DefenseWebTV and Kalashnikov released an interesting video filmed at the recent ARMY-2017 International Military Technical Forum. The representative from Kalashnikov, Vladmir Onokoy, discussed the new AM-17/AMB-17 compact assault rifle, SVCh semi-automatic sniper rifle, TB 2, KSV 12.7mm sniper rifle, and PL-15/PL-15K semi-automatic pistols.
From watching the video, it appears that Kalashnikov will continue the trend towards modernizing its rifles with a heavy Western influence. This trend is evident by the modular design, collapsible polymer stocks, MIL-STD/1913 Picatinny rails, infrared lights, and lasers.
The AM-17 and AMB-17 are compact assault rifles chambered in 5.45×39 and subsonic 9x39mm. These rifles feature a collapsible folding stock, a mounting interface for accessories, and a MIL-STD/1913 Picatinny rail that runs the length of the barrel and receiver.
The SVCh is a full-sized rifle chambered in 7.62×51 and 7.62×54, and feeds from a polymer magazine. Vladimir Onokoy claims that the rifle is capable of 10 shot, 1 MOA groups. The rifle could be used as a battle rifle or a designated marksman’s rifle.
In the above video, several single-shot rifles are presented: the TB 2 rifle and the KSV 12.7mm sniper rifle. The TB 2 rifle is a straight-pull design and is mated to a laminate stock. This rifle is optimized for police marksmen. The KSV is chambered in 12.7mm and 50 BMG. The KSV is the first rifle that Kalashnikov has made that is chambered in 50 BMG.
The latter part of the video has some cool footage and discussion about the PL-15K pistol. Though design details are scant, the PL-15 is a Glock 19-sized version of the Lebedev PL-15 pistol. The PL-15 K holds 14 rounds of 9mm.
Check out the videos and let us know what you think in the comment section below.
Looks like the Mark Krebs safety design will be issued to the entire Russian Army (of course Krebs will be ripped off and never receive a dime). Why did Kalash Corp adopt ALL American mods to their rifles (from M4 buttstocks to free float picatinny handguards). Because Capitalism works Stupid!!!…all of these innovations were developed here by US firms for the civilian market thanks to Capitalism and are now being ripped off by the Chinese and the Russians.
A concept too deep for most Libtards to note!
The first video, about midway through. Check out the kid with his dad handling the guns in the background. The kid TRIGGERS every gun his dad hands him. 🙁 Just for a photo-op.
smh
Looks like updated versions of the original rifle designed by Hugo Schmeisser when he was held captive by the Russians after the war. The self-taught Russian tinkerer, in charge of the weapons overall design, a former tank mechanic decided to claim credit for the gun and named it after himself, Kalashnikov.
This is the prime reason why you have seen no real innovation, only modifications of the base design, since 1947. Schmeisser originally designed the rifle to be made from steel stampings like with his previous design,the StG 44, the world’s first assault rifle, however Russian industry couldn’t make it work and went with a milled receiver. Later the Russians got their act together and fielded the AKM with stamped receivers.
The AK is an excellent rifle, but has had the same issues for quite sometime. It would take too long to cover them here, but by continuing to come out with no really new designs, the Kalashnikov company continues to highlight their technical weaknesses.
A modern example of what an AK should be is the Israeli Tavor Rifle, basically a modernized bull pup using the long stroke gas piston system and bolt developed by Schmeisser for the AK rifles.
If the Russians ever adopt another rifle, and they will, this company will have trouble surviving. It might take til 2047, but it will happen. Heck they are still using the 7.62x54r round, first developed in 1891.
Nothing to see here, time to move on.
With subsonic 300 whisper/BLK, or subsonic 458 SOCOM, a short barrel and a suppressor could be as long as a regular rifle, but so much less a Pain In The A$$ to shoot when you don’t have time to fumble with hearing protection.
Many battery sights run for months on one set of batteries but make you keep fresh batteries in your gear. Moreover, some lacking 20-20 vision need such devices to identify a target and accurately place a round. My beef with many of such devices is their durability. Far to many manufacturers put out lasers, scopes, red dots, night vision, pressure switches and mounts for same that are pure junk and price isn’t always determining factor. This junk that craps out when you need it most can get you DEAD. Gonna put junk on your firearm, buy life insurance too and throw some extra batteries in your bug out.
When will some wake up? The idea of having a firearm with so many “add-ons” and too many requiring BATTERIES……”Silencers”…..A good tool…….But then WHY have a compact rifle or itty bitty hand gun and DON a silencer? Either “ya want” to have a compact fire arm or don’t…The add-ons…..LIGHTS. forward grips ……Turn the fire arm into a “snag-a-matic..”…….Imagine……sneaking or creeping through heavy brush……”yer rifle” has all the latest add-ons…..Protruding from all sides….silencer sticking out in front………Spend days or weeks out in the field and “da batteries” die…….I watch the ADS for all of these goodies…….I’m a KISS doer……”Keep It Simple Stupid..”……No need to worry about batteries, protrusion SNAGGING clothing or whatever……Lights..WITH lasers…….LOL……The “bad guys” hidden see the beams of the lights……give THEM the aiming point…People need to think OUT what is really needed and not listen to the businesses wanting to sell products….
And why should you care how people spend their money?
KISS is fine for you, but others want more, and if that includes a battery device, more power to them.
And it doesn’t mean they don’t know or understand what is “needed”, your presumption that it does is based on your own bias, not on any real understanding of their particular situation for defense.
To each their own, who are we to determine what is and isn’t for others?
I recall seeing a video some time ago where the kid had an AR with stuff stuck on all four sides of the barrel, two pistol grips (1 at 90 degrees off to the right and the other in the normal position), and a bi-pod. He also demonstrated the but stock compartment where he kept his stash of Tic-Tacs (survival “food”). Imagine packing that load of crap for more than a mile.
Agree with most of what you’re saying, except I disagree on your suppressor position. As a retired physician with some hearing loss myself (childhood shooting without ear protection), I have outfitted most of my rifles with sound suppression. In today’s market, depending on your barrel length, gas block position, and hand guard width, you can keep the overall length reasonable on your AR with a reflex suppressor (most of it goes BACKWARDS around the barrel instead of forward). I also customized one of my hunting rifles with an INTEGRAL suppressor that looks no different that a bull barrel and only added 3 extra inches to the overall barrel length. Otherwise, I agree that there’s no reason for a FrankenRifle