Video: Daewoo K2 Rifle

** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
After many years of relying on surplus and donated firearms from the U.S., to include the M1 Garand, M1 Carbine, M16A1 as well as guns from other countries, the Republic of South Korea embarked on designing and building an independent manufacturing plant. After all, when your closest neighbor is North Korea, the matter of small arms is extremely important.

Ultimately it was Daewoo Precision Industries that took the best favorite features of several guns to build the Daewoo K1 and K2. The K2 was basically an amalgamation of the M16, the AK-47 and the FN-FAL. During the 1980s, semi-automatic versions of these guns were actually imported to the U.S. by several companies—including Kimber. However, changing firearm legislation during the latter part of the 80s and early 90s restricted further importation of the rifles.

To learn more, watch the complete “I Have This Old Gun” segment on the Daewoo K2 Rifle here above.

Latest

IHTOG French MAS49 1
IHTOG French MAS49 1

I Have This Old Gun: French MAS-49

Despite being early adopters of several semi-automatic rifles for military use, the French army took several decades to work out a standardized semi-automatic rifle for general service use. The rifle that finally came to being was the MAS-49.

Polite Society Industries Launches with Complete Suppressor Line

"An armed society is a polite society," goes the famous quote, which is also the inspiration behind Polite Society Industries, a new suppressor manufacturer that now has a complete line available to consumers.

NRA-ILA Names Smith & Wesson Official Partner of the 2026 NRA Gun Bus Battleground Tour

Iconic American firearms maker Smith & Wesson will join NRA-ILA on the road as nation's leading firearm group turns out voters ahead of the 2026 midterm.

A New Armed Citizen Survey That is Endlessly Fascinating—and Politically Incorrect

The 2026 National Firearms Survey conducted by William English of Georgetown University estimates that armed citizens in America use their guns 2.2 million to defend themselves or others.

Review: Heckler & Koch VP9CC

HK’s new VP9CC offers VP9 features in a micro-size pistol.

Former Barnes Bullets CEO Randy Brooks Passes Away

Randy Brooks, former president and CEO of Barnes Bullets, passed away on Aug. 27 peacefully in his Mona, Utah, home.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.