AK-104#Users
{{Infobox weapon
| name = AK-104
| image = File:AK-104 assault rifle at Engineering Technologies 2012.jpg
| image_size = 300
| caption = The AK-104 carbine, seen with red dot sight on the picatinny rail and ATG suppressor attached to the barrel.
| origin = Russia
| type = Assault rifle, carbine
| is_ranged = Yes
| used_by = See Users
| wars = Syrian Civil War
| designer = Mikhail Kalashnikov
| design_date = 1994
| manufacturer = Kalashnikov Concern
| unit_cost =
| production_date = 1994
| number =
| variants = See Variants
| weight = {{convert|3.0|kg|lb|abbr=on}} empty
{{convert|3.2|kg|lb|abbr=on}} with empty magazine
{{convert|3.7|kg|lb|abbr=on}} with loaded magazine
| length = {{convert|824|mm|in|abbr=on}} with stock extended / {{convert|586|mm|in|abbr=on}} with stock folded
| part_length = {{convert|314|mm|in|abbr=on}}
| cartridge = 7.62×39mm
| action = Gas-actuated, rotating bolt
| rate = 600 rounds/min
| velocity = {{convert|670|m/s|ft/s|abbr=on}}
| range = {{convert|300|m|yd|abbr=on}} at point-blank range
{{convert|500|m|yd|abbr=on}}
| feed = 30 round detachable magazine
| sights = Iron sights, there is a dove-tail side rail for optical and night sights
}}
The AK-104 is a carbine variant of the AK-103 chambered in 7.62×39mm which feeds from any standard 7.62x39 AK pattern magazine.
Design
{{Main|AK-100 (rifle family)}}
The AK-104 is a 314mm (12.4 in) barreled carbine in the AK-100 series of rifles, the dimensions of the gun is the same to other carbines of the AK-100 series.
However, the AK-104 also features a solid, side-folding polymer stock, unlike the shorter, skeleton-stocked AKS-74U.
The AK-104 uses an adjustable notched rear tangent iron sight calibrated in {{convert|100|m|yd|0|abbr=on}} increments from {{convert|100|to|500|m|yd|0|abbr=on}}. The front sight is a post adjustable for elevation in the field. Horizontal adjustment is done by the armory before issue.
The AK-104 has a muzzle booster derived from the AKS-74U.{{Cite web |last=H |first=Hrachya |date=2019-03-18 |title=History and Evolution of Soviet/Russian AK Muzzle Devices |url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2019/03/18/history-and-evolution-of-soviet-russian-ak-muzzle-devices/ |access-date=2024-10-30 |website=thefirearmblog.com |language=en}}
Protective coatings ensure excellent corrosion resistance of metal parts. Forearm, magazine, butt stock and pistol grip are made of high strength plastic.{{cite web|url=http://www.izhmash.ru/eng/product/ak103.shtml |title=фициальный сайт группы предприятий "ИЖМАШ" |access-date=5 October 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140414172202/http://www.izhmash.ru/eng/product/ak103.shtml |archive-date=14 April 2014 }}
Variants
{{Unreferenced section|date=September 2021}}
=AK-105=
{{main|AK-105}}The AK-105 is a shortened carbine version of the AK-74M rifle with identical barrel lengths.
=SLR-107CR=
A civilian semi-automatic rifle utilizing a gas block almost identical to the one seen on the Russian original. However the CR is distinctive in having a 16” extended barrel to comply with U.S. regulations, typically shrouded by a false extend booster or simply exposed with a simple nut threaded on at the gas block. Produced in Bulgaria and imported by Arsenal Inc.
=PSAK-104=
A civilian semi-automatic series of firearms meant to duplicate the aesthetic of the AK-104. Examples in the series utilize a clone more similar to that of the Russian AK-104 gas block/front sight pattern as opposed to the Bulgarian SLR-107CR variant. Based on PSAK-103, however, it is distinct from other examples by utilizing the earlier AKM pattern bolt as well as other AKM pattern parts. Produced by Palmetto State Armory of South Carolina.
=KR-104=
A short-barreled rifle version of the AK-104 by Kalashnikov-USA.{{cite web | url=https://soldiersystems.net/2022/01/28/kalashnikov-usa-introduced-new-rifles-and-calibers-at-shot-show-2022-including-a-5-56mm-kr-101/ | title=Kalashnikov-USA Introduced New Rifles and Calibers at SHOT Show 2022 Including a 5.56mm KR-101 - Soldier Systems Daily | date=28 January 2022 }}
=Small production examples=
Due to the scarcity of AK-104 examples in the U.S. consumer market, a variety of small gunsmithing businesses and private individuals have obtained demilled AK-104 parts kits from overseas as well as a variety of U.S. made 922R compliant parts in order to build semi-automatic clones.
In addition, a very small number of Saiga rifles built on the AK-104 assembly line in Izhevsk, Russia appear to have been imported and converted to the more customary AK-104 configuration.
==Users==
- {{flag|Russia}}: Used by the Russian Federal Protective Service.{{cite magazine|title=Russian Forces Assault Rifles Today|date=30 June 2017|volume=9|issue=2|url=http://www.sadefensejournal.com/wp/?p=4004|first=Walter Christian|last=Håland|magazine=Small Arms Defense Journal|access-date=21 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306235239/http://www.sadefensejournal.com/wp/?p=4004|archive-date=6 March 2019|url-status=live}}
- {{flag|Syria}}: A batch of AK-104's have reportedly been delivered to Syria's Interior Ministry Anti-Terrorism Syrian Special Mission Forces in the Eastern Ghouta front in Rif Dimashq.{{cite web|trans-title=Special Forces Ministry of Internal Affairs of Syria tested on the front lines the new AK-104|title= Спецназ МВД Сирии опробовал на передовой новые АК-104 |language=ru|date=25 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160228040320/http://lifenews.ru/news/187065|archive-date=28 February 2016|url=http://lifenews.ru/news/187065}}
- {{flag|Thailand}}: Directorate of Logistics procured from Russian Federation.[https://rta.mi.th/rta_website_v2/images/journal/ARMYNEWS27/journal/27-021-610803-1.pdf สิริกิติ์ - กองทัพบก]{{Dead link|date=July 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
- {{flag|Venezuela}}: Produced under license by CAVIM alongside the AK-103.{{cite web|url=http://www.infodefensa.com/latam/2013/06/03/noticia-cavim-inicia-entrega-de-fusiles-de-asalto-kalashnikov-ak-103-a-la-fuerza-armada-de-venezuela.html|title=Cavim inicia entrega de fusiles de asalto Kalashnikov AK-103 a la Fuerza Armada de Venezuela|date=3 June 2013|work=Infodefensa.com|access-date=5 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141229085115/http://www.infodefensa.com/latam/2013/06/03/noticia-cavim-inicia-entrega-de-fusiles-de-asalto-kalashnikov-ak-103-a-la-fuerza-armada-de-venezuela.html|archive-date=29 December 2014|url-status=live}}
- {{flag|Yemen}}: In service with some units of the Yemeni Army.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.smallarmsreview.com/display.article.cfm?idarticles=1301|title=The 100-Series Kalashnikovs: A Primer|first=N.R.|last=Jenzen-Jones|magazine=Small Arms Review|volume=16|issue=3|date=September 2012|access-date=21 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306235358/http://www.smallarmsreview.com/display.article.cfm?idarticles=1301|archive-date=6 March 2019|url-status=live}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{AK47 derivatives}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
Category:7.62×39mm assault rifles
Category:Kalashnikov derivatives
Category:Assault rifles of Russia
Category:Kalashnikov Concern products
Category:Military equipment introduced in the 2000s