Last updated July 2026 · By Nick Hall, covers unusual actions and large-format pistols for USA Gun Shop
Quick take: At GunCon 2026, Akos Arms pulled the wraps off the Baza, a straight-pull-action pistol chambered in .45 ACP. It borrows its bones from the Winchester 1892 lever-action design but reworks it into a modern, large-format braced pistol. This is a niche, collector-minded piece rather than a mainstream carry gun, and the price tag reflects that.
- What it is: A large-format, braced pistol with a straight-pull action, chambered in .45 ACP.
- Key detail: A modernized take on a Winchester 1892-style design, reimagined away from the classic lever loop.
- Specs: .45 ACP (rated for +P, to SAAMI spec), 8.5-inch barrel, folding-brace attachment.
- Who it’s for: Collectors and enthusiasts who want something different, not a defensive-carry buyer.
What Akos Arms showed at GunCon 2026
The Baza made its debut on the GunCon 2026 show floor, and it is an unusual one. Akos Arms built the gun as a large-format braced pistol chambered in .45 ACP, a pistol cartridge with a long history in American handguns. The company rates the chamber for +P loads and builds it to SAAMI spec, which is the industry standard body that publishes cartridge and pressure dimensions in the United States.
Rather than a semi-automatic or a traditional lever gun, the Baza uses a straight-pull action. Its heritage traces back to the Winchester 1892, one of the classic American lever-action designs, but Akos Arms has modernized the platform into something that looks and handles very differently from the rifle that inspired it.
What a straight-pull action actually means
A straight-pull action cycles by pulling a handle straight back and then pushing it forward. That motion ejects the spent case and chambers a fresh round without the shooter having to rotate a bolt handle up and over, or swing a lever loop down and back the way you would on a classic cowboy rifle.
The appeal is a fast, simple, in-line motion that keeps the gun on target between shots. It is a relatively rare setup in the American market, which is a big part of why the Baza stands out. If you enjoy the mechanics of traditional lever guns, it is worth reading up on the 9 Best Lever Action Rifles (2026) to see how far the Baza’s design DNA has traveled from its 1892 roots.
The specs, and the brace question
The Baza pairs an 8.5-inch barrel with a folding-brace attachment. A brace, or pistol stabilizing device, is a piece of gear designed to help a shooter steady a large, heavy pistol. It is worth noting plainly that the regulatory status of braces has been legally contested, so buyers should confirm the current rules for their situation before purchasing.
Beyond the barrel and brace, the Baza’s headline feature is the caliber and the action working together. A .45 ACP large-format pistol is not something you see every day, and cycling it by hand with a straight-pull stroke makes it more of a range curiosity and conversation piece than a practical do-everything firearm. Shooters who lean toward big-bore pistol-caliber platforms may also want to compare it against the very different world of 12 Best 9mm AR Pistols & PCCs (2026).
Price and where the Baza fits
Akos Arms lists the Baza at an MSRP of $1,779 to $1,859 depending on configuration. That puts it well above entry-level pistol pricing and squarely in enthusiast territory, which fits a gun built more around novelty and craftsmanship than everyday utility.
Read the Baza for what it is: a niche, collector-oriented release aimed at shooters who appreciate an unusual action and a distinctive design lineage. It is not a mainstream carry gun, and Akos Arms is not pitching it as one. For anyone who already owns the practical stuff and wants something that turns heads at the range, the Baza is exactly that kind of gun.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Reading
17,281+ Gun & Ammo Deals
Updated daily from 10+ top retailers. Filter by category, caliber, action type, and price.
Related Guides
