Despite its ability of working with a new 5.45 cartridge, it was evident the AK74 could not improve accuracy to the extent the military initially wanted. The reason why they agreed to a compromise was the fact that AK74 appeared to be the cheapest way of introducing a new round. The Army would not have to change existing field repair workshops and the inventory of spare parts. They would not have to re-train soldiers – the technique of firing the AK74 was to a great extent similar to that of AKM. The design of the new weapon was also similar to the one soldiers were used to.

The degree of parts commonality of AKM and AK74 was a strong factor in favor of the Kalashnikov’s development. In this case, to change from one model to another, the industry would not require large investments, which the Soviet economy could not afford so easily any more.

Soon after the war in Afghanistan broke out in 1979, the Ministry of Defense once again raised the issue of developing a novel small arm, more accurate and hence more effective, in caliber 5.45x39mm. GRAU, in cooperation with TSNII TOCHMASH – a most influential military-technical research institution, outlined several probable plans for a future weapon; balanced automatics and the so-called principle of a Blowback Shifted Pulse being among them. The declared design contest was given the type name of “Abakan”. The number of participating design groups was 12. Izhmash had two teams in the contest: one had Victor Kalashnikov as a project engineer, while Gennadiy Nikonov headed the second one.

Several competitors, among them G. A. Korobov of Tula, V. M. Kalashnikov from Izhevsk and A.S. Konstantinov from the city of Kovrov, the Vladimir District, produced three assault rifles based on the balanced automatic mechanics.

Nikonov, on the other hand, gave his preference to the delayed (shifted) blowback impulse or BBSP – blowback shifted pulse. Nikonov is a serious and knowledgeable engineer, who perhaps has a better command of subtleties of fire arms mechanics than many in the field. Nikonov believes that “balanced mechanics” is limited to only relatively small calibers and ammunition with relatively low energies. In any event, balanced mechanics does not eliminate the recoil. It simply modifies the kick, dividing the impulse into several sub-phases. In the full-auto mode, a weapon with balanced mechanics alters the recoil impulse and makes it look graphically more like an impulse of a single shot firearm.

In the “Abakan” project Nikonov was able to look into the future of small arms. Like his prominent predecessors Vassiliy Degtyaryov and Mikhail Kalashnikov, Gennadiy Nikonov realized that an ideal weapon should be capable of modernization into a full spectrum of combat small arms: machine pistol, assault rifle and machine gun. The latter, with a heavier cartridge, if it had a balanced mechanism, would not work as well as the weapon with a smaller round. He also understood that even the BBSP is not a panacea and does not eliminate the recoil as such at all. His partner, if we may say so, was the factor of time. In a high rate of 1,800 rpm, the gun fires two cartridges, the barrel plus the receiver with the bolt group performs a rearward motion. With the two bullets heading down range towards their target, the moment when the gun slams against the operator’s shoulder is yet to come! When the kick does come, it does not affect the accuracy. Unlike the balanced mechanics, this principle will provide high effectiveness of fire with practically all types of small arms.

On the way to designing a final version of his weapon Nikonov produced more than 20 intermediate prototypes. We were able to discover 12 of them – that’s all that is left.

Prototype 1. NA-2.

Year of manufacture: 1979
Caliber: 5.45×39 mm
Weight, empty and without magazine: 3.88 kg
Overall length: 755 mm
Modes of fire:
– Semiautomatic
– Burst of three rounds in high rate of 1,800 rpm
– Variable from high rate of 1,800 rpm to 600 rpm.

From the very beginning of his participation in project “Abakan,” Nikonov made the weapon totally different from the Soviet issue AK-74M assault rifle. It is a short submachine gun in a bullpup configuration. When asked, why he decided to create a bullpup, Nikonov describes his choice as a “vanguardism of youth” as well as a desire to show off. He also added that like Mikhail Kalashnikov’s AK47 that has certain resemblance to the German MP43 and MP44 submachine guns, his NA-2 rifle was created under the influences of the same models.

The steel buttplate is retained in place with the locking lever located on top the rear part of the stock. To fieldstrip the weapon, open the top lever and swing the buttplate to open. The entire integrated firing mechanism comes out from the carrier-stock.

Prototype 2. NA-4.

Year of manufacture: 1981
Caliber: 5.45×39 mm
Weight, empty and without magazine: 3.83 kg
Overall length: 750 mm
Barrel length: 415 mm
Modes of fire:
– Semiautomatic
– Burst of three rounds in high rate of 1,800 rpm
– Variable from high rate of 1,800 rpm to 600 rpm.

The next prototype in this series also has a bullpup configuration.

The barrel is made from stainless steel. Again, the front portion of the barrel features several drilled side holes, which perform the role of a muzzle brake. The sights are similar to those of the NA-2 model. The sheet metal, spot welded receiver is that of the lafette type, which functions as an integrated slide for the firing unit – a barrel plus receiver plus bolt group assembly.

The front sight is borrowed from the AK system, taken along with the standard 30-round plastic box-type two-row detachable magazine and its locking latch. That is all there is in common between the two constructions. The dioptrical rear sight with a sliding tangent is placed on top the carrying handle, which is located above the front of the receiver.

The barrel protrudes from the carrier-stock and has side openings for a muzzle brake. Under the front part of the barrel there are two bayonet mounting lugs. The pistol grip and the handguard are made of laminated plywood. For greater ergonomic comfort, the fire mode selector is located on the right side above the pistol grip. As shown in photo, the selector moves anti-clockwise and has four positions: Safe, Semiautomatic, Three-shot burst, Fully automatic.

Prototype 3. AS-1.

Year of manufacture: 1982
Caliber: 5.45 mm
Weight, empty and without magazine: 4.18 kg
Overall length, with buttstock unfolded: 980 mm
Modes of fire:
– Semiautomatic
– Burst of three rounds in high rate of 1,800 rpm
– Variable from high rate of 1,800 rpm to 600 rpm.

At this point Nikonov abandons the bullpup configuration. In our private conversations he explained that after extensive tests of the two previous modifications, he found that the bullpup creates serious discomfort to a shooter – there are too many fumes in the area right in front of the shooter’s face. Combustion gases sometimes are so thick that an operator has to drop the gun and run for fresh air. In addition, the bullpup poses a problem for a left-handed soldier. Empty cases being ejected and evacuated through an opening under the top cover on the right side come flying in the immediate environment in front of the shooter’s face, distracting his or her attention from aiming. According to Nikonov a bullpup is good for Special Forces, not the Army.

AS-1 has a short L-shaped folding buttstock made from laminated plywood. Its pad is made from rubber. The stock attaches to the receiver by means of an original hinge. The receiver and upper handguard are manufactured from stamped and spot welded sheet steel and coated with black phosphate. The laminated foregrip is rather long compared with the AK series. The barrel in fact is almost completely covered with a handguard. Only a short portion of it with a flash suppressor comes out from the stock to accommodate a bayonet by means of bayonet mounting lugs located under the muzzle.

It might be of interest to note the reverse location of a peep-type rear sight. Such a position looks quite logical from the ergonomics point of view – the buttstock is too short to provide sufficient space for an aiming operator. The front sight is also Nikonov’s original.

Prototype 4. AS (OA-222).

Year of manufacture: 1984
Caliber: 5.45×39 mm
Weight, empty and without magazine: 3.18 kg
Overall length, with extended stock: 940 mm
Modes of fire:
– Semiautomatic
– Burst of three rounds in high rate of 1,800 rpm
– Variable from high rate of 1,800 rpm to 600 rpm.

It is the most unusual of the Nikonov’s earlier prototypes. At first glance it produces an impression of being totally asymmetrical. Rather short, it is not a bullpup yet and features a folding buttstock borrowed from the AK74S. The sliding firing unit is located inside the carrier-stock made of stamped and welded sheet steel. The handguard is made of laminated wood for better heat insulation. The sights are similar to those of the previous AS-1 model. It is the only model which has no bayonet mounting lugs. In our opinion, a bayonet is a relic of the “positional war”. A good multi-functional dagger or a knife would be of a greater use for a soldier in modern warfare. Does AS (OA-222) mean that Nikonov tried to change the attitude of the military towards a bayonet?

The magazine is located at an angle in regard to the receiver like in the later “Abakan” versions for the purpose of providing additional room for the return spring. Very lightweight, AS (OA-222) provides exceptional comfort during firing.

Prototype 5. AS (VS-229).

Year of manufacture: 1985
Caliber: 5.45×39 mm
Weight, empty and without magazine: 3.90 kg
Overall length, with buttstock extended: 992 mm
Modes of fire:
– Semiautomatic
– Burst of three rounds in high rate of 1,800 rpm
– Variable from high rate of 1,800 rpm to 600 rpm.

By way of experimenting, Nikonov manufactured the integrated carrier stock of AS (VS-229) assault rifle from the aluminum alloy. This model made it possible to carry out extensive tests on the durability of such a construction. Some of the later prototypes feature carrier-stocks made of a similar material. Like in the above versions, AS (VS-229) has a moving magazine and a 3-round burst option. The under-barrel rod is made available to provide additional support for a bayonet.

Prototype 6. AS (PU-192).

Year of manufacture: 1986
Caliber: 5.45 mm
Weight, empty and without magazine: 4.07 kg
Overall length, with stock extended: 992 mm
Modes of fire:
– Semiautomatic
– Burst of three rounds in high rate of 1,800 rpm
– Variable from high rate of 1,800 rpm to 600 rpm.

This is the last modification with a moving magazine and a 3-round burst fire mode. From this prototype on Nikonov approaches the final shape of AN-94. It has an under-barrel extension rod. The flash suppressor features a roller, which travels along the rod thus providing additional support for the sliding barrel-and-receiver assembly.

Looking at the polyamide handguard one can easily notice that it has a vertical segment that prevents the operator’s hand from interfering with the sliding motion of the magazine during firing. The unusual mechanism located under the handguard has a dual function: (a) folding solid steel monopod and (b) magazine protector. It folds rearward. The standard 30-round box-type magazine cannot be attached without unfolding this mechanism. Both the magazine and the operator’s hand are protected against slamming the walls and the firing port in an APC. The AS (PU-192) rifle features a laminated folding stock that folds to the right. The fire mode selector is located under the receiver right behind the magazine.

Prototype 7. ASM (OK-158).

Year of manufacture: 1986
Caliber: 5.45 mm
Weight, empty and without magazine: 4.26 kg
Overall length: 1,017 mm
Modes of fire:
– Semiautomatic
– Burst of two rounds in high rate of 1,800 rpm
– Variable from high rate of 1,800 rpm to 600 rpm.

The rifle features a non-folding laminated buttstock, a plastic pistol grip and a handguard. The integrated carrier-stock is made from aluminum alloy, while the handguard is manufactured from a thermosetting synthetic material. A most striking detail of the rifle’s exterior is an impressive muzzle device, consisting of an integrated front sight and an adjustable two-chambered flash suppressor. The suppressor has three vertical slots on each side. The sliding firing unit is incorporated with the barrel and has an additional front support. The plastic cap in the rear of the handguard indicates that this model features an internal spring buffer, which reduces recoil pulse.

Prototype 8. ASM (MA-49).

Year of manufacture: 1988
Caliber: 5.45 mm
Weight, empty and without magazine: 4.21 kg
Overall length: 1,000 mm
Modes of fire:
– Semiautomatic
– Burst of two rounds in high rate of 1,800 rpm
– Variable from high rate of 1,800 rpm to 600 rpm.

This weapon has a modified adjustable flash suppressor, a guiding extension rod, two internal buffers, an integrated carrier-stock made from aluminum alloy and a plastic handguard. On top of the rear side of the bolt cover there is a non-detachable optic scope. At the time this prototype was designed, the military sent instructions that from that time on, all small arms had to have optic scopes, not iron sights. Later developments revealed that such an approach held no water. In a number of situations the lenses were damaged in the operation and the weapon could not be used since alternative sights were not available. Later developments had a possibility of using both iron open sights as well as optic devices of daytime and night vision types. The laminated non-folding buttstock is integrated with a pistol grip. The bayonet attaches to the right side of the barrel, in a horizontal position.

Prototype 9. ASM (MA-50).

Year of manufacture: 1988
Caliber: 5.45×39 mm
Weight, empty and without magazine: 4.26 kg
Overall length: 1,007 mm
Modes of fire:
– Semiautomatic
– Burst of two rounds in high rate of 1,800 rpm
– Variable from high rate of 1,800 rpm to 600 rpm.

The ASM (MA-50) is in principle a version similar to ASM (MA-49). The differences are as follows:
– The integrated fixed scope is replaced with an open rear iron sight;
– The post-type front sight with protective ears is located on top the front part of the carrier-stock;
– The barrel guiding rod is additionally equipped with an under-barrel grenade launcher mount;
– The usual base plate for a scope mount is located on the left side of receiver.

Prototype 10. ASM (PA-33).

Year of manufacture: 1989
Caliber: 5.45×39 mm
Weight, empty and without magazine: 3.75 kg
Overall length: 946 mm
Modes of fire:
– Semiautomatic
– Burst of two rounds in high rate of 1,800 rpm
– Variable from high rate of 1,800 rpm to 600 rpm.

This version is another closer step towards the present shape of the AN-94. It is the first modification that features a novel asterisk-shaped rotary peep sight. The AK-type front sight again is located on the barrel. The flash suppressor is very laconic and has two side openings at the muzzle. The bayonet lug is placed at an angle on the front left side of the barrel. The angle is calculated in such a manner that the bayonet never interferes with the line of aiming. The barrel slides along the guiding rail of the stock extension rod, which looks almost exactly like the one in the AN-94. The lever located on the right rear side of the carrier-stock is a release mechanism for a detachable trigger mechanism. The knob located above the pistol grip behind the receiver is a retainer for the above lever.

Prototype 11. 6P33.

Year of manufacture: 1991
Caliber: 5.45×39 mm
Weight, empty and without magazine: 3.80 kg
Overall length:
– with buttstock extended: 943 mm
– with buttstock folded: 728 mm
Length of barrel: 405 mm
Barrel: chrome plated, 4 RH rifling of one turn in 195 mm.
Modes of fire: – Semiautomatic
– Burst of two rounds in high rate of 1,800 rpm
– Variable from high rate of 1,800 rpm to 600 rpm.

The 6P33 is in fact the prototype that passed all technical and field-tests and received the approval as the assault rifle qualified for adoption as an issue firearm of the Army. Nikonov won the competition! In 1992 Nikonov received personal congratulations from Boris Yeltsin. The Governmental cable came to the Izhmash’s Department 1, the service that handles classified materials, saying that the President had instructed the Government to allocate the funds required for prompt transfer of production at IZHMASH from AK to Abakan. The Army was still in hesitation whether to give this weapon a full “GO”. The AN-94 was a really novel model. In terms of production, it needed much more sophisticated equipment and technology than the current AK-100 series. The question was how many rifles per year the military would want to buy? Will it be feasible to invest substantial funds and order only a limited number of rifles? Meanwhile, Nikonov and his team kept on working on the weapon, giving it “a finishing shine.” For the most part the work on the weapon was dedicated to adapting its construction to the requirements of mass production. It took him three more years to get the approval from the Russian military. In 1994 the GRAU registered Nikonov’s “Abakan” as an issue assault rifle under the new type-name of “AN-94”.

The design of the guiding slide of the stock extension rod deserves special attention. Moving back after the shot is delivered, the barrel is invariably subject to the phenomenon which is known as “barrel climb”. As one of the means of reducing the climb the slide has a rearward slope. The slope in conjunction with a recoiling barrel creates a dynamic moment, which pushes the whole construction downwards thus reducing the barrel jump.

As one can see it from the above photos, Nikonov changed configurations and envelopes from a compact bullpup to a full-sized rifle. The Nikonov “Abakan” had different stocks made from spot welded sheet metal, laminated wood and reinforced thermosetting polyamide. He was extensively experimenting with sights, pistol grips, buttstocks, scopes and accessories. His first versions had a mode of 3-round bursts, while later weapons were changed to a 2-round burst possibility. In the case of the modifications with a 3-round burst, the rifles had a rather unusual feature – a moving magazine. In fact, the magazine is a typical 30-round construction, made of plastic. What’s unusual is that it moves. Later, under pressure from the Army, Nikonov made a fixed magazine and reduced short bursts from 3 to 2 rounds. Soldiers thought that a sliding magazine creates certain discomfort during firing. Also, they said, with a 3-round burst in the high rate of fire ammunition runs out quickly. Thirdly, two bullets fired in a standing position with accuracy 13 (!) times better than that of the Russian issue AK74M assault rifle are more than enough to destroy a target. Why waste the third round then?

It is important to note that the change from a three-round burst – a concept that the conservative Army inspectors and representatives involved in the project were so stuck on, to two rounds is a sure recognition of the weapon’s extremely high effectiveness. According to the late Dr. David Bolotin, author of numerous books on the Russian small arms and an authority in this field, the entire effectiveness of the AN-94 is two-fold greater than that of the Russian AK74 and 1.5 times more effective than the American M16A2. At the same time there are several basic features that remained intact in all modifications of the gun. These are as follows: – 1,800 rounds per minute in a high rate of fire, 600 rounds per minute in a standard rate, Blowback shifted pulse, Sliding barrel assembly (firing unit).

It would be fair to say that AN-94 is a complete departure from the existing AK-type scheme of a small arm. It wouldn’t be less fair to say that the statement, which we came across in some sources regarding Nikonov as one of the Kalashnikov’s students, is absolutely incorrect. Nikonov says he is rather a student of Evgeniy Dragunov, inventor of the SVD rifle, and Azariy Nesterov – a key arms designer at IZHMASH and a leading engineer in several experimental projects. These two persons produced a great influence on Gennadiy Nikonov in terms of professionalism and team leadership.

The Avtomat Kalashnikova has been a centerpiece of the world’s military small arms since 1949, when it was fielded in the Soviet Army. In the years since its introduction, the basic AK has been updated and improved several times. The basic AK-47 was modified and refined through the 1950s until 1959 when it was redesignated AKM after a major “product improvement” redesign. In 1974 the AK-74, a further modified and improved version of Kalashnikov’s rifle, went into Soviet military service. The AK-74M continues in Russian military service to this day, along with similar rifles which make up the AK-100 series Kalashnikovs(AK-101 through AK-105) manufactured by Izmash in Izhevsk, Russia. At the time of the AK-100 series’ introduction several years ago, it appeared that the Kalashnikov rifle had reached the end of its modernization capacity, but recent developments at Izmash have proven that the AK not only still has life, but that it can be modernized and made competitive with most assault rifles of more recent design. The latest manifestations of the AK are the AK-107/AK-108 rifles. These rifles are chambered in 5.45x39mm and 5.56x45mm, respectively, and mark the most significant change of the basic AK design since the introduction of the AK-74.

What differentiates the new rifles from any of their predecessors is the introduction of a “balanced” gas counterrecoil operating system that essentially functions on the principle of Newton’s Third Law of Physics, which can be summarized as, “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” This new operating system also has mandated other changes in the basic AK design, as we shall presently see.

The AK-107/108 are essentially updated versions of the experimental AL-7 (AL: Avtomat Lehkiy – “Light assault rifle”) rifle of the early 1970’s. Most of the illustrations for this article are of the AL-7, as detailed photos of the AK-107 and AK-108 are currently not available in the US, but the functioning and internal configuration of the AL-7 and AK-107/108 is virtually identical. The AL-7 was the brainchild of Yuriy Alexandrov, at the time a promising young designer and protégé of Evgeniy Dragunov. In 1969 Alexandrov was assigned the task of designing a new rifle to take advantage of the then-new 5.45x39mm cartridge, using the AKM as a starting point. The rifle he designed and which unsuccessfully competed against the AK-74 in 1972 was very similar in external appearance to today’s AK-100 series rifles with the exception of a thick gas tube cover and ribbed receiver cover, but internally there were radical changes. With the exception of the plain receiver cover, today’s AK-107/108 is virtually identical in every respect to the 1972 experimental rifle. In fact, the original designer of the AL-7, Yuriy Alexandrov, now a senior engineer, headed the team that brought his original rifle up to date to produce the AK-107/108. It should be noted that the new designation does not denote Avtomat Kalashnikova as it has in all previous AKs. The AK designation of the new rifles stands for Alexandrov/ Kalashnikov, indicating the integration of the Alexandrov operating system into the Kalashnikov receiver.

The reason for the introduction of the 5.45x39mm cartridge was a desire on the part of the Soviet military for a reduction in recoil with a concomitant increase in both accuracy and lethality as evidenced by the US experience with cartridges of that class. The net effect of the AL-7 operating system was to almost totally eliminate felt recoil. Despite the virtual elimination of perceived recoil, the AL-7 probably was too radical a change and was too expensive to produce at the time it was designed in comparison to its competitor which eventually was fielded as the AK-74. Why the AL-7 was too expensive in the 1970’s but is considered reasonably priced for production today will be explained below.

There are a number of external differences between the AK-107/108 and their predecessors in the AK-100 series. First is the method of attaching the receiver cover to the receiver. The new operating system eliminates the traditional AK “button” at the end of the recoil spring guide that protrudes through the center rear of the receiver cover and is depressed to lift the cover and disassemble the rifle. The new AKs have the receiver cover retained by a integral latch at the rear and retention at the front is via the rear sight. This can clearly be seen in Figure 6, which shows the AL-7 receiver cover partially lifted. The rear sight is fixed to the receiver cover and mates with a lug at the rear of the gas tube cover. Another external difference is that what appears to be a larger square gas tube is actually a cover that houses the bolt carrier connecting rod, counterrecoil upper rail and associated springs. The shape of the ejection port has been modified to accommodate the altered bolt travel and ejection pattern of the AK-107/108. The selector lever now has four positions rather than three to allow selection of safe, semiautomatic, three round burst or full automatic functions, in contrast to the original AL-7, which had a standard three position AK selector and was capable only of semiautomatic or fully automatic fire.

As mentioned, the original AL-7 essentially eliminated felt recoil via a “balanced” counterrecoil system which has been incorporated into the new AKs. The operation of the balanced system is fairly straightforward, but the reader will probably understand it better by referring to the accompanying illustrations. Because the functioning of the rifle other than the counterrecoil system is typical Kalashnikov, we will not describe it in detail, concentrating instead on the operation of the counterrecoil system. The components of the system can be seen in Figure 3, which shows the AL-7 field stripped and Figure 4, which shows a “top down” view into the AL-7 receiver. The bolt carrier and “connecting rail” and lower connecting rod are shown in Figure 5. The concept of the Alexandrov counterrecoil system is simple – the operating forces are simultaneously transmitted both forward and to the rear, countering each other. As can be imagined, timing and synchronizing the counterbalancing forces is the key to the efficacy of the system. This is accomplished by the bolt carrier’s perforated connecting rail and the six toothed sprocket shown in Figure 5b. The sprocket can be seen in Figure 4 engaging the second perforation of the bolt carrier connecting rail. Note in Figure 3 that both the bolt carrier and lower connecting rod have gas pistons, but that they face in opposite directions. Note also that the short gas tube atop the barrel just forward of the forearm is open at both ends. When the rifle is fired, gas is tapped from the barrel gas port and enters the gas tube, driving the bolt carrier to the rear and the counterrecoil upper rail forward. As with most semiautomatic and automatic firearms, timing is everything with the AK-107/108 and this critical element is attained by a six-toothed sprocket mounted in the lower rail (Figure 5b). The sprocket links together and synchronizes the rifle’s reciprocating parts, causing both components to reach their maximum extension, or null points, where forces are exactly equal, simultaneously. The bolt carrier and lower rail thus counter each other, thereby virtually eliminating felt recoil and muzzle rise. As soon as the carrier and rail reach their null points their respective springs cause them to begin to reciprocate and the sprocket results in their return to battery simultaneously, again countering each other’s forces. The distance the reciprocating parts must travel in the AK-107/108 is shorter than the AK-74M and other members of the AK-100 family, so the AK-107/108’s 850-900 round per minute cyclic rate is appreciably higher than its immediate predecessors, which had a cyclic rate of only 600 rounds per minute.

As mentioned, the AK-107/108 are select fire with three round burst in addition to semiautomatic and full automatic fire. The three round burst feature is accomplished by a ratchet and pawl device. The pawl is part of the bolt carrier and the ratchet is part of the sear mechanism. In basic terms, the ratchet has three teeth and when the selector is placed in the “burst” position, the ratchet moves into position for interaction with the pawl on the bolt carrier, also disabling the disconnector. As the trigger is squeezed, the pawl on the bolt carrier moves the ratchet one tooth, preventing the sear from catching the hammer. As the third round is fired, the ratchet is released and returns to its original position, releasing the disconnector thus allowing the sear to engage the hammer and interrupt the operating cycle. When the trigger is released, the ratchet returns to its original position and is reset. When the trigger is again squeezed, the process repeats. This system provides a three round burst each time the trigger is squeezed and the selector is in the “burst” position.

This, then, summarizes the technical background to the new AKs, but given that the AK-100 series rifles are improved versions of the venerable Kalashnikov design, why resurrect and update a design that is nearly 30 years old? There are actually a number of cogent reasons for this. First, sales of the AK-100 series rifles have not been very great. This is not because they are bad rifles, but they actually offer little improvement over older AK versions and despite the introduction of AKs in 5.56mm NATO, former Warsaw Pact nations are either rebuilding their own small arms industries, in many cases beginning manufacture of their own rifles, or buying rifles from Western sources. Moreover, Kalashnikov rifles have flooded the world market. A functioning AKM, for example, can be purchased in parts of Africa for less than $50, while a new AK-101 costs approximately $230 f.o.b. Izhevsk. Again, although the AK-100 rifles are modernized, they are not significantly improved in accuracy, reliability or function over their predecessors. The new AN-94 is a dramatic improvement in every respect over AKs, but the new rifle is very complex and costly to produce – some five times more than an AK-101! It became apparent to the marketing managers at Izmash that simply making marginally improved AKs would not result in sales, and the AN-94 was too expensive to be competitive in the world small arms market. What might sell, they reasoned, was a version of the proven AK design, but one with real improvements such as better accuracy and increased effectiveness. The AK-107/108 rifles provide notable levels of improvement, while maintaining the legendary Kalashnikov reliability, simplicity at only a moderate cost increase. The AK-107 and AK-108 are claimed by the manufacturer to achieve 1.5 times the accuracy of their comparable AK-100 series rifles using identical ammunition. As we have noted, the new AK-108 and 108 rifles are really no more than AK-74Ms with the operating system of the AL-7, which itself was essentially an AKM in 5.45x39mm with a new operating system. Despite the improvements made, the question remains whether or not the new AKs will sell in a highly competitive world small arms market that is for all intents and purposes “flat” at the moment. Only time will tell whether or not the new rifles will result in sales for Izmash, but the 1990’s is generally not a good time for anyone to be in the military small arms manufacturing business.