Tag Archives: Russia

The 100-Series: A Technical Analysis of the Kalashnikov Platform’s Bridge to the 21st Century

The Kalashnikov AK-100 series of assault rifles, introduced in the mid-1990s, represents a critical evolutionary juncture in the history of this iconic firearm platform. It was not a revolutionary leap in technology but rather a pragmatic and commercially-driven modernization born from the geopolitical and economic realities of a post-Soviet Russia. To fully comprehend the engineering and strategic rationale behind the AK-100 family, one must first analyze its direct progenitor, the AK-74M, and the new market imperatives that faced its manufacturer, the Izhevsk Machine-Building Plant (Izhmash), in an era of diminished state funding and burgeoning global competition.

The AK-74M as a Modernized Baseline

The immediate technological foundation for the AK-100 series was laid with the adoption of the AK-74M in 1991.1 The “M” in its designation stood for Modernizirovanny (“Modernized”), and it served as a comprehensive update to the AK-74 platform, which had been in service since the 1970s. The primary achievement of the AK-74M was not a change in the core operating mechanism but a strategic consolidation of features that had previously existed across four different full-size AK-74 variants.1

Prior to the AK-74M, the Soviet military fielded AK-74s with fixed laminated wood stocks, as well as AKS-74 variants with folding skeletonized metal stocks intended for airborne and mechanized troops. Specialized versions with receiver-mounted optics rails (designated with an ‘N’ suffix) were also produced for night fighting and designated marksmen.3 This diversity of models created logistical and manufacturing inefficiencies. The AK-74M program unified these disparate features into a single, universal service rifle.1

The two most significant features standardized by the AK-74M were a solid, side-folding polymer buttstock and a universal Warsaw Pact-style optics mounting rail on the left side of the receiver.1 The folding stock, made from a durable black polymer, offered the compactness of the old AKS-74 for transport and use in confined spaces, but provided the superior cheek weld and stability of a fixed stock when deployed.3 The standardized optics rail meant that any infantryman could be issued an optical or night-vision sight without needing a specialized rifle. These features, combined with the replacement of all laminated wood furniture with black polymer, created a single, feature-complete rifle “chassis”.1

This act of industrial consolidation was the critical prerequisite for the AK-100 concept. By creating a single, streamlined production line for a universal rifle, Izhmash established the manufacturing template that made the subsequent development of a multi-caliber family of weapons both economically and logistically feasible. Without the efficiencies gained from the AK-74M program, the ambition of producing multiple variants for different ammunition types would have been prohibitively complex and expensive for the nascent and financially constrained Russian Federation.

A Platform for a New Market

With the collapse of the Soviet Union, the massive, guaranteed state orders that had sustained the Izhmash factory for decades evaporated. The Russian military, possessing a surplus of some 17 million AK-74 rifles in storage and facing severe budget cuts, had no immediate need for large-scale procurement of new small arms.4 To survive, Izhmash had to pivot from being a state arsenal to a commercial enterprise competing on the global arms market. The AK-100 series, developed in the early 1990s and officially introduced in 1994, was the direct result of this strategic shift.6

The primary design goal of the AK-100 family was to capture the export market by offering a modernized, reliable, and cost-effective platform that could meet the logistical needs of a wide range of potential customers.7 The core concept was production standardization and simplification.4 Using the AK-74M chassis as the base, Izhmash engineered a family of rifles with a high degree of parts interchangeability across different calibers.6 The main differences between the models were confined to the components directly related to the cartridge: the barrel, bolt, and magazine.4

This family was offered in the three most prevalent intermediate calibers in the world 7:

  1. 5.45x39mm: The standard Russian military cartridge, carried over in the AK-74M and the new compact AK-105.
AK-105 at the  Interpolitex-2009 show. Photo by Vitaly V. Kuzmin – my favorite Russian military photo journalist. You can see more on his website at: https://www.vitalykuzmin.net. Image obtained from Wikimedia.
  1. 7.62x39mm: The classic Kalashnikov cartridge, re-introduced in a modernized platform as the AK-103 and compact AK-104, catering to nations who still used the M43 round.
AK-103 with GP-34 under barrel grenade launcher. Photo by Mike1979 Russia. Image obtained from Wikimedia.
  1. 5.56x45mm NATO: The most significant addition, offered in the AK-101 and compact AK-102.
AK-101 at the Engineering Technologies 2012 show. Photo by Mike1979 Russia. Image obtained from Wikimedia.

The inclusion of a 5.56x45mm NATO variant was a clear and unambiguous commercial strategy.9 It was an attempt to penetrate markets historically aligned with the West or those seeking ammunition commonality with NATO forces. It offered foreign armies the opportunity to acquire the legendary reliability of the Kalashnikov system without having to abandon their existing 5.56mm logistical chain.9

While the AK-100 series was not adopted as the standard-issue rifle for the Russian armed forces, which retained the AK-74M, it proved to be a successful export product. It was adopted or purchased in significant quantities by numerous countries, including Venezuela, Syria, India, Pakistan, and Indonesia, validating its design philosophy as a versatile platform for the global market.6 The AK-100 series thus marks a fundamental pivot in Russian small arms design: from a focus on a single, massive conscript army to a flexible, market-driven approach centered on commercial survival and profitability.

Core Engineering and Material Science of the AK-100 Platform

The AK-100 series, while externally appearing as a modernized Kalashnikov, is defined by specific engineering choices and material science advancements that distinguish it from its predecessors. Its internal mechanism is a testament to the philosophy of prioritizing absolute reliability, while its external construction represents a full embrace of modern industrial polymers.

A Unified System: The Long-Stroke Gas Piston Heart

At its core, the AK-100 series is mechanically identical to the AK-74M, utilizing the same proven long-stroke gas piston operating system that has defined the Kalashnikov rifle since its inception.6 The operation is simple and robust. Upon firing, propellant gases are bled from the barrel through a port into a gas cylinder located above the barrel. These gases act upon a long piston which is permanently affixed to the bolt carrier. The rearward thrust of the piston and carrier assembly imparts a powerful momentum that performs the functions of unlocking the rotating bolt, extracting and ejecting the spent cartridge case, and cocking the hammer.14

A key design feature retained from the AK-74 is a brief, 5.5 mm of free travel for the gas piston and bolt carrier assembly before the bolt begins to rotate and unlock. This slight delay allows chamber pressures to drop to a safe level before the seal between the bolt and chamber is broken, aiding in smoother extraction.14 The gas block itself is set at a 90-degree angle to the bore axis, a feature standardized from the AK-74 that reduces bullet shear at the gas port compared to the 45-degree gas blocks of some earlier AKM models.10 The system is intentionally over-gassed and lacks a user-adjustable gas valve; excess gases are simply vented through ports in the gas tube.14 This design choice is central to the platform’s legendary reliability.

The decision to retain the long-stroke gas piston system, rather than exploring potentially more accurate short-stroke or direct impingement systems, was a conscious one. The substantial mass of the combined piston and bolt carrier assembly provides a powerful and positive action that is highly tolerant of fouling, carbon buildup, variations in ammunition quality, and extreme environmental conditions. For an export rifle intended for military and security forces with potentially inconsistent maintenance schedules or ammunition supplies, this “soldier-proof” reliability is the platform’s primary selling point and competitive advantage.7 The cyclic rate is a controllable 600-650 rounds per minute.7

The “Black AK”: Glass-Reinforced Polyamide Construction

The most visually striking feature of the AK-100 series is its universal use of black polymer furniture, earning it the moniker “Black AK”.3 This was not merely a cosmetic change but a significant technological upgrade in materials science. The material used is a glass-reinforced polyamide, a type of engineering thermoplastic commonly known as nylon.5

This material offers a superior combination of properties compared to the laminated wood of the AKM or the early AG-4S thermoset plastics used on some AK-74s. Glass-filled polyamides exhibit exceptionally high mechanical strength, rigidity, hardness, and resistance to creep (deformation under sustained load).16 Crucially for a military firearm intended for global service, the material is dimensionally stable across a wide range of temperatures (rated from -30°C to 120°C) and is highly resistant to moisture, solvents, and cleaning oils.17 This means the handguards, pistol grip, and stock will not swell, shrink, warp, or crack when exposed to jungle humidity, desert heat, or arctic cold, ensuring a consistent fit and function in any operational environment.

The solid, side-folding buttstock is a hallmark of the series. It is far more robust than the earlier stamped-metal skeleton stock of the AKS-74 and provides a stable and comfortable cheek weld comparable to a fixed stock.3 It folds to the left side of the receiver, allowing the weapon to be fired with the stock folded and not interfering with the operation of the safety lever or charging handle.5 The adoption of glass-filled polyamide was as central to the modernization of the Kalashnikov platform as its multi-caliber capability, enhancing durability, reducing weight, and streamlining manufacturing while improving the weapon’s resilience in the diverse and harsh climates of its intended export markets.

Differentiating the Family: Barrels, Muzzle Devices, and Gas Systems

The AK-100 family is logically divided into two primary configurations: full-length assault rifles and compact carbines, each with distinct components tailored to their intended tactical roles.6

The full-length rifles—the AK-101 (5.56mm), AK-103 (7.62mm), and the baseline AK-74M (5.45mm)—all feature a 415 mm (16.3-inch) cold hammer-forged, chrome-lined barrel.5 This barrel length provides an effective engagement range of 300 to 400 meters, and the rifles are fitted with tangent rear sights optimistically graduated to 1,000 meters.5 A defining feature of these rifles is the large, two-chamber muzzle brake derived from the AK-74. This device is highly effective at reducing recoil and counteracting muzzle rise during automatic fire by venting gases upwards and to the side.9

The carbine variants—the AK-102 (5.56mm), AK-104 (7.62mm), and AK-105 (5.45mm)—were a new development for the series. They were engineered to fill a tactical niche between the full-length rifles and the extremely compact AKS-74U “Krinkov”.6 The AKS-74U, with its very short 206.5 mm (8.1-inch) barrel, suffered from significant velocity loss, a punishing muzzle blast, and a limited effective range.10 The AK-100 carbines were designed with a 314 mm (12.4-inch) barrel, providing a “Goldilocks” solution.7 This length is significantly more compact than the full-size rifle, making it ideal for vehicle crews, special forces, and close-quarters battle, but it retains enough length to achieve more useful ballistics and a longer sight radius than the AKS-74U.18 The effective range is a more practical 200 to 300 meters, and the rear sights are graduated to 500 meters.5

To ensure reliable functioning with the shorter barrel and reduced gas dwell time, the carbines are fitted with a distinctive conical muzzle booster derived from the AKS-74U.9 This device serves a dual purpose: it acts as an expansion chamber to increase back-pressure within the gas system to cycle the action reliably, and it directs the concussive blast and flash forward, away from the shooter. The unification of the gas block design across the family meant that its position did not need to be moved rearward for the carbine length, a key simplification for manufacturing.18 This thoughtful engineering compromise made the AK-100 platform more versatile, offering a weapon class specifically tailored for modern combat roles where compactness is required without a crippling sacrifice in performance.

Table 1: AK-100 Series Primary Variant Specifications

SpecificationAK-101AK-102AK-103AK-104AK-105
Cartridge5.56x45mm NATO5.56x45mm NATO7.62x39mm7.62x39mm5.45x39mm
RoleRifleCarbineRifleCarbineCarbine
Barrel Length415 mm314 mm415 mm314 mm314 mm
Overall Length (Extended)943 mm824 mm943 mm824 mm824 mm
Overall Length (Folded)704 mm586 mm704 mm586 mm586 mm
Weight (Empty)3.6 kg3.2 kg3.6 kg3.2 kg3.2 kg
Muzzle Velocity910 m/s850 m/s715 m/s670 m/s840 m/s
Cyclic Rate of Fire~600-650 rpm~600-650 rpm~600-650 rpm~600-650 rpm~600-650 rpm
Sighting Range1,000 m500 m1,000 m500 m500 m
Muzzle DeviceAK-74 Style BrakeAKS-74U Style BoosterAK-74 Style BrakeAKS-74U Style BoosterAKS-74U Style Booster

Sources: 3

A Divergent Evolution: The Balanced Automatics Recoil System (BARS)

Concurrent with the development of the conventional 100-series rifles, Izhmash designers also pursued a far more radical and mechanically sophisticated branch of the Kalashnikov family tree: the BARS-equipped rifles. These weapons, designated AK-107, AK-108, and AK-109, represented a fascinating attempt to solve the problem of automatic fire control through advanced engineering rather than simple compensation.

The AK-107/108: Engineering a Counter-Recoil Solution

The AK-107 (chambered in 5.45x39mm), AK-108 (5.56x45mm NATO), and the later AK-109 (7.62x39mm) are externally similar to their conventional 100-series counterparts but are internally revolutionary.22 They employ the Balanced Automatics Recoil System (BARS), a concept that actually predates the AK-74, having been developed in the 1960s and trialed in the AL-7 experimental rifle in the 1970s.23 The design is credited to engineer Youriy Alexandrov, and the “AK” in this context is sometimes referred to as Alexandrov Kalashnikov.22

The BARS mechanism is a direct application of Newton’s Third Law of Motion to counteract the forces that cause muzzle rise and felt recoil.24 In a standard AK, the massive bolt carrier group slams rearward upon firing and then forward to chamber the next round, creating a “push-pull” cycle that causes the muzzle to oscillate.25 The BARS system cancels this effect by introducing a second reciprocating mass. It works as follows:

  1. The system uses two gas pistons. The lower piston is attached to the bolt carrier as in a standard AK. An upper piston is attached to a counter-weight that sits above the bolt carrier.22
  2. When the rifle is fired, gas from the barrel simultaneously drives the bolt carrier assembly rearward and the counter-weight assembly forward.22
  3. The key to the system is a small, star-shaped synchronizing sprocket or gear that links the two moving assemblies. This gear ensures that the rearward-moving bolt carrier and the forward-moving counter-weight move in perfect opposition and reach their respective points of maximum travel at the exact same instant.22

By having two masses of similar weight moving in opposite directions, the internal impulses are effectively cancelled out. Instead of the sharp kick and muzzle climb of a conventional rifle, the shooter experiences a smooth, steady push. The system virtually eliminates felt recoil and muzzle rise, dramatically improving the weapon’s controllability and accuracy, especially during sustained automatic or burst fire.22 Due to the shorter travel distance of the reciprocating parts, the cyclic rate is significantly higher than a standard AK, at 850-900 rounds per minute.22

An Innovation Too Far?: The BARS in Military Context

Despite its demonstrable engineering excellence and superior performance in controlling automatic fire, the BARS-equipped rifles failed to achieve widespread adoption. The reasons for this failure are rooted in the intersecting realities of military doctrine, economics, and logistics.

The original AL-7 prototype was trialed against the rifle that would become the AK-74 in the 1970s but was ultimately rejected as being too complex and expensive for mass production by the Soviet military.23 History repeated itself in the 1990s. The AK-107 and AK-108 were offered for export but failed to attract any significant customers.26 The Russian military also passed on the design, adhering to a procurement philosophy governed by the law of diminishing returns.4

While the BARS system offered a quantifiable improvement in controllability, this improvement was not deemed significant enough to justify the substantial increase in cost, manufacturing complexity, and maintenance burden. The system introduced more moving parts—a second piston, a counter-weight, and the critical synchronizing gear—which all required precise manufacturing and timing, and represented more potential points of failure than the brutally simple standard AK action.26 For a military doctrine that prioritizes rugged simplicity, ease of maintenance, and the ability to equip a massive army, the standard AK-74M was already “good enough.” Its recoil in 5.45x39mm was already low and manageable, and its effectiveness was proven. In the context of the severe financial constraints of the 1990s and a vast surplus of existing rifles, the marginal gain in performance offered by BARS could not overcome the massive increase in cost and logistical complexity. It was a classic case of engineering brilliance being sidelined by economic and doctrinal pragmatism.

Critical Assessment: Flaws and Limitations of the AK-100 Design

While the AK-100 series was a successful modernization and a robust export platform, it was not without its flaws. These can be divided into two categories: deficiencies inherited from its half-century-old design lineage, and specific performance critiques that arose from its inherent characteristics and, in some cases, manufacturing variations.

Inherited Deficiencies

The primary weakness of the AK-100 series was its failure to fully address the ergonomic and modularity demands of the modern battlefield, limitations it carried over directly from the AK-47 and AK-74.27 By the mid-1990s, Western militaries were rapidly adopting the M1913 Picatinny rail system, transforming the rifle into a modular “weapons system” capable of easily integrating a vast array of optics, aiming lasers, illuminators, and vertical grips. The AK-100 was born already behind this curve.

Its sole provision for mounting accessories was the Warsaw Pact-style dovetail rail riveted to the left side of the receiver.1 While functional, this system had several drawbacks. Optics sat high and off-center, often compromising a proper and consistent cheek weld.4 Furthermore, the stability and zero-retention of side-mounts, particularly after being detached and reattached, could be inconsistent compared to an integral top rail. The very design of the Kalashnikov, with its removable sheet-metal receiver cover, made a stable, zero-holding top rail a significant engineering challenge.4

Ergonomically, the platform retained its legacy features. The right-side reciprocating charging handle required the shooter to remove their firing hand from the pistol grip to operate it. The large selector lever, while positive and durable, was not as easily manipulated as the thumb-operated selectors on Western rifles.27 Magazine changes, requiring the “rock-and-lock” motion, were slower than the straight-insertion method of AR-15 style rifles. The platform also lacked a last-round bolt hold-open feature, slowing reloads.27 This “modularity gap” and its dated ergonomics were the AK-100’s single greatest weaknesses and would be the primary drivers for the development of its successors.

Performance and In-Service Critiques

In terms of performance, the AK-100 series upheld the Kalashnikov reputation for reliability but was not infallible. Like any mechanical device, it is susceptible to failures, with documented instances of light primer strikes, often traced to worn hammer springs, and ammunition-related malfunctions like squib loads.28

The platform’s accuracy is generally considered “average,” sufficient for its intended role as an infantry rifle but not capable of the high degree of precision found in many Western counterparts.7 The design is not conducive to a free-floated barrel, a key element for mechanical accuracy, as the handguard and gas tube assembly interact with the barrel. While the AK-74 style muzzle brake on the full-length rifles is very effective at mitigating recoil, it produces a significant and concussive side-blast that is harsh on adjacent personnel.14

It is also critical to distinguish between flaws in the original Izhmash design and flaws in manufacturing execution by other entities. Many critiques of the platform arise from lower-quality commercial clones or licensed copies. For example, some US-made rifles marketed as “100-series” have exhibited issues such as improperly set rivets, non-chrome-lined gas blocks, and bolts or firing pins made from improperly heat-treated metal, leading to premature wear, peening, and pierced primers.30 These are not failures of the Kalashnikov design itself, but failures of a specific manufacturer to adhere to the correct material and process specifications, such as the use of hammer-forged, chrome-lined barrels and properly hardened steels for critical components.5 The robustness of an authentic AK-100 is contingent on it being built to the correct military-grade standard.

The Path Forward: The AK-200 and AK-12 as Corrective Successors

The identified limitations of the AK-100 series, particularly its modularity gap, did not go unaddressed. Kalashnikov Concern embarked on a clear evolutionary path, first with an incremental upgrade in the form of the AK-200 series, and then with a more comprehensive redesign for the Russian military, the AK-12.

The AK-200 Series: A Direct Response to Modernization Demands

Initially conceived as the “AK-100M,” the AK-200 series was officially unveiled in 2017 as a direct modernization of the 100-series platform.6 It is not a new generation of rifle but a deep product improvement, designed to bring the proven AK-100 up to contemporary standards, primarily for the export market and domestic law enforcement agencies.31

The AK-200 series retains the heart of its predecessor: the same barrel, long-stroke gas system, and core receiver of the AK-74M/AK-100 family.6 The upgrades are focused almost exclusively on solving the modularity and ergonomic problems. The most important change is the integration of Picatinny rails. The series features a new, hinged receiver cover that is more rigid than the original and incorporates a long M1913 rail for mounting optics in the optimal position.6 The handguard is also redesigned with Picatinny rails at the top, bottom, and sides for the attachment of tactical accessories.21

Other ergonomic improvements include a new, more comfortable pistol grip with an internal storage compartment and a multi-position, adjustable, and telescoping folding stock, allowing the rifle to be adapted to the individual shooter’s body armor and physique.6 The series is offered in the same full-length and carbine configurations and in the same three calibers as the AK-100 family (e.g., AK-203 for 7.62mm, AK-204 for the 7.62mm carbine, etc.).31 This evolutionary approach is best understood as Kalashnikov Concern officially adopting the modernization trends that had been popular in the aftermarket for years. Companies like Zenitco in Russia had long offered railed handguards and dust covers to fix the AK’s flaws.4 The AK-200 is essentially the factory acknowledging this demand and offering a complete, integrated “Zenitco-style” package from the outset. It proved to be a successful strategy, culminating in a massive contract with India to locally produce the AK-203 assault rifle.6

The AK-12/15: A Fifth-Generation Kalashnikov

While the AK-200 was a modernization for the export market, the AK-12 was developed specifically to meet the requirements of the Russian military’s “Ratnik” future soldier program.32 Its development was tumultuous. The initial prototypes, revealed between 2012 and 2015, were radical and complex redesigns that suffered from cost and reliability issues and were ultimately rejected.32

Success was only achieved when designers abandoned the revolutionary approach and reverted to a more pragmatic evolution based on the proven Kalashnikov system. The final production model of the AK-12 is based on a prototype known as the AK-400, which itself was an evolution of the 100/200 series.32 The AK-12 (in 5.45x39mm) and its sibling, the AK-15 (in 7.62x39mm), were officially adopted by the Russian military in 2018.14

The production AK-12 represents a synthesis of the classic AK’s reliability with targeted solutions to its most persistent flaws. Like the AK-200, it features a rigid, railed top cover and an adjustable stock. However, it goes further by introducing a free-floating handguard (the handguard does not contact the barrel, only the receiver and a more rigid gas tube), which improves the rifle’s potential for mechanical accuracy.34 The traditional tangent leaf sight was replaced with a more precise aperture-style (diopter) rear sight, which was moved to the rear of the receiver cover to create a longer sight radius.21 Ergonomics were improved with a new finger-operable shelf on the safety selector, allowing for faster manipulation.21 Early models featured a two-round burst mode, though this was later removed from the 2023 production model based on combat feedback from the conflict in Ukraine, which also prompted other refinements like a new flash hider/suppressor mount.32

The story of the AK-12’s development underscores a key theme: the most effective path forward for the Kalashnikov was not to reinvent it, but to systematically and intelligently solve its known problems while preserving its core strengths. The final AK-12 is the culmination of the evolutionary path that began with the AK-74M’s modernization, was commercialized with the AK-100, and was brought up to modern standards with the AK-200.

Conclusion and Synthesis

The Kalashnikov AK-100 series occupies a crucial but often misunderstood position in the lineage of Russian small arms. It was not a weapon of revolution, but one of evolution and survival. Emerging from the industrial and economic turmoil of the 1990s, the platform served three vital functions that ensured the Kalashnikov rifle’s continued relevance into the 21st century.

First, it was an exercise in production rationalization. Building upon the unified template of the AK-74M, the 100-series streamlined the manufacturing process at Izhmash, allowing for a family of weapons in multiple calibers to be built with a high degree of parts commonality. This industrial efficiency was essential for a defense enterprise that could no longer rely on massive, monolithic state orders.

Second, it was a commercial lifeline. The AK-100 series was a successful export product that generated vital foreign currency for its manufacturer. By offering the world’s most popular intermediate cartridges—including the 5.56x45mm NATO round—in a modernized, reliable, and cost-effective package, Izhmash leveraged its most famous brand to compete effectively on the global stage.

Third, and most importantly, it served as the indispensable technological bridge between the late-Soviet era and the current generation of Russian service rifles. It was the platform on which modern glass-reinforced polymers became standard, and it served as the direct, foundational baseline from which the corrective AK-200 and the fifth-generation AK-12 were developed. The flaws of the AK-100, particularly its lack of modularity, directly informed the improvements seen in its successors.

While it may be overshadowed by the historical significance of the AK-47 or the technological advancements of the AK-12, the creation of the AK-100 series was a defining moment for the modern Kalashnikov Concern. It was a pragmatic and successful response to a new geopolitical reality, ensuring the platform’s survival, its continued evolution, and its enduring presence on battlefields around the world.


If you find this post useful, please share the link on Facebook, with your friends, etc. Your support is much appreciated and if you have any feedback, please email me at in**@*********ps.com. Please note that for links to other websites, we are only paid if there is an affiliate program such as Avantlink, Impact, Amazon and eBay and only if you purchase something.


Works cited

  1. Kalashnikov AK-74M | Weaponsystems.net, accessed August 2, 2025, https://weaponsystems.net/system/1036-Kalashnikov+AK-74M
  2. AK Series – Jake’s Gun Reviews, accessed August 2, 2025, https://jakesgunreviews.weebly.com/ak-series.html
  3. AK-100 Series – Small Arms Survey, accessed August 2, 2025, https://www.smallarmssurvey.org/sites/default/files/SAS-weapons-assault-rifles-AK-100-series.pdf
  4. How superior are the recent Russian Assault Rifles compared to the AK47 and AK74 models they’ve been replacing, particularly the AK15 and AK12? – Reddit, accessed August 2, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/WarCollege/comments/wljyy6/how_superior_are_the_recent_russian_assault/
  5. THE 100-SERIES KALASHNIKOVS: A PRIMER – Small Arms Review, accessed August 2, 2025, https://smallarmsreview.com/the-100-series-kalashnikovs-a-primer/
  6. AK-100 (rifle family) – Wikipedia, accessed August 2, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AK-100_(rifle_family)
  7. AK-100 | Weaponsystems.net, accessed August 2, 2025, https://old.weaponsystems.net/weaponsystem/AA04%20-%20AK-100.html
  8. Kalashnikov AK-100 – Weaponsystems.net, accessed August 2, 2025, https://weaponsystems.net/system/1206-Kalashnikov+AK-100
  9. AK Models: Ultimate Guide to Kalashnikov Rifles – Pew Pew Tactical, accessed August 2, 2025, https://www.pewpewtactical.com/ak-models/
  10. Exploring The World Of AK Variants, accessed August 2, 2025, https://blog.primaryarms.com/guide/ak-variants-explored/
  11. AK 100 series – An Overview – Iron Curtain Customs, accessed August 2, 2025, https://ironcurtaincustoms.com/blogs/gunsmithing/ak-100-series-an-overview
  12. The AK-101 Assault Rifle | PDF – Scribd, accessed August 2, 2025, https://www.scribd.com/document/137559094/The-AK-101-Assault-Rifle
  13. AK-102 – Wikipedia, accessed August 2, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AK-102
  14. AK-74 – Wikipedia, accessed August 2, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AK-74
  15. Russian plum glass filled polyamide Izhmash pistol grip – russiansurplus.net, accessed August 2, 2025, https://www.russiansurplus.net/product_p/izzy-polyamide-grips.htm
  16. Glass filled polyamides (GF) – Ensinger, accessed August 2, 2025, https://www.ensingerplastics.com/en-us/shapes/modified-plastics-/glass-filled-polyamides
  17. AK-74 & AK-100 – Polenar Tactical, accessed August 2, 2025, https://polenartactical.com/shop/296-ak-74-ak-100
  18. Аssault rifles AK 100 series – firearms – Scribd, accessed August 2, 2025, https://www.scribd.com/document/781547338/%D0%90ssault-rifles-AK-100-series
  19. What is the difference between the AK 101 through to the AK 105? : r/EscapefromTarkov, accessed August 2, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/EscapefromTarkov/comments/9p0oe8/what_is_the_difference_between_the_ak_101_through/
  20. AK-105 || Kalashnikov Group, accessed August 2, 2025, https://en.kalashnikovgroup.ru/catalog/boevoe-strelkovoe-oruzhie/avtomaty/avtomat-kalashnikova-ak105
  21. Defense products, accessed August 2, 2025, https://kalashnikovgroup.ru/upload/iblock/8d2/Defense%20products.pdf
  22. AK-107 – Wikipedia, accessed August 2, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AK-107
  23. AL-7 – Wikipedia, accessed August 2, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AL-7
  24. The AK-107 Assault Rifle | PDF | Personal Weapons – Scribd, accessed August 2, 2025, https://ru.scribd.com/document/137559229/The-AK-107-Assault-Rifle
  25. How the AK-107 recoil counterbalance system works : r/guns – Reddit, accessed August 2, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/guns/comments/1neaad/how_the_ak107_recoil_counterbalance_system_works/
  26. History and Function of Counter-Balanced Assault Rifles – Sturgeon’s House – ipbhost.com, accessed August 2, 2025, https://sturgeonshouse.ipbhost.com/topic/1575-history-and-function-of-counter-balanced-assault-rifles/
  27. What Are the Different Types of AKs? – Guns.com, accessed August 2, 2025, https://www.guns.com/news/what-are-ak-variants
  28. AKs Are Supposed to be Reliable, Right? – YouTube, accessed August 2, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpJZSta5wP8
  29. Top 10 AK Malfunctions (4 are Deadly) – YouTube, accessed August 2, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrNzYNYMtPs
  30. Problem with PSAK Rivets? – Page 2 – AK-47 / AK-74 – Palmetto State Armory | Forum, accessed August 2, 2025, https://palmettostatearmory.com/forum/t/problem-with-psak-rivets/30814?page=2
  31. Evolution of Kalashnikov AK Assault Rifle (AK47 -AK200) – YouTube, accessed August 2, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9rf-iuwOOg
  32. AK-12 – Wikipedia, accessed August 2, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AK-12
  33. New Series of Kalashnikov Assault Rifles being promoted – Overt Defense, accessed August 2, 2025, https://www.overtdefense.com/2019/02/11/new-series-kalashnikov-assault-rifles-promoted/
  34. Raifus in Real Life: AK-12 (AK-12 / 6П70) : r/girlsfrontline – Reddit, accessed August 2, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/girlsfrontline/comments/frbkpm/raifus_in_real_life_ak12_ak12_6%D0%BF70/
  35. AK-12 – Kalashnikov Group, accessed August 2, 2025, https://en.kalashnikovgroup.ru/catalog/boevoe-strelkovoe-oruzhie/avtomaty/avtomat-kalashnikova-ak-12
  36. AK-12 Assault Rifle- Kalashnikova 2012 Автомат Калашникова образца 2012 года, accessed August 2, 2025, https://www.shootersreport.com/rifle/History-and-Development-of-AK-12-Assault-Rifle.htm

The History, Chemistry, and Strategic Imperative of Soviet Corrosive Ammunition

The decision by any military to adopt a particular ammunition technology is never made in a vacuum. It is the result of a complex interplay between historical experience, technological capability, strategic doctrine, and fundamental chemistry. The Soviet Union’s long-standing reliance on corrosive-primed ammunition is a quintessential example of this process. To comprehend this choice, one must first understand the chemical problem that Soviet ordnance experts, and their counterparts worldwide, were trying to solve. The story of corrosive ammunition does not begin with a choice for corrosion, but a choice against the critical failures of the preceding technology: mercuric primers.

1.1 A Brief History of Primer Evolution: From Mercury to Chlorate

The evolution of the firearm primer is a direct line from the unreliable external ignition of flintlocks to the self-contained, instantaneous reliability of the modern cartridge.1 The first major leap towards modern primers was the percussion cap, developed in the early 19th century. These small copper cups contained a shock-sensitive compound, almost universally mercury fulminate (Hg(CNO)2​), which provided a far more reliable ignition source than flint and steel.1 Inventors like Hiram Berdan and Edward Boxer further refined this concept by integrating the primer into a metallic cartridge case, creating the centerfire systems still in use today.1

However, as military technology transitioned from black powder to more powerful and less-fouling smokeless propellants in the late 19th century, two catastrophic flaws with mercury fulminate became apparent. The first was chemical instability. Fulminate of mercury was discovered to degrade over time, especially when stored in warm climates. While it could reliably ignite forgiving black powder even when partially degraded, it often failed to provide a powerful enough flash to consistently ignite the more stable smokeless powders. This led to an unacceptable rate of misfires and dangerous hang-fires (a delay between the firing pin strike and the cartridge firing).5 For a military, ammunition that cannot be trusted to fire after long-term storage is a logistical nightmare.

The second flaw was metallurgical. Upon detonation, the mercury in the primer would vaporize and, under immense pressure and heat, amalgamate with the zinc component of the brass cartridge case. This mercury-brass amalgam rendered the case extremely brittle and prone to cracking, making it unsafe and unsuitable for reloading.2 At a time when many armies, including the U.S. Army, reloaded spent cartridges for training and to conserve resources, this was a significant economic and logistical drawback.6

Faced with these mission-critical failures, ordnance departments worldwide sought a replacement. The solution was found in chlorate-based compounds. In 1898, the U.S. Army’s Frankford Arsenal, after experiencing the unreliability of mercuric primers, adopted a new non-mercuric formula based on potassium chlorate (KClO3​) as the primary oxidizer.5 This new primer composition, exemplified by the famous FA-70 primer, was exceptionally stable in long-term storage and provided a powerful, reliable ignition flash for smokeless powders.6 It solved the problems of the mercuric era, but in doing so, it introduced a new, well-understood, and—in the eyes of military planners—manageable problem: corrosive residue.

1.2 The Reaction and its Residue: The Science of Salt-Induced Rust

The term “corrosive ammunition” is technically a misnomer. The unfired cartridge is inert and harmless to a firearm.8 The corrosive potential is created only after ignition, as a direct byproduct of the primer’s chemical reaction. A typical chlorate-based primer consists of three main components: a shock-sensitive explosive initiator (like lead styphnate), a fuel (like antimony sulfide), and a powerful oxidizer to provide the oxygen for the intense, rapid burn.4 In corrosive primers, this oxidizer is potassium chlorate (KClO3​) or, in some formulations, sodium perchlorate (NaClO4​).9

When the firing pin strikes the primer, it crushes the compound and initiates detonation. The potassium chlorate decomposes in a violent exothermic reaction, releasing its abundant oxygen atoms to fuel the flash that ignites the main powder charge. The chemical equation for this decomposition is:

2KClO3​(s)→2KCl(s)+3O2​(g)

The critical byproduct of this reaction is potassium chloride (KCl), a stable salt left behind as a fine, crystalline residue.9 This salt is chemically very similar to sodium chloride (NaCl), or common table salt, and it is the sole agent of corrosion.5

The mechanism of corrosion is often misunderstood. The potassium chloride salt is not, in itself, an acid that “eats” the steel of the firearm.11 Instead, its destructive power comes from its hygroscopic nature. Like table salt, KCl is extremely effective at attracting and holding water molecules from the surrounding atmosphere.5 This property means that even in environments not perceived as overtly damp, the salt residue will pull moisture from the air and create a thin, invisible film of highly concentrated salt water on the steel surfaces of the barrel, chamber, bolt face, and gas system—anywhere the propellant gases have touched.

This salt water film acts as a powerful electrolyte, dramatically accelerating the electrochemical process of oxidation (rusting). Steel is primarily iron (Fe), and in the presence of an electrolyte and oxygen, the iron atoms readily give up electrons, forming iron oxides. The salt solution does not participate in the final rust product, but its ions make the water far more electrically conductive, speeding up the electron transfer and thus the rate of corrosion by orders of magnitude. The result is rapid and severe pitting and rusting, which can begin to form in a matter of hours in humid conditions and can permanently damage a firearm’s bore and critical components if left unattended.12 This was the trade-off: in exchange for long-term stability and reliable ignition, militaries accepted the burden of dealing with this aggressive, salt-based residue.

Section 2: The Strategic Imperative: Why the Soviets Chose and Retained Corrosive Primers

The Soviet Union’s adherence to corrosive-primed ammunition, long after Western powers had transitioned away from it, is often cited by casual observers as evidence of a lagging technological base. This interpretation is fundamentally flawed. The Soviet choice was not a sign of backwardness but a deliberate and deeply logical decision rooted in the unique pillars of their military doctrine, geography, industrial philosophy, and the hard-won lessons of 20th-century warfare. It was a calculated risk, deemed not only acceptable but optimal for the specific challenges the Soviet military expected to face.

2.1 The Doctrine of Mass and Longevity: “Store and Forget”

At the heart of Soviet military planning was the concept of a massive, continent-spanning war against NATO. This doctrine required the prepositioning of colossal quantities of war materiel, especially ammunition, sufficient to sustain high-intensity combat for a prolonged period.17 The Soviet logistical model was not based on a “just-in-time” supply chain but on a “store and forget” principle. Ammunition was produced in vast numbers, hermetically sealed in iconic tin “spam cans,” and stored in depots stretching from Eastern Europe to the Pacific. These stockpiles were expected to remain viable for decades, ready for immediate issue in a crisis.17

For this grand strategy to work, the absolute, unquestionable reliability of the ammunition after decades in storage was paramount. Here, the chemical properties of the primers were the deciding factor. Corrosive primers, based on the chemically stable salt potassium chlorate, offered unparalleled long-term stability.12 In contrast, the early non-corrosive primer formulations developed in the West were known to be less stable. They were prone to chemical degradation over long storage periods, which could lead to a loss of sensitivity and result in the very misfires and hang-fires that chlorate primers were designed to prevent.5 The U.S. military itself experienced these failures with early non-corrosive lots, which failed to meet stringent storage requirements, validating the Soviet concern and delaying their own full transition.5 For the Soviets, the theoretical risk of a conscript failing to clean his rifle was far more acceptable than the strategic risk of entire ammunition dumps becoming unreliable over time.

2.2 Reliability in Extremis: The “General Winter” Factor

Soviet military doctrine was forged in the crucible of the Eastern Front of World War II, where “General Winter” was as formidable an adversary as any army. The vast expanses of the Soviet Union and its potential European battlefields are subject to extreme cold, with temperatures regularly dropping to levels where the performance of mechanical and chemical systems can be severely degraded.

A critical and often overlooked advantage of chlorate-based corrosive primers was their superior performance in these frigid conditions.12 The ignition of smokeless powder charges becomes significantly more difficult as temperatures plummet. Corrosive primer compositions were known to produce a hotter, more energetic, and more voluminous ignition flash compared to their early non-corrosive counterparts.4 This ensured positive and consistent ignition of the main propellant charge, even in the depths of a Russian winter. This was not a minor benefit; it was a mission-critical operational requirement for an army that expected to fight and win in any weather. The potential for sluggish or failed ignition from non-corrosive primers in sub-zero temperatures was a risk the Red Army was unwilling to take.19 The reliability of the soldier’s rifle in the most extreme cold was a non-negotiable priority that directly favored the proven performance of corrosive primers.

2.3 The Economics of Scale and Simplicity

The Soviet military was an enterprise of unprecedented scale, comprising a massive standing army and the forces of the entire Warsaw Pact. Arming this colossal force required the production of ammunition on a scale of billions of rounds per year. This reality placed a premium on cost-effectiveness and manufacturing simplicity.17

Corrosive primer compounds based on potassium chlorate were chemically simpler and therefore cheaper and easier to manufacture in bulk than the more complex non-corrosive formulas available at the time.21 The Soviets utilized the Berdan priming system, where the anvil is part of the cartridge case itself, which is highly efficient for mass production but difficult for individuals to reload.1 This choice was perfectly aligned with a military doctrine that did not envision reloading by individual soldiers.

This philosophy of prioritizing proven, economical, large-scale production was evident in other aspects of their ammunition design. The decision to standardize on steel-cased cartridges for rounds like the 7.62x39mm was driven by the lower cost of steel compared to brass and the ability to repurpose some of the industrial machinery already producing the 7.62x25mm Tokarev cartridge.22 This industrial inertia and focus on cost-effective mass production naturally extended to the primer, the heart of the cartridge. Changing the primer formulation would have required significant retooling and investment for a perceived benefit (reduced maintenance) that was seen as secondary to the primary requirements of cost, storage life, and all-weather reliability.

2.4 A Divergent Path: A Comparative Timeline of Primer Transition

The Soviet decision-making process is thrown into sharp relief when compared to the timelines of other major military powers. Each nation’s path was dictated by its own unique set of priorities, experiences, and industrial capabilities, demonstrating that the Soviet choice was not an anomaly but one of several rational, albeit different, solutions to the same technological challenge.

CountryKey Transition PeriodRepresentative Corrosive AmmoRepresentative Early Non-Corrosive AmmoStrategic Rationale & Notes
Soviet Union / Russia~1990s – Present7.62x54R, 7.62x39mm (M43), 5.45x39mm (7N6)5.45x39mm (7N10, 7N22, 7N24), Modern Commercial ExportsPriority: Extreme long-term storage stability and cold-weather performance. Transition driven by post-Cold War modernization, not replacement of existing stockpiles.17
United States1950 – 1956WWII-era.30-06 Springfield,.45 ACP.30 Carbine (from inception, WWII), Post-1952/54.30-06 &.45 ACP, 7.62mm NATOPriority: Reduce field maintenance burden. Transition was delayed until non-corrosive primer stability could meet military storage requirements.5
GermanyMixed use, WWI–WWIISome WWI/WWII era 7.92x57mm MauserMany WWI/WWII era 7.92x57mm MauserPriority: Early technological innovation. Patented a non-corrosive formula in 1928. Early versions suffered from short shelf life, leading to mixed use during wartime.6
United Kingdom~Early 1960s.303 British (Cordite loads).303 British MkVIIZ (NC loads), 7.62mm NATOPriority: Gradual transition aligned with shift from Cordite to Nitrocellulose propellants. Evidence suggests a later transition than the US.26

This comparative analysis reveals that there was no single “correct” time to transition. The United States, with its global logistics chain and less extreme climate concerns, prioritized reducing the maintenance burden on its soldiers once the technology was mature enough.5 Germany was a clear technological pioneer but faced early reliability challenges that forced a pragmatic, mixed approach.6 The Soviet Union, facing the unique demands of its geography and grand strategy, made a perfectly rational decision to prioritize absolute reliability and shelf-life over maintenance convenience, retaining a proven technology that perfectly suited its needs.

Section 3: A System of Mitigation: People, Processes, and Technology

The Soviet leadership and ordnance corps were not naive about the risks posed by their ammunition. They understood the chemistry of chlorate primers and the destructive potential of the resulting salt residue. Their decision to retain this ammunition was viable only because they simultaneously engineered and implemented a comprehensive, multi-layered system of mitigation. This system treated the firearm, the soldier, the cleaning tools, and the chemical solvents as a single, integrated whole, designed to systematically manage and neutralize the risk of corrosion. The corrosive primer was never intended to be used in a vacuum; it was one component of a complete and robust risk-management strategy.

3.1 The Soldier and the Manual (The Human Factor & Processes)

The first line of defense in the Soviet system was the soldier himself, forged by rigid discipline and unwavering doctrine. The official Soviet military manuals, known as the Наставление по стрелковому делу (Manual on Small Arms), were unequivocal. Weapon cleaning was not a suggestion to be followed when convenient; it was a mandatory, immediate-action drill.27

According to doctrine, a soldier’s rifle was to be cleaned immediately after any firing session. In a combat environment, this meant cleaning during any lull in the fighting.20 Even if a weapon was not fired, it was to be cleaned at least once a week.27 This relentless discipline was instilled in every conscript as a fundamental tenet of military life, on par with marksmanship itself. A clean, functional weapon was a prerequisite for survival, and the manuals provided a clear, step-by-step process: disassemble the weapon, thoroughly clean all parts exposed to propellant gases (barrel, chamber, gas piston, gas tube, bolt), lubricate, and reassemble.27

The Soviet manuals also contained instructions that demonstrated a sophisticated understanding of the corrosion process, details often overlooked in Western analyses. One such instruction concerned bringing a weapon from a cold environment into a warm one. The manual specified that the weapon should be allowed to “sweat”—that is, to have condensation form on its cold metal surfaces—and then be cleaned before this condensation could evaporate.29 This procedure cleverly used the ambient moisture to begin the process of dissolving the hygroscopic salts, making them easier to remove.

Furthermore, some procedures described leaving the barrel “under alkali” for a period of two to four hours.29 This was intended to allow time for the occluded gases and salt residues trapped within the microscopic pores of the steel to leach out and be neutralized by the cleaning solution. This goes far beyond a simple surface wipe, indicating a deep appreciation for the pervasive nature of the corrosive salts and the need for a thorough chemical neutralization process.

3.2 The Solution in the Bottle (Chemical Technology)

The second layer of the mitigation system was chemical. Soviet soldiers were not merely issued “soap and water.” They were provided with a specifically formulated alkaline cleaning solution known as РЧС (RCHS), an acronym for Раствор для чистки стволов (Solution for Cleaning Barrels).27 This was a purpose-built chemical countermeasure.

The official composition of RCHS, to be mixed fresh for use within a 24-hour period, was 30:

  • Water (Вода): 1 liter. The universal solvent, essential for dissolving the primary corrosive agent, potassium chloride (KCl).
  • Ammonium Carbonate (Углекислый аммоний): 200 grams. This compound forms a weak alkaline solution that effectively neutralizes any acidic residues left by the combustion of the smokeless powder.
  • Potassium Dichromate (Двухромовокислый калий / хромпик): 3-5 grams. This is the most sophisticated component. Potassium dichromate is a powerful oxidizing agent that acts as a corrosion inhibitor. It works by passivating the surface of the steel, forming a microscopic, non-reactive oxide layer that provides temporary protection against rust after the salts have been washed away and before the final layer of oil is applied.

The RCHS solution was a far more advanced formulation than the simple water-based cleaners often assumed. It addressed the problem from multiple angles: dissolving the salt, neutralizing acidic powder fouling, and chemically protecting the bare steel. This debunks the common Western shooter’s myth that Windex with ammonia is an ideal cleaner for corrosive residue.11 While the water in Windex does the primary work of dissolving the salts, the small amount of ammonia does little to neutralize the stable KCl salt and primarily serves to speed evaporation.8 The Soviet RCHS was a true, multi-component chemical weapon cleaning solvent.

In the field, when RCHS was unavailable, soldiers were trained to use effective expedients. The most common and effective was hot water, which dissolves salts more quickly than cold water and evaporates faster, minimizing the time the metal is wet.8 In its absence, soapy water, solutions of wood ash (which is alkaline), or even saliva were understood to provide a weak alkaline wash that could help neutralize acidic residue and begin dissolving salts.35

3.3 The Tool for the Job (Mechanical Technology)

The third layer of the system was the provision of standardized, purpose-built tools. Every Soviet infantryman was issued a compact cleaning kit, known colloquially as the Пенал (“Pencil Case”), which was ingeniously stored in a compartment within the rifle’s buttstock.36 This ensured that the means to perform the mandatory cleaning ritual were always with the soldier and the weapon.

The standard kit for rifles like the AKM and AK-74 was a model of utilitarian design, containing all the essential tools 37:

  • Container/Handle: The cylindrical metal case itself featured holes and slots, allowing it to be used as a T-handle for the cleaning rod, providing better leverage.
  • Sectional Cleaning Rod: A multi-piece steel rod that was typically clipped onto the rifle’s barrel, ready for assembly and use.
  • Jag/Wiper (Протирка): A slotted tip that screwed onto the end of the rod, designed to securely hold a patch of cleaning cloth (ветошь) or a wad of tow (пакля).
  • Bore Brush (Ершик): A nylon bristle brush to scrub fouling from the bore and chamber.
  • Combination Tool: A brilliant piece of multi-purpose engineering, this flat tool served as a screwdriver, a wrench for the gas system, and a key for adjusting the elevation of the front sight post.
  • Punch (Выколотка): A simple pin punch used to drift out the various pins required for detailed disassembly of the rifle.

Complementing the Пенал was the iconic two-chambered metal oiler, the Масленка.38 This bottle was not a design quirk; it was a physical manifestation of the two-step cleaning doctrine. One compartment was filled with the alkaline RCHS solution for cleaning and neutralization, while the other held a neutral gun oil or grease for lubrication and final preservation.39 The soldier had everything required: the tools to disassemble, the chemicals to clean and neutralize, and the lubricant to protect.

3.4 The Armor Within (Firearms Technology)

The final, and arguably most critical, layer of the Soviet mitigation strategy was technological and built directly into the firearms themselves: hard chrome plating. From the World War II-era PPSh-41 submachine gun and well into the modern era, the vast majority of Soviet-designed military small arms—including the SKS carbine, the entire Kalashnikov family of rifles (AK-47, AKM, AK-74), the RPD and PK machine guns, and the SVD designated marksman rifle—featured barrels and gas system components that were hard chrome lined.41

This was not a cosmetic feature or a mere convenience. It was an essential engineering decision that made the long-term use of corrosive ammunition feasible. The process involves electrolytic deposition, where the barrel is placed in a galvanic bath and a thin, uniform layer of hard chromium is plated onto the interior surfaces of the bore, chamber, and often the gas piston.45

This layer of hard chrome acts as a suit of armor for the vulnerable steel underneath. Chromium is significantly harder, slicker, and more corrosion-resistant than the carbon steel of the barrel.44 It is also far less porous.45 This provides two crucial protective functions. First, it creates a robust physical barrier, preventing the hygroscopic salt particles and acidic propellant gases from making direct contact with the steel and initiating the electrochemical process of rust.45 Second, the extremely smooth, non-porous surface of the chrome makes cleaning far more effective and efficient. Fouling and salt residue have less to adhere to and are more easily swabbed out, ensuring that the mandatory cleaning process is successful.44

While it is true that the process of applying a plated layer can, in theory, slightly degrade the maximum potential accuracy of a high-precision match-grade barrel, this is an irrelevant concern for a standard-issue military service rifle.46 The immense gains in barrel life, resistance to erosion, and, most importantly, protection from corrosive ammunition far outweighed any marginal loss in theoretical precision. The chrome lining was the ultimate technological safeguard, the passive defense that underpinned the entire system and allowed the Soviet Union to confidently field a reliable weapons system based on corrosive-primed ammunition.

Section 4: The Legacy and the Modern Transition

The Soviet doctrine of producing and stockpiling vast quantities of corrosive-primed ammunition had profound and lasting consequences that extended far beyond the Cold War. The collapse of the Soviet Union created a legacy in the form of a global surplus market, while the evolution of the Russian military in the post-Soviet era has driven a fundamental shift away from the very doctrine that made corrosive ammunition the logical choice for so long.

4.1 The Enduring Stockpile: A Flood of Surplus

The dissolution of the Warsaw Pact and the subsequent downsizing of former Soviet bloc armies in the 1990s unleashed a torrent of military surplus onto the international civilian firearms market. Central to this flood were the hundreds of millions, if not billions, of rounds of corrosive ammunition that had been sealed in their airtight “spam cans” and stored for decades in preparation for a war that never came.5

This surplus ammunition became immensely popular with civilian shooters in the West, particularly in the United States, for one primary reason: it was incredibly inexpensive.13 Shooters could purchase cases of 1,000 or more rounds for a fraction of the cost of newly manufactured commercial ammunition. This surplus is most commonly found in classic Soviet-era calibers, including 7.62x54R for the Mosin-Nagant rifle, 7.62x39mm (from sources like Yugoslavia, China, and Russia), and 5.45x39mm (primarily the Russian 7N6 variant).5

The availability of this cheap ammunition fueled the popularity of the corresponding surplus rifles, like the SKS and AK variants. However, it also created a new imperative for civilian owners: they had to learn and diligently apply the same cleaning regimen that was drilled into every Soviet conscript. Failure to do so would result in the rapid and destructive rusting of their firearms.10 This has led to the creation of a vast body of community knowledge—and misinformation—about proper cleaning techniques. While methods using hot water, water-based solvents, or oil-water emulsions like Ballistol are effective at dissolving the salts, myths such as using Windex to “neutralize” the corrosive residue persist, a testament to the enduring legacy of this ammunition in the civilian world.8

4.2 The Shift to Non-Corrosive in Modern Russia

The modern Russian Federation’s military is a different entity from its Soviet predecessor. The strategic emphasis has shifted from maintaining a massive, conscript-based force for a continental war to fielding a more professional, modern, and rapidly deployable army. This doctrinal shift has been accompanied by a corresponding evolution in ammunition technology.17

While Russia undoubtedly still possesses vast stockpiles of older corrosive ammunition, evidence strongly indicates that newly developed and manufactured military cartridges are non-corrosive. This transition appears to have begun in the early 1990s with the development of enhanced 5.45x39mm rounds. The 7N10 “Improved Penetration” variant, developed around 1991-1992, and subsequent armor-piercing versions like the 7N22 (“BP”) and 7N24 (“BS”) are widely understood to use modern, non-corrosive Berdan primers.17

The drivers for this change are multifaceted. First, primer chemistry has advanced significantly. Modern non-corrosive primer compounds can now meet or exceed the stringent military requirements for long-term storage stability and all-weather performance that previously gave corrosive primers the edge.17 Second, for a more professional military force, reducing the maintenance burden and the risk of equipment damage from neglect becomes a higher priority. Finally, the reduced need to supply the entire Warsaw Pact alliance has lessened the extreme cost pressures that favored the older, cheaper technology.17

This capability is further proven by the Russian commercial ammunition industry. Major manufacturers like the Tula Cartridge Works, Barnaul Cartridge Plant (brand names like Bear and Monarch), and Vympel (brand name Red Army Standard) have for years produced steel-cased, Berdan-primed ammunition for the lucrative Western export market that is explicitly and reliably non-corrosive.17 This confirms that the technology and manufacturing capability have long been in place; its application to military production was simply awaiting a shift in doctrinal priorities. The transition away from corrosive primers in new-production Russian military ammunition is not merely a technological update; it is a direct reflection of a fundamental evolution in Russia’s military strategy and posture in the post-Cold War world.

Section 5: Conclusion: A System, Not a Flaw

The enduring image of Soviet-era ammunition in the West has often been one of “cheap, dirty, and corrosive,” a stereotype that implies a technological and qualitative inferiority. This analysis, drawing upon technical specifications, historical context, and an understanding of Soviet military doctrine, demonstrates that this perception is a fundamental misinterpretation. The Soviet Union’s decades-long reliance on corrosive-primed ammunition was not a technological deficiency, an economic necessity born of desperation, or a careless oversight. It was a deliberate, pragmatic, and highly successful engineering choice that was part of a holistic and intelligently designed system.

The core thesis of this report is that the corrosive primer was merely one component in a fully integrated, multi-layered risk mitigation strategy. Its selection was viable only because of the simultaneous and mandatory implementation of the other elements of the system.

  1. Passive Defense (Technology): The near-universal application of hard chrome lining in the bores, chambers, and gas systems of their small arms provided a robust, permanent barrier against corrosive attack.
  2. Active Defense (Chemistry): The standard-issue RCHS alkaline cleaning solution was a chemically sophisticated countermeasure, specifically formulated to dissolve the harmful salt residue, neutralize acidic fouling, and passivate the steel surface.
  3. Human Factor (Discipline): The rigid, uncompromising training of the Soviet soldier ensured that the correct cleaning procedures were applied immediately and thoroughly, providing the final, crucial layer of defense.

To analyze the primer in isolation from the chrome-lined barrel, the specialized cleaning solution, and the soldier’s doctrinal manual is to miss the point entirely. The Soviets did not simply accept corrosion; they actively managed it through a defense-in-depth approach. They made a calculated trade-off, prioritizing the absolute certainty of ammunition performance after decades of storage and in the most extreme climates over the convenience of reduced field maintenance. For their specific strategic context—preparing for a massive, prolonged, all-weather war across the Eurasian landmass—this was not just a logical choice, but arguably the optimal one.

The legacy of this decision is still felt today in the millions of rounds of surplus ammunition enjoyed by civilian shooters, who must replicate a portion of the Soviet cleaning doctrine to protect their firearms. The modern Russian military’s transition to non-corrosive ammunition for its newer cartridges does not invalidate the old system; rather, it reflects a shift in that same strategic context. By leveraging both English and Russian-language technical and historical sources, this report has aimed to replace the myth of “commie ammo” with an evidence-based appreciation for a pragmatic and effective engineering and logistical solution. The Soviet system worked as intended for over half a century, arming one of the largest military forces in history and proving that, within its intended context, it was a system, not a flaw.


If you find this post useful, please share the link on Facebook, with your friends, etc. Your support is much appreciated and if you have any feedback, please email me at in**@*********ps.com. Please note that for links to other websites, we are only paid if there is an affiliate program such as Avantlink, Impact, Amazon and eBay and only if you purchase something.


Works cited

  1. Berdan vs Boxer Primer: A History of the Modern Primer -, accessed July 29, 2025, https://gunmagwarehouse.com/blog/berdan-vs-boxer-primer-a-history-of-the-modern-primer/
  2. Origin of A Primer Ballistic | PDF | Technology & Engineering – Scribd, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.scribd.com/document/322943425/Origin-of-a-primer-Ballistic-docx
  3. A Bit Of History On Primers – Tactical Ordnance – TACTICOR LLC, accessed July 29, 2025, https://tacticor.com/blog/a-bit-of-history-on-primers/
  4. Primers – A Quick Study – Top Brass Reloading Supplies, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.topbrass-inc.com/blogs/news/primers-a-quick-study
  5. Corrosive Ammunition: Don’t Ruin a Good Gun – The Shooter’s Log, accessed July 29, 2025, https://blog.cheaperthandirt.com/corrosive-ammunition-dont-ruin-good-gun/
  6. Corrosive Ammo – Milsurps, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=54129
  7. Corrosive Mil-surplus ammo and Mercury – Milsurps, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=45477
  8. Corrosive Ammunition Guide (Learn About Pros and Cons), accessed July 29, 2025, https://ammo.com/primer-type/corrosive-ammo
  9. Corrosive Ammo Explained – Calibre Magazine, accessed July 29, 2025, https://calibremag.ca/corrosive-ammunition-what-it-is-how-to-spot-it-how-to-clean-it-and-what-to-expect-if-you-dont/
  10. What Are Corrosive Ammo Primers? – SSP Firearms, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.sspfirearms.com/2023/12/08/what-are-corrosive-ammo-primers/
  11. Shooting Corrosive Ammo? Learn How to Protect Your Guns – Accurate Shooter Bulletin, accessed July 29, 2025, https://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2024/10/shooting-corrosive-ammo-learn-how-to-protect-your-guns/
  12. How or where can I tell if a certain ammunition is corrosive? – Quora, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.quora.com/How-or-where-can-I-tell-if-a-certain-ammunition-is-corrosive
  13. How to Clean Corrosive Ammo – Pew Pew Tactical, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.pewpewtactical.com/clean-corrosive-ammunition/
  14. Tech Tip: Corrosive Ammo – YouTube, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqwdtBVFs-o
  15. All About Corrosive Ammunition – The Shooter’s Log, accessed July 29, 2025, https://blog.cheaperthandirt.com/corrosive-ammunition/
  16. Corrosive ammo : r/SKS – Reddit, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/SKS/comments/18opnzx/corrosive_ammo/
  17. Russian military still using newly made corrosive ammo? – Reddit, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/ammo/comments/8i2erm/russian_military_still_using_newly_made_corrosive/
  18. When did they stop making corrosive ammo? – Quora, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.quora.com/When-did-they-stop-making-corrosive-ammo
  19. What was the purpose of making corrosive ammo? : r/guns – Reddit, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/guns/comments/2kn23u/what_was_the_purpose_of_making_corrosive_ammo/
  20. Corrosive Ammo: Why? : r/milsurp – Reddit, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/milsurp/comments/u1um73/corrosive_ammo_why/
  21. Corrosive/Non-Corrosive Ammunition | USCCA, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/resources/terminology/decoding%20ammunition%20boxes/corrosive-non-corrosive/
  22. 7.62×39mm – Wikipedia, accessed July 29, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7.62%C3%9739mm
  23. Why do some gun ranges forbid the use of Russian ammo? – The Gun Club, accessed July 29, 2025, https://thegunclub.quora.com/Why-do-some-gun-ranges-forbid-the-use-of-Russian-ammo
  24. U.S. GI Non-Corrosive Primers, accessed July 29, 2025, http://www.odcmp.org/1101/usgi.pdf
  25. Primer Composition and Gunshot Residue – Office of Justice Programs, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/primer-composition-and-gunshot-residue
  26. .303 Corrosive/Non-Corrosive Database? – Milsurps, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=77765
  27. Чистка и смазка автомата, задержки при стрельбе, accessed July 29, 2025, https://bezpekavip.com/chistka-i-smazka-avtomata-zaderzhki-pri-strelbe
  28. Чистка АК-74М. Начальная военная подготовка. – YouTube, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cz3_Zmt8mnA
  29. Техническое обслуживание стволов стрелкового оружия Текст научной статьи по специальности «Науки об образовании – КиберЛенинка, accessed July 29, 2025, https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/tehnicheskoe-obsluzhivanie-stvolov-strelkovogo-oruzhiya
  30. Раствор чистки стволов (РЧС, ТРЧС). Наша компания выпускает ряд средств для чистки оружия. Это средства для.. 2025 | ВКонтакте, accessed July 29, 2025, https://vk.com/wall-72413978_696
  31. Как ухаживать за оружием: правильная чистка Оружие чистят так …, accessed July 29, 2025, https://vk.com/wall-36540424_18244
  32. A Case for Corrosive Ammo | An Official Journal Of The NRA – Shooting Illustrated, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.shootingillustrated.com/content/a-case-for-corrosive-ammo/
  33. Ammonia & Corrosive Ammo. : r/guns – Reddit, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/guns/comments/2hjg0n/ammonia_corrosive_ammo/
  34. What’s the deal with corrosive primers in ammo, and why do they make immediate cleaning so important? – Quora, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.quora.com/What-s-the-deal-with-corrosive-primers-in-ammo-and-why-do-they-make-immediate-cleaning-so-important
  35. Правильная чистка оружия – методы, средства, правила – Guns.Club, accessed July 29, 2025, https://guns.club/lib/oruzhie/chistka-ognestrelnogo-oruzhiya/
  36. Чистка карабина Тигр и винтовки СВД с помощью штатной принадлежности, accessed July 29, 2025, https://zastava-izhevsk.ru/3/ispolzovanie-shtatnoy-prinadlezhnosti-dlya-obsluzhivaniya-tigra/
  37. Набор для чистки АК 47, калибр.7.62 в пенале: продажа, цена в …, accessed July 29, 2025, https://sportmarathon.com.ua/p984081101-nabor-dlya-chistki.html
  38. Масленка для ухода за оружием однокамерная (СССР, армейская). – Pnevmat.by, accessed July 29, 2025, https://pnevmat.by/p61019546-maslenka-dlya-uhoda.html
  39. Масленка оружейная купить на OZON по низкой цене, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.ozon.ru/category/maslenka-oruzheynaya/
  40. Нейтральное и щелочное масло – НПФ АКСИОМА – Средства по уходу за оружием, accessed July 29, 2025, https://npfaxioma.ru/page/neytralnoe_i_schelochnoe_maslo.html
  41. RPD machine gun – Wikipedia, accessed July 29, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RPD_machine_gun
  42. Soviet Weapons in World War II | RANGER PRAGUE, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.pragueranger.cz/blog/Soviet-weapons-in-world-war2/
  43. AK-47 – Wikipedia, accessed July 29, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AK-47
  44. What’s the deal with chrome-lining and chrome-plating? – GunTweaks.com, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.guntweaks.com/whats-the-deal-with-chrome-lining-and-chrome-plating.html
  45. Хромирование ствола – что это и зачем нужно | библиотека …, accessed July 29, 2025, https://guns.club/lib/oruzhie/khromirovanie-stvola-chto-eto-i-zachem-nuzhno/
  46. CHROME LINED BARRELS – TargetTalk, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.targettalk.org/viewtopic.php?t=59196
  47. Behind The Shine Of Chrome-Lined Barrels – Gun Digest, accessed July 29, 2025, https://gundigest.com/rifles/chrome-lined-barrels
  48. About Red Army Standard | True Shot Ammo, accessed July 29, 2025, https://trueshotammo.com/academy/about-red-army-standard/
  49. Corrosive Ammo vs. Non-Corrosive Ammo: Understanding the Difference | True Shot Ammo, accessed July 29, 2025, https://trueshotammo.com/academy/corrosive-ammo-vs-non-corrosive-ammo-understanding-the-difference/
  50. RUSSIAN SURPLUS 5.45x39mm 7N6 FMJ STEEL CORE 100rd BAG, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.308ammo.com/RUSSIAN-SURPLUS-5-45x39mm-7N6-FMJ-STEEL-CORE-p/7n6loose.htm
  51. Corrosive Ammo – YouTube, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oo2cFiyobY8
  52. 5.45×39mm – Wikipedia, accessed July 29, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5.45%C3%9739mm
  53. What is the shell of 7N6M and 7N10 5.45×39 cartridges made of?? : r/guns – Reddit, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/guns/comments/jt5wgi/what_is_the_shell_of_7n6m_and_7n10_545x39/
  54. Decided to do a little digging on all the different types of 7n ammo out there. : r/EscapefromTarkov – Reddit, accessed July 29, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/EscapefromTarkov/comments/fd9yzr/decided_to_do_a_little_digging_on_all_the/

Will The Russia-Ukraine Conflict Cause An Small Arms Ammunition Shortage in the US?

The short answer is “no, not across the board” but the longer answer bears some explaining. First off the main small arms ammunition used will be former Warsaw Pact calibers such as 7.62×39, 5.45×39, 7.62×25 Tokarev and so forth. The point is that the calibers in the scope of concern is already small – certainly not across all small arm calibers found in the US.

Russia has a large stockpile of Russian made ammunition and plenty of production facilities to make more. Given that the US government decided not to allow new imports of Russian ammunition some time ago and importers finding other sources, this should not be a big factor in ammunition supplies.

Ukraine’s only small arms ammunition manufacturer is the Luhansk cartridge plant. Luhansk did make ammunition for the export and Century Arms sold it under the “Red Army Standard” brand but Century sources from Romania, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Poland also.

It is possible that there will be more demand for calibers the Ukrainian military uses and both the government of Ukraine and their supports will turn to the International arms market for supplies should this become a protracted conflict. That might impact supplies and prices if demand increases but supply does not.

In the US, there already is some panic buying as people who are scared/nervous decide to buy more ammo but this is on the tail end of several years of significantly high volumes of firearm and ammunition purchases already – any surge in demand will likely be short lived. Same goes with any temporary price hikes.

In closing, I really doubt there will shortages of small arms ammunition in the United States with the only caveat being that if the conflict drags on and demand in the arms market increases, there might be some price increases but only time will tell.


Note, I have to buy all of my parts – nothing here was paid for by sponsors, etc. I do make a small amount if you click on an ad and buy something but that is it. You’re getting my real opinion on stuff.

If you find this post useful, please share the link on Facebook, with your friends, etc. Your support is much appreciated and if you have any feedback, please email me at in**@*********ps.com. Please note that for links to other websites, we are only paid if there is an affiliate program such as Avantlink, Impact, Amazon and eBay and only if you purchase something.



Online Ammunition Sources

Note, if you haven’t checked lately, ammunition is returning to the online vendors and prices have come down dramatically from their pandemic high. For example, a 1000 rounds of bulk packed CCI 9mm Luger was over $1,000 at one point and now it is available from $299-339 sometimes with free shipping.

Also, if you haven’t heard, PSA is building an ammunition plant as well to open later this year (2022).

Video: Russian Spetsnaz – Into Battle – Some very cool Shots of AK-12s and PKP Pechengs

When I have time, I like to watch videos of foreign militaries. Some dedicated folks create motivational videos that have catchy music and often some very interesting clips set to the music. One of these gifted groups is Military Forces XXI Century that has a channel on Youtube.

They have a new one featuring some very interesting clips of Russian Spetsnaz teams training entitled “Russian Spetsnaz – Into Battle”. What especially caught my eye was the extensive use of optics – both red dots by themselves and with magnifiers – on their PKP Pecheng machine guns. The PKP is the modernized PKM.

PKP with both a red dot and a magnifier.
That’s either a large red dot or some form of prismatic scope — it’s big enough.

Here’s The Video

Be sure not to miss when they are throwing their famous shovels 🙂

I hope you enjoyed the video as much as I did.


If you find this post useful, please share the link on Facebook, with your friends, etc. Your support is much appreciated and if you have any feedback, please email me at in**@*********ps.com. Please note that for links to other websites, we are only paid if there is an affiliate program such as Avantlink, Impact, Amazon and eBay and only if you purchase something.




Video: Birth Of the Alien Tiger Czech Hind Attack Helicopter

I recently posted a video that shows the amazing paint job the Czechs did to one of their Mi-35 Hind-D attack helicopters. Little did I know that there was a “behind the scenes” short documentary about the decision making that went into that paint job and that they won an award for it.

They had a number of conventional ideas that didn’t really wow anybody until they thought of a guy who specialized in the bio-mechanical look.
They do have some footage of the fellow doing the work. It was he, his brother and a few technicians who spent about 200 hours doing the paint job. I wish they had more footage of it and at a higher resolution.

The Documentary Video

Again, if you haven’t seen it already, check out the other post with a ton of footage of this awesome Hind. I hope you enjoyed these!


If you find this post useful, please share the link on Facebook, with your friends, etc. Your support is much appreciated and if you have any feedback, please email me at in**@*********ps.com. Please note that for links to other websites, we are only paid if there is an affiliate program such as Avantlink, Impact, Amazon and eBay and only if you purchase something.



Video: Crazy Training of Russian Special Forces With PKM and PKP Machine Guns

This is a military motivational video set to music. In it we get a chance to see a variety of PKM ((ПК Модернизированный: “Kalashnikov’s Machine-gun Modernized”) and

 PKP Pecheneg Machine Gun. Note the carry handle over the barrel and the heavy barrel.
PKM
PKP
PKM
PKMs
PKM
PKP. Note the camo paint job.

The Video

The drills do look pretty crazy and the producers say they are clips of Spetznaz (Russian Special Forces) training.


I hope you enjoyed it!


Please note that all images were extracted from the video and are the property of their respective owner.


If you find this post useful, please share the link on Facebook, with your friends, etc. Your support is much appreciated and if you have any feedback, please email me at in**@*********ps.com. Please note that for links to other websites, we are only paid if there is an affiliate program such as Avantlink, Impact, Amazon and eBay and only if you purchase something.



Video: The Alien Tiger – The Mi-35/24V of The Czech Air Force

I’m a huge fan of the Hind family of attack helicopters. This video is of the Czech Air Force’s Mi-35/24V that they painted special for the NATO Tiger Meet exercise. This is one of the most badass paint jobs seen on a Hind. It’s got the H.R. Giger Alien feel for it and the result is just wicked. I had to screen shot a few photos to share but boy, you have to watch the video below.

The Video

Kudos to the team that did the filming as well as the Czech 22nd Helicopter Air Base and the 221st Helicopter Squadron.

What a wicked video! I sure hope you liked it as well.


Please note that all images were extracted from the video and are the property of their respective owner.


If you find this post useful, please share the link on Facebook, with your friends, etc. Your support is much appreciated and if you have any feedback, please email me at in**@*********ps.com. Please note that for links to other websites, we are only paid if there is an affiliate program such as Avantlink, Impact, Amazon and eBay and only if you purchase something.


November 10, 2019 – Russia Celebrates Kalashnikov’s 100th Birthday

On November 10th, 1919, Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov (Михаи́л Тимофе́евич Кала́шников) was born in Kurya, Altai Governorate, Russian SFSR (now Altai Krai, Russia). He grew up from humble beginnings to be known as the father of a very famous rifle, the Avtomat Kalashnikova model 1947, or AK-47 as we know it in the West.

Avtomat Kalashnikova model 1947 Type II
Photo from Wikipedia

While he died on December 23rd, 2013, at the age of 94, he is still revered as one of the leading small arms designers in history. In memory if him, Russia is celebrating his 100th birthday today. Being a student and fan of his designs, I would like to also say, Happy birthday Mr. Klashnikov.

You definitely need to visit the memorial website that the Kalashnikov Concern is hosting – it is in Russian and your browser can translate some of it but not the videos. Click here to visit the site– knock on the door and click on various items in the study to learn more.

Click here to go to the Klashnikov Media site for the 100th birthday
Image copyright is Kalashnikov Media

Want to learn more about Mikhail Kalashnkov? Then I would suggest the following:

There are a lot of books on the rifle that also discuss Mikhail as you need to understand the designer (really the most publicized of the designers involved) to understand the evolution of the rifle. There is one book that I really like gets into more detail about the man and he even authored the introduction. That books is “Kalashnikov: The Arms and the Man” by Edward Clinton Ezell.

If you want to learn more about the rifle, the best reference source is “AK-47: The Grim Reaper” by Frank Iannamico, now in its second edition.

Videos

There are a few brief videos on YouTube that touch on Mikhail’s life and let you hear different perspectives and see a number of different photos and videos of him at various events:




Without a doubt, Kalashnikov was a superb designer and it does seem very fitting to take a moment and remember him on his birthday. As always, best wishes to all and hope you find this interesting.


Please note that all photos used are the copyright of their respective owners or public domain. The stamp and rifle photos are from Wikimedia and the website screenshot is from Kalashnikov Media’s website.


If you find this post useful, please share the link on Facebook, with your friends, etc. Your support is much appreciated and if you have any feedback, please email me at in**@*********ps.com. Please note that for links to other websites, we are only paid if there is an affiliate program such as Avantlink, Impact, Amazon and eBay and only if you purchase something.