[ARMY-2017] Other Kalashnikov Concern News: AK-12K and AK-15K, Airsoft Guns, Scopes, Boats and Bikes

[Zarvan]

As you can see from our recent articles, Kalashnikov Concern has introduced a number of new products during the ARMY-2017 exhibition. Besides the firearms which we wrote about in separate articles, there were many other new products that are either not entirely small arms related or are prototypes with a very little information available about. Many of them won’t “qualify” for a separate article, that’s why I’ve decided to combine them in this article.

AK-12K and AK-15K

Images by Maxim Popenker

Earlier, Kalashnikov has introduced the AK-12 and AK-15 assault rifles. Both were heavily modified AK-74s with the former being chambered in 5.45x39mm and the latter – in 7.62x39mm calibers. During ARMY-2017, they have shown the short barrelled prototypes of AK-12 and AK-15 called AK-12K and AK-15K respectively.

airsoft guns. One of them (AR1) is an airsoft version of the AK-74M. It features a steel receiver and barrel as well as real AK-74 furniture. The second one (MR-659) is an airsoft replica of the Makarov pistol.

Scopes
During the ARMY-2017, Kalashnikov Concern officials signed an agreement with a Russian company called Shvabe. It is quite a large company specialized in optical devices manufacturing including rifle scopes and combat sights. According to the agreement, Shvabe will design new scopes for the Kalashnikov Concern and the first models must hit the shelves by the end of this year.

Other Products
As far as I understand, Kalashnikov Concern is not concentrated on small arms only. During the exhibition, they’ve introduced a number of other products too, including military/tactical apparel and backpacks, UAVs and even electric motorcycles designed for the military and law enforcement use. Below is the promotional video of their military motorcycle.



They even make military boats! The video below kind of represents their multi-segment marketing and the strategy of providing complete solutions for special forces.

By watching the development of the brand, I think pretty soon the name Kalashnikov won’t be exclusively associated with the rifles.


http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/...k-12k-ak-15k-airsoft-guns-scopes-boats-bikes/

 

[Zarvan]

[ARMY 2017] Kalashnikov Concern Handgun Releases Compact PL-15, New Prototypes

Kalashnikov Concern has released several new handguns this year at ARMY 2017, most notably a compact version of the Lebedev PL-15, the company’s flagship semiautomatic handgun. We’ll post some photographs below, which are courtesy of Maxim Popenker, the famous Russian gun blogger.

The newly released compact version of the Lebedev PL-15 is the PL-15K. The trigger is Single Action Only unlike the DAO PL-15. The trigger breaks at 3.3 lbs. It appears that the slide and grip have been shortened, in addition to safety being moved forward of the old position at the rear of the grip, and also being modified. The rear slide serrations are larger than the full-size model, with the deletion of a bulged portion of the slide that runs alongside it. The frame appears to have the same amount of Picatinny railspace as the PL-15, but is lacking the smooth slope where the frame meets the bottom of the slide.

This is an image of an older PL-15 from Modern Firearms.





The MP-444 “Bagira” is an updated handgun of an earlier version that was adopted by elements of the Russian armed forces in addition to Kazakhstan oddly enough. Earlier versions were chambered in 9x18mm Makarov, 9x19mm Parabellum, and .380 ACP but this 2017 version is only in 9x19mm Parabellum. This is also a prototype and not a production handgun as of now. From Harachya-

The new one has a new more ergonomic frame. It is striker fired with an external striker cocking lever which at first glance looks like a hammer … similar to the Savage Model 1907.

Earlier MP-444 “Bagira” from Enemyforces.net.



The MP-443 subcompact is going to be offered in 9x18mm Makarov, and development is being focused on what is known in Russia as “Traumatic” bullets, which are rubber bullets aka- Less Lethal. This is also a prototype.

Much thanks to our very own Hrachya, for being a super cool dude and translating the Russian source material on these handguns!

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/...andgun-releases-compact-pl-15-new-prototypes/

 

[DESERT FIGHTER]

Gimme that new RPK and AK15K!

 

[Zarvan]

Gimme that new RPK and AK15K!

21st Century Vintorez: Kalashnikov’s New AMB-17 Silenced Assault Rifle at ARMY 2017

On display at the recent Russian Army 2017 expo was Kalashnikov’s new AM-17 and AMB-17 compact assault rifles. The AM-17 is a 5.45x39mm caliber improved version of the MA assault rifle introduced last year, designed to fill the same role as the AKS-74U compact assault rifle/personal defense weapon. The AMB-17 is an integrally suppressed variant of the same, firing the 9x39mm dedicated subsonic round first introduced with the AS Val and VSS Vintorez in the 1980s. Pictures of the new rifles have been posted on various social media outlets, such as TFB contributor and small arms expert Max Popenker’s blog.

AMB-17 (top) and AM-17 (bottom) assault rifles. Image credit: Maxim Popenker, used with permission



The introduction of the AMB-17 in the 9x39mm caliber seems to imply that it will complement or replace the Kalashnikov AK-9 in the company’s lineup, in direct competition against Tula’s more successful AS Val, VSS Vintorez, and SR-3 rifles in the same caliber. Likewise, the AM-17 is likely intended by Kalashnikov to replace the Tula-made AKS-74U in Russian service.

The degree of interest on the part of the Russian government in the new AM-17 and AMB-17 rifles is yet unknown, but the weapons do seem to be strong contenders for modernization of the roles currently filled by the AKS-74U and VSS/AS platforms. A lightweight rifle with modern controls and accessory mounting provisions, that is common between both the compact assault rifle and silenced assault rifle roles sounds like an attractive upgrade.

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/...-new-amb-17-silenced-assault-rifle-army-2017/