AK-103

The AK-103 is a Russian assault rifle designed by small arms designer Mikhail Kalashnikov.

AK-103
TypeAssault rifle
Place of originRussia
Service history
In service2001–present[1]
Used bySee Users
Wars
Production history
DesignerMikhail Kalashnikov
Designed1993
ManufacturerKalashnikov Concern
Unit costGov. price US$150–160 per unit in 2014
Produced1994–present
No. built250,000+
VariantsAK-104
Specifications
Mass3.6 kg (7.9 lb) empty[3]
Length943 mm (37.1 in) stock extended / 705 mm (27.8 in) stock folded[3]
Barrel length415 mm (16.3 in)[3]
Cartridge7.62×39mm
Caliber7.62mm
ActionGas operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire600 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity715 m/s (2,346 ft/s)
Effective firing range350 m (380 yd) at point-blank range[3]
500 m (550 yd)
Feed system30-round detachable box magazine
SightsIron sights, with a dove tail side rail for mounting optical and night sights

History

The AK-103 was officially offered for export in March 1993.[4]

Design details
AK-103 with the stock folded.

It is an AK-100 derivative of the AK-74M that is chambered for the 7.62x39mm M43 cartridge, similar to the AKM. The AK-103 can be fitted with a variety of sights, including night vision and telescopic sights, plus a knife-bayonet or a grenade launcher like the GP-34. Newer versions can fit Picatinny rails, allowing more accessories to be mounted. It uses plastic components where possible instead of wood or metal, with such components being the pistol grip, handguards, folding stock and depending on the type, the magazine.

Protective coatings for corrosion resistance of metal parts. Forearm, magazine, butt stock and pistol grip are made of high strength shatterproof plastic.[5]

The AK-104 is a compact version of the AK-103 chambered for 7.62×39mm ammunition.[6] It has a muzzle brake derived from the older AKS-74U combined with a shorter barrel.

Magazines

The current issue steel-reinforced matte true black nonreflective surface finished 7.62×39mm 30-round magazines, fabricated from ABS plastic weigh 0.25 kg (0.55 lb) empty.[7] Early steel AK-47 magazines are 9.75 in (248 mm) long, and the later ribbed steel AKM and newer plastic 7.62×39mm magazines are about 1 in (25 mm) shorter.[8][9]

The transition from steel to mainly plastic magazines yielded a significant weight reduction and allow a soldier to carry more rounds for the same weight.

Rifle Cartridge Cartridge weight Weight of empty magazine Weight of loaded magazine Max. 10.12 kg (22.3 lb) ammunition load*
AK-47 (1949) 7.62×39mm 16.3 g (252 gr) Slab-sided steel
430 g (0.95 lb)		 30-rounds
916 g (2.019 lb)[10]		 11 magazines for 330 rounds
10.08 kg (22.2 lb)
AKM (1959) 7.62×39mm 16.3 g (252 gr) Ribbed stamped-steel
330 g (0.73 lb)		 30-rounds
819 g (1.806 lb)[11][12]		 12 magazines for 360 rounds
9.83 kg (21.7 lb)
AK-103/AK-104 (1993) 7.62×39mm 16.3 g (252 gr) Steel-reinforced plastic
250 g (0.55 lb)		 30-rounds
739 g (1.629 lb)[11][12]		 13 magazines for 390 rounds
9.61 kg (21.2 lb)

Note: All, 7.62×39mm AK magazines are backwards compatible with older AK variants.
Note *: 10.12 kg (22.3 lb) is the maximum amount of ammo that the average soldier can comfortably carry. It also allows for best comparison of the three most common 7.62×39mm AK platform magazines.

Variants

The semi-automatic only variant of the AK-103 is designated the AK-103-1, and the three round burst is designated the AK-103-2.[6]

STL-1A

A Vietnamese version known as the STL-1A is made by Factory Z111 and is used by the People's Army of Vietnam. Another modernized version called the STL-1B is currently planned. It first appeared in the 2018 Indo Defence Expo & Forum.

CS/LR11

Chinese clones of the AK-103 made by China Jing An Import & Export Corporation (CJAIE).[13]

SDM AK-103

Chinese clones of the AK-103[14] marketed by Sino Defense Manufacturing.[15]

KR-103

The KR-103 is a semi-automatic clone of the AK-103 made by Kalashnikov USA.[16]

PSAK-103

The PSAK-103 is a semi-automatic variant of the AK-103 made by Palmetto State Armory, Columbia SC.

Users
A map with AK-103 users in blue

Non-state actors
    • AK-103 with GP-34 Grenade Launcher.
      AK-103 with GP-34 Grenade Launcher.
    • Maldives National Defense Force soldier with an AK-103
      Maldives National Defense Force soldier with an AK-103
    • U.S. Marine teaching a reloading technique with the AK-103 to Maldives National Defense Force members
      U.S. Marine teaching a reloading technique with the AK-103 to Maldives National Defense Force members

    References
    1. "Presentation of the unique Kalashnikov small arms collection in the Moscow Kremlin Museum". Archived from the original on 21 February 2014. Retrieved 11 April 2015. AK-103 – Kalashnikov assault rifle, caliber 7.62 mm. It is designed for the 7.62-mm cartridge of the 1943 model. This model was included in the inventory in 2001
    2. Noir, War. "MW Exclusive: Ethiopia Using Weapons Supplied by Iran, Turkey, and Azerbaijan". www.militantwire.com. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
    3. "AK-103". Kalashnikov Concern. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
    4. Новые разработки знаменитого семейства АК с улучшенными боевыми и эксплуатационными характеристиками // газета "Красная Звезда" от 6 марта 1993 г.
    5. "7.62 mm Kalashnikov assault rifles AK103, АК104". Archived from the original on 14 April 2014. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
    6. Jenzen-Jones, N.R. (September 2012). "The 100-Series Kalashnikovs: A Primer". Small Arms Review. Vol. 16, no. 3. Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
    7. "Официальный сайт группы предприятий "ИЖМАШ"". Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
    8. Rifle Evaluation Study Archived 2012-12-01 at the Wayback Machine, United States Army, Combat Development Command, ADA046961, 20 Dec 1962
    9. "Are kalashnikov magazines as robust as their reputation? He tormented a selection of AR magazines last year, now he takes on the AK. The results you may find surprising". Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
    10. Dockery, Kevin (2007). Future Weapons. p. 102. ISBN 978-0-425-21750-4.
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    13. "7.62 mm Automatic Rifle Type CS/LR11_Rifle_Weapon_Products_Jing An". cjaie.com. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
    14. https://web.archive.org/web/20220204202249/https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2022/02/04/yemeni-buyers-guide-distinguish-russian-chinese-ak-103/
    15. "SDM AKS-74 and AKS-103: a tale of two AKs". GUNSweek.com. 14 July 2016. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
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    23. "Namibia receives Russian small arms". defenceweb.co.za. defenceweb. Archived from the original on 12 August 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
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    28. "РФ и Саудовская Аравия подписали меморандум о покупке и локализации продукции ВПК". TASS. Archived from the original on 10 October 2017. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
    29. Moss, Matthew (19 February 2019). "Saudi Arabia to Receive First AK-103s Soon". Overt Defense. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
    30. полковник С. Сергеев. О реформе вооруженных сил Венесуэлы // "Зарубежное военное обозрение", № 8, 2006. стр.22-24
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