Kalashnikov USA announced the introduction of the AK Alpha rifle to the US market. The new gun uses an AK-style action but upgrades the platform to provide a rifle with more modern features and utility.
A quick glance at the rifle will tell the average gun enthusiast that this rifle is not a common WASR. In fact, nearly everything looks like it has been touched in the modernizing process. According to the company, the rifle was designed with input from a select group of Israel Defense Force (IDF) snipers. I hope that means that the gun is easier to run without sacrificing any of the platform’s reliability.
Two models will be available: the AKL with a 16.338″ barrel and the AKS with a 12.362″ barrel.
Caliber and Charging
The guns are chambered in the iconic AK cartridge: the 7.62×39. As one would hope, the guns are fed by standard AK magazines, so all of the surplus feeders, plus the newer US Palm and Magpul mags should all run in these rifles. The magazine catch lever is in the same spot, though the catch has been upgraded.
The bolt can be run from the right or left side of the gun. Although Kalashnikov USA claims the charging handle is ambidextrous, it appears to be swappable from side to side.
Features and Accessories
A full-length Picatinny rail adorns the top of the gun. This allows for the very easy addition of sights and an optic. Compared to some of the kludgy ways of adding red dots to traditional AK-pattern rifles, this is a nice addition.
Upfront, a KeyMod handguard is used. This keeps things relatively light while still providing a way to add accessories.
A big change from the traditional AK is the manual safety selector. Kalashnikov USA opted to install an ambidextrous AR-style selector. Purists might balk, but there are a lot of people who prefer this style.
On the back end, Kalashnikov uses a buttstock that folds and is adjustable for length of pull. The stock even includes a cheek riser to help you get a better fit on the rifle.
The pistol grip has interchangeable panels. These allow the owner to find the most comfortable fit for his/her needs. The grip also has a watertight storage compartment for batteries should you decide to run a red dot on top.
While there is nothing wrong with this grip, I much prefer the AK pistol grip from Magpul.
Many shooters may recognize some of the components looking like parts from CAA. This is an accurate assessment. A glance at the CAA site shows these exact rifles. Additionally, the CAA site shows a 5.56 variant using Galil magazines. I’ve reached out to the Kalashnikov USA media rep for additional information.
Pricing and Specs
No MSRP has been set yet, and an exact shipping date has not yet been announced.
AKL | AKS | |
---|---|---|
Caliber | 7.62×39 | 7.62×39 |
Magazine Capacity | 30 | 30 |
Barrel Length | 16.338″ | 16.362″ |
Overall Length | 26.98″-37.4″ | 12.362″-22.99″ |
Weight | 7.7 lbs | 7 lbs |
Stock | folding, adjustable length | folding, adjustable length |
MSRP | not yet available | not yet available |
Shipping Update
Unfortunately, Kalashnikov USA canceled this project. It appears the gun was announced before the company worked out all of the production details. Ultimately, the project was abandoned in favor of more traditional platforms like the KS-12 shotgun.
Since that time, the leadership in the company changed. With the new CEO came a philosophy of only announcing products that are ready to ship. While this project is no longer on the table, the company has several new guns coming that will likely be of interest to a variety of shooters. One is the new Kalashnikov USA Komrad.
Last Update: October 17, 2022
62 replies on “AK Alpha Rifle from Kalashnikov USA”
It will be mine o yes it will be mine.
this is an abomination boat anchor of a rifle. Shame really. They should of played it safe and copied the iwi galil.
They are within 0.2 lbs weight of each other. Hardly noticeable.
What I meant to say is, this rifle is ugly as sin. Looks like an after thought in the design department.
Why don’t you tell us how you really feel. HA!
It’s a shame. I really want this company to succeed, but it looks like they’re not really putting any thought into their designs. Look at that gaping hole near rear of the charging handle, and the numerous other things that are wrong with this rifle.
haters gonna hate
Then don’t buy one.
Then don’t comment. evidently this went way over your head.
have you designed a rifle before? Or shot the rifle for that matter?
STFU, whiner.
troll.
You probably like high points. He’s probably just a call of duty guy and doesn’t own a single gun
That rifle would suit me fine! I can’t see the front and rear sights anymore. By using optics, that eliminates that problem. With the full picatinny rail, I’d be able to see and aim at the target with no problems at all.
With current AK’s the kluge to use optics just adds more weight, and is cumbersome to use. With the unit that I bought I had to make sure that it had the side mount so that an optic adapter could be used to support a red dot device.
This new style puts the AK in the same league with the AR-15. Now items can be mounted in a normal manner. I’ve yet to know if the dust cover is the same way as the old AK’s. If that’s the case, then I would question the accuracy of any optic which is mounted rearward, close to the butt. That cover better be rock solid to be viable.
Puts the AK up with the AR……. You mean above. Ive owned both of many variations and ill take an old school AK over An AR15 any day when it comes to dependability and reliability and the amount of rounds that it can cycle in a single setting. AR are overpriced neat looking toys
I’ve owned and shot the M16 / AR / M4 for many years. They have been completely dependable. They are also more accurate, lighter in weight, more modular, a higher degree of quality control and more readily available. Also, buy a parts kit for the AK and try and put it together, with the rivets and pressed in barrels. Most people on these blogs regurgitate what they hear, rather than what they actually know. The AK is a good weapon. I own several it has limitations, as all weapons do.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqRwx4wtmms
That rifle is absolutely sick, and I cannot wait to get my hands on one. Takes the m10x a few steps farther, and brings ak’s into the modern age. #droolinginanticipation
Hm, what optic is that on top?
Hartman MH1
Thank you sir.
I need that optic in my life.
If it’s not available in 5.45 it’s not even interesting
It’s probably a fine rifle, but I like my AKs old school. To me, there’s nothing like a sexy Hungarian blonde or a hot Russian red. The wood furniture, I mean.
This looks like an ARX body chambered in 7.62×39 that is overlayed on top of a standard ak with the exception of left side charging.
I’ll take three!
Oh how I like it, I hope the price is about the same, but that’s just a pipe dream. I’m sure it’ll be about $1200 If not more.
I’m in, details, send me the details!
Sights and trigger are generally the upgrades I focused on with AK’s…these look interesting. I hope the MSRP is reasonable-ish.
WOW! What a Post-Commie Commie Gun!
Can, Can I get that in 5.56?????
But should I buy this over the Galil?
Yes, its better. Many weapons are.
What is the release date for this weapon?
Late October 2016 per the Regional Salesman.
They were saying August 2016 they pushed it back?
I like what you were told better than what I’m hearing. I’ve heard no sooner than early 2017. K-USA seems to be dragging their feet a bit on getting product to market. Hopefully, they’ll get things rolling pretty soon.
I have always considered the 7.62 x 39 cartridge to be inferior and made for a fighting force with no education and little tactical skill other than spray and pray over the head. Unless this gun makes them more accurate at 100 yards plus, I would not care one way or the other. It looks like much ado about nothing.
The 7.62×39 is a better round for any combat 300 yards and closer. It has better stopping power, it can power through and penetrate cover better than the 5.56 and its trajectory won’t get tweeked when hitting a twig shooting in a dense forest. The 5.56 is only a better round past 300 yards in open ground. Anything closer and I will take the AK and a 7.62×39 round.
Well put!
I’d like to see this compared to the Galil Ace. If anyone does this, let me know.
I was about to post the exact same question.
The Galil was heavy but still a great gun. Not sure about other differences.
No way! That Creative Arms weighs NINE freaking pounds with no mag. That is boat anchor weight. There are battle rifles in .308 that weight less. Also, no charging handle on right side, no folding stock included. The weight alone is a deal killer. VERY good looking rifle, but horrid specs.
Great item. This the only AK variant so far that is interesting. (because The MUTANT is not a piston gun). I would just have to take this gun and it’s parts in a milling machine and drill press to get it below 7 pounds which is the max weight I wish to carry. I love my 6.1 pound and 6.2 pound AR-15’s WITH optic!
7.7 pounds doesnt cut it. Anything can be altered to make it better I have found.
This rifle is at least off to a great start.
Ahh, I was right. The optic IS an IDF sourced item. It looked the next gen of the discontinued MSE AQC-1C. I loved the design of the old MSE.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXOFt5TKpRQ
This new one the MH1 looks like an overly complicated abomination. USB charging, my ass. It looks WAY too heavy too. Just what is NOT needed on nearly an 8 pound gun with NO optic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-OYxKiWlv4
No thanks. I will just get the 55,000 hour Trijicon MRO bundle from Scalarworks. Ultra light weight.
Simple, strong, and no USB! 1000% water proof, lifetime optic.
https://scalarworks.com/shop/optic-bundles/trijicon-mro-bundle/
Any weapon the IDF is producing is an improvement over the original,the Pentagon sent one of our weapons systems to the IDF and the first thing they did was to remove every thing on it but the on and off button,the rest was useless,I’m looking forward to firing one of the reworked Kalashnikov rifles,it has to be a blast!!.
I need one. I’m betting a $2500 price tag though.
i heard they wanted to make it highly available and under 1k
Depending on the price, this could compete with IWI’s Galil Ace. I would like to compare them side by side and see what the results would be. An important thing to keep in mind that a decent AR or traditional AK can be had for a fraction of the price for what the new ones will most likely cost. The AKs have always been heavy for an everyday defensive weapon. The AR still dominates in this area, along with accuracy and modularity. I guess it boils down to preference, amount of weight you’re willing to carry and price.
The Galil ACE is pretty pricey, but a fine gun. I think this AK Alfa will give it fierce competition for what you get.
I love my ar and I love my AK but I’ve never had a single problem with an AK and I have had malfunctions of different kinds with in AR due to Mo and weather s
This is my next rifle and the one I have been waiting for since the announcement 9 months ago. I have been drooling ever since.
You know that it was developed by russia. So Russia gave Kalashnikov USA the permission to produce and sell it. They just modified it… to the worse.
We still waiting on these?
LOL……don’t hold your breathe….lol….you will probably never own one much less actually see one on a shelf….
When can I buy this gun?
That’s the question everyone has been asking. Unfortunately, K-USA has been very slow at getting products to market. We’ll just have to see if they ever deliver.
-Richard
Iv been waiting for one of these for “years†WTF is going on over there at K,A if they don’t release it soon I’m going to take the money Iv saved for this rifle and just buy a Bren 805 or a IWI Galil ace. 🤷ðŸ»â€â™‚ï¸
The Galil ACE is a solid platform. I had a chance to run one of those last year for a few weeks. It ran great, and I have no hesitation about recommending them.
As to K-USA…well, I don’t know when they will start shipping these. They certainly promised a lot more than they delivered.
-Richard
It’s been 2 years of complete radio silence K-USA.
Any word on our Alpha yet?
Unfortunately not. Right now it looks like the company is focused on its shotguns and 9mm carbines. Maybe we’ll see something at the SHOT Show, but I’m not holding my breath.
-Richard