{"id":97604,"date":"2020-01-15T20:04:04","date_gmt":"2020-01-15T20:04:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/uncategorized\/2020\/01\/15\/kalashnikov-usa-just-announced-an-all-american-ak-100-series-rifle\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T09:52:05","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T09:52:05","slug":"kalashnikov-usa-just-announced-an-all-american-ak-100-series-rifle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/off-duty\/2020\/01\/15\/kalashnikov-usa-just-announced-an-all-american-ak-100-series-rifle\/","title":{"rendered":"Kalashnikov USA just announced an all-American AK-100 series rifle"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

American Kalashnikov fans rejoice… Kalashnikov USA has just announced the release<\/a> of their all-American take on one of the most modern AK-series rifles available today, the AK-103, just in time for SHOT Show 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The AK-100 series was developed through the 1990s by Kalashnikov Concern as a modernized continuation of the 1970s-vintage AK-74 service rifle, making use of three calibers in particular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read More: Kalashnikov unveils an AK that fires .308 rounds<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Read More: Kalashnikov has its sights set on the US law enforcement market<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The AK-101 rifle and accompanying -102 carbine are built to fire the 5.56×45 mm NATO round, while the AK-103 rifle and -104 carbine are chambered for 7.62×39 mm. Lastly, the AK-105 makes use of 5.45×39 mm, currently the standard rifle cartridge of the Russian military.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Built with metal parts coated <\/a>in anti-corrosive material, and rounded out with plastic furniture, the AK-100 series guns were considered to be the guns that would take the Russian military and former-Warsaw Pact partners still fielding the AK platform into the future with a fairly modular rifle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
A Russian Spetsnaz operative with an AK-103 (left) during a counterterrorism operation in 2010 (Photo Wikimedia Commons)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The -101, -102, and -104 models were slated for export to Russia\u2019s various partner nations while the AK-103 was quickly inducted into service with some of the country\u2019s elite \u201cSpetsnaz\u201d special purpose military and civilian police units.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The -103 also bears a unique distinction \u2014 it was the progeny of one of the very last AK-platform projects directly overseen and managed by Mikhail Kalashnikov.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2014, a ban was levied on importing guns<\/a> from Russia\u2019s Kalashnikov Concern, then known as Izhmash, including Saiga-branded shotguns and rifles. This effectively closed off the American gun market to a mass-produced non-boutique semiautomatic, authentic Kalashnikov guns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s where Kalashnikov USA (unrelated in operation and sales to Kalashnikov Concern) hopes to take things up a notch by building AK-100s entirely in America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to KUSA, their version of the AK-103<\/a> \u2014 the KR-103 \u2014 is the blend of \u201cRussian heritage and American innovation\u201d with the rifle staying true to its original Russian design, albeit without a select-fire option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like the AK-103, the KR-103 is chambered for 7.62×39 mm and is compatible with most aftermarket parts and accessories produced for AKMs and AK-74s, giving buyers a fairly decent range of ways to option their guns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

KUSA states that the KR-103 utilizes chrome-lined barrels and forged 5.5 mm trunnions. The company will also be producing American-made magazines to retail with their newest rifle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When unveiling the new gun, KUSA also announced an upcoming line of parts and accessories for current AK builds, and it would be reasonable to assume some degree of compatibility with the KR-103.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to The Firearms Blog, KUSA will probably set the rifle\u2019s MSRP at $1,090.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gear Scout will have more for you on the KR-103 when we take on SHOT Show 2020 soon!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div>
View this post on Instagram<\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/a>

A post shared by Bill Gentry (@vp.ruag)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n