[IDEF 2021] Turkish Ozyurt Arms Presents Bolt Action Rifles, Pistol and Kalashnikov Rifle

Vladimir Onokoy
by Vladimir Onokoy

While in most countries firearms development and production are getting more and more restrictive, Turkey seems to effectively expand its gun industry, and the recent IDEF 2021 is a good example. Almost half of the firearms manufacturers at the expo were founded in the last 5 years. Özyurt Arms is one of those new companies and it certainly follows the path typical for many new firearms manufacturers.

Turkish Guns @ TFB:

The company was founded less than a year ago, but since the industry is not over-regulated, after several months, they were ready with multiple products. At the IDEF 2021 exhibition, they presented several bolt-action rifles chambered in different calibers.

The first one is YİĞİT 21 chambered for .308 Win (7.62×51).

YT 21 sniper rifle

The second one is BMZ-338 chambered for .338 Lapua Magnum.

BMZ-338 sniper rifle

Another product they showcased was a pistol called EFE-19, which looks similar to Springfield XD, which in and of itself is a licensed copy of the Croatian-made HS 2000.

EFE-19 pistol by Ozyurt Arms
EFE-19 pistol by Ozyurt Arms

Besides bolt action rifles and the pistol, the company also presented their AK variant called ASİ-21. It appears to be a pretty standard AKM derivative with a wire stock that folds to the right side, which is typical for Romanian and East German AK variants.

AS-21, AK rifle produced by Ozyurt Arms
AS-21, AK rifle produced by Ozyurt Arms

While at this point ASİ-21 is more of a prototype and some components clearly require further improvement, the coating of the weapon is good, as well as the quality of some of the main parts and rivets. But most importantly, the engineers who introduced me to this project clearly have what it takes to work the bugs out.

Just 10 years ago, the Turkish firearms industry was mostly known for cheap shotguns of questionable quality, and now numerous manufacturers can offer modern pistols, sniper rifles, machineguns, and some companies are considerably improving existing designs. Perhaps, in coming years, Turkey will become one of the world’s leading firearms manufacturers, rivaling well-known European brands globally.

Vladimir Onokoy
Vladimir Onokoy

Vladimir Onokoy is a small arms subject matter expert and firearms instructor. Over the years he worked in 20 different countries as a security contractor, armorer, firearms industry sales representative, product manager, and consultant. His articles were published in the Recoil magazine, Small Arms Review, Small Arms Defence Journal, and Silah Report. He also contributed chapters to books from the "Vickers Guide: Kalashnikov" series. Email: machaksilver at gmail dot com. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Vladimir-Onokoy-articles-and-videos-about-guns-and-other-unpopular-stuff-107273143980300/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vladonokoy/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/machaksilver

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  • Steve_7 Steve_7 on Sep 28, 2021

    I think it's a bit much to describe the entire Turkish arms industry as having one quality standard. It varies from company to company, just like it does everywhere.

    • Iksnilol Iksnilol on Sep 29, 2021

      @Steve_7 You get what you pay for. CZ shotguns are good, but they also cost more than the fly by night 199$ special tactical ops shotguns from turkey. Yet they are made probably in the same factory

  • Dieks62 Dieks62 on Sep 28, 2021

    Shame on anyone buying this cheap low quality Ottoman empire junk; worser yet, in doing so you are in actual fact actively supporting & sponsoring the islamic state, the muslim brotherhood and all
    Its terrorist organizations for the likes of Isis (Isis-K), Hezbolah, ect ...!

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