AK-103
 |
This article needs additional citations for verification. (November 2009) |
| AK-103 | |
|---|---|
 The AK-103 assault rifle |
|
| Type | Assault rifle |
| Place of origin | Russian Federation |
| Service history | |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars | First Chechen War Second Chechen War 2008 South Ossetia war Libyan civil war |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Mikhail Kalashnikov |
| Designed | 1994 |
| Manufacturer | Izhmash |
| Number built | 200,000+ |
| Variants | AK-104 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 3.4 kg (7.5 lb) without magazine |
| Length | 943 mm (37.1 in) stock extended / 700 mm (27.6 in) stock folded |
| Barrel length | 415 mm (16.3 in) |
|
|
|
| Cartridge | 7.62×39mm |
| Action | Gas operated, rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire | 600 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 715 m/s (2,346 ft/s) |
| Effective range | 500 m (550 yd) |
| Feed system | 30-round detachable box magazine |
| Sights | Notch rear on sight scale and half-globe post on front |
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 laser, night vision, and telescopic sights, plus a suppressor and the GP-25 grenade launcher. It uses plastic components whenever possible instead of wood or metal in order to reduce weight.
Contents |
Design details [edit]
Differences from the AKM series include redesigned rear and front trunnions, as well as a 90 degree gas block, AK-74 style front sight block, the use of a black ribbed 30-round magazine constructed of phenolic resin (which is AKM-compatible as well), an AK-74-type muzzle brake, and black synthetic furniture with a heat shield. These improvements allow the AK-103 to have less recoil, lower weight, better accuracy and enhanced durability than the AKM assault rifles that preceded the AK-103.
The AK-104 is a compact version of the AK-103. It combines features from the older AKS-74U carbine with features from the AK-103, giving a more accurate carbine. It is also chambered for 7.62×39mm ammunition.
Users [edit]
Ethiopia: The Gafat Armament Engineering Complex produces the AK-103 rifle in Ethiopia. Supplements the AKM in the Ethiopian Armed Forces.[1]
India: The Russian arms company Izhmash has issued a license to an Indian private arms manufacturer to produce the AK-103.[2]
Indonesia[citation needed]
Pakistan: Used by SSG & Special Service Group Navy. [3]
Iran: Used by the Iranian Army.[citation needed]
Libya: Seen in the hands of anti-Gaddafi forces & loyalists in numerous photos.[4]
Morocco[citation needed]
Russia: Used by various special police groups and spec ops groups.[5]
Saudi Arabia: Seen in use by Saudi Commandos training in France.[citation needed]
Syria: Used by Syrian commandos.[citation needed]
Venezuela: Standard issue weapon of the Venezuelan Army. A manufacturing plant to produce the AK-103 in Maracay is operational, and it produces up to 50,000 units per year.[6][7]
See also [edit]
- AK-107 (Includes AK-108)
- List of Russian weaponry
References [edit]
- ^ "Dejen Aviation Engineering Complex (DAVEC)". Retrieved 2010-04-01.
- ^ Pradeep Thakur (2008-02-18). "Latest Kalashnikovs to be made in India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2010-04-01.
- ^ "Special Forces (Maritime) (Pakistan), Amphibious and special forces".
- ^ Bryan Chan; Luis Sinco (2011-03-04). "On the revolutionary road in Libya, Photo #4". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2010-04-01.
- ^ http://world.guns.ru/assault/as05-e.htm
- ^ "Venezuela tests Russian Sukhoi warplanes". El Universal Daily News. Retrieved 2010-04-01.
- ^ "Russian Arms Merchant raps on Latin America’s Door". Scoop. 2002-03-22. Retrieved 2010-04-01.
External links [edit]
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: AK-103 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
