Buy AK-103 Online
Kalashnikov AK-103
Legendary Design, Better Performance
The AK-103 is basically a modernized AKM, which is basically a modernized AK-47.
It’s limited by it’s use of the 7.62×39 round, which I will argue is inferior to the M-16’s 5.56×45 (And the Russians agree, because they switched to the 5.45×39 round in their own issue weapons).
The 103 is largely built for civilian sales to the Russian market and for export, mostly to people with a large supply of 7.62×39 and/or the infrastructure that goes along with it. The biggest change from the AKM was the replacement of the wooden furniture with plastics.
Kalashnikov AK-103 7.62×39 assault rifle
Caliber: 7.62×39 M43
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt with 2 lugs
Length, mm: overall: 943; w/folded butt 700;
Barrel Length, mm: 415
Weigth: 3.4 kg empty
Magazine capacity, 30 rounds
Rate of fire: 600 rounds per minute
Assault Rifle [ 1994 ]
The AK-103 is a modernized incarnation of the fabled AK-47 system.
The Kalashnikov AK-103 assault rifle is a modification of the current Russian standard issue AK-74M rifle, for the older 7.62x39mm ammunition. It is primarily intended for export, though quite a lot of these rifles are in use by various Russian special Law Enforcement groups. The Russian services tend to prefer 7.62mm over 5.45mm for its greater stopping power.
So far the biggest buyer for AK-103 assault rifles has been Venezuela, which in 2006 bought 100,000 of the rifles.
Venezuela is intent to purchase the manufacturing license and necessary equipment for domestic production of this weapon. The AK-103 is technically similar to AK-74M except for the caliber and magazines used. Any 7.62mm AK / AKM type magazine can be used in AK-103, but the rifles are now issued with newly produced 30-round magazines made of black polymer.
Highly reliable classical Kalashnikov Assault Rifle with 7.62x39mm ammunition for Infantry and other troops with better ergonomics and modern materials.
The AK-103 is a basic infantry assault rifle with robust mechanics and modern features. The design of the forehand provides better versatility as it has tactical rails for various accessories and devices. Folding buttstock augments tactical capabilities of the operator and provides wider selection of transportation. 7.62x39mm magazines from previous AK generations are compatible with AK-103, which increases combat readiness and interchangeability, and may save soldier’s life in battle.
Most of the design and material solutions implemented in the AK-103 are common for the 100th series of Kalashnikov Rifles. Metal parts undergo special treatment and finishing in order to resist corrosion even under harshest possible weather conditions.
Accuracy and reliability have always been the merits of the AK platform and this generation is no exception.
The AK-103 represents a modernized form of the AKM assault rifle from the mind of Mikhail Kalashnikov. The AKM was unveiled in 1959 and proved an ultimate success throughout countless global conflicts including the Vietnam War, Iran-Iraq War and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan to name a few. Despite her 1960s vintage, the AKM – in her vintage form – has remained a stalwart accomplice to plenty of high-level action across the globe.
The AK-103 simply takes the excellent qualities of the AKM system and brings them into the modern age with plastic composites and polymers replacing the old (and heavy) wood furniture of earlier Kalashnikov rifle attempts. The AK-103 also distinguishes itself from her former form by introducing support for accessories, optics and modern grenade launchers. Design of the AK-103 occurred in 1994 and production has since been handled by the Izhevsk Mechanical Works to which some 160,000 examples have been delivered. Operators of the AK-103 include Ethiopia, India, Venezuela, and certain specialized Russian police forces.
Externally, the AK-103 displays much of the same lines of the AK-47 form the 1950s. Additionally, it incorporates some of the features of the export-only AK-101 series. The gas cylinder is mounted atop the barrel in true Kalashnikov fashion and there is a noticeable flash suppressor and forward sight post. The stock is ergonomic and set behind the receiver. The pistol grip is straight and angled rearwards behind the curved trigger. The trigger is protected by a angular ring and sits behind the magazine feed.
The base standard sights are adjustable (notch rear, half-globe post front) and optics can be installed along the top of the receiver. Additionally, aiming lasers and flashlights as well as the GP-30 single-shot grenade launcher can be affixed around the forend and under the barrel.
The weapon weighs in at 7.5lbs sans the magazine installed. Overall length is 37.1 inches with the stock fully extended and 27.6 inches with the stock collapsed along the side of the receiver. The barrel is 16.3 inches in length. Like the AKM, the AK-103 (and AK-104 for that matter) are chambered for the 7.62x39mm standard Russian cartridge dating back to the Soviet era. The firing action is gas operated with a rotating bolt from a 30-round, curved detachable magazine. Rate of fire is around 650 rounds per minute with a muzzle velocity of 2,411 feet per second. Range is out to 500 meters.
The AK-103 was naturally evolved into a more compact carbine form under the designation of AK-104, in much the same way the full-length AK-101 is to the shorter AK-102 series.
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. 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.
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) |
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) |
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) |
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.
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.
KR-103
The KR-103 is a semi-automatic clone of the AK-103 made by Kalashnikov USA.
AK103
Description
The 7.62 mm AK103, based on the standard service AK74M assault rifle, was designed to replace the classic AK chambered in 7.62×39.
The AK103 is based on the classic AK pattern, traditionally reliable in adverse conditions and easy to use by personnel with any level of training.
This model is part of the AK10x series, with all the wooden parts replaced by plastic ones and a side rail scope mount.
Rotating Bolt
System utilizes internal mechanism to lock the breech or rear barrel assembly prior to firing. Gas-Operated
Gas-operated system is featured, typically involving a gas cylinder and rear-driven piston directing energy to the bolt component. (Material presented above is for historical and entertainment value and should not be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation – always consult official manufacturer sources for such information)
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