An-94 "Abakan". Reviews, specifications, photos. Automatic Nikonov

For the international arms market characterized by competition, wearing at times extremely violent. Advanced in the technological sense, the country vying to offer samples of missiles, mines, bombs, tanks, planes and ships, each of which has a number of advantages before production of competitors. Compete and all types of firearms. The ability to beat with the least number of failures, to resist destructive influences, to work reliably are valued members of the armed forces of all countries. We can proudly say that the Russian samples are quite competitive in this particular market, and our designers can create masterpieces of technical creativity of the art.

The End of an era «Kalashnikov»?

Russian firearms is deservedly famous for its lethality, reliability, and simplicity. The most striking example of – the famous «Kalashnikov», the production of which requires relatively low cost and combat effectiveness through the roof. This explains the unique fact that the main current small arms of the Russian army even depicted on the state symbols of some foreign countries. However, this masterpiece has its flaws. Progress is unstoppable, military experience dictates new requirements that reliable old AK is not always consistent. Some of the possible options for his replacement machine Nikonov an-94.

Pressing problems

«Kalash» – machine unique. It can shoot in almost any conditions, from polar cold to the African heat. He isn't afraid of dust and dirt. He is inexpensive. AK has far. Assembled and disassembled even by a schoolboy for a minute. Cleaning, and lubrication, is very simple. Dignity, dignity and dignity.

Recommended

Staff evaluation: system and methods

Personnel Assessment allows you to identify how competent the employees involved in the enterprise, and it is the performance of their work – the most significant factor affecting the efficiency of the company. To clarify the impact of performa...

How to start your own business: important aspects.

Many people, tired of working for someone else, are increasingly thinking about how to start your own business. Someone wants to open a salon, someone store, and someone enough and vegetable stalls. Before you throw in the pool with his head, it is i...

Business activities. its essence and basic functions

The Entrepreneurial activity of the citizen – is undertaken at your own risk and independent activity, which aims to systematically profit through the sale of works, goods, services, use of the property. The citizen engaged in such activities, ...

But there are drawbacks. It is difficult to maintain accurate fire in short bursts. Rate of fire (six rounds per minute) sets a high consumption of ammunition. Time to remove the finger from the trigger almost impossible, a second from a trunk takes off ten rounds. You can shoot single, but then the machine turns to the left and loses its principal advantage. The soldier forced to carry heavy load – the supply of ammunition and horns. In modern warfare, such a burden is not always valid. From the American M-16 can fire more accurately, but it has a significant flaw – lower than the «Kalashnikov» reliability. Can handguns combine two advantages at the same time – accuracy and reliability? To answer this question I tried in the Soviet Union, declaring, and having a secret competition among development, bearing the code name "Abakan".

Contest "Abakan", 1981

Work Began on the preparations for the contest in 1978, the development of the state Commission took three years. The conditions were tough. If we are to change the famous AK for something else, that new weapons must be not just better, but exceed the usual for our soldiers sample on all indicators and at times. Accuracy – ten times more effective. Weight – less. The design is versatile. The rest of parameters is also better, on average, doubled.

By 1981, the finalists decided. They were engineers from the Tula Boxes, Stechkin and specialist in small arms from Izhevsk GN Nikonov. That is Gennady Nikolaevich was able to come up with something unprecedented. He introduced the machine, the main advantage of which as the highlight of the design was offset recoil momentum. What it is, then, no one knew except the Creator. Avtomat Nikonova won. The secret of the construction has managed to keep even in those years when almost all Soviet military secrets were represented “the progressive world community". But more on that below.

Testing in the army

After the contest, the design of the gun called an-94 "Abakan" (it is clear from that word) was modified, upgraded, and then experienced, not only in landfills. In the army, first to the new product reacted with disbelief that, in General, typical of all military, not just ours. But in the end both soldiers and officers praised her. Shoot had different awkward positions, including “lying”, “sitting” and “kneeling". Fighters have confirmed the high accuracy of fire. The Commission confirmed the fact that the an-94 assault rifle "Abakan" fully meets all claimed TTD. We can say that the new weapons our military had in mind. It turned out to be “prekladatel”, that is, conveniently lay in hands (this is a quality highly valued by everyone who is related to weapons, whether fighting or hunting), comfortable and really easy.

What shifted the momentum?

Another revision of the design was carried out in 1985, after which the weapon was given the name of ASM, which is encrypted main “chip” that lead to high precision and accuracy – shifted the momentum. What it is, until now, the General public, both our and foreign, is unknown. It is theoretically possible to get a sample of the machine, measure it in every possible ultra-precise devices, including laser, study, weigh,to determine the materials and even copy. But the principle will remain a mystery. According to the designer G. N. Nikonov, will take many years to ensure that foreign colleagues can understand what it is, and that he was to share his secret for obvious reasons does not want to. It remains only to judge the effectiveness of this invention by the result. And he was impressive.

“a Sweet couple”

All types of firearms, like people, have strengths, blending smoothly into disadvantages. In particular, the high rate turns high and inefficient consumption of ammunition. The fact that after aiming the shooter presses the trigger and the first bullet flies wherever he wants. But the second usually flies out of the barrel of the gun approximately one-tenth of a second, a time sufficient in order that the trunk has deviated from the recoil. Third, fourth and all subsequent shots if you do get somewhere, by accident rather than natural. In the design of the an-94 "Abakan" has a special firing mode that allows you to offset this systemic defect. It has three firing modes: single (the translator is designated as “ML”), bursts (AB) and another one with a mysterious figure «2». Here in this modest figure the problem. Moving the lever in this position, you can be sure that the trunk will fly only two bullets, and with a negligible temporary pause, the corresponding rate three times higher than usual. At the hearing, even impossible to figure out what the shot was two, they merge. The distance between them is so small that the barrel does not have time to deviate, and both of them fly to the target point, lying almost side by side. Such is the “sweet couple”.

Unification of ammunition

One of the conditions of competition called "Abakan" was the possibility of a unified use of mass produced ammunition. Machine Nikonov an-94 shoots a standard caliber cartridge of 5.45 (length 39 mm), which is used for the AK-47 or RPK-74. This principle is complied with for the receiving part of the store. It is possible to use three types of cones: standard AK-47 (30 PCs) machine gun (45 PCs) or special (60 PCs), in which the cartridges are arranged in four rows. Use the grenade launcher also is not a problem. It is installed on the rod located under the barrel at the same time serving guide rod for moving node of the mechanism.

Advanced materials

Many details of the an-94 assault rifle "Abakan" made of heavy duty plastic, which corresponds to modern trends in determining future directions of development of weapons industries. The butt made the flip to the right side, which can be attributed to a few constructive mistakes. To shoot a gun is only useful when it is thrown back. The movable receiver and the casing is also made of plastic, which downgraded the two “harmful” for arms of the parameter. Reduced noise shooting and 3 kg 850 g weight. Metal parts made of steel with the high precision, which is famous “Izhmash”. Weapons are able to do.

Sights

The design of the sight is taken into account the experience of previous designs and provided the possibilities of future development. A standard device includes an adjustable front sight and diopter rear sight work, with five possible positions (apertures). It is made in the form of a five-pointed star, the rays of which are marked with holes.

Manufacture of firearms standard military assignment does not involve the installation of special means of warfare in difficult conditions, but Nikon has taken into account the possibility of recruitment of additional optical or night (infrared) or red-dot sight, what is left of the main pillar there is an additional strap multi-purpose.

Features

Automation, used in the construction of the an-94 "Abakan" based on the principle of the venting system and trehvalentnoe mode of fire. In the case of the mode bursts (AB) the first two rounds are released with a rate of 1800 rounds per minute, and the rest – 600 br./min. Weight less than four pounds, length with unfolded stock – 943 mm, with folded - 728 mm Barrel length 405 mm provides a high initial velocity increase compared to a Kalashnikov penetrating power and shooting accuracy (up to 1000 m). In General, the machine is good. But…

Assembly-disassembly

A Person familiar with the weapons firsthand, and provided with appropriate technical instruction, after seeing this machine for the first time, disassemble it in about half an hour. The same amount it will spend on its Assembly, which is made in the reverse order. Next time it will go faster, but the presence of a sufficiently complex assemblies and steel cable, which you need to pull on the roller, will still require several minutes of time. "Abakan" blindfolded to assemble-disassemble, the more quickly it is impossible. It is not «Kalashnikov».

Of Course, designer provides all opportunities in order to facilitate the maintenance process. Original and easily, just on an intuitive level is removed and placed“womanhorny" muzzle brake. It should just rotate half a turn and pull forward. In General, a lot of beautiful solutions, there are no unnecessary parts, the complexity is minimized.

Is Too complicated or simple enough?

Traditionally, the weapon of the Russian army, because of its multiplicity has to be simple. More than a million the number of personnel in itself suggests that serve in it people of different intellectual level, and if the soldiers will not be able to master such a simple thing as a private machine, it is inevitable problems. Disassembly-Assembly "Abakan" the binomial theorem cannot be called, but to say that it is a trifling, too is not necessary. By the way, this problem not only Russian. American soldiers in Vietnam only marveled in the strength of our «Kalashnikov», its simplicity and reliability. Many of them gladly would have changed it on his M-16, despite the best accuracy and shooting accuracy. What's the point of these good qualities, when in contact with a small amount of dirt or sand weapons do not shoot wants? Of course, the an-97 is better than M-16. But harder and more expensive than AK.

Problems upgrading

The Production base for the new sample was “Izhmash”. Weapons of this type are made in this factory since 1988, but limited to relatively small quantities for special units of the Armed forces and the police. The decision on full replacement of the AK, the an-94 was adopted in 1997, but due to various circumstances, including of a financial nature, the basic pattern still remains the same «Kalashnikov». With all the desire of the designer to simplicity to achieve it is still not fully succeeded. An-94 "Abakan" more difficult its predecessor, and yet manage it surely can only professionals. It is possible that ordinary soldiers mastered this science, but figure it can only experimentally.

In addition, a large-scale re requires huge budget cost and time of retraining of personnel.