NRA Gun of the Week: Citadel RSS1

The Citadel RSS1 from Legacy Sports International provides shotgunners and home defenders with a Molot Vepr shotgun design with welcome upgrades and capabilities to meet needs with a cost-effective semi-automatic platform. A number of enhancements are found on the Citadel RS-S1 that you won’t find on many of today’s AK-style rifles and shotguns.

Starting off with an enlarged AK-style receiver, the gun comes complete with a piston-driven operating system is designed run the gamut of 12-gauge loads, ranging from standard field-grade shells to 3” magnum loads. On the right side of the receiver is an AK-style stamped selector, along with a ledge that allows operators to activate the safety with a simple finger swipe. A fixed, reciprocating charging handle is on the bolt’s right side. AK-style iron sights are mounted on receiver’s top, and a paddle-style magazine release is found in front of the trigger guard.

There are a number of enhancements found on the Citadel RSS1 that you won’t find on more traditional AK-style rifles and shotguns, though. For one, the detachable box magazines do not rock into position like the standard AK magazine; the magazine well mimics the well found on AR-15-style guns. The dust cover at the top is fixed in place with a hinge sitting on the barrel trunnion, and it features a Picatinny rail. Additionally, a last-round bolt hold-open mechanism and manual hold-open button for locking the bolt to the rear is provided.

At the range, we had a great experience with the Citadel RSS1. For a budget-priced semi-automatic shotgun, it ran reliably, and we found that recoil was fairly manageable, even with heavy loads. Magazines locked in easily and intuitively, and the gun mounted comfortably, thanks to its ergonomic stock design. The Citadel RSS1 is well constructed for a Turkish take on a Russian-made shotgun. The fore-end is comfortable and features generous serrations for a solid support-hand hold. The stock is the most unique element of this gun, featuring a thumbhole-style arrangement that ties together the butt and pistol grip.

Watch our NRA Gun of the Week video above to see the Citadel RSS1 in action.

Citadel RSS1 Shotgun Specifications

Manufacturer: Armsan

Importer: Legacy Sports International

Action Type: gas-piston-operated, semi-automatic, center-fire shotgun

Chambering: 12-ga., 3”
Receiver: steel

Barrel: 20”

Sights: elevation- and windage-adjustable rear, post front

Magazine: five-round detachable box

Stock: black synthetic

Length: 41.65”

Weight: 8 lbs., 2 ozs.

MSRP: $799

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