AK-103
| AK-103 | |
|---|---|
| File:AK-103 Assault Rifle.JPG 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 |
| No. built | 100,000+ |
| Variants | AK-104 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 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
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.[citation needed]
Russia: Used by various special police groups, special operations forces and civilians .[17] It is also in limited service with the Russian Army.[citation needed]
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]
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
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "7.62 mm Kalashnikov assault rifles AK103, АК104". Archived from the original on 14 April 2014. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Официальный сайт группы предприятий "ИЖМАШ"". Archived from the original on September 3, 2014. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ 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.
- ^ a b "Ak 47 Technical Description - Manual". Scribd.com. 2010-09-30. Retrieved 2012-08-23.
- ^ a b 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.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ 1149841 (2016-08-06). "Exclusive: Iran Imports AK-103 Rifles from Russia". Tasnim News Agency. Retrieved 2016-08-06.
{{cite web}}:|author=has numeric name (help) - ^ 1149841 (2016-08-06). "Exclusive: Iran buys Russian AK-103 Kalashnikov assault rifles". Defence blog. Retrieved 2016-08-06.
{{cite web}}:|author=has numeric name (help) - ^ Bryan Chan; Luis Sinco (2011-03-04). "On the revolutionary road in Libya, Photo #4". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2010-04-01.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "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.
- ^ a b 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.
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