AK-109
Kalashnikov Concern (formerly Izhmash) · Assault Rifle · Limited Production · 1998
Also known as: AK109, Izhmash AK-109
Overview
The AK-109 is a Russian gas-operated assault rifle chambered in 7.62x39mm, forming the 7.62mm member of the AK-107/AK-108/AK-109 sub-series within the wider AK-100 family. Developed at Izhmash (now Kalashnikov Concern), it pairs the proven Kalashnikov layout with the Balanced Automatics Recoil System (BARS), in which a countermass and a second gas piston move opposite to the bolt carrier to cancel much of the impulse that normally disturbs the sights during automatic fire. The result is markedly reduced felt recoil and muzzle climb, improving controllability and burst accuracy over a conventional AK while retaining the heavier-hitting 7.62x39mm cartridge. Like its siblings it offers safe, semi-automatic, three-round burst and full-automatic fire, a side-folding polymer stock, and a side optics mounting rail. The AK-109 saw only limited production and was not adopted in large numbers.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3800 g (134.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 943 mm (37.13") |
| Folded Length | 700 mm (27.56") |
| Barrel Length | 415 mm (16.34") |
| Sight Radius | 378 mm (14.88") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 715 m/s (2346 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2037 J (1502 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 400 m (437 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1000 m (1094 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 850 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 240 mm (9.45") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Phosphate |
Calibers
- 7.62x39mm · primary — also known as 7.62x39mm Soviet, 7.62mm M43, .30 Russian Short
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Burst 3, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Selector Lever
- Features: Balanced Automatics Recoil System, Side Folding Stock, Rotating Bolt, Three Round Burst, Optics Side Rail
Variants
Base model
Production
Production years: 1998-2010s
Limited production; the BARS sub-series (AK-107/108/109) was never adopted in significant quantity.
Origin
Country of origin: Russia
Designer: Youriy Alexandrov
Notes
The AK-109 is the 7.62x39mm BARS variant; the AK-107 is chambered in 5.45x39mm and the AK-108 in 5.56x45mm NATO. Despite the recoil-reduction benefits, the BARS rifles added mechanical complexity and cost, and the Russian military ultimately favored conventional Kalashnikov designs.
Background
The Balanced Automatics Recoil System traces back to Soviet experiments of the 1960s, notably Peter Tkachev's AO-38 of 1965; Izhmash engineer Youriy Alexandrov adapted the principle to the Kalashnikov platform, producing the balanced AK-107/108/109 rifles whose cyclic rate climbs to around 850-900 rounds per minute while recoil drops sharply.