AK-100 (rifle family)
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The AK-100 family is a series of Kalashnikov rifles, based upon the AK-74M, intended for export sales.[1] The AK-100 family of rifles is offered in multiple cartridges and barrel lengths.[2]
AK-100 series
[edit]
The original AK-100 series rifles were introduced in 1994 and are categorised by all having black polymer handguards, folding polymer stocks, and use of AK-74M internal systems. Parts are highly interchangeable.[3]
The models of the AK-100 series are:
| Chambering | Assault Rifle | Carbine |
|---|---|---|
| 5.56×45mm NATO | AK-101 | AK-102 |
| 7.62×39mm | AK-103 | AK-104 |
| 5.45×39mm | AK-74M | AK-105 |
| 9×39mm | AK-9 |
Even with the different barrel lengths and calibres, all of the assault rifles and carbines are made to similar specifications.[3]
- The assault rifle variants features a barrel length of 415 mm and an empty weight of 3.6 kg, while the carbine variants features a barrel length of 314 mm and an empty weight of 3.2 kg.[3]
- The AK-100 series features a fire selector for: safe, semi auto, or full auto. Both the AK-101 and AK-103 have a variant with a 3 round burst feature, designated as the AK-101-3 / AK-103-3 and a semi auto only variant, designated as the AK-101-1 / AK-103-1.[4]
The AK-100 series have been exported to and/or adopted by a variety of countries, notably: Armenia, Cyprus, Serbia, Syria, Uruguay, Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Venezuela.[5]
The AK-105 has also seen some domestic use, filling a niche role as a middle ground between the AK-74M and AKS-74U.[6][7][8]
Balanced recoil system development
[edit]Kalashnikov Concern also started the development of the AK-107 (5.45×39mm) / AK-108 (5.56×45mm NATO)/ AK-109 (7.62×39mm). Externally they are very similar to the AK-100 series (with some minor differences) and are offered in the same calibers. Internally they use a radically different gas system and incorporate the Balanced Automatics Recoil System (BARS).
AK-200 series
[edit]
The AK-200 rifle family was initially conceived around 2009, initially known as the AK-100M series, which is an improved variant of the AK-100 series. The development of the AK-100M series was stopped around 2011, then resumed around 2016. In 2017, Kalashnikov unveiled the modernised versions of the AK-100 family of rifles, under the designation AK-200 series. Main key takeaways compared to the AK-100 variants is the additional picatinny rails, accurized barrel, improved flash hider device, pinned barrel components instead of pressed in. Additionally, the handguard possesses 4 rails instead of two, with a rail on the top of the dustcover, which is hinged. Overall, it is considerably designed to use modern optics compared to its predecessor.[9]
As of 2018, the AK-200 series of rifles are offered for export sales and for domestic law enforcement users in Russia.[10][11][12][13] The AK-200 series are based on the AK-100 series and the AK-12. They can be chambered in 5.45×39mm, 5.56×45mm NATO and 7.62×39mm, and use a barrel and gas system assembly and iron sights line similar to that of the AK-74M/AK-100 rifle family. Improvements added from the AK-12 include Picatinny rails, a new pistol grip, a new adjustable buttstock and a new flash hider.[14] They feed from 30-round magazines, and are compatible with drum magazines from the RPK and RPK-74.[15]
The models of the AK-200 series are:
| Chambering | Assault Rifle | Carbine |
|---|---|---|
| 5.45×39mm | AK-200 | AK-205 |
| 5.56×45mm NATO | AK-201 | AK-202 |
| 7.62×39mm | AK-203 | AK-204 |
On 3 March 2019, Russia and India inaugurated Indo-Russia Rifles in Uttar Pradesh, India to produce AK-203 assault rifles.[16][17] However, no contract had been signed then or rifles produced because of pricing disagreements.[18][19] India signed a contract in August 2021 to directly import 70,000 AK-203 rifles from Russia.[20][21] Russia and India on December 6, 2021, finally signed a contract on the delivery of over 600,000 7.62mm AK-203 assault rifles that will be produced on India's soil to the republic's Defense Ministry.[22]
References
[edit]- ^ "The AK-100 Rifle Family: Modern Russian Rifles".
- ^ "AK-100 Series" (PDF). Small Arms Survey. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 8, 2014.
- ^ a b c "AK-100". Weaponsystems.net.
- ^ "THE 100-SERIES KALASHNIKOVS: A PRIMER". Small Arms Review.
- ^ "AK-100 series". Military Today.[dead link]
- ^ Приказ Министерства внутренних дел РФ No. 651 от 9 июля 2002 г.
- ^ Постановление Правительства РФ No. 776 от 2 октября 2009 г. "Об обеспечении боевым ручным стрелковым и иным оружием, патронами к нему, специальными средствами, оборудованием и снаряжением Федеральной службы судебных приставов"
- ^ "Russian Special Forces Federal Security Services to get new Kalashnikov AK-400 assault rifles TASS 2605162". armyrecognition.com. 25 May 2016.
- ^ "AK-103, AK-203, AK-15 and PPK-20: Differences". Kalashnikov Concern.
- ^ "Rosoboronexport starts promoting new series of Kalashnikov assault rifles". Rostec State Corporationwebsite=thefirearmblog.com. 8 February 2019.
- ^ "Russian National Guard Orders New AK-200 Series Rifles". thefirearmblog.com. 19 September 2018.
- ^ "Russian National Guard modernizes firearm, vehicle and boat inventory". www.armyrecognition.com.
- ^ "Russia Starts Promoting the New Kalashnikov AK200 Series". thefirearmblog.com. 26 February 2019.
- ^ "Kalashnikov Concern Renames the 100M-Series of AK Rifles to 200-Series". thefirearmblog.com. 8 June 2018.
- ^ "200 series Kalashnikov assault rifle: AK-200, AK-201, AK-202, AK-203, AK-204, AK-205 (Russia)". modernfirearms.net. 7 June 2018.
- ^ "AK-203 Production Kicks-off in India". Rostec State Corporation. 4 March 2019.
- ^ "Russian National Guard modernizes firearm, vehicle and boat inventory". www.armyrecognition.com. 15 March 2019.
- ^ Pubby, Manu (6 February 2020). "Indo-Russian joint venture for Amethi rifles factory hits hurdle". The Economic Times.
- ^ Pubby, Manu (4 June 2020). "Amethi AK-203 factory unlikely to start operations in 2020". The Economic Times.
- ^ Philip, Snehesh Alex (2021-08-20). "India inks deal with Russia to immediately procure 70,000 latest AK rifles off the shelf". ThePrint. Retrieved 2021-08-29.
- ^ "India to import 70,000 AK-203 assault rifles for army". Janes.com.
- ^ "India and Russia agree on new deals to strengthen defence ties".