AK-107
Kalashnikov Concern · Assault Rifle · Limited Production · 1997
Also known as: Avtomat Kalashnikova-107, AK107
Overview
The AK-107 is a select-fire assault rifle chambered in 5.45x39mm, produced by Kalashnikov Concern since 1997.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3800 g (134.0 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 4100 g (144.6 oz) |
| Overall Length | 943 mm (37.13") |
| Folded Length | 700 mm (27.56") |
| Barrel Length | 415 mm (16.34") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 900 m/s (2953 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1389 J (1024 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1000 m (1094 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 850 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 196 mm (7.72") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Phosphate |
Calibers
- 5.45x39mm · primary — also known as 5.45 Soviet, 5.45x39
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Burst 3, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety Selector, Hammer Notch
- Features: Chrome Lined Barrel, Chrome Lined Chamber, Muzzle Brake Compensator, Rotating Bolt, Select Fire, Balanced Automatics Recoil System, Folding Stock, Optics Rail Compatible, Grenade Launcher Compatible, Picatinny Rail Top
Variants
- AK-108 — Different Caliber
- AK-109 — Different Caliber
- Saiga MK-107 — Civilian
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Russian Armed Forces
Production
Production years: 1997-present
Limited production for evaluation and trials. No confirmed large-scale military adoption. Civilian Saiga MK-107 variant produced in small quantities.
Origin
Country of origin: Russia
Designer: Yuriy Alexandrov
Notes
The AK-107 competes with the AEK-971, another balanced-recoil Russian assault rifle developed by the Kovrov Mechanical Plant. Both were evaluated under Russian military trials in the early 2000s. The AK-108 variant is chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO for export markets, and the AK-109 in 7.62x39mm. The civilian semi-automatic version, the Saiga MK-107, was briefly available before the US import ban on Russian firearms. The BARS concept was originally developed by Peter Tkachev at Izhmash in the 1970s and refined by Alexandrov and Paranin. An improved version with Picatinny rails and updated ergonomics was displayed in 2011.
Background
The AK-107's balanced recoil system is so effective at eliminating felt recoil that demonstration videos show shooters firing full-auto with barely any muzzle rise, a dramatic contrast to standard AK rifles. The technology was independently developed around the same time by both Izhmash (AK-107) and the Kovrov Mechanical Plant (AEK-971), creating a decades-long rivalry between the two designs.