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The Kalashnikov AK-12 assault rifle has emerged as the clear favorite over the submachine gun model AEK-971 [above] in the competition to supply the Russian army with a new long gun. Deputy chairman of the Military-Industrial Commission board Oleg Bochkarev told the TASS news agency that “State trials of the Ratnik combat gear are finalised. As for these two assault rifles AK-12 and AEK-971, Kalashnikov certainly has more chances. It is easier to handle, has fewer parts, but they are close in their features.” The winner will be named by the end of the year. Or the first half of next year. Anyway, it’s definitely a key part of the Russian Army’s new five year plan . . .

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35 COMMENTS

  2. Well Gosh, maybe the U.S. should upgrade the M4 / M16 platform. And add some 300 BLK or 6.8 SPC for more power.

  3. Russians really love a short sight radius. I would have thought they would have fixed that by this point.

  4. Well no shock they pick what they did keep weapons simple easy cheap battlefield reliable. Well good old USA still dicking round m4 rifle try make more battlefield reliable at higher cost turn in mall ninja wet dream make heaver all things hang off it well playing with gas system make work better witch supporter for that gas system endlessly debates those say needs be change.

  5. Russian using there own versions of Aim point type scope on there rifles these days. Iron sights are just back up these days like there are on m4.

  6. Don’t get your hopes up same was said 10 years ago for the AN-94 and it never replaced theAK-74. Think the buy is for Spetz Naz not regular infantry.

    • AN-04 was an incredibly complicated design that never had any hope of becoming a standard issue infantry rifle. This case is different, because they’re specifically looking for a rifle to replace AK-74M.

  7. Methinks the days of the 5.56 NATO/M4 platform should evolve into the “other” NATO rd. 7.62. Put it on the LWRC, LMT, Barrett, Ruger, hell, even DPMS. Something with some more thump. Russians always believed in the keep it simple stupid and ease of mass production mentality. Time for the U.S. to step up.

  8. Did I miss something? Isn’t the ak12 a 12 gauge similar in concept to the saga 12? Logistically that round, I feel would be difficult, heavy and bulky, and range limited. Maybe cheaper, and more lethal, but not sure it’s a wise move for all infantry troops….but since they could be the enemy, why not, I say go for it!

    Someone please educate me if its not a 12 gauge!

  9. AK-12 looks like a good design, but with Russia’s economic woes, I just think the implementation of this weapon is going to be very slow and very limited. I think the Russians ill stick to the 5.45 X 39 round to be ammunition compatible with the AK-74.

  10. I still think the US Military should review putting the AR-10 into the small arms armory. Watching documentaries of battles in Afghanistan, it seems a round with more range and poop than the 5.56 X45 is needed for at least some of the riflemen in the squad. I still think .243 Winchester would make a good infantry rifle round, but 7.62 X 51 would work as well. Optics would be a necessity.

    • The problem with .243 is that it burns barrels out fast. It’s not such a big deal for hunting, but for a combat weapon that can expect to see thousands of rounds fired through it in a relatively short period of time (especially if it has full auto…), I can see it being a problem.

      OTOH, barrel tech has not stood still. I actually wonder what the service life of a .243 barrel would be with nitriding etc.

      • 243 burning barrels is only for bench resters. You lose half an MOA after 2000-3000 rounds of target ammo at 800 yards. I am sure the military can find a load combination for a 100 grain pill to maintain barrel life.

  11. “The Kalashnikov AK-12 assault rifle has emerged as the clear favorite”

    Should read…

    “The Kalashnikov AK-12 BATTLE rifle has emerged as the clear favorite”

    As we all know, the term Assault Rifle is a made up term given to scary looking rifles by liberals gone full retard…

    • No, “assault weapon” is the made-up liberal term.

      Assault rifle is a legitimate term to describe an intermediate-caliber (5.45×39-8×33), select fire rifle coined by Adolf Hitler to describe the MP-44 (StG-44) that militaries worldwide have adopted.

      Battle rifle is a 7.62×51 NATO rifle that could fire full-auto (FAL, G3, M14, BM-59, Model C, Type 64, StG-540)

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