Kalashnikov USA Komrad – New “Not a Shotgun”
Kalashnikov USA will launch a new non-NFA firearm, 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 like any other firearm without requiring a special tax stamp, unlike a short-barreled shotgun, which would require one.
General Information
The Kalashnikov USA Komrad is part of the growing trend of non-NFA firearms that avoid specific classification under United States (federal) law. It 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.
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.
Made in the United States, the new Komrad is a semi-automatic firearm based on the Russian Saiga series. It was not designed in Russia, nor is any part of it manufactured there. However, it is compatible with many Saiga parts, including the magazines.
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.
Kalashnikov USA ships the gun with pistol-style sights: a post front sight and a notch rear sight. The gun has a side rail for mounting a red dot like this one. Also, the gun has three Picatinny rails for mounting a laser, white light, foregrip, or other accessories.
[Note: This firearm is based on the AK series of guns. Check out this article for more information: What Does AK Stand For?]
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.
Specifications
| Caliber | 12 gauge (2.75″ & 3″ shells) |
| Capacity | 5-round detachable magazine, 10-round mags optional |
| Action | semi-auto, adjustable gas regulator |
| Barrel Length | 12.5″ |
| Overall Length | 30.25″ – 33″ |
| Weight | 7.15 lbs |
| Grip | polymer pistol style with interchangeable inserts |
| MSRP | TBD (~$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 and slugs. The staff at K-USA provided unlimited ammo to shoot, and there were a total of six media members on hand who gave the gun a good workout.
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 with 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 sense of this.
Shooting heavy 12-gauge loads is not for everyone. However, I am one of those strange birds that do enjoy it. From this gun, the recoil seemed very similar to that of 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 to 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-barreled 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.
Add the ability to mount a red dot and white light; this could make it a viable home-defense option.
One change I would like to make to the gun is the pistol grip. It’s not bad, and I expect many people will like it. However, I would rather install a Magpul AK grip on it.
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 noted in the article, I was invited to a special shooting event hosted by Kalashnikov USA. The company paid for this event, which included 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 neither requested 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 discussions to become one. I have no 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.
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 turned out as well as yours.
Looks pretty cool. Semi-auto makes more sense than the slide fires offered by Rem and Mossberg.
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!
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.
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
Any threading in the barrel for chokes? Could see this being a good host for my Salvo.
I checked my notes, but couldn’t find choke information. I’ll check with the company and let you know.
-Richard
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
These would be a great starting point for AOW, for those in non-SBS states.
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.
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.
When can start seeing these in gun stores .. how can I get my hands on one of these
I wonder how this would do if suppressed, with a salvo 12.
I’d love to mate the two and see how it works!
-Richard
You have a typo: “If you have specific questions or things you cant me to test …”
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.
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??
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.
Is this legal in Massachusetts?
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.