Your Privacy Choices
As I am sure you are aware, the latest round of US sanctions targeting the Russian defense industry included Concern Kalashnikov and any companies Concern Kalashnikov has business interests in. In 2010 civilian exports to the USA accounted for approximately 30% of Kalashnikov’s sales. I would not be surprised if, as of last week, the number was above 50% of total sales. These sanctions are going to hurt the already struggling company.
Before the sanctions, back in November 1997, Russia and the USA had come to a trade agreement where Soviet-era defense-related sanctions were lifted but only certain civilians firearms were allowed to be imported.
The allowed firearm list (part of the amendments to 27 CFR 47.52) included historic weapons, such as the Mosin Nagant, and guns manufactured by Izhmash, Molot, Tula (Tulsky Oruzheiny Zavod / TOZ) and Baikal (Izhevsky Mekhanichesky Zavod / IZH). Since then Izhmash took control of Molot through legal action and later merged with Baikal/IZH and became Concern Kalashnikov.
Here is the list, excluding historical firearms, showing which are still allowed into the USA and which are not …
[xyz-ihs snippet=”SanctionStyle”]
| Firearm | Legal to import | Manufacturer |
|---|---|---|
| (I) TOZ 35, .22 caliber Target Pistol. | Yes ✔ | Tulsky Oruzheiny Zavod |
| (X) TOZ 18, .22 caliber Bolt Action Rifle. | Yes ✔ | Tulsky Oruzheiny Zavod |
| (Y) TOZ 55. | Yes ✔ | Tulsky Oruzheiny Zavod |
| (Z) TOZ 78. | Yes ✔ | Tulsky Oruzheiny Zavod |
| (C) IZH 35M, .22 caliber Target Pistol. | No ✗ | Concern Kalashnikov (Through IZH) |
| (A) BARS-4 Bolt Action Carbine. | No ✗ | Concern Kalashnikov |
| (B) Biathlon Target Rifle, .22LR caliber. | No ✗ | Concern Kalashnikov |
| (D) CM2/SM2, .22 caliber Target Rifle | No ✗ | Concern Kalashnikov |
| (H) IZH-94. | No ✗ | Concern Kalashnikov (through IZH) |
| (I) LOS-7 Bolt Action Rifle. | No ✗ | Concern Kalashnikov (Through IZH) |
| (AA) Ural Target Rifle, .22LR caliber. | No ✗ | Concern Kalashnikov |
| (BB) VEPR rifles | No ✗ | Concern Kalashnikov (Through Molot) |
| (T) Saiga rifles | No ✗ | Concern Kalashnikov |
Parts kits or other creative ways around the ban will not be legal. If Concern Kalashnikov manufactured the part it cannot legally be imported.
I do not expect these sanctions to be lifted anytime soon. There will be no political pressure from the NRA or NSSF. Decades after the Chinese import-ban, Norinco products are still not allowed into the USA.
