AEK-971
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| AEK-971 | |
|---|---|
 AEK-971 chambered for 5.45x39mm |
|
| Type | Assault Rifle |
| Place of origin |  Russia |
| Service history | |
| In service | Field testing |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Sergey I. Koksharov |
| Designed | Early 1970's |
| Manufacturer | Kovrov Machinebuilding Plant |
| Number built | >100 units |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 3.3 kg (8.5 lb) empty |
| Length | 965 mm (38 in) |
| Barrel length | 414 mm (16.3 in) |
|
|
|
| Cartridge | 5.45x39mm AEK-971 7.62x39mm AEK-973 / AEK-973S 5.56x45mm NATO AEK-972 |
| Action | Gas actuated, rotating bolt, balanced |
| Rate of fire | 800 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 880 m/s (2887 ft/s) |
| Effective range | 400 m (366 yd) |
| Feed system | 30-round magazine |
| Sights | Hooded front post and the U-notch open rear |
The AEK-971 is a Russian assault rifle made by the Kovrov Machinebuilding Plant now Degtyarev Design Bureau and designed by Sergey I. Koksharov. AEK-971 use 5.45x39mm M74 round from the standard 30 round magazines of the AK-74. Two other members of this series - AEK-972 and AEK-973 - fire 5.56x45mm and 7.62x39mm, respectively, from 30 round magazines of the AK-101 and AK-47/AK-103. The updated AEK-973 receives a three-shot burst fire mode. AEK-973S (АЕК-973С in russian) is a modification with changed firing mechanism with the location of the thumb safety-selector lever on the right side and an extended light stock (to make the weapon less bulky). When the stock is retracted, a shoulder rest is being connected with the pistol grip, thereby forming a streamlined structure that doesn't hamper the fire. The AEK-971 has two fire modes; semi- and full-automatic. The modernised AEK-971 is also able to deliver fire with three-shot bursts. The AEK-971 is based on previous AK rifles in internal design and features but has the addition of a balancing mechanism. The rifle has a counter weight that negates the impulse of the gas piston and bolt carrier: this is the balancing mechanism and results in more controllable automatic fire. Though losing an initial contract for production against the AN-94, mainly due to being underdeveloped at the time, the Russian army has begun field trials of this weapon. The AN-94 assault rifle has slight edge over the AEK-971 only in short burst (2 rounds only) mode. In full-auto medium or long burst fire mode (3-5 or 7-10 rounds per burst) AEK-971 wins hands down, being also some 0.5 kg lighter than AN-94, simpler and cheaper to manufacture.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- http://www.implg.com/?ASSAULT_RIFLES:AEK-971%2C_AEK-972_and_AEK-973_assault_rifles
- http://black-arsenal.co.cc/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content.45
[edit] External links
- Overview of AEK-971
- (Translated from Chinese) AEK-971
- [1]
- AEK-971 / AEK-972 / AEK-973 / AEK-973S - In russian
- AEK-973S (scroll down)
|
||||||||
This firearms-related article is a stub. You can help by expanding it
