Korobov TKB-059
Tula Arms Plant · Assault Rifle · Discontinued · 1966
Also known as: TKB-059, Pribor 3B, Device 3B
Overview
The Korobov TKB-059 is a automatic assault rifle chambered in 7.62x39mm, produced by Tula Arms Plant since 1966. Safety features include manual safety selector, reflecting modern design standards that prioritize safe handling and operation. With over 313 years of firearms manufacturing experience, Tula Arms Plant brings established expertise in metallurgy, machining, and quality control to every product in their lineup, ensuring each firearm meets the standards expected by today's demanding market of knowledgeable shooters and professionals.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4500 g (158.7 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 5800 g (204.6 oz) |
| Overall Length | 690 mm (27.17") |
| Barrel Length | 200 mm (7.87") |
| Height | 190 mm (7.48") |
| Width | 45 mm (1.77") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 90 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Triple Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 715 m/s (2346 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2019 J (1489 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 300 m (328 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 800 m (875 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 1800 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 | Blued |
Calibers
- 7.62x39mm · primary — also known as 7.62 Soviet, M43
Features
- Firing modes: Burst 3, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Triple Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety Selector
- Features: Bullpup Configuration, Triple Barrel, Select Fire, Salvo Fire, Downward Ejection, Vertically Sliding Breechblock
Variants
- Device 3B (Pribor 3B) — Earlier Prototype
Production
Production years: 1962-1966
Prototype only. A small number of specimens were manufactured at the Tula Arms Plant for testing. Both the Device 3B (1962) and the refined TKB-059 (1966) remained experimental prototypes.
Origin
Country of origin: Soviet Union
Designer: German Alexandrovich Korobov
Discontinued: 1966
Notes
The TKB-059 evolved from Korobov's earlier 'Device 3B' (Pribor 3B) prototype of 1962, which served as a proof-of-concept test bed for the salvo-fire principle. Initial tests showed that the three-barrel salvo fire did offer noticeably increased hit probability per trigger pull compared to the standard AKM. The weapon uses a vertically-sliding breechblock controlling all three chambers simultaneously, with spent casings ejected downward. Despite promising hit-probability results, the design was never adopted due to its weight (4.5 kg empty), complexity, unusual ammunition feed system, and the Soviet military's preference for proven, simpler designs. Barrel length data is not available in surviving documentation. The weight of 5.8 kg loaded includes the full 90-round triple magazine.
Background
German Korobov was one of the Soviet Union's most prolific and unconventional firearms designers, creating dozens of experimental prototypes at the Tula Design Bureau from the 1940s through the 1970s. The TKB-059 represented perhaps his most radical concept: a handheld volley gun that fired three-round salvos faster than any human could react to recoil. While conventional wisdom held that simpler was better for military small arms, Korobov relentlessly pursued innovative mechanisms including bullpup layouts, lever-delayed blowback actions, and multi-barrel salvo systems. None of his designs were ever adopted by the Soviet military, which consistently favored Kalashnikov's proven platform.