AN-94
Technical Summary
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| Caliber: | 5.45 mm |
| Empty Weight: | 3.85 kg (8.5 lb) |
| Firearm action: | Gas actuated selective fire |
| Manufacturer: | Izhmash |
| Barrel Length: | 405 mm (16.2 in) |
| Overall Length: | 943 mm (37.7 in) |
| Magazine: | 30 rounds |
| Max Range: | 700 m (2296 ft) |
| Effective Range: | 400 m (1312 ft) |
| Cyclic ROF: | 1800 or 600 round/min |
The AN-94 is the newly ( as of 2003) adopted Russian assault rifle. The acronym stands for Avtomat Nikonova (after Gennadiy Nikonov) Model 1994, and it was chosen over many other excellent competing firearms, including one designed by a team led by the son of Mikhail Kalashnikov, inventor of the AK-47. The AN-94 was designed at the Izhmash state factories, as a replacement for the aging AK-74 assault rifle currently in use in the Russian military.
It is chambered in the same 5.45 x 39 mm cartridge as the AK-74, and it
too utilizes a rotating bolt to lock the action. This is where the similarities end. Nikonov and the other engineers use the Russian term "pyeryenyesyennaya yimpuls deyatyelnost" to describe the rifle's method of operation, meaning "shifted pulse operation." When the bolt-carrier is driven backwards by the force of the gas from the cartridge, a pulley activates a cartridge-feeding device. This mechanism allows a much higher rate of fire than would otherwise be possible. The high rate of fire (1800 round/min) is employed in two-round bursts. These form the first two shots on fully-automatic fire. This feature increases the probability of hitting the target, because the bullets leave the firearm before recoil can affect the shooter's point-of-aim.
The rear peep sight is a dramatic improvement over the standard Kalashnikov notch and post. The muzzle brake is very effective, and much less harsh on the ears than the AK-74's muzzle brake. The recoil on full-auto fire has been described as a gentle, constant push, rather than a series of sharp jabs as in most firearms.
It is unlikely that the AN-94 assault rifle will become standard issue for the Russian Army for a significant period of time. The AN-94 costs five to six times more to produce than the AK-74. Replacing all the AK-74's in service is more than the Russian economy can afford. Maintaining the AN-94 is not as simple as AK-74 so it also costs more to train soldiers to use it effectively. However, it is already being used by the elite forces of the Russian military, the Russian police forces, and the Internal Ministry of Affairs.
Assault rifles
