AK-103
AK-103 | |
---|---|
The AK-103 assault rifle | |
Type | Assault rifle |
Place of origin | Russia |
Service history | |
In service | 2001–present[1] |
Used by | See Users |
Wars |
Second Chechen War Iraq War War in Afghanistan Libyan Civil War Syrian Civil War Iraqi Civil War Insurgency in the Maghreb (2002–present) Yemeni Civil War (2015–present) Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen Conflict in Najran, Jizan and Asir |
Production history | |
Designer | Mikhail Kalashnikov |
Designed | 1994 |
Manufacturer | Kalashnikov Concern |
Produced | 1994–present |
No. built | 250,000+ |
Variants | AK-104 |
Specifications | |
Weight |
3.4 kg (7.5 lb) empty 3.6 kg (7.9 lb) with empty magazine |
Length | 943 mm (37.1 in) stock extended / 705 mm (27.8 in) stock folded |
Barrel length | 415 mm (16.3 in) |
| |
Cartridge | 7.62×39mm |
Caliber | 7.62mm |
Action | Gas operated, rotating bolt |
Rate of fire | 600 rounds/min |
Muzzle velocity | 715 m/s (2,346 ft/s) |
Effective firing range | 500 m (550 yd) |
Feed system | 30-round detachable box magazine |
Sights | Iron sights, with a dove tail side rail for mounting optical and night sights |
The AK-103 assault rifle is a derivative of the AK-74M chambered for the 7.62×39mm M43 round, similar to the older AKM. The AK-103 can be fitted with a variety of sights, including night vision and telescopic sights, plus a knife-bayonet or a grenade launcher. It uses plastic components where possible instead of wood or metal, with such components being the pistol grip, handguards and stock.
Design details
![](../I/m/A103a1.jpg)
Protective coatings ensure excellent corrosion resistance of metal parts. Forearm, magazine, butt stock and pistol grip are made of high strength plastic.[2]
The AK-104 is a compact version of the AK-103. It has a muzzle brake derived from the older AKS-74U combined with a shorter barrel. It is also chambered for 7.62×39mm ammunition.
Magazines
The current issue steel-reinforced matte true black nonreflective surface finished 7.62×39mm 30-round magazines, fabricated from ABS plastic weigh 0.25 kg (0.55 lb) empty.[3] Early steel AK-47 magazines are 9.75 in (248 mm) long, and the later ribbed steel AKM and newer plastic 7.62×39mm magazines are about 1 in (25 mm) shorter.[4][5]
The transition from steel to mainly plastic magazines yielded a significant weight reduction and allow a soldier to carry more rounds for the same weight.
Rifle | Cartridge | Cartridge weight | Weight of empty magazine | Weight of loaded magazine | Max. 10.12 kg (22.3 lb) ammunition load* |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AK-47 (1949) | 7.62×39mm | 16.3 g (252 gr) | Slab-sided steel 430 g (0.95 lb) |
30-rounds 916 g (2.019 lb)[6] |
11 magazines for 330 rounds 10.08 kg (22.2 lb) |
AKM (1959) | 7.62×39mm | 16.3 g (252 gr) | Ribbed stamped-steel 330 g (0.73 lb) |
30-rounds 819 g (1.806 lb)[7][8] |
12 magazines for 360 rounds 9.83 kg (21.7 lb) |
AK-103 (1994) | 7.62×39mm | 16.3 g (252 gr) | Steel-reinforced plastic 250 g (0.55 lb) |
30-rounds 739 g (1.629 lb)[7][8] |
13 magazines for 390 rounds 9.61 kg (21.2 lb) |
Note: All, 7.62×39mm AK magazines are backwards compatible with older AK variants.
Note *: 10.12 kg (22.3 lb) is the maximum amount of ammo that the average soldier can comfortably carry. It also allows for best comparison of the three most common 7.62×39mm AK platform magazines.
Variants
AK-103
Select fire version for the military market
AK-103-1
This is a semiautomatic version for the police and civilian market
AK-103-2
This version has a three-round burst feature (3) added in between full automatic (АВ) and the fully engaged semi-automatic settings (ОД) and is version for police and civilian market
AK-103N2
Has a mount for the 1PN58 night scope
AK-103N3
Has a mount for the 1PN51 night scope
AK-104
Carbine version of the AK-103
AK-103M
Modernised version of the AK-103
Users
Russia: Used by various special police groups, special operations forces and civilians .[9] Angola: Used by Special Forces. Ethiopia: The Gafat Armament Engineering Complex produces the AK-103 rifle in Ethiopia. Supplements the AKM and AK-47 in the Ethiopian Armed Forces. It's reported in 2014 that the deal didn't go through at all.[10] India: Used by Naval Special Forces, MARCOS.[11] The Russian arms company Izhmash is negotiating issuing a license to an Indian private arms manufacturer to produce the AK-103.[12] Iran: Certain units of the Iranian Armed Forces are going to be equipped with the new weapons. The sale of an undisclosed number of AK-103s for use by sections of the Iranian special forces is being negotiated.[13][14] Libya: Seen in the hands of anti-Gaddafi forces and loyalists in numerous photos. The rifles in use are the AK-103-2 version.[15]- MUJAO used an ex-Libyan AK-103-2 in Agadez and Arlit attacks in 2013.[16]
Namibia: Used by Namibian Marine Corps[17] Pakistan: In 2016, the Pakistan Armed Forces announced their intent to purchase large number of the AK-103 rifles to supplement their forces.[18] Saudi Arabia: Used by Airborne Units and Special Security Forces in the Royal Saudi Land Forces.[19][20] A license to produce AK-103 rifles was granted to Saudi Arabia in 2017.[21][22][23] Syria: Used by police.[24][25][26] Also used by Al Qaeda-linked Guardians of Religion Organization.[27] Venezuela: Standard issue weapon of the Venezuelan Army.[28] Made under license by CAVIM with initial licensing fee payments made in 2006 and the transfer of Russian-made AK-103s to Venezuela in 2008.[29] CAVIM's AK-103 factories opened officially in 2012 without the necessary manufacturing equipment.[29][30] CAVIM-made AK-103s were delivered to the Venezuelan Army in 2013.[31] Due to trouble with the plant with the Russian contractor failing to meet deadlines with a case of fraud, which forced CAVIM to finish the rest of the construction,[32] full-scale production will start by 2019.[33] Panama: National Police Nicaragua: Special forces
See also
- AK-107 (Includes AK-108)
- List of Russian weaponry
- List of assault rifles
References
- ↑ "Presentation of the unique Kalashnikov small arms collection in the Moscow Kremlin Museum". Archived from the original on 21 February 2014. Retrieved 2015-04-11.
AK-103 – Kalashnikov assault rifle, caliber 7.62 mm. It is designed for the 7.62-mm cartridge of the 1943 model. This model was included in the inventory in 2001
- ↑ "7.62 mm Kalashnikov assault rifles AK103, АК104". Archived from the original on 14 April 2014. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
- ↑ "Официальный сайт группы предприятий "ИЖМАШ"". Archived from the original on September 3, 2014. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
- ↑ Rifle Evaluation Study, United States Army, Combat Development Command, ADA046961, 20 Dec 1962
- ↑ "Are kalashnikov magazines as robust as their reputation? He tormented a selection of AR magazines last year, now he takes on the AK. The results you may find surprising". Retrieved 2 October 2014.
- ↑ Dockery, Kevin (2007). Future Weapons. p. 102. ISBN 0-425-21750-7.
- 1 2 "Ak 47 Technical Description - Manual". Scribd.com. 2010-09-30. Retrieved 2012-08-23.
- 1 2 Dockery, Kevin (2007). Future Weapons. p. 102.
- ↑ "Modern Firearms". Retrieved 14 November 2014.
- ↑ https://www.nknews.org/2014/09/north-korean-military-support-for-ethiopia/
- ↑ http://www.armyrecognition.com/july_2016_global_defense_security_news_industry/indian_army_could_purchase_additional_batch_of_kalashnikov_ak-103_assault_rifles_11207161.html
- ↑ Pradeep Thakur (2008-02-18). "Latest Kalashnikovs to be made in India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2010-04-01.
- ↑ http://www.bbc.com/persian/iran/2016/08/160806_l12_iran_kalashnikov_rifle. Missing or empty
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(help) - ↑ 1149841 (2016-08-06). "Exclusive: Iran Imports AK-103 Rifles from Russia". Tasnim News Agency. Retrieved 2016-08-06.
- ↑ "Update II: AK-103 Exports to Libya". Security Scholar. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
- ↑ Savannah de Tessières (January 2018). At the Crossroads of Sahelian Conflicts: Insecurity, Terrorism, and Arms Trafficking in Niger (PDF) (Report). Small Arms Survey. p. 24. ISBN 978-2-940548-48-4.
- ↑ Defence Web. "Namibia receives Russian small arms". defenceweb.co.za. defenceweb. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
- ↑ http://www.armyrecognition.com/june_2016_global_defense_security_news_industry/pakistan_to_buy_numerous_ak-103_assault_rifles_to_russia_tass_32106163.html
- ↑ "How an AK-103 Works". allinallnews. November 3, 2015.
- ↑ "Saudi special forces operator in Yemen and armed with Russian AK 103". mighty_earth.
- ↑ "Saudi Arabia to Start Licensed Manufacturing of AK-103 Rifles". Retrieved 10 October 2017.
- ↑ "РФ и Саудовская Аравия подписали меморандум о покупке и локализации продукции ВПК". TASS. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
- ↑ "Saudi Arabia to produce Russian Kalashnikovs under new deal". rt.com. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
- ↑ https://mobile.twitter.com/bm21_grad/status/709464360356323328. Missing or empty
|title=
(help) - ↑ https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/pictures-elite-syrian-security-troops-preparing-protect-damascus/. Missing or empty
|title=
(help) - ↑ Graduating police in Latakia with AK-103 (in Arabic)
- ↑ "Syrie: comment al-Qaïda reprend pied en zone djihadiste". France Soir (in French). 28 June 2018.
- ↑ "Russia to build 2 Kalashnikov factories in Venezuela by 2010 / Sputnik international". Retrieved 14 November 2014.
- 1 2 John Pike. "Defense Industry". Retrieved 14 November 2014.
- ↑ Christopher Looft. "Venezuela Set to Mass Produce Kalashnikovs, Sniper Rifles". Retrieved 14 November 2014.
- ↑ "Cavim inicia entrega de fusiles de asalto Kalashnikov AK-103 a la Fuerza Armada de Venezuela". Infodefensa.com. 3 June 2013. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
- ↑ http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2016/12/12/venezuelan-ak-103-factory-will-start-working-2019/
- ↑ http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2018/04/13/venezuelan-kalashnikov-plant-to-begin-ak-103-manufacture-in-2019/
External links
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