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  • 21 Aug, 2019

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AK-102
The AK-102 is a shortened carbine version of the AK-101 rifle, which was derived from the original AK-47 design and its AK-74 successor. The AK-102 is chambered to fire 5.56×45mm NATO ammunition, and is made exclusively for export purposes.

Design

Compared to the AK-101 and AK-103, which are full-size rifles of similar design, the AK-102, 104, and 105 feature shortened barrels that make them a middle ground between a full rifle and the more compact AKS-74U. Whereas the AK-10x rifles have longer barrels, full-length gas pistons, and solid, side-folding polymer stocks, the AKS-74U is shorter, with a skeleton stock.

The rifle's receiver is made of stamped steel. The magazine is lighter, and more durable than older models, being made out of reinforced fiberglass. The stock is made of shock-resistant polymer and folds, making it easier to use from vehicles or on the move.

The AK-102 uses an adjustable, notched, rear tangent iron sight; it is calibrated in 100 m (109 yard) increments from 100 to 500 meters (109 to 547 yards). The front sight is post-adjustable for elevation in the field if needed. Horizontal adjustment is done by the factory or armory before issue. The AK-102 has a muzzle booster derived from the AKS-74U.

The 100-series AKs are produced by the Izhmash factory in Izhevsk, Russia.

Variants

KP-102

The KP-102 is a 12.5 inch, pistol-based version of the KR-101 and KR-102 made by Kalashnikov-USA. The difference in naming, i.e. KR-102 instead of AK-102, is because "Kalashnikov-USA is unrelated in operation and sales to Kalashnikov Concern" as Kalashnikov-USA does not operate under an authorized agreement with Kalashnikov Concern.

In the United States, import of Kalashnikov rifles made by Kalashnikov Concern was banned by the Obama Administration in 2014.

Users

A map with AK-102 users in blue

References

  1. ^ "Gunmen Kill 2 Farmers in Thailand's Deep South". Benar News. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  2. ^ "Rangers kill rebel suspect in firefight". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  3. ^ D'Costa, Ian (15 January 2020). "Kalashnikov USA just announced an all-American AK-100 series rifle". Military Times. Retrieved 23 June 2021. "The AK-100 series was developed through the 1990s by Kalashnikov Concern as a modernized continuation of the 1970s-vintage AK-74 service rifle...The AK-101 rifle and accompanying AK-102 carbine are built to fire the 5.56x45 mm NATO round
  4. ^ Episkopos, Mark (29 November 2018). "Meet Russia's New Deadly Assault Rifle: The AK-308". The National Interest. Retrieved 12 March 2021. The AK-101 and AK-102 with 5.56x45mm NATO rounds were Kalashnikov's first foray into exporting a rifle with NATO-standard ammunition, but these made a small international splash...As with the AK-101 and AK-102... produced purely for export purposes.
  5. ^ "AK-102, AK-104, AK-105 (Russia)". World Guns. Archived from the original on 10 February 2001.
  6. ^ "AK-102". ROE.RU. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  7. ^ Pyadushkin, Maxim; Haug, Maria; Matveeva, Anna (1 August 2003). "Beyond the Kalashnikov: Small Arms Production, Exports, and Stockpiles in the Russian Federation". Small Arms Survey. pp. 5–6. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  8. ^ "Kalashnikov-USA Introduced New Rifles and Calibers at SHOT Show 2022 Including a 5.56mm KR-101". Soldier Systems Daily. 28 January 2022.
  9. ^ "Kalashnikov USA KP-102 5.56mm 12.5" Pistol (see Description for specs)". www.riflegear.com. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  10. ^ "Import of Kalashnikov Concern/Saiga AKs banned by executive order". NRA-ILA. 17 July 2014. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  11. ^ Jenzen-Jones, N.R. (September 2012). "The 100-Series Kalashnikovs: A Primer". Small Arms Review. Vol. 16, no. 3.
  12. ^ "ด่วน ปืนอาก้า AK 102 หายจากคลังปืนนราธิวาส 28 กระบอก". ข่าวสด (in Thai). 25 May 2021. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
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