AK-108
Kalashnikov Concern · Assault Rifle · Limited Production · 1997
Also known as: Avtomat Kalashnikova-108, AK108
Overview
The AK-108 is a select-fire assault rifle chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO, developed by Kalashnikov Concern (Izhmash) as the export-oriented variant of the AK-107. Like its 5.45mm sibling, it employs the balanced automatics recoil system (BARS), in which a counterweight assembly moves opposite the bolt carrier to cancel the momentum forces that normally cause muzzle climb. The result is dramatically reduced felt recoil and near-flat tracking under automatic fire, allowing tighter shot groups in burst and full-auto. Built on the AK-100-series receiver with a 415mm barrel, a side-folding polymer stock, a side-mounted optics rail and an integral muzzle brake, the AK-108 fed from a 30-round detachable box magazine and was offered primarily to foreign militaries already standardized on the 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge. It saw only limited production for trials and evaluation rather than large-scale adoption.
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 | 910 m/s (2986 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1664 J (1227 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 | 178 mm (7.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Phosphate |
Calibers
- 5.56x45mm NATO · primary · 5.56 NATO — also known as .223 Remington, 5.56mm NATO
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
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Russian Armed Forces
Production
Production years: 1997-present
Limited production for evaluation, trials and export marketing. No confirmed large-scale military adoption.
Origin
Country of origin: Russia
Designer: Yuriy Alexandrov
Notes
The AK-108 is the 5.56x45mm NATO chambering of the AK-107 family (the AK-109 covers 7.62x39mm). All share the BARS balanced-recoil mechanism originally conceived by Peter Tkachev at Izhmash in the 1970s and refined by Yuriy Alexandrov. Production was limited; the design competed against the Kovrov AEK-971 in Russian trials and was marketed for export rather than entering broad service.
Background
The AK-108's balanced automatics recoil system is so effective that demonstration footage shows shooters holding the rifle on target through full-auto bursts with almost no muzzle rise, a striking contrast to the climb of a conventional AK. By chambering the system in 5.56x45mm NATO, Izhmash aimed it squarely at export customers already invested in Western ammunition logistics.