Krebs Custom
Krebs Custom is a privately held Illinois manufacturer and DTC retailer of high-end AK-pattern rifles and precision-machined accessories, serving civilian firearms enthusiasts, tactical shooters, and training/recreation shooters through direct e-commerce with FFL-dealer fulfillment.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1985
- HeadquartersWauconda, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Krebs Custom does
Krebs Custom, Inc. is a privately held Illinois corporation (CAGE code 5P7G8) that designs, manufactures, and sells high-end AK-pattern firearms and precision-machined accessories to civilian and tactical shooters. The company operates from a single headquarters in Wauconda, IL with a workforce of 11–50 employees, and distributes exclusively through its own e-commerce website, with firearms shipped to authorized FFL dealers for legal transfer. Its core product portfolio spans complete enhanced rifles (M-23 in 5.56, WBP Jack Rifle, Pioneer Arms .22LR Trainer), proprietary safety selectors (Mk VI, Mk VII, AKM6) featuring bolt hold open notches and ambidextrous designs, modular rail systems (M-LOK, Keymod, Quad Rail) in 6061 T6 aluminum, titanium muzzle brakes, stocks/grips, optics mounts, magazines, and apparel. The company monetizes through one-time hardware unit pricing, with firearms ranging from $1,375 to over $2,165, parts from $4 to $220+, and accessories up to $4,000 for night vision units.
The company pursues a curated partnership strategy, integrating third-party components from WBP (Polish AK rifles), Pioneer Arms Corp, Midwest Industries, ALG/Aero Precision triggers, Arsenal Bulgaria, Magpul, BCM, Trijicon, ATN, Gear Head Works, and others into Krebs-enhanced rifle packages, while distributing their accessories as part of the Krebs catalog. Customer segments are horizontally segmented into AK platform enthusiasts (primary), tactical/competition shooters, and training/recreation shooters. Value proposition centers on precision-machined components with drop-in fit, proprietary enhanced safety mechanisms not widely available from competitors, and brand positioning at the "high end of the AK spectrum" supported by an internationally recognized brand (registered USPTO trademark).
The business is constrained by U.S. firearms regulations: purchases of NFA-regulated items require a $200 transfer fee and 6–12 week ATF approval timelines, and the company does not ship to IL, CA, NY, NJ, MA, CT, and OR. No revenue, funding, headcount trend, or M&A data is publicly disclosed, and no management team is listed in available sources beyond the founder-linked Marc Krebs.
Krebs Custom firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Krebs Custom
- Legal name
- Krebs Custom, Inc.
- Website
- https://krebscustom.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1985
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Krebs Custom is a privately held Illinois manufacturer and DTC retailer of high-end AK-pattern rifles and precision-machined accessories, serving civilian firearms enthusiasts, tactical shooters, and training/recreation shooters through direct e-commerce with FFL-dealer fulfillment.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Krebs Custom industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Firearms (AK-pattern rifles and accessories)
- NAICS
- Small Arms, Ordnance, and Ordnance Accessories Manufacturing (332994)
- SIC
- Ordnance & Accessories, (No Vehicles/Guided Missiles) (3480), Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Firearms & Ammunition Retail (CRAMAKAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Shooting Sports Equipment Retail (Targets, Clay, Range Gear, Hearing/Eye Protection) (CRAMAKAG)
Keywords
Where Krebs Custom is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Wauconda
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Krebs Custom business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Firearms Sales: Sale of complete Krebs Custom rifles and partnered firearms (WBP, Pioneer Arms) featuring Krebs enhancements. Requires FFL transfer for all firearm purchases.
- Parts and Accessories: Sale of AK-pattern rifle parts including safety selectors, muzzle brakes, stocks, grips, magazines, optics mounts, and forend systems. One-time purchase model.
- Apparel and Merchandise: Sale of branded merchandise including t-shirts, hoodies, stickers, and patches.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Entry-level accessories and merchandise |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Aftermarket rifle components |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Premium rail systems and fore-ends |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Complete firearms with Krebs enhancements |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
Krebs Custom product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Krebs Custom designs, manufactures, and sells high-end AK-pattern rifles and precision-machined firearm accessories. Core products include enhanced complete rifles (M-23 5.56, WBP Jack, Pioneer Arms .22LR Trainer) and a broad aftermarket parts catalog — safety selectors with bolt hold-open features, M-LOK/Keymod/Quad rail fore-ends, titanium muzzle brakes, optics mounts, stocks, grips, and magazines — engineered to modernize the AK platform for civilian, tactical, and competition shooters.
Product overview
Krebs Custom is a manufacturer and retailer of high-end AK-pattern firearms and accessories. The company offers a complete product portfolio centered on AK rifles (chambered in 5.56/.223, .22LR, and 7.62x39) enhanced with proprietary Krebs Custom parts, alongside a comprehensive range of aftermarket AK parts including safety selectors, rail systems (M-LOK, Keymod, Quad Rail), muzzle devices, stocks, grips, optics mounts, magazines, and bolt carrier components. The company also sells apparel and blemished/discounted parts. Their products are primarily designed for the AK Kalashnikov platform, with specialized offerings for Vepr, Yugo, Polish Beryl, Saiga, and other variants.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Krebs Custom Firearms / Rifles
Quantifiable outcome
- 6-12 weeks ATF approval time for NFA firearm transfers
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Krebs Custom
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Krebs Custom technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
Krebs Custom partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- WBP (Warsaw Broń Pakietowa)coreWBP is a Polish firearms manufacturer supplying parts and firearms to Police, Military and Civilian shooters globally. Krebs Custom offers WBP Jack rifles enhanced with Krebs Custom parts including safety selectors, muzzle brakes, triggers, and stocks. The partnership provides high-quality Polish AK rifles to the US market.
- Pioneer Arms Corp.corePioneer Arms Corp. manufactures AK-pattern rifles including the PAC .22LR Trainer rifle, which Krebs Custom enhances with their proprietary parts. The .22LR Trainer provides an affordable way to learn the AK platform.
- Dissident ArmsminorDissident Arms is the official installer for Krebs Custom Speed Load components requiring professional AK builder installation with specialty tools.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Krebs Custom competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Aero Precision: Large-scale US firearms and components manufacturer (AR-platform core, expanding into AK). A broad incumbent with overlapping parts business and significantly larger scale than Krebs.
- SIG Sauer: Major US firearms and optics manufacturer with multi-platform portfolio (rifles, pistols, suppressors). Competes for share-of-wallet and dealer relationships in the broader firearms accessories market.
Direct peers
- Century Arms: Major US importer and distributor of AK-pattern rifles (WASR, VSKA, C39) and accessories. Directly competes with Krebs Custom in the civilian AK market across both complete rifles and aftermarket parts.
- Midwest Industries: Manufacturer of precision-machined rail systems and handguards. Krebs bundles Midwest Industries AK Alpha Series components on its WBP Jack rifles, and they compete head-to-head in the AK rail/handguard category.
- Magpul: Leading firearms accessories manufacturer (PMAGs, stocks, grips, rails). Krebs resells Magpul M-LOK rail sections, making it both a supplier and a direct competitor in the AK aftermarket accessories category.
- Arsenal USA: US arm of Bulgarian state-owned Arsenal, manufacturing and importing AK-pattern rifles, including the SAM7 and SLR series. Directly comparable as a premium AK manufacturer with similar part ecosystems.
- Pioneer Arms Corp. Romanian AK-pattern rifle manufacturer whose PAC .22LR Trainer is sold and enhanced by Krebs Custom. Competes in the entry-level and training-grade AK segment.
- WBP (Warsaw Broń Pakietowa): Polish AK manufacturer and Krebs Custom's OEM partner for the WBP Jack Rifle. Direct overlap in offering factory-aligned AK rifles and components to the US market.
- Manticore Arms: US-based AK aftermarket parts manufacturer focused on rails, stocks, and modernizing accessories. Direct competitor to Krebs in the AK parts and accessories category.
- Zastava Arms USA: Serbian AK-pattern rifle manufacturer (ZPAP, M70/M90 series) sold in the US. Overlaps Krebs on complete rifles and accessories for the AK enthusiast customer segment.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Krebs Custom social profiles
Digital presenceKrebs Custom financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Krebs Custom leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Krebs Custom funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Krebs Custom M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Krebs Custom
What does Krebs Custom do?
Krebs Custom designs, manufactures, and sells high-end AK-pattern rifles and precision-machined firearm accessories. Core products include enhanced complete rifles (M-23 5.56, WBP Jack, Pioneer Arms .22LR Trainer) and a broad aftermarket parts catalog — safety selectors with bolt hold-open features, M-LOK/Keymod/Quad rail fore-ends, titanium muzzle brakes, optics mounts, stocks, grips, and magazines — engineered to modernize the AK platform for civilian, tactical, and competition shooters.
Is Krebs Custom a public or private company?
Krebs Custom is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Krebs Custom founded?
Krebs Custom was founded in 1985. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Krebs Custom based?
Krebs Custom is headquartered in Wauconda, United States, in the North America region.
How does Krebs Custom make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Firearms Sales are the primary driver. The others are parts and Accessories and apparel and Merchandise.
Who are Krebs Custom's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Aero Precision and SIG Sauer. Direct peers are Century Arms, Midwest Industries, Magpul, Arsenal USA, Pioneer Arms Corp., WBP (Warsaw Broń Pakietowa), Manticore Arms and Zastava Arms USA.
Does Krebs Custom have an API?
No public API is recorded for Krebs Custom.
What industry is Krebs Custom in?
Krebs Custom's product category is Firearms (AK-pattern rifles and accessories). Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAMAKAA, Firearms & Ammunition Retail, with a secondary code of CRAMAKAG, Shooting Sports Equipment Retail (Targets, Clay, Range Gear, Hearing/Eye Protection). Its NAICS code is 332994 and its SIC code is 3480.