AK-104
The AK-104 is a shortened carbine version of the AK-103 rifle. The AK-102, AK-105, and AK-104 are very similar in design, the only difference being the caliber and corresponding magazine type. The AK-104 is chambered to fire 7.62×39mm ammunition.
AK-104 | |
---|---|
The AK-104 carbine | |
Type | Carbine |
Place of origin | Russia |
Service history | |
In service | 2001–Present[1] |
Used by | See Users |
Wars | Syrian Civil War |
Production history | |
Designer | Mikhail Kalashnikov |
Designed | 1994 |
Manufacturer | Kalashnikov Concern |
Produced | 1994 |
Variants | AK-102, AK-105 |
Specifications | |
Mass | 3.0 kg (6.6 lb) empty 3.2 kg (7.1 lb) with empty magazine 3.7 kg (8.2 lb) with loaded magazine |
Length | 824 mm (32.4 in) with stock extended / 586 mm (23.1 in) with stock folded |
Barrel length | 314 mm (12.4 in) |
Cartridge | 7.62×39mm |
Caliber | 7.62mm |
Action | Gas-actuated, rotating bolt |
Rate of fire | 600 rounds/min |
Muzzle velocity | 670 m/s (2,200 ft/s) |
Effective firing range | 500 m (550 yd) |
Feed system | 30 round detachable magazine |
Sights | Iron sights, there is a dove-tail side rail for optical and night sights |
Design
Compared to the AK-74M, AK-101, and AK-103, which are full-size rifles of similar design, the AK-102, 104, and 105 feature shortened barrels that make them a middle ground between a full rifle and the more compact AKS-74U. However, the AK-104 also features a solid, side-folding polymer stock, unlike the shorter, skeleton-stocked AKS-74U.[2] The AK-104 uses an adjustable notched rear tangent iron sight calibrated in 100 m (109 yd) increments from 100 to 500 m (109 to 547 yd). The front sight is a post adjustable for elevation in the field. Horizontal adjustment is done by the armory before issue. The AK-104 has a muzzle booster derived from the AKS-74U.
Protective coatings ensure excellent corrosion resistance of metal parts. Forearm, magazine, butt stock and pistol grip are made of high strength plastic.[3]
The 100-series AKs are produced by the Izhmash factories in Izhevsk, Russia.
Variants
AK-E
A civilian semi-automatic rifle closely resembling the AK-104 with the exception of a longer 16" barrel, 800m standard AK rear sight-leaf, flash hider and additional safeties. Rifle was created by Palmetto State Armory of South Carolina.
Users
- Egypt: Used By Special Operations Police and Black Cobra Unit alongside AK 103 and AK101
- Russia: Used by the Russian Federal Protective Service.[4]
- Venezuela: Produced under license by CAVIM alongside the AK-103.[5]
- Syria: A batch of AK-104's have reportedly been delivered to Syria's Interior Ministry "Anti-Terrorism" Police in the Eastern Ghouta front in Rif Dimashq.[6]
- Yemen: In service with some units of the Yemeni Army.[7]
- Thailand: Directorate of Logistics procured from Russian Federation.[8]
References
- "фициальный сайт группы предприятий "ИЖМАШ"". Archived from the original on 21 February 2014. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
- Modern Firearms - AK-102/104/105 Archived 19 August 2010 at the Wayback Machine. World.guns.ru (2011-01-24). Retrieved on 2011-10-12.
- "фициальный сайт группы предприятий "ИЖМАШ"". Archived from the original on 14 April 2014. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
- Håland, Walter Christian (30 June 2017). "Russian Forces Assault Rifles Today". Small Arms Defense Journal. Vol. 9 no. 2. Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
- "Cavim inicia entrega de fusiles de asalto Kalashnikov AK-103 a la Fuerza Armada de Venezuela". Infodefensa.com. 3 June 2013. Archived from the original on 29 December 2014. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
- "Спецназ МВД Сирии опробовал на передовой новые АК-104" [Special Forces Ministry of Internal Affairs of Syria tested on the front lines the new AK-104] (in Russian). 25 February 2016. Archived from the original on 28 February 2016.
- 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 21 July 2019.
- สิริกิติ์ - กองทัพบก
See also
- List of Russian weaponry
- List of assault rifles