AK-100 series

(THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE SPECIFICATIONS FOR ALL OF THE INDIVIDUAL RIFLES, THIS IS ONLY VARIANTS AND DESCRIPTION OF THE WEAPONS)

There are five base weapons in the Kalashnikov `Hundred Series' of weapons, two of them being assault rifles while the other three fall into the short assault rifle catergory. All five weapons incorporate the very latest modifications introduced to the Kalashnikov rifle family and are manufactured using modern materials and production techniques. In order to make these `export model' weapons attractive to a wide range of potential purchasers the models are produced in a variety of calibres. An outline of the complete line is provided under Variants.

The two full-scale assault rifles in the Kalashnikov `Hundred Series' are the AK101 and AK103, the AK101 firing 5.56 × 45 mm NATO standard ammunition while the AK103 fires the standard Eastern Bloc 7.62 × 39 mm cartridge. Both rifles are based on the AK-74M, are visually identical and are constructed with provision to accommodate a wide range of optical and night sighting equipment. Of the short assault rifles, the AK102 fires 5.56 × 45 mm NATO standard ammunition while the AK104 fires the standard Eastern Bloc 7.62 × 39 mm cartridge. The `domestic use' AK105 fires the 5.45 × 39 mm cartridge and is destined to replace the AKS-74U in service with the RFAS armed forces. All three short assault rifle models are visually identical and are constructed with provision to accommodate a wide range of optical and night sighting equipment. It should be noted that the 314 mm barrels on these models are longer than on the AKS-74U. All rifles have cold forged barrels, are provided with black plastic furniture and have a black phosphate finish, leading to the collective name of `Black Kalashnikovs'. On both rifles the solid butts can be folded forward to lie on the left-hand side of the receiver; the butts contain a compartment to carry an accessories and cleaning kit case. On both rifles the plastic fore-end is ribbed to improve the forward grip. The muzzle brake previously fitted to the AK-74M is carried over and applied to the 7.62 mm AK103. On the AK103 the standard AK-74M pattern muzzle brake can be replaced by a PBS flash silencer to reduce the firing signature and muzzle flash. Both weapons can be fitted with 40 mm GP-25 or GP-30 grenade launchers. The standard bayonet is the 6X5. The overall standard of manufacture of these rifles is very high and all the many attributes of the Kalashnikov series have been carried over. These attributes include a high degree of reliability, complete interchangeability of components between models and general ease of maintenance. Among claims made for overall reliability is mention of firing trials involving 10,000 to 15,000 rounds without a single malfunction, trials terminated only when the bore was worn beyond further utility.

Variants

AK101 5.56 × 45 mm Introduced in 1993.

AK101-1 5.56 × 45 mm Semi-automatic version intended for use by security forces.

AK101-2 5.56 × 45 mm Three-shot burst fire mechanism.

AK101N2 5.56 × 45 mm With 1PN58 night sight. Weight of sight 2.2 kg.

AK101N3 5.56 × 45 mm With 1PN51 night sight. Weight of sight 2.3 kg.

AK102 5.56 × 45 mm Short barrel.

AK103 7.62 × 39 mm Introduced in 1993.

AK103-1 7.62 × 39 mm Semi-automatic version intended for use by security forces. A variant of this model is marketed by Kalashnikov USA.

AK103-2 7.62 × 39 mm Three-shot burst fire mechanism.

AK103N2 7.62 × 39 mm With 1PN58 night sight. Weight of sight 2.2 kg.

AK103N3 7.62 × 39 mm With 1PN51 night sight. Weight of sight 2.3 kg.

AK104 7.62 × 39 mm Short barrel.

AK105 5.45 × 39 mm Short barrel.

AK105-1 5.45 × 39 mm Short barrel. Semi-automatic version intended for use by security forces.

AK105-2 5.45 × 39 mm Short barrel. Three-shot burst fire mechanism.

AK105N2 5.45 x 39 mm Short barrel. With 1PN58 night sight. Weight of sight 2.2 kg.

AK105N3 5.45 × 39 mm Short barrel. With 1PN51 night sight. Weight of sight 2.3 kg.