South Korean Military Rifle Coming to the US: The Daewoo K13 | SHOT Show 2025

[@SS-tr5ru]

This guy gives me good vibes. Seems genuine. Definitely gonna be supporting my Korean brethren with my money when the k2s come out

[@stormlakebobcat9058]

Yes!!!!! And the k1a1 if they get around to it😊

[@glenoh88]

Dude is a company man…I would get the gun though 🙂

[@patrickavondale8653]

The type of dude you want be at the roulette table with for sure

[@DOPExPIRATE]

From a five minute video . While his main purpose is to be a sales man. You're a big fool

[@SS-tr5ru]

@ you must be fun at parties

[@jaredlostetter265]

I’m now putting Charles on my list of shot show must see yearly video list

[@brettskinner5824]

Been subscribed

[@Boondoggle6969]

Hopefully he doesn't get in any trouble for leaking the price in the other video

[@MarkyMan316]

Charles needs to be like the regulars from Zastava, Dead Air, Sig, etc. on TFB whenever this comes out. Represents his company well!

[@VFRSTREETFIGHTER]

Absolutely!

[@ElTejon47901]

Jason asked a Korean if he gambles. Next he will ask if he likes pork. We must have a TFB trip to see Charles in the ROK.

[@sunnycat69]

Yesss

[@Cheka__]

*James

[@ElTejon47901]

@Cheka__ It has been Jason since SIG.

[@TFBTVShowTime]

I would go, zero hesitation

[@ElTejon47901]

​@@TFBTVShowTimeThanks, Jason, I suggest we wear matching shorts. I am imagining a Zoolander scene or 3.

[@twizzle777]

Props to Charles for his English, you even get his sense of humor which is hard to convey in a 2nd language.

[@iannordin5250]

I'm stoked to see a foreign arms manufacturer opening up shop in the US and offering a catalogue of products that are unique.

[@GoldenWebb]

I blowed out my tire on the interstate. Charles stopped and changed my tire for me. Charles is a good guy.

[@lon242]

True story? Awesome

[@Chicano_pistolero]

Dude seems like he’d be an animal in Korea with his homies just add some liquor and some roulette 😂

[@GoldenWebb]

@@lon242 oh yea!

[@GoldenWebb]

@@Chicano_pistolero be a hard road to hold for sure!

[@daa3417]

The cool thing is the $1200 he said in the last video is the same price as the OG imports adjusted for inflation. That’s not something I expected to see ever again in the modern industry.

[@steveh5307]

Korean products seem to have a theme: quality products at justified prices

[@330FoeSho]

$1200 would be for a DR-200 configuration gun. The original pre-1989 guns have been going for closer to $2000.

[@bebop_557]

Another reason why it's a smart move is similar style competing rifles like the Sig 556 SWAT go for $1500 starting on places like Gunbroker. So this was a very smart move to help the rifle sell in the US

[@daa3417]

@@330FoeSho Okay I did a bit of research and I found some old ads without dates that advertise the AR100/K2 for ~$340. If I just assume it was ‘85 that would be ~$1020 in 2025 USD. The original math I did was based off someone I know telling me they paid about $500 for one around 1990 which would be $1200. It’s really hard to find good info about what the MSRP was when these were first imported but ~$350 makes sense as that would be just a bit higher than the AKs yet far cheaper than ARs and stuff from HK. My take away is mostly being disgusted that the USD has inflated nearly 200% since 1985, but it shows how serious they are about entering the US market by not gouging like every other import we get these days.

[@yootoobvyooer]

​@@daa34171200 is wholesale price, 350 is retail back then. Retail in 2025 will probably be close to 2000 initially, then maybe settle about 1500. Still not bad though.

[@Sensorium19]

Charles is a real character and seems to be an audience favorite. I hope he's back next near.

[@equilibrium9272]

Absolutely has the charm great salesman. 👍

[@ranoverpenny]

The man talks just like my dad. Must be a Korean Businessman thing. Especially using the phrase "Actually"

[@echodelta2172]

"Surely" "Truly" And other Asian English language staples.

[@asdf456ghj]

'솔직히 말하면' 😂

[@tristanjones7427]

I love this guy😂 James really brought out his funny side

[@jackbauer4186]

Charles was low-key the best presenter/booth guy at SHOT.

[@TexanApollyon]

The original import was stellar and shoots like a dream. Very proven rifle and my example has been no different. The K13 would be great to see introduced and I'd love for them to bring in the matching suppressors as well.

[@nick3d155]

Having worked with Korean people for YEARS, I am excited that they are going this hard into the market. They are hard working, honest, proud, and are incredibly adaptable to adversity. Most importantly, they own their problems. If it's not right, they will improve. I trust Korean businesses.

[@nikolavuksan2029]

That Korean Salesman, Charles, is a guy I can trust! Every company needs someone real like Charles!

[@xavierwilmerng6317]

Daaaaaaaaaamn. The Koreans are back, baby! Hopefully they can find a way to build a US-market USAS-12, but that's just me dreaming!

[@SS-tr5ru]

Allegedly the atf classified that as a destructive device and banned its import saying it has no “sporting purpose”

[@Bigcat726]

@@SS-tr5ruif the ATF is disbanded or the NFA is abolished then possibilities are there to comback

[@jaytate7899]

Actually it’s called the OwO sas-12

[@bobb1202]

@@SS-tr5ruthey could just rename it, it is banned by name. Not by features because we can own saigas and all sorts of semi auto shotguns.

[@ninjagold9244]

@@SS-tr5ru I would love to see that rule challenged now that the Chevron deference was struck down.

[@sunnycat69]

You definitely have to go to Republic of Korea and visit Charles and go drinking and toward the factory and also film at all also take him drinking here as well he looks wholesome AF lol

[@seanmtak7573]

I would watch a tv series of that

[@echodelta2172]

>go drinking with Koreans You trying to kill James?

[@puma51921]

I love Charles personality. Good man. Korean Marines are great Marines. Semper Fidelis. I want that rifle.

[@NathanKoshak]

if they get a K series standalone upper that can fit on an AR-15 lower I think they're going to get a lot of business. Especially for the AR-18 based uppers on the older models.

[@jacobsauve7318]

I want Charles and Ranko from Zastava in the same video they both seem like cool dudes

[@josephwhiskeybeale]

Very excited about the K2 and possibly the K1A coming back to the US market.

[@jamesz.1047]

The S&T guys need to know that there is absolutely a desire in the US for a piston driven AR with serious pedigree that is not asking fucking $3500. I'm not even pro piston and I can tell that if they swallow some pride, lean marketing heavily on its AR ergos/compatibility, and bring it to market in the $1500 ballpark, these things would FLY off shelves.

[@tma-1701]

Yeah, that ambi bolt release looks great. And those are a LOT of rails, though I hope the Pic rails are dettachable

[@diehlcorp7319]

@@tma-1701looks like it’s an mlok rail with 1913 rails installed. The rails have screws on them if you look close and there’s definitely mlok slots.

[@jac1207]

DEFINITELY a market for this. If they play their cards right, I can definitely see plenty of AR guys who can't really see themselves dropping the $2000~3000, but can def stomach $1500~ for a AR-18-ish piston system AR with lineage of major military contract pedigree. I know they're opening up a US branch to manufacture these, and the magic words to people swarming them would be: -CHF barrel, with chrome-line or nitrade (CHF machines are expensive upfront) -design very close or directly of the stuff rolling off the production line in South Korea, the most major redesign going towards suppressor related. -QC I am a bit hesitant on the CHF part, but if they get all 3 aspects AND still keep this bad boy under $2000, ooooooh boy will they take a large bite of this particular market. If they are insane and actually get this to $1500~, expect it to sell out for a good while.

[@jki808]

Piston ARs already exist in that price ballpark. LMT and HK are not the only players here. You can get a PWS upper on sale and mate it with some cheap lower for under $1500 guaranteed.

[@RockSolitude]

@@jki808 Piston ARs already exist but a lot of brands like to price themselves into Gucci AR territory and HK is being HK. Outside of LMT and HK there's not a lot of brands that have actual military pedigree. There's even less when you narrow it down to rifles which have actual military contracts or are being issued. You know the quality and robustness is going to be there unless the US manufacturing facility somehow fudges things up. All of that at 1500, there's definitely going to be a market for it and I'd think it'd even unseat quite a few established competitors in that space too.

[@TheZerech]

The RoK is a long time US ally, and their military is one of the best and most powerful on earth. They fought hard in Vietnam alongside the US and were feared by the Vietcong more than US forces for their bravery, competence, and fierce anti-Communism. They know their shit.

[@armorers_wrench]

Charles is funny.

[@kman0146]

James and Charles tearin it up in Vegas, Hop is the designated driver.

[@SecondClassCitizen]

Dude tells us it is only gonna be $400 and then gets blacked bagged when he walks off the plane when he heads home.

[@EdZachary1]

I think his name is Charles

[@archipelago93]

Hahaha 😂

[@Hastur98-xc7uv]

Dude gets black bagged and marshall lawed.

[@EdZachary1]

@ His name is Charles.

[@newerest1]

Why you bring dishonor to company 😡😠

[@bingusbadingus9486]

A new rifle for a new generation of roof Koreans.

[@EchoSigma6]

Hell yeah, OG Roof Top Koreans holding the line after being abandoned by the LAPD.

[@leileijoker8465]

K2 for larping as the roof Korean. K13 for larping as the SF guy wrestling with the lady MP during the coup.

[@peyton_uwu]

Huh? Haven't heard about the latter yet.

[@johnnytyler5685]

The K2 would be incorrect for larping as a rooftop Korean. The rooftop Korean in the "famous" picture on the roof with his rifle (in the red shirt) is using a K1, not a K2. However, Charles mentioned briefly at the end of James's video on the K2 that they were planning on making the K1 as well if demand was high enough.

[@joenull5945]

K13 for "larping as SF guy during the coup" would be incorrect. That unit of the 707th Special Missions Group that was involved all had FNH SCAR-L.

[@RockSolitude]

@@peyton_uwu the South Korean president tried to effect a coup late last year and snap declared martial law (to help enforce it). This was when all of the other MPs were away from parliament or whatever they call it there, so a lot of them rushed back to vote against it/vote to end it. The president had police/military blocking the entrance but eventually the politicians were able to break through. They unanimously voted the declaration of martial law down, and to end the emergency powers that the president had enacted. I probably got about 50 things wrong but this is a very rough idea of what happened from memory. I suggest you look it up for the real story.

[@atranimecs]

Honestly, my experience with PMC 5.56 alone gives me faith their firearms are just as high quality. That ammo has never given me a single problem and they focus on worksmanship

[@StonedPinochet]

Charles is a cool dude!

[@racialconsciousness6996]

Man... I remember the 90's when Daewoo used to make quality stereo equipment.

[@toxiquemasc]

And cars.

[@luger700]

SNT Motiv being at this years Shot Show is the highlight for me, really hope the K2 and more of their product lineup is imported. I don’t want another PT Pindad FNC situation.

[@joenull5945]

SNT Motiv set up a US subsidiary called SNT Defense LLC in Las Vegas NV, they have a 08-FFL since 2023-11 and their 07-FFL is currently being processed by BATFE.

[@Maddog3060]

I missed out on the original Daewoo rifle so I'm looking forward to scoring a new one of my own.

[@EastCoastMan603]

Based Korean gun merchants need to be supported and protected. Thank you

[@WritInBlood12]

As a Korean I approve of this! Please bring it to the US!

[@rockerdude8000]

i like that it comes with a quad rail. i hate mlok. it also has sights on it from factory that look useable

[@waylander7]

But the loudest crybabies over here will be screaming to change a perfectly good rifle from the military config. Just look at what IWI did to the Carmel. It looks nothing like the version issued in Israel. This is why we can’t have nice things.

[@JeIIix]

it's an mlok. SNT guys love to attach a full length picatinny cover on the handguard for some reason when they go out for display.

[@BurtHurtz]

This dude is awesome. That rifle looks amazing. Keep this guy coming back on the show.

[@granitejeepc3651]

This needs to be next to my Kimber Daewoo DR-200...Im liking the new features..this is $1500 at least

[@thermitegrenade]

Dude don't give them any ideas😊.

[@andrewbauer6136]

That lower is a lot like an LWRC lower and those are like 500 bucks for a complete(which is all you can get) Not saying it's the same but the quality looks to be about the same. So 1500 is probably about spot on.

[@chipsandcase-o5738]

​@@andrewbauer6136 eeeeeerily similar to the IC6 lower that my sr15 upper sits on top of. The tolerances on the lower are crazy tight, too, so I'm all about it if it's close to that.

[@ThisThatandTheeOther]

One of the most exciting booths at SHOT. Genuine military arms being imported is great.

[@isaacrhodes4617]

I am so excited for these Daewoo variants to arrive !

[@jordanwerzinski1574]

Best video this year.

[@DMSparky]

Charles is the real king of shot show. Behind JR of TFBTV of course…

[@jazz.560]

This guy is great even though there is a language barrier. The vibes were just perfect. I hope they bring this guy back next year.

[@dabda8510]

Some people communicating with NO language barrier cannot really communicate because one of following: 1) They don't know what they are talking about 2) they are only following orders from above NOT to tell real story And there are those with some language barrier who can communicate even better because of their knowledge/passion/honesty.

[@michaellim4165]

What language barrier? He spoke perfect English. If you think language barrier or pronunciation, then I got news for you.

[@fromtheguncounter4140]

Charles was one of the highlights this year

[@jmb3357]

This company is the best part of shot show this year imo

[@domattiya4718]

Very cool looking rifle, definitely brings out the K-pop in me.

[@braxtonstephens71]

I need this rifle in my life... immediately!

[@XxGogglesxX808]

This is by far the greatest this shown at shot show!!!

[@josh656]

It looks like a 556 SWAT and a 416D had a Tinder hookup. And I like it.

[@NaughtyDogTCG]

He’s my new spirit animal

[@Zardozintheireyes]

I'm 100% buying one when they come out- kudos too to the rep, he did a great job, really authentic.

[@Lorenzo-fw3gx]

He seems like a fun guy good for him getting infront of the camera 👍

[@ds5503]

Charles is legit. I didn't have money back when these rifles were originally imported and missed out. I very excited about these new offerings.

[@droptopp3479]

looks like a cooler version of the AR, really nice

[@chillios2222]

Daewoo imported / exported their rifle to USA years ago , they were interesting and well liked rifles

[@풍조산]

Daewoo K13 He's got a gun on his rifle

[@Jesters7264]

Can we get some more affordable south korean ammo? Good stuff!

[@corruptbanjo27]

PMC is probably going to be it.

[@asdf456ghj]

All korean military use PMC ammo.

[@joenull5945]

The previous ROK President had ordered most of the spare Korean ammo be sent to Ukraine as aid instead of being sold in the USA. The current ROK President is too busy getting impeached to changed that. Maybe the next ROK President will change it.

[@alexshakk]

I want to see the after show James/ Charles roulette table video 😂

[@richardd.9223]

I would definitely buy one of these as well as the k2... Do I just sign my paychecks over to Daewoo now?😂

[@nicklim3313]

the K13 is definitely the Korean mom saying, “we have HK416 at home.” but this is way lighter than a 416! piston operated, sloped and elevated picatinny from the charging handle just like HK, and the ambi controls. another weird but cool thing about this is that it is most definitely select fire but doesn’t show a 3rd pin above the safety selector (i held it at shot show and charged it with trigger held down and the hammer went forward)

[@stribogger]

If this thing doesn’t require the buffer tube and is foldable like their previous piston rifles I’m 100% getting it. Looks great and could be a good alternative to the BRN 180 and the Jakl/cmmg

[@georgewhitworth9742]

I'm glad those are features that are becoming available, but I still don't get why people want to be rid of the buffer tube. Why not make the stock part of the operating system and have some better balance?

[@stribogger]

@ it’s not necessary, but I like having the ability to fold up the weapon, especially for shorter barrels. I know it’s just as easy to seperate the upper and lower, it’s just a nice feature. Also, I’ve never had an issue with stability, even running a folding stock adapter on an AR. It’s certainly not as tight as a fixed buffer, but it’s not enough to matter for non-precision shooting for the folding stocks I’ve used.

[@John-ro3vu]

These are badass and this dude is genuinely likable

[@cxmi7o]

Thats a good looking gun

[@yeedbottomtext7563]

Daewoo and S&W completely STOLE THE SHOW this year

[@DrConfed]

Looks cool, I kinda want one just because I loved Korea when I was there. Would be awesome to get the original K1/K2

[@Scanlon1981]

Eugene deff got a smirk on his face lookin down on his grand children and great grandchildren

[@bryanespinosa6121]

Charles is such a cool guy

[@codycarlton3719]

Imma need this K13 chief. Stat.

[@AjackLee4]

Yeah I'll get one. Looks like an HK416/K2 mix!

[@jamesg9391]

I'm very interested in the K13! Awesome looking rifle 👌🏻. Please bring them here I'm sure they'll sell tons!

[@G43X]

I always support more healthy competition!

[@stevecochran9078]

WOOHOO! A Daewoo with modern upgrades! My Dude.....I was stationed in ROK over two winters. There's no shortage of cold weather and wind there either. 😂

[@kevinedwards7206]

i had a K2 back in the 1990's.($599.00.) in Vegas. reloaded for it.. shot very well.. liked the selectible gas port liked it WAY better than my buddies Colt m4 and he got mad.. 😂 1:05 takes ar15 mags.. piston driven.. no "Schling" in your ear every shot. time to sell my ruger. I want one

[@daa3417]

The cool thing is the $1200 he said in the last video is the same price as the OG imports adjusted for inflation.

[@kevinedwards7206]

thats freaking cool ​@@daa3417

[@ObscureArms]

“this might find its way onto my carry on if you know what im saying” lol

[@privateprivate4315]

100% in for one as well as the original. Very excited for these. Funny that the biggest shot show announcement was the lowkey booth here lol.

[@johnharrison1573]

Keep charles on the roll, we like this guy

[@farklestaxbaum4945]

This guy would be so fun to gamble with in vegas

[@ronaldrey8474]

Yes PLEASE bring to USA !! Charles is a Great Spokesman and a must to go visit.

[@darksars3622]

So its like a korean hk416

[@scottwatrous]

NGL this looks way cooler than the 416 ever did.

[@paleoph6168]

@@scottwatrousand probably much lighter

[@DrConfed]

I mean, the K1/K2 designs are 20 years older than the 416

[@cameronh5442]

A Daewoo factory tour would be cool. It looks like those are well built, well thought out rifles.

[@t-bonesteak5057]

I’m support my Korean bruddas. Loved the culture was stationed there for a year camp Casey. I’m buy this for support.

[@appidydafoo]

Charles is the coolest

[@spitfiremac]

Great guy. More of him!

[@mysteryman4915]

I’m going to keep an eye out for these new rifles. Got a new job and would be stoked to be able to afford one.

[@Gregory-qu1ct]

Comes out around June.

[@jmartinez1249]

We need to hit the strip with Charles for a little roulette and affordable Korean food.

[@Chicano_pistolero]

Koreans are starting to realize the GIANT hole china left with Asian made firearm imports when the import ban started. The American market is a steady safe bet for ANY firearms manufacturer because our citizens LOVE our guns so much :)

[@VFRSTREETFIGHTER]

This is so exciting! I think James needs to visit Charles the factory in Korea very soon! As well as making Charles a Shot Show booth visit regular.

[@Ghostlodes]

Great video and great coverage this year. Thanks.

[@echosr2139]

Hopefully we can get the K5 pistol as well

[@NaglfarCommando]

Wait.. Here in Vegas? Fuck. Yes. Will be applying.

[@Dirt1061]

The most platform looks so good! Familiar enough but it will stand out from the normal ARs

[@nyquil07na38]

More from this dude.

[@michaelladd2107]

You are so plain spoken. I appreciate it.

[@GriffXJ]

I absolutely love Charles. I'm sold on getting a K13 and K2.

[@TravisScott-dr8ig]

Yes the U.S is extremely interested.now release it allready an keep the price point below 2500

[@rokball4892]

Please introduced the XK8 bull pup rifle as a civilian rifle.

[@anthonycrooks4153]

Looks very similar to the 416 😊

[@Whyno_suckysucky]

It’s been years since I’ve found something to be excited about at SHOT this is going to be hot af when they get going.

[@LivingMyBestLife956]

Danger Charles!!!

[@mezrre4630]

Dang it sounds like Charles may have misspoke about the K2 price lol