[SHOT 2023] WA 2000 And FG-42 Reproductions You Can Afford: Rhineland Arms R2000 And FG-9

Rhineland Arms had some very unique guns on display at their SHOT Show booth. They had two replicas of legendary designs (WA 2000 And FG-42) that are far more accessible than the originals.

[SHOT 2023] WA 2000 And FG-42 Reproductions You Can Afford: Rhineland Arms R2000 And FG-9

R2000

Walther WA 2000 rifles are almost nonexistent in the US market and if you are lucky enough to find one, it will likely cost as much as a sports car. Well, now you too can LARP as James Bond in The Living Daylights with the R2000. This kit uses the guts of an AR-15 in a chassis kit that looks like a miniature WA 2000. It is compatible with any small-frame AR caliber barrel and bolt the user wants to supply, including 6mm ARC or 6.5 Grendel. Also, straight-pull bolt action version is also available for people who live in restrictive jurisdictions.

The kit retails for $915 with finished wood or $765 with unfinished wood parts. Both R2000 kit options are shipping now though there is a substantial backlog. Rhineland Arms CEO Thomas Seidel also let slip that a large-frame AR-10 version is in the works.

[SHOT 2023] Rhineland R2000

[SHOT 2023] A standard AR-15 gas tube is visible above the barrel

[SHOT 2023] The R2000 is not a bullpup like the WA 2000 but uses standard AR magazines in a semi-hidden magazine well in front of the trigger guard

[SHOT 2023] R2000 with bipod stowed

[SHOT 2023] Rail-mounted bipods on the top rail mimic the original WA 2000 design

[SHOT 2023] Detail of the side-charging bolt

FG-9

The other Rhineland gun on display was the FG-9, which is a miniature 9mm FG-42. It is available in two models. The Standard version has a 16.25″ barrel with a removable muzzle device. The shorter Alpine model uses a pinned muzzle device to get to the legally-required 16″ barrel length. The Standard model is threaded 1/2×28 and is compatible with suppressors. Both versions are available for order and retail for $915. Both versions also use Colt-pattern 9mm AR magazines, but a Glock-pattern magazine adapter is in the works. Also, in keeping with the recent resurgence of the caliber, a 5.7x28mm version is coming soon.

[SHOT 2023] The FG-9 Standard (back) and Alpine (front)

[SHOT 2023] The FG-9 Alpine has a pinned muzzle device to get to 16″ barrel length

[SHOT 2023] The FG-9 feeds from Colt-pattern 9mm AR magazines

TFB and TFBTV’s coverage of SHOT Show 2023 is proudly sponsored by 5.11 Tactical. Click here to check out their new products.