[SHOT 2026] An FG42 Or Walther WA2000 For Everyone

One of the coolest things about the SHOT Show basement is noticing unique firearms that just aren’t mainstream. Like, say, a scaled-down FG42 that’s chambered in 9x19mm and takes Glock mags. Or a Walther WA2000 clone that you can actually afford. The crew from Rhineland Arms had both on display this year—here’s what they’re about.

German oddities @ TFB:

• Forgotten Weapons Releases WA2000 Video After Teasing Us
• Death From Above! A Review of SMG's Reproduction FG-42 Rifle
• FG-42 Tactical !!!!!!!! Take a deep breath …
• WA 2000 Seized from Canadian Drug Trafficker: Given to Local Club

Rhineland Arms FG-9 Carbine

The FG42 is one of the most iconic weapons of World War II; at least, it’s iconic to gun nerds. These rare German-made rifles were issued to paratrooper units and featured select-fire choice of semi- or full-auto. Chambered in 7.92x57mm, they were one of the earliest battle rifles, with features that most NATO and Combloc countries were copycatting a few years later. But when you watch old war movies, which is where the average person is exposed to World War II firearms, you don’t see them; you see MP40s and K98s.

That carries over to average shooters, who will probably get no closer to an FG42 than a Forgotten Weapons video (link above). But if you do want an FG42 and you’re not rich enough to buy one, Rhineland has made scaled-down replicas in 9x19mm for years. The FG-9 is a blowback-operated rifle available in the U.S. market through Global Defense dealers. We told you about them here at TFB before, but they’ve updated the design since then, to run on Glock 19 magazines for reliability. They also have a new recoil spring set for both 124-grain and 115-grain 9mm rounds.

Here’s how Rhineland Arms describes the rifle at their website:

The FG-9 is a 9mm version of the German FG42 rifle with modern features while retaining that feel of a firearm designed from a different era with just metal and wood … The receiver has a built in scope rail and modified m-lock on the lower rail for bipods or addition items. All component parts are held in place with HK style push pins for rapid field disassembly. The rifle is constructed from aluminum, steel and wood with no plastic, right here in the USA. There are 2 versions of the FG 9, a long barrel with threaded muzzle and short barrel. The short barrel (Alpine model) is a very compact carbine, while still retaining a 16″ overall length on the barrel.

Wikipedia has a write-up on the original rifle’s design here. Rhineland Arms’ version isn’t an exact copy, although it’s a close lookalike; it uses AR-pattern parts to operate, and that means it can be chambered in calibers like 6.5 Grendel or 6mm ARC, unlike Walther’s .308-only original. Rhineland Arms also makes a straight-pull version for export. Here’s how they describe it on their website:

These are a Patent Pending new design that uses all AR15 parts and can be built into any caliber a standard .223 AR rifle can be built into and features the same internal specs. This is a complete platform that requires the following, AR15 barrel w/gas system, Trigger group/mag catch, bolt/carrier and carbine recoil system. The rifle uses push pins for rapid disassembly. The top rail is designed to take top or side mount bipods. …

R2000 available in the following finishes

Unfinished walnut, sanded only and ready for your finial sanding/finishes.

Finished walnut, features a multi coat, classic hand wiped oil finish. This comes closest to matching the WA2000 finish.

Blackened walnut, this features a special process to turn the walnut black while keeping the grain.