HIGH-PERFORMANCE WORK · CUSTOM BUILDS
About Michael Rogers and Lone Star Arms
Michael Rogers is originally a jeweler specializing in handmade precious metals design, fabrication and finishing, and is Lone Star Arms specialist builder and performance gunsmith for Saiga 12, Vepr 12, and Kalashnikov USA KS-12 series shotguns and firearms. Mike has specialized in performance-tuning and customization for Kalashnikov platform shotguns since 2009.
The work started with a need. After a close call on the road, Mike Rogers wanted a shotgun for personal protection — and the one that caught his eye in a gun shop was a bone stock Saiga 12 sporter. He bought that Saiga 12, took it to his own bench, and spent six months working with the gun rebuilding it several times before he was satisfied that it met his requirements. A jeweler by trade, he brought extreme attention to fit: a proper AK fire control group, refined action, and a gas system modified to create gradient gas volume, a self-regulating pressure curve, and finely tuned dwell time that together with the refined action allowed the gun to cycle a wide range of ammo smoothly, efficiently, and reliably. The result was a 12-gauge platform that handles like a carbine — smooth, reliable, and fast.
Mike went on to the next build, selling the first gun on GunBroker, refining his process with each successive build, and selling each previous build to pay for the next. People at the range saw the performance and wanted the same work. After seven or so guns, the shop owner from whom Mike was buying his guns suggested Mike get a firearms license. Mike applied for and received an 07 FFL, and the builds started coming — first locally, then from around the country through GunBroker exposure and YouTube videos. Today, almost two decades later, Mike continues to work extensively with Saiga 12, Vepr 12 and KS-12 series shotguns and firearms, creating every build and customization one gun at a time.
High-performance rebuilds are $1,500. Additional customization is quoted separately after we talk. Return shipping with tracking and adult signature: $60.