By David Crane
defrev (at) gmail (dot) com
All photos and video clips contained in this article were shot by DefenseReview.com (DR), and are copyrighted. DefenseReview.com owns the copyright on these materials. The photos and video clips were shot with a Canon PowerShot S90 10-megapixel digital camera (still camera with video capability).
January 24, 2012
Last updated on 1/31/12.
During Media Day last Monday at SHOT Show 2012, our good friend (and champion 3-Gunner) Taran Butler alerted us to the very interesting (and very fun) Akdal MKA 1919 mag-fed (10-rounds) tactical AR-15-type semi-auto 12-gauge (12ga) shotgun being imported (from Turkey) and marketed by RAAC. So, we decided to try it out. The experience was enlightening to say the least, thanks to the test gun’s total reliability, practical accuracy (with the help of a L3 EOTech HWS combat optic), and the muzzle brake’s effectiveness. In fact, DR didn’t witness a single malfunction experienced by any of the shooters at the range, and one of the RAAC reps told us later (when we ran into him at Grand Lux Cafe in the Venetian Hotel, later) that the T&E guns fired approximately 3,000 rounds that day without a single malfunction.
The particular Akdal MKA 1919 semi-auto “AR-15 shotgun” demo gun we shot, along with its 10-round box magazine, had a liquid-film-applied urban grey human skulls camo (camouflage) paint scheme/motif and was reportedly a custom gun that was “super-tuned” by Firebird Precision specifically for 3-Gun competition. Possible legal-liability risk aside, the skulls somehow seemed appropriate on the gun. The combination of the EOTech HWS (holographic weapon sight) and unbelievably effective muzzle brake made blowing clay pigeons out of the air both a snap and a pleasure. The gun was very soft-shooting. Oh, I’m sorry. Did I forget to mention that we were shooting trap with it? Well, we were.
The gun functions/operates just like an AR rifle/carbine, controls-wise, and appropriately features a bolt-carrier hold-open feature where the bolt carrier stays back after the last round for fast reloading. The gas system is “self-adjusting” and the barrel is chrome-lined and internally choked.
Taran commented to us that he’d like to see the 1919 shotgun’s lower receiver made from aluminum (7075 T6) instead of polymer for increased strength and durability, but the gun was pretty darn light with the polymer lower. He’s got 3-Gun competition shooting on his mind, and wants to make sure the gun won’t go tits-up (technical term) in the middle of a match. That’s certainly understandable, but what I’m wondering about is whether or not the gun is up to the challenge of adverse military combat conditions, particularly desert and jungle conditions where fine sand and/or mud can gum up the works while you’re in the middle of a firefight.
For martial combat applications, Defense Review would like to pair the Adkal 1919 shotgun up with Environ-Metal HEVI-Shot HEVI-Metal 12-gauge shotgun ammo and FRAG-12 AP (Armor-Piercing/Armor-Penetrating) 12ga grenade rounds. Another good friend of ours, Jerry Baber, developer and manufacturer of the Auto-Assault-12 (AA-12) mag-fed, gas-operated semi-auto shotgun, is a big fan of both HEVI-Shot shotgun ammo and the FRAG-12 family of explosive ammo.
The Turkish Akdal MKA 1919 shotgun is certainly going to give the Russian Saiga shotgun (Kalashnikov AKM-type) a run for its money, and may even dominate it in both combat and competition environments, provided the 1919 proves to be reliable, accurate and durable.
RAAC Akdal MKA 1919 12ga Shotgun Specs:
Operation – Gas operated Semi-auto Shotgun
Caliber – 12 gauge
Range – 35 mt.
Weight (Empty) – 6 1/2 lbs
Barrel Length – 47 cm.
Magazine Capacity – 5 Round
Safety – Manuel safety lever
Overall Length – 96,40 cm.
Mobile shock – 5 cm — 10 cm — 15 cm
Editor’s Note: The correct spelling is “Akdal”, not “Adkal”.
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Company Contact Info:
RAAC
677 Cardinal Lane
Scottsburg, IN 47170
Toll Free: 877-752-2894
Local: 812-752-2894
Fax: 812-752-7683
Email: info@raacfirearms.com
Website: http://www.raacfirearms.com
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/RAACINC
Firebird Precision Firearms
PO Box 855
Mountainair, NM 87036
Phone: 505-847-0108
Email: jim@firebirdprecision.com
Custom Akdal MKA 1919 AR Shotgun Page: http://www.firebirdprecision.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=30&Itemid=39
Website: http://firebirdprecision.com
Daniel Lelko
L3 EOTech
1201 E. Ellsworth
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108
Phone: 734.741.8868
Fax: 734.741.8221
Email Info: daniel.lelko@l-3com.com
Website: http://www.eotech-inc.com
Environ-Metal Inc. (Makers of HEVI-Shot)
P.O. Box 779
Sweet Home, OR 97386
Phone: 541-367-3522
Website: http://www.hevishot.com
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