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You are here: Home / Shotguns / Kalashnikov USA Komrad – New Not-A-Shotgun Firearm to Launch on April 2

Kalashnikov USA Komrad – New Not-A-Shotgun Firearm to Launch on April 2

by: Richard Johnson 19 Comments

Kalashnikov Komrad

Page Navigation

  • General Information
    • Specifications
  • Range Time
  • Thoughts & Coming Review
    • Disclosure
    • Special Thanks

Kalashnikov USA will launch a new non-NFA firearm called the Komrad on April 2. The new gun is similar to the company’s larger KS-12 shotguns but with a shorter 12.5″ barrel and an adjustable length SB Tactical SBA3 pistol brace. It will transfer just as any other firearm without requiring a special tax stamp as would be needed with a short barrel shotgun.

General Information

The Kalashnikov USA Komrad is one of a growing trend of non-NFA firearms that avoid specific classification in United States (federal) law and can be purchased from a normal dealer like any other gun. It is easy to mistake the Komrad for a shotgun as it is a smoothbore firearm that is chambered for the 12 gauge shell. Nevertheless, it is not a shotgun under federal law.

Short Barrel Kalashnikov Komrad shotgun

Made in the United States, the new Komrad is a semi-automatic gun based on the Russian Saiga series of firearms. It was not designed in Russia, nor is any part of it made in Russia. However, it is compatible with many Saiga parts including the magazines.

As it ships, the gun comes with two (2) 5-round magazines. Kalashnikov USA also offers 10-round magazines as an optional accessory. Third party drums and other magazines should all work if they are built to the original Saiga 12 specifications.

The Komrad can handle any 2 3/4″ or 3″ shell from birdshot to slugs. It has an adjustable gas regulator to match your ammunition.

Optics Mounting Rail K-USA Komrad

Kalashnikov USA ships the gun with pistol-style sights: post front and a notch rear. The gun does have a side mount for adding a red dot with a rail like this one. Also, the gun has three Picatinny-type rails for the addition of a laser, white light, foregrip or other bits of gear.

According to the company representatives, the guns are now in production. Kalashnikov USA will make an official announcement on April 2 when it will have an ample supply ready to ship to buyers.

Kalashnikov Komrad Shipping from Warehouse

Specifications

caliber12 gauge (2 3/4" and 3" shells)
capacity5-round detachable magazine standard, 10-rounds optional
actionsemi-automatic, adjustable gas regulator
barrel length12.5"
overall length30.25-33"
weight7.15 pounds
grippolymer pistol style with interchangeable inserts
MSRPTBD (expected to be around $1,000)

Range Time

I was invited to the Kalashnikov USA factory in Pompano Beach, Florida for an introduction to the gun. I had a chance to shoot a production version of the Komrad with both buckshot at slugs. The staff at K-USA provided unlimited ammo to shoot, and there were a total of six media members on hand that gave the gun a good workout.

Kalashnikov USA Komrad Review

The Komrad felt good in my hands with the balance point of the rifle seemingly just forward of the magazine well. It moved and pointed easily. It felt quicker to transition between targets than a traditional shotgun like a Remington 870, but I’d like to do a side-by-side comparison of the guns to get a better feel for this.

Shooting heavy 12 gauge loads is not everyone’s cup of tea. However, I am one of those strange birds that do enjoy it. From this gun, the recoil seemed very similar to a traditional shotgun. If I had to guess, I would say that the felt recoil is slightly more – maybe 5-10% – in the Komrad, but I freely admit this is completely subjective. Another shooter might say more or less.

I experienced no malfunctions with this gun. It fed and shot reliably. However, I did see another writer have an issue with cycling a few rounds. He seemed to fix this problem by changing his stance with a more aggressive shoulder forward position.

Thoughts & Coming Review

Non-NFA firearms like the Kalashnikov Komrad are very interesting to me. The Komrad helps to solidify this style of weapon as a mainstream product, and more guns in common use are a good thing in my opinion.

Beyond the political and legal implications of the Komrad, does it have a practical use? Yes.

A short barrel firearm (as compared to the company’s KS-12 shotgun) is easier to maneuver indoors and when moving in and out of a vehicle. For a dad protecting his family in the middle of the night, this can be a valid choice: 5 or 10 rounds of 12 gauge buck is certainly a time-tested method of repelling violent criminals in a home invasion.

Kalashnikov USA Komrad Firearm

Mix in the ability to add a red dot and white light – this has the potential of being a valid home defense option.

I’ve requested one of these new not-a-shotguns for review, and the folks at Kalashnikov USA stated they will make this happen. Once I get it, I will run a lot of ammo through it and put it up against more traditionally sized scatterguns for a full review. If you have specific questions or things you want me to test, please post your requests in the comments section below.

Disclosure

As I stated previously in the article, I was invited to a special shooting event hosted by Kalashnikov USA. This event was paid for by the company including a one night stay at an oceanfront motel and three meals (dinner, breakfast and lunch.) Since I am within driving distance to the company’s factory, I provided my own transportation. However, the company did provide airfare to other attendees.

Kalashnikov USA did not request, nor did I promise any media coverage. But let’s face it – I’m sure they hope to receive it, and providing news and reviews on guns for you is what I do.

Kalashnikov USA is not an advertiser, nor are we in any talks for them to be one. I do not have any financial interest in K-USA or any other gun manufacturer.

GunsHolstersAndGear.com is a for-profit website. I do not use pop-ups, autoplaying videos or other annoying advertising. Rather, I employ affiliate links. If you choose to follow one of my links to a site like Amazon or Brownells and then make a purchase, I earn a small commission (typically between 1-4%) that literally helps me to feed my family. I do not get to see what any individual purchases, and the links do not alter your price.

Special Thanks

A special thank you to B. Gil Horman with the American Rifleman for helping out with the range photo shown above. I hope my photos for you turned out as good as yours for me.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. WKRP says

    March 15, 2019 at 12:49 pm

    Looks pretty cool. Semi-auto makes more sense than the slide fires offered by Rem and Mossberg.

    Reply
  2. TJ's Bodyguard says

    March 18, 2019 at 8:51 am

    Yeah – I see this as a huge thumb in the eye of the statists who think controlling barrel length has an affect on crime control.

    I hope my LGS gets one in so I can try it out myself!

    Reply
  3. Kelly says

    March 18, 2019 at 8:54 am

    I wish it had a rail on the rear cover like the company’s 9mm rifle has. I don’t like the side optic mount. But whatever – its a cool gun that I would like to own.

    Reply
    • Richard Johnson says

      March 18, 2019 at 4:53 pm

      Hi Kelly,

      You raise a good question about the rail. As I understood it, K-USA wanted to keep things as close to the “original” Saiga series as possible. I would guess that was the reasoning for not having a Picatinny rail on top.

      -Richard

      Reply
  4. JC says

    March 19, 2019 at 9:50 am

    Any threading in the barrel for chokes? Could see this being a good host for my Salvo.

    Reply
    • Richard Johnson says

      March 19, 2019 at 3:39 pm

      I checked my notes, but couldn’t find choke information. I’ll check with the company and let you know.

      -Richard

      Reply
    • Richard Johnson says

      March 20, 2019 at 9:13 am

      Hi JC,

      K-USA states that the first version of the Komrad will have no interchangeable chokes while the second version will offer Saiga-type threaded chokes.

      -Richard

      Reply
  5. Anthony Hitch says

    March 19, 2019 at 10:53 am

    These would be a great starting point for AOW, for those in non-SBS states.

    Reply
  6. Ivan says

    March 20, 2019 at 2:24 am

    Great review, thanks. I was going to get one of the Remington pump actions but after seeing this, I’m drooling for one. I sure hope they’re cheaper than a grand, or I’m going to have to wait a spell.

    Reply
  7. Boris Badenov says

    April 10, 2019 at 10:41 am

    FML…you buggers are trying to get me divorced…yet another sexy ass gun to add to my growing list of dependents I must maintain and keep safe from the Fed Gov’ment.

    Reply
  8. Matthew Bruegge says

    April 19, 2019 at 9:37 pm

    When can start seeing these in gun stores .. how can I get my hands on one of these

    Reply
  9. Gus says

    July 3, 2019 at 10:05 am

    I wonder how this would do if suppressed, with a salvo 12.

    Reply
    • Richard Johnson says

      July 8, 2019 at 7:57 am

      I’d love to mate the two and see how it works!

      -Richard

      Reply
  10. Ted Pack says

    November 5, 2019 at 7:12 pm

    You have a typo: “If you have specific questions or things you cant me to test …”

    Reply
  11. ToddF says

    January 15, 2020 at 10:42 am

    Had a chance to shoot one of these last weekend. My neighbor bought one and we took it out to the range. Yep, it kicks. But it is a lot of fun! As a home defense gun I imagine it is devastating.

    Reply
  12. Stephen Gibson says

    January 15, 2020 at 2:38 pm

    I have a Komrad but I am having a hard time loading the 5 round mag. The bolt must be in the opened position, however, the safety and fire clip will not hold the chamber open. Any ideas on how to fix this problem??

    Reply
    • Justin says

      April 4, 2020 at 10:00 pm

      My KS-12 Komrad has a notch cut out in the safety. Pull bolt back and put safety up so the bolt is held open with the notch. Then load. You have to load this way due to ammunition size.

      Reply
  13. Chris says

    February 26, 2020 at 7:32 pm

    Is this legal in Massachusetts?

    Reply
  14. Rick says

    March 11, 2020 at 5:51 am

    Lonestar in Texas, is customizing the Komrad using their in-house process for $2k. Kinda pricey but the shotgun reportedly has less kick, is reliable and cycles anything.

    Reply

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