Sobersoldier checkout the following:
http://games.saix.net/servers_bf2.php
There you will find a list of all the servers for BF2 that SGS (SAIX Games Service) host here in sa.
With regards to what you can unlock, yes some guns you won't be able to unlock due to the fact that you need the Special Forces expansion for those. Like the L961A sniper rifle. The M95 one comes with BF2 that you can unlock, but to get that l33t sniper rifle (the L9 one) you would need SF for that. All of the kits have a SF unlock. What this means, is that you can use all of these SF unlocks on the normal BF2 server ! Some ppl dont use the SF weapons, and swear by the original weapons, where some other people on the other hand, like the SF unlocks. Personally I bought SF just to get that sniper rifle....and man it OWNS !
If your looking for a copy of SF, aparently BT Games sells them for R79 or R89 these days, so if your close to one, go and check and see if you can find a cheap copy. Wednesday nights its SF night on the SGS BF2 SF Server, so at least you'll get the play the expansion then as well. It also has awesome new maps and vehicles.
Finally, if you wana check out your stats, I personally recommend
www.bf2s.com
Hope this helps, shout if you wana know anything else