The AK-103 is an assault rifle designed by Russian small arms designer Mikhail Kalashnikov.

History

The AK-103 was officially offered for export on March 13, 1993.

Design details

It is an AK-100 derivative of the AK-74M that is chambered for the 7.62x39mm M43 cartridge, similar to the AKM. The AK-103 can be fitted with a variety of sights, including night vision and telescopic sights, plus a knife-bayonet or a grenade launcher like the GP-34. Newer versions can fit Picatinny rails, allowing more accessories to be mounted. It uses plastic components where possible instead of wood or metal, with such components being the pistol grip, handguards, folding stock and depending on the type, the magazine. Protective coatings for corrosion resistance of metal parts. Forearm, magazine, butt stock and pistol grip are made of high strength shatterproof plastic. The AK-104 is a compact version of the AK-103 chambered for 7.62×39mm ammunition. It has a muzzle brake derived from the older AKS-74U combined with a shorter barrel.

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 empty. Early steel AK-47 magazines are 9.75 in long, and the later ribbed steel AKM and newer plastic 7.62×39mm magazines are about 1 in 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. 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.

CS/LR11

The CS/LR11 is a clone of the AK-103 made by China Jing An Import & Export Corporation (CJAIE).

SDM AK-103

Chinese clone of the AK-103 marketed by Sino Defense Manufacturing.

KR-103

The KR-103 is a semi-automatic clone of the AK-103 made by Kalashnikov USA.

Users

Non-state actors

Gallery