Some people say that in the US, the time of AKs is over – most good import lefts the shores. But I think it is in US companies that we must place our hope. Some say that US AK manufacturers are failing, they are weak and only seeking riches, not even trying to make a quaility product. But looking at some companies from the SHOT SHOW 2019, I would have to disagree. One of those companies was United Defense with their new line of Kalashnikov rifles – AK103 X1, X2 and X3.

United Defense was a big surprise for everyone. The company had their own bay at the Media day shooting event and few people were able walk past it.

I had several conversations with Dan Blackburn, design engineer and owner of United Defense. He is very passionate about AKs and definitely understands the complexity of manufacturing required to produce high quality Kalashnikov-pattern rifles.

Dan Blackburn, design engineer and owner of United Defense

United Defense is a brand new company based in St Augustine, Florida. Their AK103 product line currently includes 3 firearms: AK103 X1, X2 and X3. X1 rifle has a standard 16 inch barrel. X2 is a pistol with a 12 inch barrel and X3 has an 8.5 inch barrel.

I shot all three variants and it was not what I expected. X1 was considerably smoother and had less recoil than any standard non-modified AK chambered in 7.62×39 with a 16 inch barrel. I looked at the muzzlebrake and it had some interesting modifications – two additional holes on the sides. And let me just tell you – it worked really well.

I will actually try to do the same thing with my muzzlebreak when I get a chance.

The next one was X2 with a 12 inch barrel. On an AK, 12-13 inch barrel length is my favorite – weapon is compact, lightweight and bullet velocity decrease is marginal.

AK-103 X3 (top) and X2 (bottom).

X2 braced pistol wasn’t anything special – it had a recoil you would expect from a 12 inch barrel AK with a birdcage flashider. It was nothing to write home about.

AK-103 X2 (top) and X3 (bottom).

And finally, I shot AK-103 X3 with 8 inch barrel and it was just weird. Good weird. That weapon had so little recoil I was wondering what is wrong with me. It had less recoil than a 12 inch X2 or original AKS-74U chambered in low-impulse 5.45×39 with a same barrel length. The manufacturer politely declined to answer what sort of modifications he did to X3, but it definitely worked.

We will see what will become of United Defense in the future, but there is one thing I am certain about – the more US companies strive to produce a high-quality AK, the better it is for the customers and the future of the platform.