After SHOT: A quick look at the Arsenal Inc AK-20

Arsenal Inc's AK-20 made its debut at the 2020 Annual Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Arsenal Inc. launched this new rifle as a modernized version of the venerable AK-47 platform. They will be offering this new design in pistol, rifle and SBR configurations. The initial offerings will feature milled receivers and be more of a custom shop design and chambered in 7.62 x 39mm.

The AK-20 is completely made in the USA and has a very updated look and feel thanks to a new (for the AK) monolithic handguard system with upper and lower sections that attach by means of a barrel nut, making the barrel completely free-floated. The top rail is Picatinny with the bottom and sides being M-Lok compatible. We counted at least 3 QD attachment points on either side of the rifle.

Barrels are cold hammer-forged and chrome-lined and the rifle version is fitted with a MagPul PRS stock that is completely adjustable for cheek height and length of pull.

Most interesting to us on this precision AK was the integrated, proprietary adjustable gas system that allows the shooter to adapt the rifle to suit their ammunition or their shooting conditions. This is obviously for use with a silencer.

The default position on this gas system is for standard semiautomatic fire. The middle position locks the bolt by shutting the system off and turns the Arsenal Inc AK-20 into a bolt-action rifle for all intents and purposes. The third position allows semiautomatic fire with a suppressor by eliminating the problem of over gassing and giving the rifle just enough gas to function.

This gas block on the AK-20 can be manipulated by hand or with a tool.

Shooting the Arsenal Inc AK-20 was pleasant and quiet when Arsenal’s suppressor was mounted on the rifle. We found it quiet, accurate and most importantly fun to shoot.

According to Arsenal Inc., the initial limited run of custom shop versions of the Arsenal Inc AK-20 will be available with milled receivers first, with production guns built with stamped receivers expected later in the year. The expected MSRP for the initial release of the custom Arsenal Inc. AK-20 will start at $1,999.

This original launch of the  AK-20 will be in a 7.62×39 mm chambering, while variants in 50 Beowulf, 5.56 NATO and others will be available down the line. We are hoping to see a 5.45 chambering in that mix and maybe even a 9 X 39 offering. Neither of the last 2 was promised, but we can hope.

For more information, check out Arsenal Inc.'s website.