VolkStudio Blog

One major advantage of AR15 platform is the number of calibers and configurations that all share the same manual of arms. At first glance, MKA1919 appears to be another AR15, but appearances are deceiving. Internally, this 12ga shotgun is most similar to Remington 1100 converted to box magazines.

It’s a piston driven gas-operated semi-auto shotgun. It shares the right-hand side charging handle with the 1100 but the rest of the controls are all AR. Standard magazines hold 5 rounds and can be inserted easily with the closed bolt. 10-round magazines are coming soon. The entire shotgun weighs only 6.5 pounds, so it can be held on target with one hand during a reload. Sights are optimized for slugs and buckshot — for wing-shooting, I’d suggest a folding rear sight an EOTech, Trijicon Reflex or similar red dot with a wide field of view. The carry handle is removable and I would recommend a ghost ring flip-up sight instead. Custom versions seen at SHOT show have rails and folding, telescoping stocks.

This design fixes my main complaint about shotguns: slow and awkward loading. With box magazines, changing ammunition types is quick and reloading takes very little manual dexterity. The pouch shown holds up to seven 5-round magazines, giving 35-round loadout in a compact configuration.

The other advantage is the low muzzle rise and relatively mild recoil for such a light shotgun. 6.5lbs might be a bit on the light side, but optics, sight/laser and ammunition add to it, so the gun in fighting trip ends up at 8-9lbs.

For a person who is an AR15 user, not having to re-learn between guns can be valuable. And it gives the option to throw 400-450 grains at a time instead of 55-62. Shown with 2.75″ magazines, this gun also works with 3″ magazines. Cylinder bore choke is installed, others (including rifled) are available. I’ll post the range report soon.

Buckshot and interesting looking slugs – Rio. Sheepdog patch – Milspec Monkey.