It has taken over a decade, but the folks in Neosho, Missouri, have finally decided that the world is ready for their take on the Kalashnikov. After shelving a prototype back in 2013, Black Rain Ordnance used SHOT Show 2026 to unveil the Freedom Fighter AK. This is a ground-up, American-made evolution of a platform that has spent the last seventy years proving its worth in every corner of the globe.

Whilst many AK enthusiasts are content with the tractor-like charm of stamped receivers, Black Rain Ordnance has opted for a more refined approach. The Freedom Fighter is built around a milled steel receiver and billet machined components. By ditching the traditional rivets and stampings for precision machining, they have created a chassis that feels significantly more substantial. It’s a bit like taking a classic off-roader and giving it the structural integrity of a modern luxury SUV—sturdy, precise, and notably less "rattly."

Under the hood, the rifle stays true to the 7.62x39mm chambering but upgrades the internals for the modern era. You’ll find a hammer-forged bolt and carrier—essential for a rifle that claims to be a fighting tool—paired with a 16-inch 4150V chromoly nitride barrel. The 1:10 twist rate is standard fare, but the nitride finish provides a level of corrosion resistance and durability that helps the barrel survive high strings of fire without breaking a sweat.

One of the more clever touches is the integration of Rifle Dynamics components. The front sight gas block combo cleans up the front end of the rifle nicely, but the real talking point is the rear sight. It features an integrated Glock rear sight, it is a simple, effective solution to the tiny notch problem that has plagued AK users since the Truman administration.

The ergonomics have been dragged firmly into the 21st century with a machined billet free-floating handguard. This provides plenty of space for lights, lasers, or whatever else you might want to bolt onto a rifle. Above it sits a 7075 billet gas tube with an integrated Picatinny rail, ensuring your optics stay zeroed even when the rifle gets properly warm. It’s a far cry from the heat-retaining wooden handguards of yesteryear.

In the back, Black Rain Ordnance has fitted their proprietary skeletonized folding stock. Machined from billet, it manages to be both lightweight and incredibly rigid. When combined with the B5 Systems AK P-Grip, the rifle feels surprisingly balanced. It folds away neatly for transport, making it a compact package that doesn't sacrifice the shootability of a full-sized rifle once you’ve deployed it.

The trigger is usually the first thing an AK owner replaces, but Black Rain Ordnance has saved you the effort. The Freedom Fighter comes standard with a CMC AK 2.0 Elite Single-Stage Flat Trigger. It is a crisp, modern unit that completely removes the mush associated with standard military-surplus triggers. For those who prefer a bit of curve in their lives, a "Yella Jacket" combat version is also an option, but the flat blade is the default for those who value a consistent break.

Perhaps the most practical design choice is the rifle’s silencer-ready nature. The muzzle is threaded M14x1.0LH and comes with a BRO-Chinook (30 cal) adaptor. Black Rain Ordnance specifically tuned this rifle to run reliably with modern flow-through silencers without requiring the user to tinker with adjustable gas blocks. It provides a low recoil impulse and a much more pleasant shooting experience, which is a welcome change for a platform usually known for being over-gassed.

At a price point of US$2789, the Freedom Fighter is clearly positioned as a premium piece of hardware. It isn’t trying to be the cheapest AK on the market; it’s trying to be the most refined. For the shooter who wants the reliability of the Kalashnikov system with the precision of American manufacturing and the comforts of modern ergonomics, the wait since 2013 might just have been worth it.

Top photo:  Black Rain Ordnance Freedom Fighter AK Facebook Reel