The Kalashnikov Concern has manufactured a batch of Biathlon-7-4 (BI-7-4) small-bore sporting rifles for a foreign customer. This was reported by the concern's Telegram channel on March 18. The BI-7-4 is the company's most popular model, in serial production since 1991. One of the creators of the rifle, small arms designer Vladimir Susloparov, celebrated his 80th birthday on February 13, 2026. The rifles use 5.6 mm (.22LR) rimfire sporting cartridges of domestic production for shooting, including Olimp-BI cartridges, developed in cooperation with the concern's enterprises specifically for the BI-7-4.
Design Features of the BI-7-4 Rifle
A key characteristic for biathlon is maintaining accuracy at temperatures down to −20°C. The increased smoothness of the locking mechanism reduces reloading time and increases the rate of fire, a critical parameter on the firing line, where every second affects the final race time.
At the request of customers, the rifles are available in two coating options: chrome or phosphate lacquer. The stocks are made of birch or walnut.
Specifications of the BI-7-4 Biathlon Rifle
- Manufacturer: JSC "Kalashnikov Concern"
- Cartridge used: .22LR (5.6 mm), rimfire
- Overall length: 1,100 mm
- Barrel length: 550 mm
- Weight: 3.5 kg
- Magazine capacity: 5 rounds
- Operating temperature: accuracy maintained down to −20 °C
- Coating: chrome or phosphate lacquer (customer's choice)
- Stock: birch or walnut
- Serial production: since 1991 — 35 years
The BI-7-4 competes in the global biathlon weapons market primarily with German Anschütz rifles, a historically dominant brand in biathlon.