AK-103

Encyclopedia : A : AK : AK1 : AK-103

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An AK 103 Rifle
AK 103
Type	Assault Rifle
Nation(s) of origin	Russia
Era	Modern
History
Date of design
Production period
Service duration	(Venezuela) 2006 -
Operators	Russia Venezuela
War service
Variants
Number built
Specifications
Type
Caliber	7.62 x 39 mm
Ammunition	7.62 x 39 mm
Feed system	30 rounds
Firearm action>Action	gas operated rotating bolt
Length	943 mm, 700 mm with folded stock
Gun barrel>Barrel length	415 mm
Weight	3.4 kg
Rate of fire	600 round/minute
Muzzle velocity	715 m/s (~2345 ft/s)
Effective range	1000 m sighting range

The AK-103 is a modern Russian built version of the famous AK-47 assault rifle, chambered for the 7.62 x 39 mm round, inspired by some of the weak points of the low-impulse 5.45/5.56 mm loads. It combines the developments made in the later AK-74 and AK-101 with a use of plastics to replace metal or wooden components where-ever possible to reduce overall weight. The AK-103 can be fitted with a tactical light, lasersight, scope, and a suppressor. The AK-103 is in limited service with selected units in the Russian army, and is already being exported to other countries, such as Venezuela (which bought 100,000 units in 2004 and will build a Kalashnikov factory on its territory for production of these rifles. Eventually a license will be obtained.)

Design Differences

Differences from the AK-47-series weapons include re-designed rear and front trunnions, as well as a different gas block, front sight block, and an AK-74-type muzzle brake.

Adoption

Venezuela

On June 3, 2006 Venezuela received 30,000 Russian-made AK-103's, the first shipment in a deal for 100,000 rifles.[link] The rifles will replace Belgian FAL rifles bought in 1952. The army's commander, Gen. Raul Baduel announced that Venezuela, facing a U.S. ban on arms sales, planned to set up factories to produce more of the rifles and ammunition.

See also

• AK-47
• AK-74
• AK-101
• AK-107 (Includes AK-108)

External links

• http://www.ak-103.com/home.html

• [Modern Firearms]

• [Kalashnikov.guns.ru]

• [IZHMASH website (Contains details on both the AK-101 and the AK-103)]

 

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