AK-100 (rifle family)

The AK-100 family is a series of Kalashnikov rifles, based upon the AK-74M, intended for export and sale on the domestic market. The family of rifles offers the AK-74M system, in multiple cartridges and lengths.[1]

For the naval cannon, see AK-100 (naval gun).

AK-100 series
5.56x45mm AK-101 assault rifle.
5.56×45mm AK-102 carbine.

The original AK-100 series rifles are categorized by all having black polymer handguards, folding polymer stocks, and use of AK-74M internal systems.[2]

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

Even with those differences all of the rifles are made to similar specifications. [2]

  • Both long rifles had a barrel length of 415 mm, and all the carbines had a barrel length of 314 mm.[2]
  • Both long rifles (unloaded) weighted 3.6 kg, and all the carbines: 3.2 kg.[2]
  • All the rifles had a selector for with: safe, semi auto, or full auto. Also, both long rifles also had a variant with 3 round burst called AK-10X-3 and a semi auto only variant called AK-10X-1[3]

Rifles in the 100 series have been adopted by a variety of countries, notably: Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia.[4]

The AK-105 has also seen usage some domestic use, filling a niche role as a middle ground between the AK-74M and AKS-74U.[5][6][7]

Main article: AK-107

Later Kalashnikov started offering the AK-107 / AK-108 / AK-109 models. 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-100M/200 series

The AK-100M/AK-200 rifle family was initially conceived around 2009 as an improved variant of the basic AK-100 series. Most improvements centered on ergonomic improvements and mounting systems for accessories. The development of the AK-100M/AK-200 family was stopped around 2011 but resumed around 2016. In 2017, Kalashnikov unveiled the modernised versions of the AK-100 family of rifles. The AK-200 series are somewhat heavier and less advanced compared to the AK-12 family, but also cheaper.

As of 2018, the AK-200 series rifles are offered for export sales and for domestic law enforcement users in Russia.[8][9][10][11] 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 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.[12] They feed from 30-round magazines, and are compatible with drum magazines from the RPK and RPK-74.[13]

The models of the AK-200 series are:

On 3 March 2019, Russia and India inaugurated Indo-Russia Rifles in Uttar Pradesh, India to produce AK-203 assault rifles.[14][15] However, no contract has been signed or rifles produced because of pricing disagreements.[16] The factory is unlikely to begin production in 2020.[17]

References
  1. "AK-100 Series" (PDF). Small Arms Survey.
  2. "AK-100". Weaponsystems.net.
  3. "THE 100-SERIES KALASHNIKOVS: A PRIMER". Small Arms Review.
  4. "AK-100 series". Military Today.
  5. Приказ Министерства внутренних дел РФ № 651 от 9 июля 2002 г.
  6. Постановление Правительства РФ № 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"
  7. "Russian Special Forces Federal Security Services to get new Kalashnikov AK-400 assault rifles TASS 2605162". armyrecognition.com. 25 May 2016.
  8. "Rosoboronexport starts promoting new series of Kalashnikov assault rifles". Rostec State Corporationwebsite=thefirearmblog.com. 8 February 2019.
  9. "Russian National Guard Orders New AK-200 Series Rifles". thefirearmblog.com. 19 September 2018.
  10. Russian National Guard modernizes firearm, vehicle and boat inventory
  11. "Russia Starts Promoting the New Kalashnikov AK200 Series". thefirearmblog.com. 26 February 2019.
  12. "Kalashnikov Concern Renames the 100M-Series of AK Rifles to 200-Series". thefirearmblog.com. 8 June 2018.
  13. "200 series Kalashnikov assault rifle: AK-200, AK-201, AK-202, AK-203, AK-204, AK-205 (Russia)". modernfirearms.net.
  14. "AK-203 Production Kicks-off in India". Rostec State Corporation. 4 March 2019.
  15. "Russian National Guard modernizes firearm, vehicle and boat inventory". www.armyrecognition.com. 15 March 2019.
  16. "Indo-Russian joint venture for Amethi rifles factory hits hurdle". The Economic Times. 6 February 2020.
  17. "Amethi AK-203 factory unlikely to start operations in 2020". The Economic Times. 4 June 2020.
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