The AK-12 assault rifle provides approximately 20% higher accuracy and precision compared to the AK-74, said Alan Lushnikov, head of the Kalashnikov Concern. According to him, the improved performance was achieved due to changes in the design of the barrel and handguard.
In the AK-12, the barrel is structurally separated from the handguard and is virtually unaffected by this element. This design reduces the influence of external forces on the barrel during firing and increases the stability of the weapon's position.
This is achieved due to the fact that the handguard and the barrel are structurally separated. That is, it is a free-floating barrel, there is no load on it, which makes it possible to improve accuracy and precision by an average of 20% compared to what was achieved in previous versions.
In addition to the advantages in accuracy, the head of Kalashnikov separately noted the reliability and ease of operation of the AK-12. According to his assessment, in these parameters, the assault rifle surpasses foreign assault rifles of a similar class, while not inferior to them in weight and dimensions.
In the foreign market, the concern offers a family of assault rifles, including the AK-15 chambered for 7.62 mm and the AK-19 chambered for 5.56 mm. The basic AK-12 uses a 5.45 mm caliber cartridge.
The AK-12 entered service with the Russian military in 2018 and has since been modernized several times. The concern previously reported that the current version of the 2023 model appeared taking into account the experience of operating previous variants.
Read more on the topic:
- "Kalashnikov" Confirmed AK-12 Characteristics After Large-Scale Customer Tests
- The first AK-12 prototype failed tests: Kalashnikov designer revealed how the assault rifle was redesigned
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