DESIGN
The AK-100 series was developed for the foreign
market. Therefore it is available in three
different cartridges. The AK-101 and AK-102
are chambered in the 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge.
Izhmash hopes to sell these weapons to the
Eastern European countries, which will need
to adopt a 5.56mm NATO rifle. The AK-103
and AK-104 herald the comeback of the 7.62x39mm
round, which has much more power than the
5.45x39mm. The AK-105 is chambered in 5.45x39mm.
There is no rifle in 5.45mm, because the
5.45mm cartridge proved ineffective. However,
the 5.45mm is arguably the best sub machine
gun cartridge ever developed. The AK-100
series is based upon the AK-74 and AK-74SU.
Accept for the calibre, the rifles are not
very different from the AK-74. The carbines
/ sub machine guns have a longer barrel and
a longer stock than the AK-74SU. These changed
improve its effectiveness a lot. |
| The new AK in 5.56x45mm NATO. It is similar
to the AK-103 |
| The carbine version of the AK-101. It also
uses the 5.56x45mm NATO round. It is quite
similar to the AK-104 and AK-105 |
| The comeback of the 7.62x39mm Soviet. It
is a full size rifle, just like the AK-101. |
| The carbine version of the AK-103. Except
for the cartridge it is similar to the AK-102
and AK-105. |
| A carbine in 5.45x39mm. The 5.45x39mm proved
ineffective as a rifle calibre, therefore
no rifle in this calibre is made. The 5.45x39mm
creates less recoil than the 5.56x45mm. |
PERFORMANCE
All weapons of the AK-100 series are cheap,
very reliable and tough, as all Russian firearms.
The 5.56mm NATO performs a lot better than
the 5.45mm Soviet, although the recoil is
increased. The comeback of the 7.62x39mm
is no surprise. Although its effective range
is limited to 300 meters, it is very powerful
in relation with its recoil. By the way most
combat is within 200 meters and in urban
terrain. The 5.45mm carbine / sub machine
gun might become very popular with law enforcement
teams. Almost no recoil, good armor piercing
characteristics and more powerful than a
weapon in a pistol cartridge.
USE
- The AK-100 series is not yet in full production.
Many organizations and countries have already
shown interest.
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