Kalashnikov rifles become luxury items in the US: NYT on the fate of the legendary weapon in the American market

Civilian versions of the Kalashnikov rifle have nearly disappeared from the American market and are gradually moving into the category of collector’s demand.

This is reported by KP.RU, citing The New York Times.

According to the publication, the AK market in the US has come under pressure from several factors at once: sanctions restrictions, import tariffs, rising ammunition prices, and growing buyer interest in AR-15 rifles, which are today considered the main competitor of the legendary weapon.

Prominent American gunsmith Jim Fuller noted that civilian AKs have begun disappearing from sale rapidly. In his assessment, the changes happened very quickly and became noticeable to all participants in the market.

Prices are particularly off-putting to buyers. While a few decades ago an AK could be purchased for a few hundred dollars, the cost of such a weapon has since multiplied several times over. As a result, Kalashnikov rifles have gradually shifted from the mass-market segment into the category of expensive collector’s models.