Kalashnikov USA
 | This article contains content that is written like an advertisement. (May 2018) |
| Company type | Joint stock company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Defense |
| Predecessor | RWC Group LLC[1] |
| Founded | 2011  |
| Headquarters | , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Manager & Sr Vice Pres Michael Tiraturian (Tiraturyan) Manager Peter Viskovatykh |
| Products | Firearms Weapons |
| Parent | RWC Group LLC[1][2] |
| Website | kalashnikov-usa.com |
RWC Group LLC, doing business as Kalashnikov USA (KUSA), is a privately-owned American company that designs, manufactures and markets Kalashnikov-styled firearms for law enforcement, military and commercial markets.[3][4] Russian-made Kalashnikov rifles and other weapons cannot be imported to the U.S. due to sanctions.[2] KUSA was formed to create these weapons locally.[4]
Kalashnikov USA, headquartered in Pompano Beach, Florida, is a brand name owned by RWC Group (Russian Weapons Company) LLC.[5][6] Kalashnikov USA has no ownership connection to Kalashnikov Concern.[2]
History[edit]
A sanction on the Russian defence sector was started by the United States in 2014, in response to the Russian military intervention in Ukraine. On June 30, 2015, Thomas McCrossin, CEO of Kalashnikov USA, announced that Kalashnikov USA would begin selling United States manufactured weapons.[7][8] In May 2017, Kalashnikov USA started selling its KS-12 semi-automatic shotgun.[2][9] The Kalashnikov USA plant in Pompano Beach cannot sell directly to the customer, only to Federal Firearms licensed retailers.[10]
Products[edit]
- Saiga clones (2015): US132 rifle modelled after the 7.62mm Izhmash IZ132 and US109 shotgun modelled after the 12 gauge Izhmash IZ109.[11][12] The letter suffix indicates the type of furniture: "S" is synthetic polymer, "L" is laminated fiberglass, and "W" is wood. "Z" is a model with an M16/M4-style CAA CBSCB six-position stock, CAA UPG16 textured pistol-grip, and a CAA RS47-SET polymer forend with accessory rails.
- Saiga-12 clones (2017): KS-12 & KS-12T semi-automatic shotguns. The T ("Tactical") model has an M16/M4-style CAA SBS A-frame skeleton buttstock, CAA UPG16 textured pistol grip, and forend with accessory rails on the sides and bottom. Its polymer furniture comes in black, FDE ("Flat Dark Earth", or Tan), or ODG ("Olive Drab Green", or Greenish Brown).
- KR-9 carbines (2018): 9mm carbines based on the Vityaz-SN. Available in pistol (stockless with 9.25-inch barrel), short-barreled rifle (9.25-inch barrel), and rifle (16.25-inch barrel) sizes.
- KR103 (2020): A 7.62x39 rifle that is a clone of the AK103.
References[edit]
- ^ a b "RWC Group LLC". Bloomberg.com. Archived from the original on April 27, 2018. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
- ^ a b c d Smith, Michael; Baker, Stephania (March 8, 2018). "This Florida Warehouse Is Producing 'Made in America' Kalashnikovs: Sanctions prevent the sale of Russian AK-47s in the U.S. One company found a workaround". Bloomberg News. Archived from the original on March 10, 2018. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
- ^ Smith, Aaron (January 30, 2015). "AK-47s: Soon to be made in USA". CNN. Archived from the original on August 2, 2018. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
- ^ a b "Russian Heritage — American Innovation". Kalashnikov USA. Archived from the original on March 8, 2018. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
- ^ Christensen, Dan (February 2018). "Despite U.S. sanctions on Russia, Gov. Scott offered tax breaks to manufacturer of AK-47 assault rifles". floridabulldog.org. Archived from the original on March 14, 2018. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
- ^ "Kalashnikov USA". Archived from the original on 2018-04-11. Retrieved 2018-05-17.
- ^ Xu, Daniel (July 9, 2015). "New American-made Kalashnikov USA Firearms Now Available". Outdoor Hub. Archived from the original on March 14, 2018. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
- ^ Smith, Aaron (June 30, 2015). "The first American-made Kalashnikovs are now for sale". CNN. Archived from the original on March 8, 2018. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
- ^ "Kalashnikov USA: Firearms". Kalashnikov USA. Archived from the original on March 15, 2018. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
- ^ Smith, Aaron; Brooks, Abigail (January 27, 2016). "Kalashnikov cranking up AK-47 factory in Florida: The famous Kalashnikov AK-47 assault rifles have been made in frigid Moscow since their inception 69 years ago. Soon, they'll be made in sunny Florida, too". CNN. Archived from the original on March 15, 2018. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
- ^ Burgess, Laura (April 30, 2015). "Kalashnikov USA Announces Move To South Florida: Kalashnikov USA to relocate facility to South Florida". Ammoland.com. Archived from the original on March 15, 2018. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
- ^ "Russian Saiga AK Style Rifle by Kalashnikov USA IZ132Z - 7.62x39, 16" BBL, 30rd SYN Item #:LNGSAIGA-IZ132SU3 UPC:811777021033 MPN:US132Z". classicfirearms.com. Archived from the original on March 28, 2019. Retrieved March 16, 2018.