The Citadel RS-S1 from Legacy Sports. (Photo: Legacy)
Vepr rifles and shotguns are some of the most sought-after guns from Russia on the U.S. market. This is especially true since the Department of the Treasury added Molot to the ban list of companies sanctioned for their part with Russia’s annexation of Ukrainian Crimea.
Vepr guns differ from the bulk of AK-pattern firearms due to their overbuilt receivers. Realistically they are RPK-pattern guns, chambered for everything from light intermediate cartridges to full-power rifle rounds and magnum shotgun shells.
Legacy Sports is introducing their new Citadel RS-S1 12-gauge shotgun to fill the gap. Following the Vepr pattern, the RS-S1 is compatible with many Vepr-12-specific parts including magazines and furniture.
The RS-S1 may keep hope alive for competition shooters across the country. (Photo: Legacy)
Like many Vepr shotguns before it, the Citadel RS-S1 12-gauge is competition-friendly. While it’s capable for hunting and self-defense, the shotgun is designed with shooting sports in mind.
It has oversized controls including the enhanced safety selector and ejection port cover, easy-to-hit paddle magazine release and race-ready flared magwell. It has a 20-inch Chromoly steel barrel that’s threaded for Beretta/Benelli-type chokes. The RS-S1 comes with a modified choke installed.
The RS-S1 has a Vepr-style front sight and fully adjustable rear sight as well as a railed dust cover. Railed dust covers are handy for mounting red dot sights along the sight plane for a true co-witness or lower third sight picture. Additionally, the front sight sports a short section of rail for a flashlight or sling mount.
To comply with import restrictions and state and local gun laws in certain jurisdictions the RS-S1 has a thumbhole “mono” stock and pistol grip assembly. The stock has a thick rubberized buttpad to curb recoil and multiple sling attachment options.
See Also: Five Ass-Kicking AK Shotguns
Legacy Sports is offering the Citadel RS-S1 “as is” in its compliance configuration. Users looking to modify their guns will have to consult their 922R Compliance Guide to ensure that their upgrades include enough U.S.-made parts.
For a lot of America’s fans of Russian guns, 922R compliance is nothing different. But if you’re new to Russian rifles and shotguns you might want to find a forum or online guide to help you understand 922R restrictions and requirements.
With a suggested price of $799, the Citadel RS-S1 is especially affordable for a magazine-fed semi-auto shotgun. It comes standard with two 5-round magazines. For more info check out this video.
are these made in Turkey?