AK-105

Lore & Background

The AK-105 is part of the AK-100 family and is produced at Izhmash factories in Izhevsk, Russia. Compared to full-length assault rifles like the AK-74M, AK-101, and AK-103, the AK-105 features a shorter 12.4 in (310 mm) barrel and a solid, side-folding polymer stock that allows convenience in transportation or paratrooper operations while still providing a stable firing platform when extended; it retains the ability to fire with the stock folded. It was developed to replace the even shorter compact AKS-74U, which had a shorter skeleton stock and an 8.1 in (210 mm) barrel, though both rifles remain in service.

The AK-105 uses matching polymer furniture including pistol grip, magazines, and forward handguard. Its adjustable U-notch rear tangent sight is calibrated in 100 m (109 yd) increments out to 500 m (547 yd). The front sight is a post adjustable for elevation in the field, while windage adjustments are done prior to issue by the armory. According to the manufacturer's website in 2014, protective coatings ensure corrosion resistance of metal parts, and the forearm, magazine, butt stock, and pistol grip are made of high-strength plastic. The AK-105 has a muzzle booster derived from the AKS-74U that aids in reducing recoil and improving stability of automatic fire through the use of exiting gases.

Reader's Guide

The AK-105 occupies a specific niche as a carbine within the AK-100 family, bridging the gap between full-length assault rifles and the ultra-compact AKS-74U. Its development aimed to replace the AKS-74U, though both weapons remain in service, indicating that the AK-105 did not fully supplant its predecessor. The carbine's shorter barrel and folding polymer stock make it suited for paratrooper operations and close-quarters use, while its retention of the ability to fire with the stock folded adds tactical flexibility. The use of a muzzle booster derived from the AKS-74U helps manage recoil and automatic fire stability, a practical consideration for a shorter weapon. Domestically, the AK-105 is used by the Russian Army and limitedly by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and other law enforcement, including the Alpha Group of the FSB. Its adoption by Brazilian military and law enforcement for urban and counter-narcotics operations, as well as by the Kazakh military as a standard-issue carbine, demonstrates its perceived effectiveness in varied roles. The unlicensed North Korean copy, the Type 88 carbine, used by special operations forces and armored crews, further underscores the design's influence beyond its country of origin.

Did You Know?

• The AK-105 is a carbine version of the AK-74M, chambered in 5.45×39mm.
• It was developed to replace the AKS-74U, though both rifles remain in service.
• The AK-105 uses a muzzle booster derived from the AKS-74U to reduce recoil and improve automatic fire stability.
• North Korea produces an unlicensed copy of the AK-105 called the Type 88 carbine.