Izhmash AK-101

The assault rifle called the AK-101 is manufactured by the Russian gun manufacturing company Izhevsk Mechanical Works, based on the designs of the legendary Mikhail Kalashnikov. The basic design template is, of course, the ubiquitous AK-47 - probably the most well-known assault rifle ever to hit the market. The Ak-101 is an export-oriented product and therefore chambers 5.56 x 45 mm NATO ammunition, which is the round that features in most preferred individual weapons used by army and security forces personnel. The AK-101 shares many innovative features with other Kalashnikov rifles such as the AK-103 and other assault rifles in the AK-10X line. Among these is its extremely lightweight format, made possible by the intelligent use of plastics and other composite mediums.

The AK-101 is a fairly new product and has yet to find its niche on the global armament market, but it is clear that it has been designed with the requirements of Western nations in mind. For some reason, a rumor that the AK-101 has been instated as the primary assault rifle of the Russian Federation has been making the rounds. This is, however, untrue. Though it was meant to replace the AK-74M, the latter continues to hold this place of honor.

Like the others in the Kalashnikov series, the AK-101 incorporates the gas system of operations. In this system, some of the pressurized gas generated by the firing of a cartridge also serves to eject spent cartridge cases, while simultaneously inserting a new cartridge. This is one of the most functionally perfect operating systems for assault rifles ever invented, since it helps reduce maintenance downtime in the field and keeps the weapon operational for longer periods of time in active service conditions. The AK-101 also has another distinctive feature - a side folding stock that closely resembles a conventional fixed stock, but sets itself apart by the fact that it can be folded and locked to the side of the receiver. This is not a provision that can be found on assault rifles commonly available in countries like the United States.

The AK-101 weighs approximately 3.4 kilograms in an unloaded condition, has an overall length of 943 mm and a barrel length of 415 mm. With a muzzle velocity of 910 meters per second, the AK-101 can fire at a rate of 600 rounds per second from a magazine that holds 30 rounds. Furthermore, it can accommodate many other models of synthetic and metal ammunition magazines that have a capacity of 30 rounds. It has an effective range of 450 meters and is equipped with adjustable iron sights. Accuracy is further augmented with the provision of an optical plate, on which various scopes can be attached as required. This is in contrast to many other Kalashnikov models, in which such a provision has not been made. The optical plate is designed to accommodate almost every type of Russian and European AK optical sighting devices. The AK-101 can, depending on the model in question, be fired in three different modes, namely semiautomatic, bursts of three shots each and fully automatic.

The AK-101 also has various other variants, namely the AK-103, the AK-104, the AK-105, the AK-106, the AK-107 and the AK-108. It has been modified several times, giving birth to the AK101-1 (made for a single shot only), the AK101-2 (with a three-shot burst cut-off mechanism), the AK101N2 (with night vision sight and some other versions. However, due to the stringent firearm restrictions enforced in America, none of these are available on the open market. The closest one can come to obtaining an AK-101 in this country is an assembly of various related components into a basic AK rifle. The disassembly inventory and procedure is virtually identical to that of the AK-47 - extremely simple. Like all other Kalashnikovs, the AK-101 is very rugged and can withstand an enormous amount of punishment under the most extreme conditions of use.