5.45mm KALASHNIKOVAssault Rifles

Assault Rifles

Mission

The AK74M modernised assault rifle was developed to replace AK74 and its derivatives. It has been adopted for service with the Russian Armed Forces. The new weapon boasts enhanced ergonomics while retaining the best combat characteristics of Kalashnikovdeveloped small arms. Derivatives

The AK105-1 version features a simpler design of trigger mechanism, which provides single fire only, while the AK105-2 derivative has trigger mechanism, allowing both single and automatic fire plus three-round burst capability.

AK74M and AK105 can fire all types of 5.45x39mm rounds.

Design

AK74M is of a standard design. It is a gasoperated weapon with the receiver locked by a rotating bolt. A hammer-type trigger mechanism ensures selective fire. A fire selector, which is dual-hatted as a safety catch, blocks the trigger and sear when engaged.

The weapon sight is of open type and comprises a foresight and a backsight, a U-shaped leaf sliding on a ramp. To fire at night, the fore and back sight can be fitted with luminescent add-on night sights. AK74M can be outfitted with the GP-25 or GP-30 underbarrel grenade laun-cher. Ammunition is fed from a 30-round two-row curved box magazine interchangeable with that of the AK74 assault rifle.

The AK74 modernisation boils down to fitting a standard fixture to mount various optical and optronic sights, a folding plastic buttstock, an improved muzzle brake, a more ergonomic plastic forearm and a reinforced barrel box. In addition, the upgrade results in simpler production techniques for some units of the weapon. Advanced materials and a special phosphate finish of its metal parts enable the assault rifle to survive even in most adverse climate environments. Basic specifications AK74M AK105 Cartridge 5.45x39 5.45x39 Muzzle velocity, m/s 715 840 Effective range of fire, m 1,000 500 Weight, kg: empty 3.4 3.0 loaded 3.7 3.5 Length, mm 943/705 824/586 butt folded butt folded Barrel length, mm 415 314 Magazine capacity, rds 30 30 Combat rate of fire, rds/min up to 40 (single shots), up to 100 (bursts), 600 (cyclic)