TFB Exclusive: Kalashnikov Group at Army-2016 Expo with Saiga MK 107

[Zarvan]

Fresh, and exclusive to TFB, pictures of the Kalashnikov Group’s Saiga MK 107 at the Army-2016 Expo combined with some history and background.

In 2015, as a competitor in the European IPSC Rifle Championships (Hungary), I had the opportunity to test the Saiga MK 107.

TFB published an article about it, it’s well worth reading again here.

At the time Kalashnikov ‘complained’ about the more powerful western style ammunition in .223 Rem., and the follow-up shots were always a bit off (C-D zone) due to this and the muzzle brake / recoil eliminator not being entirely up to the job. According to my information, these issues are now solved, but I have yet to verify myself.

One reason for the Kalashnikov Group to sponsor an event like the European IPSC Rifle and IPSC Shotgun World Championships is to get direct feedback from some of the world’s best practical rifle shooters and competitors.

If you compare the old pictures with these new ones, you can also see that they have continued their R&D based on this feedback. More examples of this in the pictures below.

It’s a fact that other manufacturers and armies around the world are taking the best parts and designs and methods from practical sport shooting, and take the best influences and implement it into their future gear and training.

I take articles like this as an example of this and I quote: “The (US Marines) upgrades would include a compensator, free-floated barrel, improved optic based on the M27’s SDO, a more consistent trigger, ambidextrous modifications“.

Here’s more proof in a TFB recent article about the “recoilless rifle MK-107“. The video in that article is just insane, there seems to be virtually no recoil at all.

Saiga MK 107

1023 mm, 4,5 kgs, .223 Rem, 10 and 30 round magazines.

The scope is a (low-end looking) 1-4×24 in a simple mount.

Below, for comparison: This is what the Saiga MK 107 looks like according to the Kalashnikov website. Lots of variations versus these “live” pictures. For instance the magazine release, muzzle brake,handguard, grip, magazine etc.

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2016/09/15/kalashnikov-mk-107-ak-15/

 

[Zarvan]

Notice how the length of the handguard seems to have increased, which is liked by sports shooters.

Lots of different brands on those magazines. Magpul PMAG and D60 for instance and a brand I don’t remember now. Could be CAA. Magpul seems to be the most popular choice, how they avoid ITAR is another question.

Below: The Saiga MK-107 in “arrest-me-red”. I guess the other red “rifle” to the left is a Saiga 12, note the larger magwell and muzzle brake.

Left hand charge, a common feature on Saiga and Molot shotguns tuned by sport shooters.

Now on a Kalashnikov .223 Rem rifle from the factory. Do I spot an ambidextrous magazine release?

Notice the quick detach mount. I presume the scope has to be removed for the cover to be opened. This is quite a big drawback in my opinion, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t trust that the scope returned to zero but I have been wrong many times before. However “trust” in your equipment is a very big factor in the mentality of a sport shooter.

Edit: It seems my presumptions are wrong. There is a new design to the cover, and the front hinge is gone. We shall find out.

The sight is marked Dedal-NV, from “JSC Dedal–NV” , a Russian producer and supplier of professionalnight vision systems. Their systems are used by both amateurs and professionals.

http://gun-tec.com/english/manufacturers/dedal-nv/dedal-nv.html

The muzzle brake, or compensator. In Hungary, the brake had that small, fourth hole open so the rifle kicked to the left. This is now un-drilled. Perhaps the difference between West-East .223 Rem loads?

Notice how Picatinny rails can be attached along the handguard.

 

[Zarvan]

Below: .223 Rem

The Magazines have the Kalashnikov Group logotype on them, so I presume they’re made in Russia.

Magazine release seems to have a complete redesign. Not sure if it’s to the better.

Update:: Top button is magazine release. Bottom is for the bolt release.

Below: Pretty odd design on this scope mount. Can anyone identify who makes it?

Note the handguard and how it’s attached to the receiver. CIP logotype. (Zoomed in below)

According to their website, the function of CIP is: “In compliance with the 1969 Convention, its Rules and Regulations, and C.I.P. Decisions, every small arm together with all highly stressed component parts must undergo lawful testing in the Proof House of the C.I.P. Member State in which the manufacturer is located or, for imported weapons, in the Proof House of the Member State into which they have been imported for the first time. The same applies to commercial ammunition.”

Below: The line of sight seems to be pretty high compared to an AR-15, but without measuring it’s difficult to know. Typically an AR-15 has around 70 mm line of sight above the barrel.

Below: The grass is green in Russia. Notice EOTech on one of the rifles. I guess this rifle has muzzlebrake, with some sort of quick attach for a supressor? Perhaps this is a Saiga MK 030 in 5,45×39?

Also looks like a 9 mm rifle magazine in top, perhaps for a Saiga 9?

Below: A picture of a Molot shotgun 2014-15, modified with a Magpul stock and rised to get the cheek support in line with the red dot, for faster shooting and target acquisition.

This design also helps a lot with recoil management, just think about the force vectors involved.

Left hand charge (Made partly by Maxrounds) and magazine release are custom too.

As by magic: Kalashnikov Group design 2016. Their adapter looks better, I’ll give them that.

Thanks to an anonymous TFB fan for sharing the pictures.