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Kalashnikov USA

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

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] In 2018, the company was under scrutiny due to possible ties with Russia.[10]

In 2024, the company filled for bankruptcy.[11]

Products

  • Saiga clones (2015): US132 rifle modelled after the 7.62mm Izhmash IZ132 and US109 shotgun modelled after the 12 gauge Izhmash IZ109.[12][13] 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.

External links

References

  1. RWC Group LLC Bloomberg.com, retrieved March 10, 2018^
  2. Michael Smith, Stephania Baker. 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, March 8, 2018, retrieved March 10, 2018^
  3. Aaron Smith. AK-47s: Soon to be made in USA CNN, January 30, 2015, retrieved March 10, 2018^
  4. Russian Heritage — American Innovation Kalashnikov USA, retrieved March 10, 2018^
  5. Dan Christensen. Despite U.S. sanctions on Russia, Gov. Scott offered tax breaks to manufacturer of AK-47 assault rifles floridabulldog.org, February 2018, retrieved March 13, 2018^
  6. Kalashnikov USA retrieved 2018-05-17^
  7. Daniel Xu. New American-made Kalashnikov USA Firearms Now Available Outdoor Hub, July 9, 2015, retrieved March 10, 2018^
  8. Aaron Smith. The first American-made Kalashnikovs are now for sale CNN, June 30, 2015, retrieved March 10, 2018^
  9. Kalashnikov USA: Firearms Kalashnikov USA, retrieved March 10, 2018^
  10. Michael Smith. Kalashnikov USA Is Target of U.S. Lawmaker's Sanctions Probe Bloomberg.com, 2018-04-11, retrieved 2025-10-13^
  11. RWC-d/b/a Kalashnikov -USA Bankruptcy Hearing Later Today www.theoutdoorwire.com, retrieved 2025-10-13^
  12. Laura Burgess. Kalashnikov USA Announces Move To South Florida: Kalashnikov USA to relocate facility to South Florida Ammoland.com, April 30, 2015, retrieved March 14, 2018^
  13. Russian Saiga AK Style Rifle by Kalashnikov USA IZ132Z - 7.62x39, 16" BBL, 30rd SYN Item #:LNGSAIGA-IZ132SU3 UPC:811777021033 MPN:US132Z classicfirearms.com, retrieved March 16, 2018^