[SHOT 2020] Rifle Dynamics PBR Rifle, 9mm PCC, New Accessories and Unicorn Builds

Hrachya H
by Hrachya H
[SHOT 2020] Rifle Dynamics PBR Rifle, 9mm PCC, New Accessories and Unicorn Builds (1)

Every year, during the SHOT Show days, Rifle Dynamics hold their own event, the RD Open House. This year I was lucky to be able to attend it and in this article, I’ll tell you about the newly released and prototype Rifle Dynamics products as well as some really interesting builds displayed during the event.

Practical Base Rifle (PBR)

[SHOT 2020] Rifle Dynamics PBR Rifle, 9mm PCC, New Accessories and Unicorn Builds (13)

If you are into AKs, you probably know that Rifle Dynamics’ guns are Cadillacs of the US AK market. These rifles feature trued and tuned actions, improved parts and some of the best aftermarket accessories available on the market. All these improvements make them ultimate quality guns, however, pretty expensive too. The Practical Base Rifle is introduced to provide an option that is as affordable as possible without sacrificing quality. In the core, these are still RD rifles featuring the company’s action tuning magic (tuned rails, trigger mechanism and BCG) and signature RD features like Fuller rear sight and gas block/front sight block combo, however, by replacing some high-end aftermarket parts with basic accessories (standard AK pattern polymer furniture, basic RPK-style flash hider, standard gas tube, etc.) the company was able to price the PBR rifle at $1,500. That’s $350 to $700 less than starting prices of other stamped receiver 7.62x39mm RD rifles.

[SHOT 2020] Rifle Dynamics PBR Rifle, 9mm PCC, New Accessories and Unicorn Builds (14)

RD901 9mm PCC

[SHOT 2020] Rifle Dynamics PBR Rifle, 9mm PCC, New Accessories and Unicorn Builds (9)

This PCC is a result of the cooperation of Rifle Dynamics and Kalashnikov USA. The host gun is a KR-9 9mm PCC that has been tuned by RD to their standards. In the pictures, it has a 14.5″ barrel with a SilencerCo 9mm ASR muzzle brake pinned and welded to make the overall barrel length 16″, RS Regulate handguard and Ammo Can Green finish. There will be other optional parts and accessories when this PCC becomes available.

[SHOT 2020] Rifle Dynamics PBR Rifle, 9mm PCC, New Accessories and Unicorn Builds (8)

Accessories

Besides the complete firearms, Rifle Dynamics has also introduced several accessories, both prototypes and ones ready to hit the market.

Tunable Gas Block

The tunable gas block that they have been offering on their rifles, will be available as a separate part.

Thanks to the set screw, the RD tunable gas block allows adjusting the gas system and fixing it in a position that works best with the barrel length, gas port location, suppressor and ammunition of your choice.
Picatinny rear Trunnion
[SHOT 2020] Rifle Dynamics PBR Rifle, 9mm PCC, New Accessories and Unicorn Builds (10)

What sets the new Rifle Dynamics Picatinny railed rear trunnion apart from other options on the market is that it is slightly angled downwards. When a Picatinny rail compatible stock is mounted to this rail, it gets a little bit of a drop which makes acquiring sight picture with iron sights a faster and more comfortable process compared to doing it with straight stocks.

[SHOT 2020] Rifle Dynamics PBR Rifle, 9mm PCC, New Accessories and Unicorn Builds (11)

What I also liked is the low profile of the rail: it protrudes from the rear of the receiver just enough to allow clamping the stocks. Also, the rail has an angled cut at the bottom which should eliminate any possibility of interfering with the web of your hand when gripping the rifle.

[SHOT 2020] Rifle Dynamics PBR Rifle, 9mm PCC, New Accessories and Unicorn Builds (12)
Prototype Accessories

Rifle Dynamics has also shown some prototypes of accessories they are working on and may release during the year.

Polymer M-LOK handguard prototype. The final version will have an internal metal heat shield.
It may look like just another pistol grip but the picture doesn't do it justice. This grip has a really complex geometry that feels extremely comfortable in your palm. It fitted my hand like a glove. According to RD engineers, they have incorporated multiple incremental changes during the development of this grip and are still perfecting it.
The cylindrical polymer attachment on this safety selector lever is designed to make the safety manipulations with index finger much smoother and less painful in long firing sessions.
[SHOT 2020] Rifle Dynamics PBR Rifle, 9mm PCC, New Accessories and Unicorn Builds (7)

Rare Builds

Lastly, Rifle Dynamics also displayed some rare and overwhelmingly cool builds like this Cerakoted PK.

[SHOT 2020] Rifle Dynamics PBR Rifle, 9mm PCC, New Accessories and Unicorn Builds (15)
[SHOT 2020] Rifle Dynamics PBR Rifle, 9mm PCC, New Accessories and Unicorn Builds (16)

Or like this AK-12 reproduction built with parts sourced from a deactivated AK-12.

The furniture, gas block, muzzle device and its mount, rear trunnion, rear sight, top cover, safety selector as well as the magazine are original AK-12 parts.
Or this AK-74 clone with a real (registered Destructive Device) GP-25 underbarrel grenade launcher attached.
[SHOT 2020] Rifle Dynamics PBR Rifle, 9mm PCC, New Accessories and Unicorn Builds (2)

Stay tuned to learn about the releases of new Rifle Dynamics products in 2020.

Hrachya H
Hrachya H

Managing Editor Being a lifelong firearms enthusiast, Hrachya always enjoys studying the history and design of guns and ammunition. Should you need to contact him, feel free to shoot him a message at Hrachya@TheFirearmBlog.com

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4 of 22 comments
  • Sonickiller360 Sonickiller360 on Jan 28, 2020

    The RD901s pictured have SLR Rifleworks handguards not RS Regulate handguards. Typo?

  • Uncle Yar Uncle Yar on Jan 28, 2020

    Yo that AK 12 is neat.
    I told y'all that the deactivated batch of AK 12 from Kalashnikov Concern JSC would find its way, one way or the other, to the US to become a new-built AK 12, despite sanctions.

    • See 1 previous
    • Uncle Yar Uncle Yar on Jan 28, 2020

      @SP mclaughlin They're one off projects for now. But rifle dynamics should team up with Palmetto State Armory to mass produce the AK12 and AK15.

      It'll be a premium AK nonetheless, but still with PSA manufacturing capability, it'll be at a very competitive price. Customers can also get a RD special tuned edition if they want the full Gucci experience. Everyone wins. Plebs, Mercs, and Gucci.

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