AN-94 Abakan

The AN-94 (sometimes called the "Abakan") is an advanced Russian assault rifle. The initials stand for Avtomat Nikonova (after chief designer Gennadiy Nikonov) Model of 1994.

AN-94 "Abakan"

The Russian Government formally declared the AN-94 to be the successor & replacement to the legendary Kalashnikov series of rifles following the Project Abakan advanced assault rifle trials in the USSR throughout the 1980s. Gennadiy Nikonov's system reportedly outperformed its many remarkable rivals significantly, proving better than the AEK-971 and the AKB-1 (successor to the AK-107). The Nikonov AN-94 was commissioned for general issue to the Soviet (now Russian) armed forces, with mass production scheduled at the traditional home of the Kalashnikov assault rifle, the historic Izhmash state factories.

The stated great advantage of the AN-94 system is its ability to delay the recoil force until the fired round/s have left the barrel, much like the AO-62. This, it is claimed, enables more 'hits' on target under the most adverse combat conditions.

The AN-94 offers a unique two-shot burst function at a stated 1800 rounds per minute rate of fire. The Nikonov mechanism fires the second shot in the burst fast enough that it escapes before the recoil of the first shot is felt, thus potentially allowing the two shots to hit the same point, for example to aid in piercing body armour.

A conspicuous feature of the Abakan is the magzine which is cantered slightly to the right of the center when viewed from a firing position.This is necessary to accommodate the unique ammunition feed mechanism. The AN-94 is chambered in the same 5.45x39mm M74 cartridge as the AK47, and it utilizes a rotating bolt to lock the action.

When a round is fired, residual energy from the propellant charge in the cartridge acts upon the safely locked breech and bolt carrier. At the same time, a quantity of powder gases driving the bullet through the barrel is tapped and acts upon the piston in the gas tube located above and parallel to the barrel. The movement of the piston and its connecting rod acts upon the locking bolt, causing it to rotate and allow the breech to safely open. This initiates the extraction and ejection cycle for the spent round of ammunition.

Type	Assault rifle
Place of origin	Russia
Service history
In service	1997–present
Production history
Designer	Gennadiy Nikonov
Designed	1980–1994
Manufacturer	Izhmash
Produced	1994-
Specifications
Weight	3.85 kg (8.49 lb)
Length	943mm (37.1 in) stock extended728 mm (28.7 in) stock folded
Barrel length	405mm (15.9 in)
Cartridge	5.45x39mm
Action	Gas-operated
Rate of fire	1800 (2 round burst) or 600 (full auto) rounds/min
Muzzle velocity	900 m/s (2,953 ft/s)
Effective range	400 m
Feed system	30, 45 round AK-74 compatible box magazines 60-round Casket magazines
Sights	Iron sights 700 mm (27.6 in) sight radius