---
title: "The Company Behind The AK-47 Just Dropped A Badass New Pump-Action Rifle"
date: "2017-05-05"
modified: "2017-05-05"
authors:
  - name: "Jared Keller"
    job_title: "Former Managing Editor"
    link: "https://taskandpurpose.com/authors/jaredkeller/"
url: "https://taskandpurpose.com/tech-tactics/kalashnikov-shotgun-ksz-223/"
categories:
  - "Around the World"
  - "Guns"
  - "News"
  - "Russia"
  - "Tech & Tactics"
  - "Weapons"
---

# The Company Behind The AK-47 Just Dropped A Badass New Pump-Action Rifle

![](<https://taskandpurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/03/19040193-1.jpg>)

Brace yourselves: Kalashnikov has a new rifle in town.

Kalashnikov Concern, the largest arms manufacturer in Russia and industrial avatar of military engineer Mikhail Kalashnikov’s creative genius, has been branching out beyond its iconic AK-47 assault rifle for years, but the latest addition to the company’s arsenal packs way more than a punch.

The company in April [announced](<https://kalashnikov.com/press/news/news_301.html>) the release of the KSZ-223 rifle, a sleek pump-action beauty that appears better suited for the set of an action flick than the Russian National IPSC Rifle team for whom it was developed.

Photo via Kalashnikov Concern

![](<https://taskandpurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/03/image-placeholder-title-610.jpg>)

Based on the Saiga semi-automatic rifles designed as a sporting version of Kalashnikov’s legendary AK rifle series, the KSZ weighs a relatively compact 9.25 pounds, boasts a 16.3-inch barrel, and has a capacity for 10 and 30-round magazines. But the most satisfying feature is likely the classic pump-action which, taken with the KSZ’s ergonomic pistol grip, makes the rifle a dream to wield.

But don’t take it from us: check out this batshit crazy promotional video from Kalashnikov Concern:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MY5P_RIWRM4

The Firearm Blog has a [fine rundown](<https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2017/04/20/kalashnikov-officially-releases-pump-action-ksz-223-rifle/>) of the KSZ’s more unique features:

*The* [*gun*](<https://rover.ebay.com/rover/13/0/19/DealFrame/DealFrame.cmp?bm=603&BEFID=1385&acode=602&code=602&aon=&crawler_id=523588&dealId=ELIdYr0c2NcLiuLSpH1Nlg%253D%253D&searchID=&url=https%253A%252F%252Fads.midwayusa.com%252Fproduct%252F771164%252Fpelican-1720-scoped-rifle-gun-with-solid-foam-insert-and-wheels-44-polymer-desert-tan%253Fcm_mmc%253Dpf_ci_ebay-_-Shooting%252B-%252BCases-_-Pelican-_-771164%2526sdc_id%253DeBay&DealName=Pelican%25201720%2520Scoped%2520Gun%2520with%2520Solid%2520Foam%2520Insert%2520and%2520Wheels%252044%2522%2520Polymer%2520Desert%2520Tan&MerchantID=523588&HasLink=yes&category=0&AR=-1&NG=1&GR=1&ND=1&PN=1&RR=-1&ST=&MN=msnFeed&FPT=SDCF&NDS=1&NMS=1&NDP=1&MRS=&PD=119550339&brnId=2455&lnkId=8070676&Issdt=170503053155&IsFtr=0&IsSmart=0&dlprc=259.99&SKU=771164>) *also retains the* [*recoil spring*](<https://www.brownells.com/search/index.htm?k=recoil+spring>)*, which should feel weird for those who shoot pump action* [*shotguns*](<https://rover.ebay.com/rover/13/0/19/DealFrame/DealFrame.cmp?bm=603&BEFID=1385&acode=602&code=602&aon=&crawler_id=523588&dealId=e_kDSH7s0RvoDczNLoP1ng%253D%253D&searchID=&url=https%253A%252F%252Fads.midwayusa.com%252Fproduct%252F963899%252Fpelican-storm-im3300sgn-shotgun-case-with-molded-insert-and-wheels-53-polymer-black%253Fcm_mmc%253Dpf_ci_ebay-_-Shooting%252B-%252BCases-_-Pelican-_-963899%2526sdc_id%253DeBay&DealName=Pelican%2520Storm%2520iM3300SGN%2520Shotgun%2520Case%2520with%2520Molded%2520Insert%2520and%2520Wheels%252053%2522%2520Polymer%2520Black&MerchantID=523588&HasLink=yes&category=0&AR=-1&NG=1&GR=1&ND=1&PN=1&RR=-1&ST=&MN=msnFeed&FPT=SDCF&NDS=1&NMS=1&NDP=1&MRS=&PD=0&brnId=2455&lnkId=8070676&Issdt=170503053155&IsFtr=0&IsSmart=0&dlprc=289.99&SKU=963899>)*. However, that feature will possibly allow faster and more reliable cycling of the action because the forward movement of the BCG is supported by the recoil spring.*

*The* [*gun*](<https://rover.ebay.com/rover/13/0/19/DealFrame/DealFrame.cmp?bm=603&BEFID=1385&acode=602&code=602&aon=&crawler_id=523588&dealId=ELIdYr0c2NcLiuLSpH1Nlg%253D%253D&searchID=&url=https%253A%252F%252Fads.midwayusa.com%252Fproduct%252F771164%252Fpelican-1720-scoped-rifle-gun-with-solid-foam-insert-and-wheels-44-polymer-desert-tan%253Fcm_mmc%253Dpf_ci_ebay-_-Shooting%252B-%252BCases-_-Pelican-_-771164%2526sdc_id%253DeBay&DealName=Pelican%25201720%2520Scoped%2520Gun%2520with%2520Solid%2520Foam%2520Insert%2520and%2520Wheels%252044%2522%2520Polymer%2520Desert%2520Tan&MerchantID=523588&HasLink=yes&category=0&AR=-1&NG=1&GR=1&ND=1&PN=1&RR=-1&ST=&MN=msnFeed&FPT=SDCF&NDS=1&NMS=1&NDP=1&MRS=&PD=119550339&brnId=2455&lnkId=8070676&Issdt=170503053155&IsFtr=0&IsSmart=0&dlprc=259.99&SKU=771164>) *also has a left side charging handle along with the traditional AK charging handle. You may think, why does a pump action gun need a charging handle? But as you can see in the video, that feature comes in handy when shooting from a prone position, when the access and manipulations of the forearm/slide are not that convenient.*

The KSZ is currently a limited-edition product solely for Russian competition in the manual division at the IPSC 2017 World Rifle championship in June, but [according to The Firearm Blog](<https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2017/04/20/kalashnikov-officially-releases-pump-action-ksz-223-rifle/>), Kalashnikov will make a decision whether to release the sleek rifle to civilian buyers.

Jared Keller

![](<https://taskandpurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/03/image-placeholder-title-611.jpg>)

While it’s unlikely the KSZ will ever supplant standard U.S. armed forces rifles like the M4. Then again, compared to Kalashnikov’s ridiculous promotional video, I sort of prefer a recommendation that doesn't take itself too seriously, like this (unofficial) Mossberg endorsement by Greg Kinman on Hickock45:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vaa6wsw7Ts

## Author
Jared Keller is the former managing editor of Task & Purpose. His writing has appeared in Aeon, the Los Angeles Review of Books, the New Republic, Pacific Standard, Smithsonian, and The Washington Post, among other publications.

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