Kalashnikov Concern AM-17

{{Infobox weapon

| name = Kalashnikov Concern AM-17

| image = 17m2-650x212.jpg

| image_size = 300

| caption = AM-17M prototype

| origin = Russian Federation

| type = Assault rifle

| is_ranged = yes

| service = 2018–present

| used_by = see Users

| wars = Russian invasion of Ukraine

| design_date = 2015

| manufacturer = Kalashnikov Concern

| production_date = Starting 2025

| number =

| weight = {{convert|2.5|kg|lb|2|abbr=on}}

| length = {{convert|750|mm|in|abbr=on}}(stock extended)
{{convert|490|mm|abbr=on|1}} (stock folded)

| part_length = {{convert|230|mm|in|abbr=on}}

| cartridge = 5.45×39mm

| action = Gas-operated, rotating bolt

| rate = 850 (±50) rounds/min{{Cite web |title=Kalashnikov: AM-17 State Trials Completed |url=https://en.kalashnikovgroup.ru/news/kalashnikov-am-17-state-trials-completed |website=Kalashnikov Group}}

| velocity =

| range =

| max_range =

| feed = 30-round detachable box magazine

| sights = Adjustable iron sights and various optical sights by the use of Picatinny rail

}}

The Kalashnikov Concern AM-17 ({{langx|ru|Aвтомат Малогабаритный|translit=Avtomat Malogabaritnyj|translation=Small-sized Automatic Rifle}}, GRAU index 6P74{{Cite web |date=2024-10-08 |title=Производство автомата АМ-17 (6П74) стартует в 2025 году {{!}} Оружейный журнал «КАЛАШНИКОВ» |trans-title=Production of the AM-17 (6P74) assault rifle to start in 2025 {{!}} KALASHNIKOV Weapons Magazine |url=https://www.kalashnikov.ru/proizvodstvo-avtomata-am-17-6p74-startuet-v-2025-godu/ |access-date=2024-10-08 |language=ru-RU}}) is a compact assault rifle that is chambered in 5.45×39mm intermediate cartridge.

History

The AM-17 was first unveiled in the Russian Army Expo 2017 alongside the integrally suppressed AMB-17, it was developed and manufactured by Kalashnikov Concern. Its development began in the late 2010s, and was based on the Yevgeny Dragunov MA compact assault rifle."[http://www.kalashnikov.ru/upload/medialibrary/c1d/26_30.pdf МА - малокалиберный автомат]" КАЛАШНИКОВ. ОРУЖИЕ, БОЕПРИПАСЫ, СНАРЯЖЕНИЕ 2000/1, pp. 26-30

The AM-17 has completed the acceptance trials.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-02 |title=«Калашников»: завершены государственные испытания АМ-17 |trans-title=“Kalashnikov": acceptance trials of AM-17 completed |url=https://kalashnikovgroup.ru/news/kalashnikov-_zaversheny_gosudarstvennye_ispytaniya_am-17 |access-date=2024-11-03 |website=Группа компаний «Калашников» |language=ru}} Serial production of the carbine will start in 2025.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-10 |title=Мощный и очень легкий: Что представляет из себя автомат АМ-17 |url=https://rg.ru/2024/10/10/kompaktnyj-avtomat-moshchnyj-i-ochen-legkij.html |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=Российская газета |language=ru}}

Design details

The AM-17 is designed for close quarters operations, primarily for military and law enforcement units of the Russian Interior Ministry, Russian National Guard, and Russian Army to replace the AKS-74U.{{Cite web |last=Onokoy |first=Vladimir |date=2018-06-29 |title=From Dragunov MA to AM-17 – how rejected designs become future weapons |url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2018/06/29/from-dragunov-ma-to-am-17-how-rejected-designs-become-future-weapons/ |access-date=2024-11-03 |website=thefirearmblog.com |language=en}}

The AM-17 features an integrated upper full-length MIL-STD/1913 Picatinny rail system, polymer side-folding and adjustable (telescoping) shoulder stock, and longitudinal slots in the walls of the upper receiver allowing for ambidextrous controls in both the fire selector and charging handle.

=Operating mechanism=

The AM-17, unlike previous firearms in current use by the Russian military, differentiates itself by employing two receivers that connect on a hinge instead of a single stamped receiver with a lid.

To do this the upper receiver itself is made from polymer and steel reinforcements, while the lower receiver along with its magazine housing is made entirely from polymer and connected to the upper receiver by two captive take down cross-pins reducing the weight of the firearm significantly and allowing for easier access into the internal operation.

The gas-operated action within is a short-stroke gas piston and rotary bolt which locks with three radial lugs on the bolt head similar to historic 9×39mm compact assault rifles, such as the VSK-94.

The bolt carrier within the upper receiver is almost streamline by design raising it towards the bolt group reducing both bolt friction and felt user recoil.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}