The AK-100 series (Cyrillic: Автоматы Калашникова «сотой серии» Avtomaty Kalashnikova «sotoy serii») is a family of AK rifles primarily intended for export.
History[]
This series of rifles was designed around 1994; the rifles were produced primarily for export, although the series of rifles and carbines has also been marketed within Russia as well.[1]
Design details[]
The AK-100 series of rifles is based on the AK-74M with higher quality parts and manufactured using modern manufacturing technologies. The rifle uses the tried and true AK action, renowned for its reliability; all the rifles feature folding stocks, but these are of a slightly different design than with the AK-74M's.[2]
Variants[]
AK-101[]
This rifle is chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO. It features most of the upgrades available on the AK-74 and AK-74M. The rear and front trunnions have been redesigned, the handguards now have a heat shield inside, and the AK-101 has an optical plate on the side for installation of Russian and European AK optics. This rifle is the export version of the AK-74M, and production of this rifle started in 1990.
AK-102[]
This rifle is a 5.56mm NATO version of the AK-105, and is a carbine variant of the AK-101. It features the same type of barrel and muzzle as the AK-105. Both weapons are of identical dimensions.
AK-103[]
This rifle is the 7.62×39mm variant of the full-size (non-carbine) AK-100 series. Like the others (and unlike the earlier 7.62mm AKs), it has a 90 degree gas block, as well as the other AK-10X upgrades. The AK-103 features an AK-74-style muzzle brake and has a barrel length of 16 inches. This rifle is in service with selected units in the Russian military.
AK-104[]
This is the carbine version of the AK-103. It is chambered for 7.62×39mm, and features the same type of barrel and muzzle as the AK-105. The weapon's dimensions are identical to other carbine-length rifles of the AK-100 series.
AK-105[]
This is the shortened, carbine version of the AK-74M. It is chambered for 5.45×39mm Russian ammunition, and features a 12-inch barrel and the same muzzle device as the AKS-74U, designed to help the weapon cycle.
AK-107[]
Unlike the other AK variants, the "AK" in this weapon's designation stands for "Aleksandrov/Kalashnikov". It features the "Balanced Automatic Recoil System", derived from that of the AL-7; the gas from the fired cartridge moves the piston rod attached to the bolt carrier, and it also moves another piston in another gas chamber, which moves the opposite direction, reducing the effect of recoil. The cyclic rate for this weapon is significantly higher than other AKs, at 850-900 rounds per minute. The overall design is very similar to the AL-7 prototypes.
This rifle features a 3-round burst mode in addition to the semi-automatic and fully-automatic modes of fire.
AK-108[]
5.56mm NATO variant of the AK-107, but with a more efficient and stronger material than its predecessor. As with the AK-107, the AK-108 uses the Balanced Automatic Recoil System to help mitigate recoil to some degree.
AK-109[]
7.62×39mm variant of the AK-107. As with the AK-107 and AK-108, the AK-109 uses the Balanced Automatic Recoil System to aid in mitigating recoil to a degree.
References[]
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