ordered a SAR-2 from Aim this past January, no special request or 'hand-picked". It was a good one. I replaced the wood furniture with K-Var plum synthetic parts (longer buttstock) anyway, so it was pretty much moot. The parkerizing on there $300 rifles is nothing special, so as long as your gas block/sights are on straight you should be in good shape. I would ask them "Please check that the gas block ans front sight are in proper alignment". This is not an unusual request and the may not charge extra for it. Rumor here is the SAR rifle supply is drying up, don't wait too long!