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 | |
Production history | |
Designer | Mikhail Kalashnikov |
Designed | 1994 |
Manufacturer | Izhmash |
Produced | 1994–present |
Number built | 100,000+ |
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.
Design details
![](../I/m/A103a1.jpg)
![](../I/m/Ak103_m.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 10.12 kg (22.3 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 9.84 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 9.62 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
Standard automatic 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 (AB) and the fully engaged semi automatic settings (OA) 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.
Users
-
India: Used by Naval Special Forces or MARCOS.[9] The Russian arms company Izhmash is negotiating issuing a license to an Indian private arms manufacturer to produce the AK-103.[10]
-
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. [11][12][13]
-
Libya: Seen in the hands of anti-Gaddafi forces and loyalists in numerous photos. The rifles in use are the AK-103-2 version .[14][15]
Namibia: Used by Namibian Marine Corps[16]
Pakistan: Pakistan Armed Forces are planning to purchase large numbers of the AK-103 assault rifle.
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Russia: Used by various special police groups, special operations forces and civilians .[17] It is also in limited service with the Russian Army.
-
Venezuela: Standard issue weapon of the Venezuelan Army .[18] 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.[19] CAVIM's AK-103 factories opened officially in 2012.[19][20] CAVIM-made AK-103s were delivered to the Venezuelan Army in 2013.[21]
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Saudi Arabia: Used by Airborne Units and Special Security Forces in the Royal Saudi Land Forces.[22][23]
Non-State Actors
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.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 1149841 (2016-08-06). "Exclusive: Iran buys Russian AK-103 Kalashnikov assault rifles". Defence blog. Retrieved 2016-08-06.
- ↑ Bryan Chan; Luis Sinco (2011-03-04). "On the revolutionary road in Libya, Photo #4". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2010-04-01.
- ↑ "Update II: AK-103 Exports to Libya". Security Scholar. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
- ↑ Defence Web. "Namibia receives Russian small arms". defenceweb.co.za. defenceweb. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
- ↑ "Modern Firearms". Retrieved 14 November 2014.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ "How an AK-103 Works". allinallnews. Nov 3, 2015.
- ↑ "Saudi special forces operator in Yemen and armed with Russian AK 103". mighty_earth.
- ↑ Thomas Martienssen. "A rifle's journey from Belgium to Gaza". BBC. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
External links
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