for those not familiar with the "century" line of AK's: AK101 - full length rifle 5.56x45. AK102 - short barrel carbine 5.56x45 AK103 - rifle 7.62x39. AK104 - carbine 7.62x39 AK74M - rifle 5.45x39. AK105 - carbine 5.45x39
I have the KR103 and the damn thing started rusting after it got muddy at my cabin 😂 I cleaned it up and it still shoots like a champ. I hate to say it but the Komrad on the other hand without a brace on it is hell on the wrist to shoot now 🥲 I like KUSA’s stuff but I’m sad about the rust and mad at the Alcohol Tobacco Firearms/Explosives for the brace shit 😔 ruined my favorite shotgun
Lol, they said they'd have their 5.56 rifles out 90-120 after last year's shot show. I'll believe it when I see it. They nuked thier reputation this past year.
Between that, the Bonnie Rotten shit and the QC issues, I went from waiting and checking daily for their 101 to drop to deciding I'll never purchase from or support them. I've never seen a company shit itself as hard as KUSA did in 2022.
@@somerandommen in short, ignored legitimate customer safety concerns on social media and in some instances, openly mocked and insulted customers. They also have had a lot of QC issues they denied until it was impossible to ignore, and then only admitted the problem without offering any solution. Lawsuits from their suppliers have also been made public. They haven’t paid suppliers in over a year and are not in a good financial position.
For people wondering why KUSA has so many people interested in their rifles, it's because they're the only place in the U.S. making Russian 100 series AK copies. If you don't know what 100 series AKs are, or even care, then move on to the other (dime a dozen) AK manufacturers stateside making 60+ year old AKM pattern rifles - nothing wrong with that design by the way, but AK-74Ms, AK-105s, 101s, 103, etc - these are just more interesting to me and KUSA is building them. Not even Palmetto is building as close to a real 100 series AK as KUSA is.
@@workingclassless84 Aren't those supposed to be fitted with an out-of-battery safety to prevent that? This is a problem Kalashnikov Concern ran into and addressed.
No reason to buy an American ak forgery when you can snag a Serbian or Romanian for same price. CHF barrels. Or you can step it up to a polish FB random for same price as a kusa chf. Doesn't make sense
I'm hesitant because the lawsuit and with PSA and Zastava being a thing I'm not sure what Kalash brings for the extra few hundred dollars. I will say I appreciate Evan being so knowledgeable that he could run through all of this swiftly, clearly and honestly when it comes to price. This video and specifically Evan is gonna make me do some more research into KUSA before I decide on an AK Edit: idk shit about Kalsh USA but judging on these comments not to great especially for these prices😂
Kusa has gained a reputation recently for piss poor qc and customer service combined with high prices, don't even consider them if you're looking for an AK
@@shrimpanzy7627 Not to mention that they stopped selling to individuals and made it to where you have to buy the rifles from local dealers. Which makes it more inconvenient to buy such rifles.. if you still plan on buying from them that is.
Wow. Back when Stoner and Kalashnikov met, Mikhail Kalashnikov commented he’d be happy to supply our forces with his rifles at $130 per unit.😄 Times change. I should have bought more of those $199 MAK90’s and $3 magazines at shows when I could.🙄
No fucking way my dad has a mak90 too he told me how good cheap Al’s were and he obviously hadn’t bought any guns in years so i went and bought a century…i sold it back during Covid for more than what i paid by $300 because like james said it key holes every damn shot i want another Ak but it seems like here In the states if it’s not an ar if it’s cheap it’s ass but i love my dads mak90 so much he got his for like $200 man i wish they still had Aks like that he couldn’t believe they were going for like $1000 now he wishes he would of bought a bunch lol but he thought they were just cheap shitty guns back then he also got an sks for like $50 and a couple other guns for dirt cheap i wish i could buy
@@michaelsmith4325 I used to have a nice Russian SKS, blade bayonet and all. Some things a guy should hang onto. Think I still have one of those $99 Chinese “para” SKS 16” around here.
This rifle has lots of power ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxQt2uORDRfFOVSrO4idv4B90ThT6EOnEL , hard recoil and a little heavier than expected which affects accuracy, especially when firing freehand or hunting small game. Really rough on sites, as it often moves inside mounting rings. Replaced sight with a UTG Bugbuster, which required medium height mounting rings, but improved accuracy while sighting in as shown in attached photo, at 20 yards using Gamo Match Diablo pellets at 7.56 grain. Nonetheless, I am still trying to figure out where to install the mounting rings on the scope to avoid it from sliding around, as it becomes misaligned after about 50 or 60 shots. Currently considering using heavier pellets at about 9 grain with different tips like the H&N Baracuda Hunter Extreme or the Crosman Ultra Magnum to see if accuracy improves. Overall, I am having lots of fun with this rifle.
Looking forward to an AK video without someone repeating this comment. Fun fact is that what 300 bucks was in the 90 equals to 1000 bucks of today's money more or less (look at the price of Toyota Corolla for example). Oh crap somebody will actually now say "Corolla should be $9999 like it was in magic years of 90s"
@@buzzkillington1602 I didn't specify 1990. I only said "the '90s." Anyway, it's cool that you can get one of those for that price, but in my neck of the woods, the cheapest AKs are $900. Even outside my neck of the woods, $900 AKs rather than $600 ones are the norm. Also, stagflation sucks.
@Tom Conlin Mine was nice out of the box, I bought mine from a gunshop that's owned by a local Police officer, I made a few changes to it, picatinny rails on the front, AR15 style sliding stock and upgraded safety, it's a keeper!!
There main parent company is struggling to make enough aks so I think that might have something to do with it n all furniture is out of stock leading me to believe they are sending it to Russia for us there
Despite all the bad QC's these days, I will say my KR103 I bought a year ago hasn't had any issues and is one of my favorite AK's. But I am skeptical with the initial releases in the "near" future and along with believing when the 101/105 will ACTUALLY release.
I bought one in December as a Christmas gift to myself not sure how old or new it was but it came in the box brand new from the manufacturer and I’ve put about 2000+ rounds through it and no problems it’s been a solid first ak no complaints here so I’m not sure what everyone’s complaining about and I’m wondering how many of these people actually own a kusa KR103
Must be certain guns. Its not acceptable that they have things going on with other guns by any means though. My KS 12 is alright but i need to shoot it more.
Because last year they were doing great. Then one of their founders left iirc, they got a literal pornstar as a spokesperson, and their QC went to shit. But the old Kr-103FTs and the early SFSs are really solid if you can still find one.
@@blodus4521 PSA has good customer service even when their QC can be lacking. But their AK line packs a mean punch. Forged internals, FN CHF barrel, etc. Hard to beat.
@@2000rayc I kept spamming their IG and FB posts "when we were going to get our 103 rebate mags" lol. I'm surprised I didn't, but I know they deleted a bunch.
@@pablojosediablo yeah but just about every company that makes ak furniture and parts makes them for the Zastava pattern. Zastava themselves also make a lot of furniture, including railed handgaurds, folding and collapsing braces and stocks. Quite a few people make adjustable gas blocks too.
@@the_spaartan5372 fun fact, the very first day I took it out to shoot. I had to go just outside of town to a local garbage dump that would let you shoot into the big piles there. I backed up and tried to shoot off this one pile but I didn't realize that it was the burn pile so it was just this very fine Ash of burnt like leaves and stuff. It got all into my receiver and all over the bolt carrier group. In true AK fashion. It didn't even phase it
Uh oh we are turning into the boomers. "Back in my day you could get an arsenal ak for 1k flat". Yeah money ain't worth what it was. Always trends that direction.
Just like with ar15's, 10/22's, or any other hammer fired semi auto, you can pull the trigger out of battery. It's extremely common for them to not have an active out of battery safety, as usually there's a passive safety that is created by the geometry of the bolt and hammer.
James can't wait either. You heard him when he said they make AKs that AREN'T TOTAL TRASH 😂 l wonder if these out of battery discharges have happened on the first round shot 🤔 where the FUCK are their QC at!
@@otterconnor942 their kp9s have been having out of battery detonations causing catastrophic failure. It's not that the hammer can drop while the bolt is out of battery that's the problem. It's thr fact that it can set off a round while out of battery
@@alexmaurice4274 They have done a 180 in the last several months...... Horrible marketing, QC, customer service, hiring decions. They have gone to shit.
I've had a KR-9 for several years now and it runs great. I did have a primer piercing issue early on, but KUSA took care of the problem really fast. I don't like that you can no longer purchase firearms direct from KUSA, however, I'll likely end up with both 5.45 variants when available.
Ordered a KR-103 on December 19th. My FFl said they were in stock and would take ~2 weeks to arrive.. still no rifle. Also didn’t really know about all this QC crap. Seems to be a problem with the KP-9’s mostly. Went from thinking I got a middle to upper grade AK to kinda regretting my purchase. We’ll see.
I have a serious question. Would you be interested in doing a short video covering battle rifles, go to war weapon that are available on the civilian market? More specifically what are the specific internal and external components and manufacturing standards, of an AK or A.R. that classifies a weapon as a mil spec quality battle rifle, go to war (full auto excluded).
@@osbjmg Possible. I'm probably on the spectrum myself, but I'm a bit too old to have been diagnosed as such. I did have an ADHD diagnosis at one point though.
been wondering why for years they have made the akm style of rifles in 7.62x39 but the company is literally named Kalashnikov and doesnt yet make a 74 series ak. Pretty stoked to pick up a kr74m
Even without addressing all their terrible PR and QC issues, why can't they chrome line their barrels? I'm glad that they're cold-hammer forging, but come on.
In an either or scenario, i'd rather have the CHF as opposed to chrome lining. chrome lining is really only useful on full auto guns that are firing long strings of ammo.
Go get a PSA GF5 for less than these. You will get a FN CHF chrome lined barrel as well as fully forged trunions. I can't believe KUSA is charging MORE for their basic rifles than the highest end PSA rifles. That's halarious to me. Why anyone would get these over a PSA is beyond me.
They need to concentrate on their QC and stop sending out subpar rifles with wrong parts attached. Whatever these guys have to offer, I'm sure PSA will blow them out of the water.
@@peterv1318 KUSA has had major issues with out of battery detonations on their KP9. The 103 guns have had missing rivets, crushed receivers, crooked trunnions, improperly installed rivets, and they basically won’t fix the gun if you have an issue.
also the old CEO is tgaking them to court becuse they never paid him. and another company they o over one million for those supplies his talking about lmao
I haven’t seen the video yet, but the title makes me roll my eyes…every shot show they show what “is coming out this year”… and it usually doesn’t. My guess is that it is the same stuff they haven’t delivered from last year’s shot show.
Yep…same shit that was supposed to come out in 2022. Hey James! Just repost this video and date it 2024 and you will have the first 2024 Shot Show video positing locked down!
Rather buy from PSA. They've got their act together. KUSA is old news. They are slower than molasses when it comes to getting the product to the customer.
I appreciate KUSA and PSA making good quality AK's. We could all benefit greatly from better QC from both companies, but lifetime warranty is great for now. They are setting a standard for US AK's which should be appreciated. I hope both companies continue to improve quality and I hope they both stay around for a very long time.
@@rustys.1070 I'd say that it is meaningless if it weren't true, but I've seen the PSA's specifically perform very well for thousands of rounds, as well as torture tests/full auto meltdown. 5K round bare minimum test from AKOU, and 11K round documented from another guy I can't remember his name (can probably just type in 11K round PSA AK 103). They are not military firearms so they don't have a combat track record, but other than that it is not a huge leap to say that the quality is good based on what is documented so far. Minor QC issues tend to plague their reputation (which is fine, since they do have those issues), but the important thing to note is that their quality has continuously IMPROVED over time. I hope they continue to improve.
PSA quite simply is doing the same thing faster and better with significantly better customer service (both companies seem to need it) and without having to block customers from their social media accounts because of criticisms .
Yep, but they don't have the Russian data packages to make clone correct rifles like KUSA, so let's hope they go back to the drawing board, slow it down and start putting out some great stuff. Hell, I'd rather pay more for a great rifle than less for sub par.
@@jtv913 what good is having a TDP if there isn’t the required QA/QC behind the product that goes to the consumer? Especially when masquerading as actually Kalashnikov?
@@MuzzleThump I agree about QC 100%. Just saying, hodge podge ak's dont interest me as much as the true Russian designs because they are the culmination of +/- 50 years of military testing and updating. It's just more interesting to me. Most people have never read the history of the Avtomat Kalasnikova Rifle. They saw it in a game or a movie. So I guess it just depends on the person.
I bought a 103 folding stock and the rear trunnion rivets were literally falling out. One was lost in the grass the first time I shot it and the rest weren't even peened in place. I'm lucky it wasn't the front trunnion. Shameful display. I'll only buy imports now, I've learned my lesson.
I’m 9k into an early gen Kr103, easily my favorite domestic AK company. I had a PSA 103 and ‘74, neither worked out of the box. The 103 had to actually be sent back a second time but after the two months or so it takes for them to repair your stuff I lost interest. The 74 also needed to be repaired out of the box and by the time it came back I really didn’t feel like it was worth my time anymore. PSA made a business model out of releasing incomplete guns (which is why they have such a forgiving warranty lol)My experience is subjective but wow I’ve only ever got hot garbage from PSA, which is why it’s a shame seeing KUSA take a dip in QC. When the KR74M drops I’m getting it, how it’ll work is yet to be seen. I only make the comparison because allot of people compare the two company’s, often for their prices and warranty. I think if KUSA gets their shit together then yeah , it’s worth the extra fucking money. I actually shoot my gun more than twice a year so I need to know my guns gonna hold up.
@@paulpaulie the 103 got to me fresh shipped with a gas tube lever so loose you could hold the gun upside down and it would undo itself. Took about a month and when it came back it couldn’t make it through a range day, it stopped working after 300 ish rounds and would not feed no matter what magazine I used. Shipped it back to get the firing pin bolt and barrel replaced and after the two months or so it took to get back I had already fell back on an old WASR and didn’t want to waste any more time in the PSA. Year or so passes and I hear good things about the 74, about how older ones had trouble but newer ones had improved. I picked one up and the day I got it I was testing magazines and the magazine catch retaining pin undid itself, it was so loose I could push it out with my finger. I had it returned and after the first month of waiting I realized I’d made a mistake again.
PSA AK 103 should fit all the after market mags but it won't , so I gave it a negative. KR 103 compatible with all after market mags even Pufgun mags make in Russia
I own a KUSA side folder CFH and I love the gun but I got one of the earlier batches that clearly had better effort, steel grade, chroming, and QA They were worth the money at the start but now I recommend foreign made, PSA doesn’t have any pride or dimpled rivets in their AKs…..plus KUSAs cost you may as well shell out for a good Romanian, Polish, or Bulgarian AK 🤷♂️
And yet you probably have neither a KUSA or a PSA AK. My KUSA KR-103SFS is immaculate. It's never had any issues period. It's a AK-103 clone unlike the PSA AK-103. I love my Zastava ZPAP92, but my KUSA blows it out of the water in terms of fit and finish. I can't wait to buy a KR-101SFS from KUSA. Plus KUSA had no problem selling me a rifle when PSA wont even sell me parts because of my location.
@@Mr.un0R1G1N4L I am biased because I have the PSA AK-103. But all I've seen is Palmetto getting better and KUSA QC getting worse and worse. Good for you that you got a good rifle from them.
Anybody else still waiting for these guns to come out already. I have been checking the website constantly and still no 2023 variants pop up. We got three months left of 2023. It might as well be called 2024 KR's.
@@workingclassless84 Also what are we comparing to? I could get a Sako RK 95 for the same price which I paid for my real Kalash. Sako is far superior in accuracy and quality.
PSA doesn't have a 103 though. KUSA was for people who wanted guns made as close to Russian examples as possible. Don't know what they're doing now tbh. I hope they fix their shit and don't fuck up their 5.45s
I like the AK platform but don't get why would anyone cut its balls off by making it in 5.56? Also does anyone remember when we could go into a pawn/gun shop and pick out thy choice of AK for $150-200 and add another $150 and get a case of ammo too. MISS THEM GOOD OLE DAYS
What the hell. I bought shit tons of AC unity of all sorts explicitly to absolutely beat them to hell and I've never once had an issue- either x39, AR or AK
Every biased toxic AK owner : your brand of Ak is dangerous and will explode in your face! I know it’s true because I heard a dude who knows a dude who talked to a guy on Reddit that said it was true
@@paulpaulie There are videos of Rileys blowing up lol, one was archived from a deleted UA-cam video and it’s available on the AKFiles and on the AK47 subreddit
I just got my KR-103 last month and I couldn't be happier with it. Had an issue with the safety selector and customer service was so nice and got me a new one in less than a week. My friend had a GF3 from PSA and the front trunnion completely shattered so even though I know PSA has decent quality, the fact that that happened to someone I know just does not sit well with me.
@@peterv1318 basically there’s has been a growing number of quality control issues with all of their products. Aks with poorly finished dust covers, bad rivet jobs, etc. I believe the KR9 has substantial out of battery issues when firing. The company has put out statements that they will fix the issues and that has been enough for me. But people are generally upset because KUSA started off making fantastic products and somewhere within the last six months dropped the ball. They’re coming back and actually want to make great products which I’m always happy for. I still trust them!
@@nickc5844thank you for the info. I was wondering why all the “hate” towards KUSA. I bought a KR103 , maybe around 1 years ago and it works perfectly. So I was also wondering.
And i dont own a kusa so i cant say from expierience. But from all i hear im sticking with psa and zastava for my future ak needs. And my romanian SAR-1 has had 10k rounds ran through it and it still shoots just as good as the day i bought it in 2001. I dont shoot the old girl as much anymore due to having a psa and zastava and pioneer arms but i still love my SAR-1 just as much as any of em. And surprisingly the pioneer arms cast rifle has held up surprisingly well. Its accurate and shoots pretty darn good. And i know the trunnion coukd go at anytime but im 4k rounds into it and its just as strong as ever. I would like to xray the trunnion though to see how its held up.
for those not familiar with the "century" line of AK's:
AK101 - full length rifle 5.56x45. AK102 - short barrel carbine 5.56x45
AK103 - rifle 7.62x39. AK104 - carbine 7.62x39
AK74M - rifle 5.45x39. AK105 - carbine 5.45x39
KUSA guy did an absolutely terrible job explaining something so simple. Salesmen as bad as their product, epic
😆😆74m can be seen as ak100,and now Russian offers updated 74m name 200
I have the KR103 and the damn thing started rusting after it got muddy at my cabin 😂 I cleaned it up and it still shoots like a champ. I hate to say it but the Komrad on the other hand without a brace on it is hell on the wrist to shoot now 🥲 I like KUSA’s stuff but I’m sad about the rust and mad at the Alcohol Tobacco Firearms/Explosives for the brace shit 😔 ruined my favorite shotgun
Century has Npap and Opap, yugos
@@atmosrepair No, not the "Century Arms" importer, He's referring to the Russian AK-100 series, AKA century line. Two very different things.
Lol, they said they'd have their 5.56 rifles out 90-120 after last year's shot show. I'll believe it when I see it. They nuked thier reputation this past year.
Between that, the Bonnie Rotten shit and the QC issues, I went from waiting and checking daily for their 101 to drop to deciding I'll never purchase from or support them. I've never seen a company shit itself as hard as KUSA did in 2022.
@TheNoLifeKing13 I wouldn't say never. Comebacks do happen.
@@travistucker1033 K-USA's comeback will begin when they get rid of the current upper management. Todd Weaver has got to go.
@@blue_ridge_shooting762 Imagine hiring a dirty ass pornstar thinking that was the best way to sell guns..WTF is going on man.
What a shame that KUSA trashed their reputation. They had so much potential.
Wait what happened? I fell out of the loop...
@@somerandommen Absolute dogshit QC
They really did. They should be a case study for business schools.
@@somerandommen in short, ignored legitimate customer safety concerns on social media and in some instances, openly mocked and insulted customers. They also have had a lot of QC issues they denied until it was impossible to ignore, and then only admitted the problem without offering any solution.
Lawsuits from their suppliers have also been made public. They haven’t paid suppliers in over a year and are not in a good financial position.
@@sillybilly121212 Ok that clears things up, thank you!
For people wondering why KUSA has so many people interested in their rifles, it's because they're the only place in the U.S. making Russian 100 series AK copies. If you don't know what 100 series AKs are, or even care, then move on to the other (dime a dozen) AK manufacturers stateside making 60+ year old AKM pattern rifles - nothing wrong with that design by the way, but AK-74Ms, AK-105s, 101s, 103, etc - these are just more interesting to me and KUSA is building them. Not even Palmetto is building as close to a real 100 series AK as KUSA is.
That, and they're the only US mass manufacturer of AKs that aren't sketchy as fuck.
They're great, if you don't mind terrible quality control
Insert- psa blems I mean everything
@@HueHmongous123 psa in recent years has significantly higher quality rifles
and over priced
Nothing lie an out of battery to getcha going
@@shrimpanzy7627 pure copium lol
"Very impressive, let's see their recall on the KP9 out of battery detonation issue and what they're doing about qc issues"
I have one what’s wrong with it?
@@alexmaurice4274 some people have had their kp9s blow up due to oob detonations. There are ways to check if yours can do that.
So far seems they're handling it amicably.
@workingclassless84 what are the ways? Or is there any specific videos?
@@workingclassless84 Aren't those supposed to be fitted with an out-of-battery safety to prevent that? This is a problem Kalashnikov Concern ran into and addressed.
PSA quality is way better than what KUSA is putting out these days.
I haven't yet touched a KUSA but I absolutely love my PSA AKP
@Mark Lasco I emailed kusa once with question about the 103 and never responded. Finally went with a zastava m70 and happy I did.
No reason to buy an American ak forgery when you can snag a Serbian or Romanian for same price. CHF barrels. Or you can step it up to a polish FB random for same price as a kusa chf. Doesn't make sense
Love my PSA AR10
PSA cope
PSA sells their AK-102 for $999 in a variety of different setups.
let alone their 105's as well. Which I might end up doing since they are actually available.
@Galac-Tact Beard stay away from PSA junk. Get a Zastava
Love my psa ak101 I’m 1100 rounds in and no issue whatsoever. Eats any 223/556 I put in it
@@zack9912000 PSA ain't as bad as you might think, though I do agree that Zastava makes a better AK.
@@zack9912000 TIL Zastava makes a 5.45. Oh wait....
I'm hesitant because the lawsuit and with PSA and Zastava being a thing I'm not sure what Kalash brings for the extra few hundred dollars. I will say I appreciate Evan being so knowledgeable that he could run through all of this swiftly, clearly and honestly when it comes to price. This video and specifically Evan is gonna make me do some more research into KUSA before I decide on an AK
Edit: idk shit about Kalsh USA but judging on these comments not to great especially for these prices😂
Kusa has gained a reputation recently for piss poor qc and customer service combined with high prices, don't even consider them if you're looking for an AK
PSA and zastava lawsuits? I would like to be enlightened about this
Agreed!
@@shrimpanzy7627 Not to mention that they stopped selling to individuals and made it to where you have to buy the rifles from local dealers. Which makes it more inconvenient to buy such rifles.. if you still plan on buying from them that is.
over priced anyways..stamped aks should be 250 out the door
Wow. Back when Stoner and Kalashnikov met, Mikhail Kalashnikov commented he’d be happy to supply our forces with his rifles at $130 per unit.😄 Times change. I should have bought more of those $199 MAK90’s and $3 magazines at shows when I could.🙄
No fucking way my dad has a mak90 too he told me how good cheap Al’s were and he obviously hadn’t bought any guns in years so i went and bought a century…i sold it back during Covid for more than what i paid by $300 because like james said it key holes every damn shot i want another Ak but it seems like here In the states if it’s not an ar if it’s cheap it’s ass but i love my dads mak90 so much he got his for like $200 man i wish they still had Aks like that he couldn’t believe they were going for like $1000 now he wishes he would of bought a bunch lol but he thought they were just cheap shitty guns back then he also got an sks for like $50 and a couple other guns for dirt cheap i wish i could buy
@@michaelsmith4325 You missed a few periods, and may be pregnant.
Shiiiiii if I could go back in time I would have bought ALL the $79 SKS's 🤣
@@michaelsmith4325 I used to have a nice Russian SKS, blade bayonet and all. Some things a guy should hang onto. Think I still have one of those $99 Chinese “para” SKS 16” around here.
I remember getting them for 10
This rifle has lots of power ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxQt2uORDRfFOVSrO4idv4B90ThT6EOnEL , hard recoil and a little heavier than expected which affects accuracy, especially when firing freehand or hunting small game. Really rough on sites, as it often moves inside mounting rings. Replaced sight with a UTG Bugbuster, which required medium height mounting rings, but improved accuracy while sighting in as shown in attached photo, at 20 yards using Gamo Match Diablo pellets at 7.56 grain. Nonetheless, I am still trying to figure out where to install the mounting rings on the scope to avoid it from sliding around, as it becomes misaligned after about 50 or 60 shots. Currently considering using heavier pellets at about 9 grain with different tips like the H&N Baracuda Hunter Extreme or the Crosman Ultra Magnum to see if accuracy improves. Overall, I am having lots of fun with this rifle.
KUSA should fix their QC issues before even worrying about a new line
I think thats what they hired the a ids riddled pornstar for.. I think.
Remember when semi-auto "sporter" AKs cost, like, $300? It was a magical time called "the '90s."
Yeah and then the AWB happened half way through
Looking forward to an AK video without someone repeating this comment. Fun fact is that what 300 bucks was in the 90 equals to 1000 bucks of today's money more or less (look at the price of Toyota Corolla for example). Oh crap somebody will actually now say "Corolla should be $9999 like it was in magic years of 90s"
@@buzzkillington1602 We'll stop saying it when it stops being true. Those of us who remember will always miss those days.
@Judson Gaiden but it is not true, $300 in 1990 equals to $683 today and you can get PSAK for $619. Means it is even cheaper lol
@@buzzkillington1602 I didn't specify 1990. I only said "the '90s." Anyway, it's cool that you can get one of those for that price, but in my neck of the woods, the cheapest AKs are $900. Even outside my neck of the woods, $900 AKs rather than $600 ones are the norm.
Also, stagflation sucks.
I’ll believe it when I see it on the 101/105s. They said last year they would be in production but obviously that didn’t happen.
Sounds like Zastava is a better choice
Dude noped right out of there at 1:25 lol
What a Weiner
Man saw the camera lmao
Nothing says fun like swimming through "media" at Shot.
I noticed too!
James: Racks an AK
Dude: I got places to be
“Uh...... Now eventually you do plan to have dinosaurs (sell AK-101s), on your dinosaur tour (at some point), right??” Dr. Ian Malcolm
Love AKs, ARs, Tavors, the more platforms and options the better. More competition in the US for American made aks should improve things
FYI, KUSA can't pay their suppliers. If they don't offload a bunch of inventory soon, I'm not sure they'll be sticking around.
If what you're saying is true about not being able to pay suppliers, the end is near.
Good
I'm sticking with my Wassr 10 Romanian AK I've had for 12 years
and it still rocks after a shit ton of
rounds run thru it!!
mine was put together all crooked like it was assembled on vodka friday but i straightened it out myself and it never fails
@Tom Conlin Mine was nice out
of the box, I bought mine from a
gunshop that's owned by a local
Police officer, I made a few changes
to it, picatinny rails on the front,
AR15 style sliding stock and upgraded safety, it's a keeper!!
I got at least 6k thru mine maybe 7k, been flawless.
The 104 was looking pretty good but honestly after seeing the Psa and zastava stuff I think they are in for a rough road.
Will we see the 101 at Shot Show '25 for the 3rd year in a row where they're "coming out in 120 days" ?
Hopefully their QC improves to keep up with the demand for 5.56 AKs.
This company is all over the place right now.
Get their stuff sorted out real quick
Prolly cuz there main parent company is struggling to produce enough aks rn why do you think there parts are all back ordered it went to Russia lol
I still really like my KUSAs. The recent QC issues need to be fixed though. Hope they get their shit together.
There main parent company is struggling to make enough aks so I think that might have something to do with it n all furniture is out of stock leading me to believe they are sending it to Russia for us there
Despite all the bad QC's these days, I will say my KR103 I bought a year ago hasn't had any issues and is one of my favorite AK's. But I am skeptical with the initial releases in the "near" future and along with believing when the 101/105 will ACTUALLY release.
I bought one in December as a Christmas gift to myself not sure how old or new it was but it came in the box brand new from the manufacturer and I’ve put about 2000+ rounds through it and no problems it’s been a solid first ak no complaints here so I’m not sure what everyone’s complaining about and I’m wondering how many of these people actually own a kusa KR103
Must be certain guns. Its not acceptable that they have things going on with other guns by any means though. My KS 12 is alright but i need to shoot it more.
@@Swollenfishy I own neither. From my perspective it seems like PSA fanboys are quick to jump all over KUSA for things PSA is notorious for.
Because last year they were doing great. Then one of their founders left iirc, they got a literal pornstar as a spokesperson, and their QC went to shit. But the old Kr-103FTs and the early SFSs are really solid if you can still find one.
@@blodus4521 PSA has good customer service even when their QC can be lacking. But their AK line packs a mean punch. Forged internals, FN CHF barrel, etc. Hard to beat.
to bad they have shit QC now and ban everyone on IG
Why are they banning people? For talking about the QC issues?
@@christianc1769 And their washed up porn star.
@@christianc1769 YES lol i was one of them
@@2000rayc I kept spamming their IG and FB posts "when we were going to get our 103 rebate mags" lol. I'm surprised I didn't, but I know they deleted a bunch.
Reported*
Nice subtle correction on the 762x39 ballistics on short barrels.
So it’s definitely Zastava for the win.
Yugo furniture tho
@@pablojosediablo yeah but just about every company that makes ak furniture and parts makes them for the Zastava pattern. Zastava themselves also make a lot of furniture, including railed handgaurds, folding and collapsing braces and stocks. Quite a few people make adjustable gas blocks too.
Given KUSA's recent huge QC issues, I'll just stick with PSA AK's, or Zastava imports
I quite like my Zastava M70
@@doubleutubefan5 Yeah if I ever decide to get an underfolder AK, it'll probably be an M70
@@the_spaartan5372 fun fact, the very first day I took it out to shoot. I had to go just outside of town to a local garbage dump that would let you shoot into the big piles there. I backed up and tried to shoot off this one pile but I didn't realize that it was the burn pile so it was just this very fine Ash of burnt like leaves and stuff. It got all into my receiver and all over the bolt carrier group. In true AK fashion. It didn't even phase it
Or a WBP Jack.
There isn’t a scenario where I’d buy a KUSA in 2023.
Or WASR and WBP
I Paid $800 for my Arsenal SGL21. $1,400 for an AK is insane.
it was different time. money has devalued for one
i cringed at paying 500.00 for a romanian wasr gp 10/ 63
Ha $800??? Looks like you got scammed buddy I only paid $73 bucks for my Russian 74 back in 03
@@Robertthachickenwrangler Yea well this was in 2011 and the price of them is no where near $800 anymore. I got my moneys worth.
Uh oh we are turning into the boomers. "Back in my day you could get an arsenal ak for 1k flat". Yeah money ain't worth what it was. Always trends that direction.
Can't wait for these to fire out of battery also. Just here for the comments, lol.
Just like with ar15's, 10/22's, or any other hammer fired semi auto, you can pull the trigger out of battery. It's extremely common for them to not have an active out of battery safety, as usually there's a passive safety that is created by the geometry of the bolt and hammer.
James can't wait either. You heard him when he said they make AKs that AREN'T TOTAL TRASH 😂 l wonder if these out of battery discharges have happened on the first round shot 🤔 where the FUCK are their QC at!
@@otterconnor942 their kp9s have been having out of battery detonations causing catastrophic failure. It's not that the hammer can drop while the bolt is out of battery that's the problem. It's thr fact that it can set off a round while out of battery
Wait that’s been happening to people? I thought the kusa guns were regarded as pretty good
@@alexmaurice4274 They have done a 180 in the last several months...... Horrible marketing, QC, customer service, hiring decions. They have gone to shit.
And NOW they bring out their 74s. Which psa and riley has been doing for the past 5 to 6 years.
I've had a KR-9 for several years now and it runs great. I did have a primer piercing issue early on, but KUSA took care of the problem really fast. I don't like that you can no longer purchase firearms direct from KUSA, however, I'll likely end up with both 5.45 variants when available.
I own KR-9s, had a pleasure speaking with Evan on the phone a couple times, he is a great guy. Been waiting for 556 introduction.
Keep in mind that a *lot* has changed at KUSA the past year.
@@sirboomsalot4902
What all has changed?
If they’re under $1500 I’ll probably jump on one myself.
@@SigmaSheepdog The QC, they were putting shotgun safeties on KR103’s
I would love for them to do an AK-12 clone.
They hinted at it. They also said they would have a Dragunov Snioer Rifle at shot show this year. Hopefully that is still in the works.
Eh, the AK-12's actions in Ukraine hasn't exactly made it a stand out much to brag for.
No gapped gun bunny ? She shoots 5.45 out of 7.62 mags all the time 👀
It’s ok bro, those rivets are actually shaped to look like Bonnie Rottens asshole, Jesse James orders.
Ordered a KR-103 on December 19th. My FFl said they were in stock and would take ~2 weeks to arrive.. still no rifle. Also didn’t really know about all this QC crap. Seems to be a problem with the KP-9’s mostly. Went from thinking I got a middle to upper grade AK to kinda regretting my purchase. We’ll see.
They all have muzzle flex when rapid firing.
hopefully they fix their lawsuit and QC problems... PSA is knocking it out of the park...
Psa is barely ahead, having plenty of options doesn't negate their piss poor qc issues
@@JacksonScott-os7kj no cope, just facts. Had both and now have zastava
@@joe-redacted Havent seen a PSA rivet fall out in the last year. Seen several from KUSA.
LMAO the guy at 1:25 " ooo look ak's... wait oh fuck nope!"
Price high, QC low...
I have a serious question. Would you be interested in doing a short video covering battle rifles, go to war weapon that are available on the civilian market? More specifically what are the specific internal and external components and manufacturing standards, of an AK or A.R. that classifies a weapon as a mil spec quality battle rifle, go to war (full auto excluded).
This guy is the only person I've ever seen other than my own father who mouths what people are saying to him unconsciously. It's wild to see.
Mild Asberger's / autism?
@@osbjmg Possible. I'm probably on the spectrum myself, but I'm a bit too old to have been diagnosed as such. I did have an ADHD diagnosis at one point though.
been wondering why for years they have made the akm style of rifles in 7.62x39 but the company is literally named Kalashnikov and doesnt yet make a 74 series ak. Pretty stoked to pick up a kr74m
I was waiting for the KR101 for a while, but i decided to move on and bought an Beryl lol
I'll go with Zastava and PSA over KUSA
Love my 103. Runs like a dream.
Why are videos from Shot Show 2022 still getting published?
Even without addressing all their terrible PR and QC issues, why can't they chrome line their barrels? I'm glad that they're cold-hammer forging, but come on.
In an either or scenario, i'd rather have the CHF as opposed to chrome lining. chrome lining is really only useful on full auto guns that are firing long strings of ammo.
@@InvidiousIgnoramus Oh sure. I'm advocating for both, however
Go get a PSA GF5 for less than these. You will get a FN CHF chrome lined barrel as well as fully forged trunions. I can't believe KUSA is charging MORE for their basic rifles than the highest end PSA rifles. That's halarious to me. Why anyone would get these over a PSA is beyond me.
Palmetto's killing it. Support an American "Common use" company!
My KR-103 has been running flawlessly . Thanks K-USA
Is the 74M out yet? I cant find it on the website
@@Mistah_Boombastic_BiggieCheesenope
They need to concentrate on their QC and stop sending out subpar rifles with wrong parts attached. Whatever these guys have to offer, I'm sure PSA will blow them out of the water.
PSA doesn’t have a QC department and sends out absolute shit as well.
@@deleteduser7132 bonnie rotten is that you?
@@deleteduser7132 they dnt?
Can anyone actually explain what QC problems were there.
@@peterv1318 KUSA has had major issues with out of battery detonations on their KP9. The 103 guns have had missing rivets, crushed receivers, crooked trunnions, improperly installed rivets, and they basically won’t fix the gun if you have an issue.
If they make kr74M , they will produce 5.45 x 39 ammo right ?
I’ll pass, the QC with these guns are on par with Century
Bonnie rotten brah
lmao wut
@@AlexLee-dc2vb In a baffling and completely out of touch move KUSA hired a washed up porn actress to represent them
@@figueir2 I have so many questions - is this an ongoing joke i'm not familiar with?
@@AlexLee-dc2vb kusa spokeswoman
@@AlexLee-dc2vb Yes she is.
also the old CEO is tgaking them to court becuse they never paid him. and another company they o over one million for those supplies his talking about lmao
Hopefully they get their qc together among other things that ruined their reputation and have fixed stock options for the 74m
I haven’t seen the video yet, but the title makes me roll my eyes…every shot show they show what “is coming out this year”… and it usually doesn’t. My guess is that it is the same stuff they haven’t delivered from last year’s shot show.
Yep…same shit that was supposed to come out in 2022. Hey James! Just repost this video and date it 2024 and you will have the first 2024 Shot Show video positing locked down!
Can't wait for some washed up "actress" to harass me on instragram about my guns QC issues lol
Yeah okay kusa 🙄
Rather buy from PSA. They've got their act together. KUSA is old news. They are slower than molasses when it comes to getting the product to the customer.
Shout out to all you guys that got those Polish tantals that keyhole. I was one of those guys.
Me too, lol
Make 5.45 ammo too! We need more 74Ms in circulation.
They dont make any of the ammo they import it from Azerbaijan.
I appreciate KUSA and PSA making good quality AK's. We could all benefit greatly from better QC from both companies, but lifetime warranty is great for now. They are setting a standard for US AK's which should be appreciated.
I hope both companies continue to improve quality and I hope they both stay around for a very long time.
Most of what is on the KUSA is MIM manufactured from a company in India.
neither are good quality. "I shot 1100 rounds through mine no issue" is a meaningless statement
@@rustys.1070 I'd say that it is meaningless if it weren't true, but I've seen the PSA's specifically perform very well for thousands of rounds, as well as torture tests/full auto meltdown.
5K round bare minimum test from AKOU, and 11K round documented from another guy I can't remember his name (can probably just type in 11K round PSA AK 103).
They are not military firearms so they don't have a combat track record, but other than that it is not a huge leap to say that the quality is good based on what is documented so far.
Minor QC issues tend to plague their reputation (which is fine, since they do have those issues), but the important thing to note is that their quality has continuously IMPROVED over time.
I hope they continue to improve.
@@rustys.1070 you must be pretty new to the AK it doesn't matter which one you by they all have quality control issues there's no standard for them
@kilgor5793 yes because I imagined that the 2500$ Arsenal I bought with a front sight bent so bad it cannot be zeroed
The AK-101. Wait and see on price and product quality.
PSA quite simply is doing the same thing faster and better with significantly better customer service (both companies seem to need it) and without having to block customers from their social media accounts because of criticisms .
Yep, but they don't have the Russian data packages to make clone correct rifles like KUSA, so let's hope they go back to the drawing board, slow it down and start putting out some great stuff. Hell, I'd rather pay more for a great rifle than less for sub par.
@@jtv913 what good is having a TDP if there isn’t the required QA/QC behind the product that goes to the consumer? Especially when masquerading as actually Kalashnikov?
@@MuzzleThump I agree about QC 100%. Just saying, hodge podge ak's dont interest me as much as the true Russian designs because they are the culmination of +/- 50 years of military testing and updating. It's just more interesting to me. Most people have never read the history of the Avtomat Kalasnikova Rifle. They saw it in a game or a movie. So I guess it just depends on the person.
You forgot for less money. The GF5-E is less than some of these basic rifles.
5.45x39 ammo needs to be a production goal
Yes! Should of asked if and when they are going to have some for sale.
“American”
You mean subcontracted to MIM in India?
FYI indo mim has a huge Texas facility
@@Lordofthepoors There was a leaked document showing some of the parts actually did come from India.
a stamped receiver? i prefer milled to be honest, what kind of trigger ? stock?
I bought a 103 folding stock and the rear trunnion rivets were literally falling out. One was lost in the grass the first time I shot it and the rest weren't even peened in place. I'm lucky it wasn't the front trunnion. Shameful display. I'll only buy imports now, I've learned my lesson.
"We may produce these guns in some configuration sometime...don't know the exact price but it will be too much"
3 months later
PSA all day. My AKV is my baby!
Kusa should make clone copy ak-101 mags
Psa already makes them they are like 25 a pot
I have a KP9, anyone have info on how to Check OOB? I bought it in early 2021 so hopefully they were doing better QC.
At least they didn't use a porn star again to advertise the 3 boring guns they make.
Wow! Great presentation!
I’m 9k into an early gen Kr103, easily my favorite domestic AK company. I had a PSA 103 and ‘74, neither worked out of the box. The 103 had to actually be sent back a second time but after the two months or so it takes for them to repair your stuff I lost interest. The 74 also needed to be repaired out of the box and by the time it came back I really didn’t feel like it was worth my time anymore. PSA made a business model out of releasing incomplete guns (which is why they have such a forgiving warranty lol)My experience is subjective but wow I’ve only ever got hot garbage from PSA, which is why it’s a shame seeing KUSA take a dip in QC. When the KR74M drops I’m getting it, how it’ll work is yet to be seen. I only make the comparison because allot of people compare the two company’s, often for their prices and warranty. I think if KUSA gets their shit together then yeah , it’s worth the extra fucking money. I actually shoot my gun more than twice a year so I need to know my guns gonna hold up.
Americans can't work anymore. Add guns to the thing we suck at now.
You mean 9k rounds right? Not 9k dollars?
Elijah downs,
What was wrong with your PSAs? Out of the box?
@@paulpaulie the 103 got to me fresh shipped with a gas tube lever so loose you could hold the gun upside down and it would undo itself. Took about a month and when it came back it couldn’t make it through a range day, it stopped working after 300 ish rounds and would not feed no matter what magazine I used. Shipped it back to get the firing pin bolt and barrel replaced and after the two months or so it took to get back I had already fell back on an old WASR and didn’t want to waste any more time in the PSA. Year or so passes and I hear good things about the 74, about how older ones had trouble but newer ones had improved. I picked one up and the day I got it I was testing magazines and the magazine catch retaining pin undid itself, it was so loose I could push it out with my finger. I had it returned and after the first month of waiting I realized I’d made a mistake again.
PSA AK 103 should fit all the after market mags but it won't , so I gave it a negative. KR 103 compatible with all after market mags even Pufgun mags make in Russia
I can’t wait to get mine tomorrow
I own a KUSA side folder CFH and I love the gun but I got one of the earlier batches that clearly had better effort, steel grade, chroming, and QA
They were worth the money at the start but now I recommend foreign made, PSA doesn’t have any pride or dimpled rivets in their AKs…..plus KUSAs cost you may as well shell out for a good Romanian, Polish, or Bulgarian AK 🤷♂️
$1500...Only a fool would pay that.. Throw down a few hundred more fopr a milled receiver Arsenal..
My next firearm is either this or a 556 STG. 44
KUSA fuckin blows. I'd rather have a Palmetto AK all day long.
And yet you probably have neither a KUSA or a PSA AK. My KUSA KR-103SFS is immaculate. It's never had any issues period. It's a AK-103 clone unlike the PSA AK-103. I love my Zastava ZPAP92, but my KUSA blows it out of the water in terms of fit and finish. I can't wait to buy a KR-101SFS from KUSA. Plus KUSA had no problem selling me a rifle when PSA wont even sell me parts because of my location.
@@Mr.un0R1G1N4L I am biased because I have the PSA AK-103. But all I've seen is Palmetto getting better and KUSA QC getting worse and worse. Good for you that you got a good rifle from them.
Anybody else still waiting for these guns to come out already. I have been checking the website constantly and still no 2023 variants pop up. We got three months left of 2023. It might as well be called 2024 KR's.
That’s some awesome innovation there! Never seen anything like it. Game changer… meh
did they finally hirer some one for quality control?
Overpriced
These are cheap as hell. In the EU I paid 2.3k for my Kalashnikov AK-12.
These are cheap as hell. In the EU I paid 2.3k for my Kalashnikov AK-12.
@@maskenball1422 People would gladly pay that for an actual kalashnikov concern. These are subpar shit rifles and have no relation to kc.
@@workingclassless84 How do these differ? Do they just have the license to manufacture these under the Kalashnikov name?
@@workingclassless84 Also what are we comparing to? I could get a Sako RK 95 for the same price which I paid for my real Kalash. Sako is far superior in accuracy and quality.
0:23 - 0:34 the largest cloud of smoke I’ve ever witnessed James blow up someone’s ass ever
I think PSA is a better choice. Better warranty and barrels. KUSA needs to hire less feminists.
Feminists at a gun company? Seriously?
PSA is dog shit what are you talking about.
In for an explanation my interest is thoroughly piqued
@@ericmckinley7985 PSA uses Morrissey receivers which have been known for years to be terrible.
@@deleteduser7132 That's wonderful information, truly. I'd never get a PSA AK. However, i'm actually hurtin for more on this KUSA feminist thing
Get the AEK-971 upper receiver counter balance system going on those babies.
Kusa, for when you pay an extra $200 for a Palmetto AK.
PSA doesn't have a 103 though.
KUSA was for people who wanted guns made as close to Russian examples as possible. Don't know what they're doing now tbh. I hope they fix their shit and don't fuck up their 5.45s
Do they have the chrome-lined barrel ?
I like the AK platform but don't get why would anyone cut its balls off by making it in 5.56? Also does anyone remember when we could go into a pawn/gun shop and pick out thy choice of AK for $150-200 and add another $150 and get a case of ammo too. MISS THEM GOOD OLE DAYS
I used to get 1440rds on stripper clips for $88 (which is $225 today)
@@chrismemphis8062 those were the days
There’re various militaries that use 5.56 aks: poland, bulgaria, serbia, some places in Middle East.
@@stevennewman4778 Certainly doesn't mean it's the better choice, it still neuters the platform.
@@timjohnson8390 it's more convenient to get in the US
Do KUSA rifles have the last round hold open feature? At 2:20 looks like a no.
>these are the best built guns
lol
Lmao, even.
@@VeteranOfSojuWars rofling, if you will
Would love to see these in canada
Your dictator says no
@@joelsmith4596 true, lawful canadian gun owners get criminal record checked every day automatically, pedophiles don't...
@@antpart7998 too bad you aren’t in America your guys leftist parliament is seizing power
@@joelsmith4596 the communist Chinese government influenced the last two elections here and bought eleven liberal mp's
AC Unity mag fucking barf 🤮 I’ve only used 1 variety of import mags that jam and they were AC Unity
weird i run ac unity 5.56 ak mags in my m90 and I've had zero issues over 1,000 rounds through about 8 mags
yea tried one in 7.62 and my mp5 yea they're bad. You gotta slap the living dogshit of the floorplate to get in a mp5 lol
@@ognoders M90s seem weird about mags.🤨
What the hell. I bought shit tons of AC unity of all sorts explicitly to absolutely beat them to hell and I've never once had an issue- either x39, AR or AK
@@rapdfire-9175 dunno never had any issues
Will this gun ever get released......
My Riley Defense AK on sale for $699 seems like a bargain compared to these AK's
I’d get psa long before a Riley or K-USA
Yeah, until it blows up . KUSA and Riley are dangerous for people to own.
There are various cases of Rileys blowing up and having parts shear off during use
Every biased toxic AK owner : your brand of Ak is dangerous and will explode in your face!
I know it’s true because I heard a dude who knows a dude who talked to a guy on Reddit that said it was true
@@paulpaulie There are videos of Rileys blowing up lol, one was archived from a deleted UA-cam video and it’s available on the AKFiles and on the AK47 subreddit
I just got my KR-103 last month and I couldn't be happier with it. Had an issue with the safety selector and customer service was so nice and got me a new one in less than a week. My friend had a GF3 from PSA and the front trunnion completely shattered so even though I know PSA has decent quality, the fact that that happened to someone I know just does not sit well with me.
I also got one last month zero problem’s. I don’t know what people are talking about problems. No body is explaining ether.
@@peterv1318 basically there’s has been a growing number of quality control issues with all of their products. Aks with poorly finished dust covers, bad rivet jobs, etc. I believe the KR9 has substantial out of battery issues when firing. The company has put out statements that they will fix the issues and that has been enough for me. But people are generally upset because KUSA started off making fantastic products and somewhere within the last six months dropped the ball. They’re coming back and actually want to make great products which I’m always happy for. I still trust them!
@@nickc5844thank you for the info. I was wondering why all the “hate” towards KUSA. I bought a KR103 , maybe around 1 years ago and it works perfectly. So I was also wondering.
Ok, but why?
And i dont own a kusa so i cant say from expierience. But from all i hear im sticking with psa and zastava for my future ak needs. And my romanian SAR-1 has had 10k rounds ran through it and it still shoots just as good as the day i bought it in 2001. I dont shoot the old girl as much anymore due to having a psa and zastava and pioneer arms but i still love my SAR-1 just as much as any of em. And surprisingly the pioneer arms cast rifle has held up surprisingly well. Its accurate and shoots pretty darn good. And i know the trunnion coukd go at anytime but im 4k rounds into it and its just as strong as ever. I would like to xray the trunnion though to see how its held up.