| AK-107 | |
|---|---|
 AK-107 assault rifle | |
| Type | Assault rifle |
| Place of origin | Russia |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2010–present[1] |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Yuriy K. Alexandrov |
| Designed | 1990s |
| Manufacturer | Kalashnikov Concern |
| Produced | 1994–present |
| Variants | AK-108 AK-109 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 3.8 kg (8.38 lb) |
| Length | 943 mm (37.1 in) stock extended 700 mm (27.6 in) stock folded |
| Barrel length | 415 mm (16.3 in) |
| Cartridge | 5.45×39mm (AK-107) 5.56×45mm NATO (AK-108) 7.62×39mm (AK-109) |
| Action | Gas-operated,rotating bolt, BARS system |
| Rate of fire | 850 rounds/min (AK-107) 900 rounds/min (AK-108) |
| Muzzle velocity | 900 m/s (2,953 ft/s) (AK-107) 910 m/s (2,985.6 ft/s) (AK-108) 750 m/s (2,460.6 ft/s) (AK-109) |
| Effective firing range | 500 m (550 yd) |
| Maximum firing range | 800 m (870 yd) |
| Feed system | 30-round detachablebox magazine 60-roundAK-200-compatiblecasket magazines |
| Sights | Protected front post, rear V-notch on tangent |
TheAK-107 is aRussian5.45×39mmassault rifle developed from theAK-100-series. It features a "balanced" operating system, similar to that used in theAEK-971. In this case, the designation AK does not indicateAvtomat Kalashnikova butAlexandrov/Kalashnikov. The revised designation indicates the incorporation of a newgas system, designed by Youriy Alexandrov, forKalashnikov-pattern rifles.
These newrifles were derived from theAL-7 experimental rifle of the early 1970s. The AL-7 utilized an innovative balanced gas operating system known as theBalanced Automatics Recoil System (BARS) developed byPeter Andreevich Tkachev ofTsNIITochMash that was first used earlier on theAO-38 assault rifle of 1965 that essentially eliminated feltrecoil andmuzzle rise. The system was modified by Alexandrov, then a junior engineer atIzhmash, and prototypes were produced under the designation AL-7. The AL-7 was considered too expensive for production at the time and theSoviet Army selected theAK-74 instead as the newservice rifle. No further development occurred until the mid-1990s when Alexandrov, by then a senior engineer, was directed to update his design for production as a less expensive alternative to theAN-94. The new rifle differs only slightly from the original AL-7. The AK-107 receiver is not fluted and a three-round burst feature has been added. There is otherwise little difference between it and the AL-7 prototypes.
The AK-107, AK-108, and AK-109 represent a significant change to theKalashnikov operating system originally designed in the late 1940s. This system uses a recoil-reducing countermass mechanism with two operating rods that move in opposite directions, thereby providing "balance". One operating rod, the upper, has a gas piston facing forward while the lower also has a gas piston. The gas tube at the forward end of thehandguard is double-ended to accommodate the two rods. The enlarged gas tube cover of the upper handguard guides both rods in their travel.
When the rifle is fired, gas is tapped from the gas port to enter the gas tube, driving the bolt carrier to the rear and the counter-recoil upper rail forward. The critical timing of the reciprocating parts is accomplished by a star-shaped sprocket that links and synchronizes both components, causing both to reach their maximum extension, or null point where forces are exactly equal, at exactly the same instant. The felt recoil is therefore eliminated, enhancing accuracy and assisting control during fullyautomatic fire. The travel distance of the AK-107 reciprocating parts is less than other Kalashnikov designs, so thecyclic rate is higher at 850–900 rounds/min rather than 600 rounds/min on other AK rifles. However, as the felt recoil is virtually eliminated, the manufacturer claims that accuracy is enhanced, especially during burst fire. An enhancement of 1.5 to 2 times, compared to the original AK-100 series, has been reported.[2]
The AK-107 is aselective fire weapon, with a three-roundburst capability in addition tosemi-automatic and fully automatic firing modes. The system on the AK-107 resets to three-round burst each time thetrigger is released, even if only one or two rounds were fired. External differences between the AK-107 and its predecessors are minor. They include a modified ejection port and a much thicker operating rod cover. The method of attaching thereceiver cover now involves a rotating latch in place of the traditional Kalashnikov button at the rear of the receiver cover. Therear sight is also attached directly to the receiver cover rather than to the receiver itself and the selector has four positions instead of three.Optical and night sights can be installed, the rifle can also accept a40 mmGP-25grenade launcher.
TheAK-108 is a version of the AK-107 chambered in5.56×45mm NATO, and theAK-109 is a less known and produced version chambered in7.62×39mm. Like the rest of theAK-100 series, these newer AKs use synthetic materials such as black fiberglass-reinforced polymer for thepistol grip andheat shield. This material is more cost efficient and much stronger than the originalAKM/AK-74 wood furniture.[3]
In March 2013, Izhmash debuted acivilian version of the AK-107/AK-108 rifle designated theSaiga MK-107. The MK-107 features improvements over the original AK-107 design including a rounded ergonomiccharging handle, a button-stylesafety above thetrigger guard,AR-15-style pistol grip andstock (made byIsraeli firm CAA Tactical), and full length toppicatinny rail.[4]
Kazakhstan[5]
Russia Currently[when?] being tested by theRussian military with new features including an enhanced stock, top and side-mounted accessoryrails, high-capacityIzhmash 60-round quad-stackmagazine, andholographic sight.[6]