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

AK-103 with the stock folded.
AK-103

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

Non-State Actors

See also

References

  1. ↑ "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
  2. ↑ "7.62 mm Kalashnikov assault rifles AK103, АК104". Archived from the original on 14 April 2014. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
  3. ↑ "Официальный сайт группы предприятий "ИЖМАШ"". Archived from the original on September 3, 2014. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  4. ↑ Rifle Evaluation Study, United States Army, Combat Development Command, ADA046961, 20 Dec 1962
  5. ↑ "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.
  6. ↑ Dockery, Kevin (2007). Future Weapons. p. 102. ISBN 0-425-21750-7.
  7. 1 2 "Ak 47 Technical Description - Manual". Scribd.com. 2010-09-30. Retrieved 2012-08-23.
  8. 1 2 Dockery, Kevin (2007). Future Weapons. p. 102.
  9. ↑ 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
  10. ↑ Pradeep Thakur (2008-02-18). "Latest Kalashnikovs to be made in India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2010-04-01.
  11. ↑ http://www.bbc.com/persian/iran/2016/08/160806_l12_iran_kalashnikov_rifle. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  12. ↑ 1149841 (2016-08-06). "Exclusive: Iran Imports AK-103 Rifles from Russia". Tasnim News Agency. Retrieved 2016-08-06.
  13. ↑ 1149841 (2016-08-06). "Exclusive: Iran buys Russian AK-103 Kalashnikov assault rifles". Defence blog. Retrieved 2016-08-06.
  14. ↑ Bryan Chan; Luis Sinco (2011-03-04). "On the revolutionary road in Libya, Photo #4". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2010-04-01.
  15. ↑ "Update II: AK-103 Exports to Libya". Security Scholar. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  16. ↑ Defence Web. "Namibia receives Russian small arms". defenceweb.co.za. defenceweb. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  17. ↑ "Modern Firearms". Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  18. ↑ "Russia to build 2 Kalashnikov factories in Venezuela by 2010 / Sputnik international". Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  19. 1 2 John Pike. "Defense Industry". Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  20. ↑ Christopher Looft. "Venezuela Set to Mass Produce Kalashnikovs, Sniper Rifles". Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  21. ↑ "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.
  22. ↑ "How an AK-103 Works". allinallnews. Nov 3, 2015.
  23. ↑ "Saudi special forces operator in Yemen and armed with Russian AK 103". mighty_earth.
  24. ↑ Thomas Martienssen. "A rifle's journey from Belgium to Gaza". BBC. Retrieved 8 December 2015.

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