Arsenal AK-20: A Modern Classic Finally Hits the Market - SHOT Show 2025
Author: Nick Miles | Publish Date: Jan 24, 2025
During our visit to Arsenal's impressive booth at SHOT Show 2025 in Las Vegas, we got an exclusive hands-on look at their highly anticipated AK-20 SBR, which has just been released to the commercial market. The journey from concept to production has been fascinating to witness, and we're excited to share the details of this revolutionary take on the legendary AK platform.
The AK-20 represents Arsenal's bold vision of modernizing the iconic Kalashnikov design, a project that first caught the industry's attention at SHOT Show 2020. After five years of meticulous refinement and testing, Arsenal has successfully bridged the gap between traditional AK reliability and contemporary shooting demands with their first production model in 7.62x39mm.
What immediately stands out is the rifle's sophisticated engineering approach. Arsenal has managed to preserve the AK's legendary reliability while incorporating features that today's shooters consider essential. The heart of the rifle remains faithful to its roots, but the execution is thoroughly modern.
At the core of this new offering is a precisely milled receiver, featuring thoughtful additions like ambidextrous QD sling swivel sockets at the rear. The compatibility with AR-15 pattern stocks through a standard receiver extension showcases Arsenal's understanding of market preferences. The barrel configuration is particularly impressive – an 8.5" cold hammer forged, chrome-lined design with a 1:9.44" twist rate, delivering projectiles at 1,969 fps. Arsenal includes their KR-009B 4-piece flash hider, which threads onto the 24x1.5mm muzzle.
One of the most striking features is the aluminum handguard system, incorporating M-LOK slots along the sides and bottom, complemented by a full-length 10.5" Picatinny rail that extends over the receiver. The current offering comes in a sleek black Cerakote finish, with potential for more color options in the future. Despite its compact nature, with an overall length of 28", the rifle maintains a solid fighting weight of 7.12 lbs (unloaded).
Perhaps the most innovative aspect is the three-position gas system. Arsenal has engineered a versatile solution that caters to various shooting scenarios: a MIL-STD setting for standard ammunition, a SUB setting optimized for suppressed subsonic rounds, and an intermediate unmarked setting that tames the cycling rate for suppressed supersonic ammunition use.
Arsenal has set the MSRP at $3,499.99, which includes one 30-round magazine. For those interested in different configurations, Arsenal has confirmed that both pistol and rifle variants of the AK-20 are in the pipeline for release.