AG-043

{{short description|Soviet assault carbine}}

AG-043 (АГ-043) was a Soviet compact fully automatic assault rifle or carbine chambered for the 5.45×39mm round, developed in 1975.{{Cite web |title=Автомат АГ - 043 |url=http://megasword.ru/index.php?pg=428 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104135342/http://www.megasword.ru/index.php?pg=428 |archive-date=November 4, 2021 |website=Megasword}} The weapon is a derivative of the earlier and similar AO-31 which also is Simonov's adaptation of the AK-47.

The AG-043 had folding stock; a version with fixed stock was given the designation AG-042. Both were designed by Simonov after the GRAU launched Project Modern intended to adopt a carbine capable of automatic fire, inspired by the US experience with XM177 in Vietnam. The Soviet contest for this design was won by Kalashnikov's AKS-74U.{{cite book|last=Monetchikov|first=Sergei|script-title=ru:История русского автомата|trans-title=The History of Russian Assault Rifle|year=2005|publisher=Military Historical Museum of Artillery, Engineers and Signal Corps | location=St. Petersburg|isbn=5-98655-006-4|language=Russian|page=166}}

{{Infobox weapon

| name = AG-043

| image = AG-043 assault rifle.jpg

| image_size = 300

| caption = The AG-043

| origin = Soviet Union

| type = Assault rifle carbine

| is_ranged = YES

| service =

| used_by =

| wars =

| designer = Sergei Gavrilovich Simonov

| design_date = 1974

| manufacturer =

| unit_cost =

| production_date = 1974

| number =

| variants =

| spec_label =

| weight = 2.1 kg
(without rounds)

| part_length = 215 mm

| cartridge = 5.45×39mm

| cartridge_weight =

| caliber = 5.45mm

| barrels =

| action = Gas operated

| rate =

| velocity = 700 m/s

| range =

| max_range =

| feed = 30-round detachable box magazine

| sights = Iron sights

-

| length = 680mm

420mm (folded)

}}