Meet Lee Armory’s “Bounty Hunter” AK, an homage to Star Wars’ “The Mandalorian”.
Many guns are exceedingly serious tools, purpose-built for potential life-or-death situations. Others are made more for fun – entertaining, enjoyable range toys. Today’s examination focuses on a case of the latter. Unless you live under a rock, by now you’ve likely at least heard of the extremely popular television series “The Mandalorian”, launched in 2019, from Disney’s Star Wars universe. One of the titular character’s weapons in the series is a sniper rifle called the Amban Phase-Pulse blaster, noted for its prominent two-pronged forked muzzle. As gun guys often do, some viewers who are also firearms aficionados have geeked out over the show’s prop weapons, looking for real-world guns that the props may be based on. In the case of the Amban rifle, there were none to be found. The blaster was an entirely fabricated prop and not a dressed-up real gun, as many other Star Wars weapons have been. However, the mad AK scientists at a Phoenix-based shop called Lee Armory have at least somewhat changed that.
Mandalorian and other Star Wars guns @ TFB:
Lee Armory began work on this sci-fi homage not long after “The Mandalorian” series premiered in late 2019.
The Lee team specializes in AKs and has been working in the Kalashnikov space for over a decade. From their Arizona home, they offer a current lineup of ten standard AK build models in 7.62 or 5.45 and even one 6.5 Grendel. One of their models is far less standard, however. The “Bounty Hunter” 7.62 rifle is based on their Sporter model but eschews traditional furniture for a unique stock and handguard meant to mimic the Star Wars prop gun. Most notably, the muzzle is also fitted with forked fins closely resembling those of Mando’s famous Amban. It’s a Star Wars and gun guy’s dream come true. Interestingly, while the prop’s final version was entirely imagined, some of the show’s early concept art shows a version of the Amban built off of an AKM receiver. Looks like the Lee guys may have been onto something with their costumed creation! If you’re interested in owning one, they do still appear to be available. The only store that seems to retail them at the time of this writing is Wilde Built Tactical in La Mesa, CA. They list the Bounty Hunter on their site for $2699.99 plus $14.99 shipping. A Leupold 1.5-4x scope will be included, along with rings and a Midwest Industries QD optic mount. Check out some further specs below, and happy bounty hunting! See you at the range.
A closer look at the Bounty Hunter’s receiver, chambered in 7.62×39. It’s unclear how this round will perform ballistically if used to bullseye womp rats.
Lee Armory Bounty Hunter
Unique! This theme built model is based on our Sporter model but with upgraded features and a custom Cerakote finish.
Build InformationCaliber: 7.62Finish: Custom Themed CerakoteReceiver: Lee Armory EnhancedBarrel: 4150 CMV Nitride Barrel, Custom Themed BrakeStock Set: Custom Themed WoodMagazine: N/AGrip: N/ASafety: Bolt Hold Open SafetyRivets: Lee Armory Russian Spec RivetsOther Features: Midwest Industries HandguardAdditional InformationSCOPE & MOUNT NOT INCLUDED*
Tech DataCartridge: 7.62x39mmOperation: Gas, Selective FireLocking: Rotating BoltFeed: Detachable Box MagazineMagazine Capacity: N/ASight: Mechanical, Fore Pillar, Rear U NotchRifling/Twist: N/ABarrel Threads: N/ABarrel Length: N/A