[SHOT 2025] The SA80 at Home - the AKB-23

As a British guy at SHOT Show it would be remiss of me not to go and check out the new AKB-23 inspired by the UK’s service rifle - the SA80/L85.

The AKB-23 is a project that has been in development Aly & Kaufman LLC for a while now and it's worth following their Instagram page to follow the development.

The AKB-23 lower receiver pairs with the Brownells BRN-180 with a 18.5" Gen 2 upper receiver. The gun on display had the A&K designed furniture, which is manufactured by MK Machining (whose booth the gun was displayed at). It also had an A&K designed carry handle micro mount with iron sights - seen here mounted with an Aimpoint T2. The barrel was tipped with a KAK Industries tulip flash hider.

Here's a list of the AKB-23s features:

• Accepts STANAG standard magazines.
• Swappable triggerguards
• Crossbolt safety
• Milspec single stage trigger
• Nylon polymer magwell
• Magpul SL-K buttpad or extended buttpad
• Ambi front and rear QD sockets
• A2 pistol grip

The AKB-23’s receiver is machined from aircraft grade aluminum billet and coated with MIL-A 8625 Type III hardcoat anodizing or cerakote over anodizing. The example I examined at SHOT Show felt really well made,the upper mated to the kit seamlessly and the bespoke SA80 inspired plastic furniture felt great in the hand!

For those who have ordered a one of the kits Aly & Kaufman LLC’s site offers an update on their site:

“Receivers are assembled, polymer parts are done undergoing post processing then shipment to us.”

In terms of cost and availability the AKB-23 is listed on their site as $850.00. if you want that classic British SA80 vibe then the L85 style handguard will set you back another $85 and the case deflector charging handle another $40, but for that's a small price to pay for acquiring the SA80 (you can have) at home!