KragHaüs™

Even the newest of the venerable U.S. Krag rifles have now been with us for over 100 years, and they are still very much appreciated by riflemen who know rifles.  Unfortunately, that seems to include fewer and fewer riflemen with each passing generation.  If you found us, you probably know what I mean.

Marketers push newly developed whizz-bang calibers and loads, playing to what the late Jeff Cooper referred to as the “preoccupation with insignificant improvements.”  Inexperienced shooters try and substitute ballistics tables and published lab results for the informed appreciation one develops in the field for this mild-shooting, utilitarian cartridge.  But no chart in a gun magazine can convey the Krag’s unsurpassed smoothness.

As a consequence of this trend, and of the fact the American Krag is no longer made, these fine rifles, along with this very serviceable and effective cartridge, are fading into obscurity.  Those of us who love our Krags are finding ammunition ever more costly and harder to obtain, and no accessories are made to enable us to take advantage of advances in optics.  The round is relegated to “seasonal” status by most distributors, and the cost is becoming unbearable.

For these reasons, I decided that my company, the Pennsylvania Firearms Development Corporation, would develop, manufacture and market what we need: (1) a rail that will enable one to mount modern optics without drilling the Krag receivers or sacrificing the magazine cut-off; and (2) a line of high-quality .30-40 Krag ammunition that is be affordable and available year-round.  These two products constitute our KragHaüs™ line.

Our objective was not to make “cheap ammo.”  Our objective was and is to produce ammunition which is be more accurate and just as potent as the limited offerings available elsewhere, at a price less than or equal to what we pay for the two major brands.

We started by using all new, high-quality components.  We experimented with different powders and bullets until we found that right combination.  We settled upon the excellent Hornady® 150 gr. BTSP bullet, and made a cartridge that will:

•    Consistently achieve a velocity of 2300 f.p.s. out of a 20” barrel;
•    Keep chamber pressures well within the SAMI specified 40,000 c.u.p. for Krag rifles in good condition;
•    Consistently shoot under one M.O.A. if the rifle and rifleman are capable of that kind of accuracy.

With our quality objectives achieved, we looked for ways to keep the cost down.  We use plain, bulk packaging instead of selling in 20 round boxes, and sell direct to you instead of paying distributors’ mark-ups.  We do no advertising, other than what you see here on our web site.  The result is Better ammunition that costs less.

Our rails are M1913 specification, and precisely fit the unusual contours of U.S. Krag barrels.  To keep gunsmithing to a minimum, they install using the existing holes for the original Krag rear sights.  The short rails can replace the factory rear sights by removing and replacing two screws.  The long rails use the existing rear sight screw holes, but require drilling and tapping two additional holes in the barrel (not in the receiver).

We know that without extensive advertising we will contact fewer prospective customers.  But we are confident those who do find us will be very satisfied with our products.  Word will get around.

It is our hope that the availability of quality ammunition and (finally) a decent mounting system for optics will extend our use and enhance our enjoyment of these fine rifles.  Please enjoy our products, and let me know what you think.