The Kalashnikov assault rifle (AK) of the 100th series is a new generation of small arms that has replaced the truly legendary AK-47 and AK-74 systems. Lovers of gunshots say that AK - it's like a Rolls-Royce among cars, is equally reliable and reliable. And most of the military of the world agrees with this statement. And thanks to the low price, the Kalashnikov assault rifle (AK) appeared in service with many armies of our planet. In fact, this is the standard of automatic weapons, it is even an unspoken symbol of Russia along with a nesting doll, balalaika and a bear. Well, let's look at how the hundredth series differs from the previous generation.
A bit of history
In the mid-nineties of the last century, weapons designers at the Izhevsk Machine-Building Plant began developing an export version of the AK for the most common ammunition in the world armies: 5.45x39 mm (the main AK caliber), 5.56x45 mm (NATO standard) and 7.62x39 mm. The well-proven AK-74M model was taken as the basis. The new modernization has become known as the AK 100 series.
Weapon description
This modification has an impact resistant polymer forend. All the fittings are made of the same material: pistol grip, gas pipe lining , hollow folding stock, inside of which is a pencil case with accessories. The plastic has a matte black color to exclude the possibility of glare in the dark. The butt folds to the left. It has a groove on it, when folding, it includes a mount for mounting a variety of sights (from optical thermal imagers to frame holography), the so-called dovetail. Stores for AK-100 are made of special high-strength plastic. The machine is provided with the installation of a grenade launcher and an army standard bayonet-knife. All weapons of this modification, except for the AK-105, are intended for export.
Now consider the features of each model in this series.
AK-101
The difference between this machine and its ancestor (AK-74M) is only in the used ammunition of 5.56x45 mm caliber. This cartridge is the main standard used in the small arms of NATO. Accordingly, other differences of the new automatic system follow from this. On this instance, a barrel with a chamber is installed, having a different pitch rifling for the bullet, which, in turn, is distinguished by a greater length and weight. The caliber of the bore is 0.12 mm larger, the chamber is longer, because the sleeve of the new cartridge exceeds the domestic version by 6 mm in length and differs in shape. In addition, another shutter is installed on the AK-101, this is due to the fact that the NATO-style cartridges have a different diameter and thickness of the sleeve bottom, as well as the dimensions of the groove into which the hook enters. The next difference is the vent mechanism. It had to be changed due to the increase in the power of this munition, which led to the receipt of a bolt by the bolt frame of the machine gun at the moment of the shot. Therefore, to achieve a stable battle of weapons, as well as pace when firing bursts, the designers changed the characteristics of the gas exhaust system. Now the frame makes a sliding movement with an impulse close in magnitude to the AK-74M. But the accuracy of the battle thanks to the new cartridge became noticeably higher than that of the prototype.
The performance characteristics of the AK-101
These AK 100 series assault rifles have a total length of 934 mm with the butt extended and 705 mm folded. Weight AK-101 with an empty clip is 3.6 kg, and fully equipped - 4 kg. The barrel length is the same as the base model - 415 mm. Muzzle velocity - 910 m / s. The machine is capable of providing a rate of fire of 600 rounds per minute. The adjustable rear sight has fixed positions in height: from one to ten in increments of one, this corresponds to values from one hundred to one thousand meters. The main visual difference between the AK 100 series and the AK-74M is the shape of the store. The bending of the clip of the new machine is much less than that of its predecessor.
AK-102
This model repeats the AK-101, however, it has a shortened barrel - 314 mm. Accordingly, the designers had to transfer the front sight to the joint of the barrel and gas pipe. Following her installed a muzzle with a bell. As a result of shortening the barrel, the overall length of the machine also decreased: with a folded butt, it is 824 mm, and with a folded one - 586 mm. In addition, the weapon lost a little weight. Now with a discharged clip, it weighs 3.2 kg, which is 400 g lighter than the AK-101. Shortening the barrel also led to a decrease in the flight speed of the bullet - 820 m / s. The adjustable rear sight has also changed; it is graduated from one hundred to five hundred meters. The rate of fire remained the same.
AK-103
This modification with its appearance fully confirms the proverb: "Everything new is well forgotten old." The AK-103 constructively repeats the basic prototype AK-74M, however, the cartridge was borrowed from the first-born AK-47 - 7.62x39. The model under consideration is the most popular export machine of domestic production. If we compare the AK-103 with AKMS, then the "weaving" is much better: it is more convenient, and thanks to the plastic butt, it is also much easier than the prototype. There is a muzzle brake compensator of a new, very successful design, thanks to which the machine shows a good accuracy of the battle when firing bursts. All the characteristics of this model coincide with the AK-101, the difference is only in the caliber and cartridge weight, respectively, the equipped magazine is one hundred grams heavier. A larger bullet weight also leads to a lower initial flight speed - 715 m / s.
A little about the cartridge 7.62x39
These cartridges fired the first Kalashnikov assault rifles, as well as Simonov carbines (SCS) of the 1945 model, RPK light machine guns, Saiga rifled hunting carbines and many other specimens. 7.62 is an excellent ammunition for mass small arms (for war). It is an order of magnitude better than the 5.45 cartridge, which is used by all modern rifle systems. 7.62 exceeds the NATO standard - 5.56. That's why the designers of IZHMASH decided to resurrect this ammunition in the AK-100 (the photo above shows the machine under the cartridge 7.62), and they did not fail. Orders for this model arrive at the factory with enviable regularity.
AK-104
This modification is a shortened version of the previous model. It has similar specifications, including caliber (7.62). The differences are the barrel length, which corresponds to the AK-102 model, and the initial bullet flight speed is 670 m / s. In all other respects this is a repetition of the AK-103.
AK-105
As already mentioned above, this model is designed for the domestic market of Russia, it has a shortened barrel, respectively, the gas vent mechanism repeats the versions of AK-102 and AK-104. The caliber of this representative of the AK 100 series corresponds to the Russian standard - 5.45. These weapons are delivered in small quantities to special units of internal affairs bodies to replace the obsolete AKS-74U. Dismantling the Kalashnikov assault rifle of the hundredth series is identical to its prototype, so the security forces do not have to relearn.
In addition to the listed models, IZHMASH produces other versions of the basic options. For example, all modifications that have a “unit” at the end of the name (AK-102-1) are semi-automatic, they do not have the ability to fire bursts. Such models are intended for security and police units. Modifications with the number “two” at the end of the name mean the presence of a cutoff in the machine when firing in short bursts of three rounds. The fuse in such a weapon has four positions: fuse, full automatic, cutoff 3 rounds and single mode.
Finally
The popularity of the Kalashnikov combat machine in the whole world can no longer surprise anyone. This weapon can be seen in the hands of not only soldiers of the Russian and foreign armies, but also among militants of terrorist and extremist organizations of all the world's hot spots. AK became the prototype for a series of hunting weapons manufactured by the IZHMASH plant under the name Saiga. Moreover, he firmly entered the virtual world: today it is impossible to imagine an arcade game without a Kalashnikov assault rifle, and most often developers use the very first model of the forty-seventh year as the most powerful. And in some projects, this weapon is elite, and it is very, very difficult to acquire or conquer it in battle. For example, Warface is a representative of arcades, in which it is extremely difficult to get the desired "gun." In this regard, gaming forums often encounter real cries for help: “How to knock out an AK-47 100%?” Gamers provide whole instructions and videos on how to make a wish come true. However, the Kalashnikov assault rifle still remains a dream for many players, which can be realized only after spending many hours at the monitor of your computer.