The AEK-971 is a Russian assault rifle made by the Kovrov Machinebuilding Plant (now called the Degtyarev Design Bureau) and designed by Sergey I. Koksharov in the 1970s. The AEK-971 uses the 5.45x39mm M74 round fed from standard 30-round magazines used by the AK-74. Two other members of this series—recognised by the different pistol grip angles are the AEK-972 and AEK-973—are chambered for 5.56x45mm and 7.62x39mm respectively, and are compatible with 30-round magazines from the AK-101 and AKM/AK-103. The updated AEK-973 also received a three-shot burst fire mode. The AEK-973S is a modified version with a new trigger mechanism with the location of the thumb safety-selector lever on the right side and an extended lightweight stock. When the stock is retracted, a shoulder rest connects with the pistol grip, thereby forming a streamlined structure.
Design details
The AEK-971 has two fire modes: semi-automatic and fully automatic fire. The modernised AEK-971 is also able to deliver fire with three-shot bursts. The AEK-971 is based on previous AK rifles in internal design and layout, but is also equipped with a recoil balancing mechanism. The rifle has a counter weight that negates the impulse of the gas piston and bolt carrier: this is the balancing mechanism and results in more controllable automatic fire. Though losing an initial contract for production against the AN-94, mainly due to being underdeveloped at the time, the Russian army has begun field trials of this weapon. The AN-94 assault rifle has a slight edge over the AEK-971 only in short burst (2 rounds only) mode.[1] In full-auto medium or long burst fire mode (3–5 or 7–10 rounds per burst), the AEK-971 is superior, as well as in single shot mode (while in AN-94 recoil is only delayed by a fraction of second, in AEK-971 it's effectively reduced). It's also some 0.5 kg lighter than AN-94, more simple in design and cheaper to manufacture.
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See also
References
- Oruzhie magazine, Pages 6/7/8, Issue No1 1998.
- Nowa Technika Wojskowa 2002-03/04.
External links
