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| Country |
Russia |
| Type |
Assault Rifle |
| Manufacturer |
Gennadiy Nikonov |
| Introduction |
1994 |
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The AN-94 (sometimes called the Abakan) is a modern Russian assault rifle. The acronym stands for Avtomat Nikonova (after Gennadiy Nikonov) Model 1994, and it was chosen over many other competing firearms in an extensive trial, including the AEK-971 design by a team led by Sergey Koksharov. The AN-94 was designed at the Izhmash state factories, as a replacement for the AK-74 assault rifle currently in use in the Russian military. Currently, the Russian military has chosen to retain the AK-74M as its standard service rifle and the AN-94 is only being issued to the elite forces of the Russian military, some Russian police forces, and the MVD. An interesting feature of the AN-94, setting it apart from almost all other Russian weapons, is that it is not sold to foreign buyers.
AN-94 is chambered in the same 5.45x39mm M74 cartridge as the AK-74, and it utilizes a rotating bolt to lock the action. This mechanism allows a much higher rate of fire than would otherwise be possible. This high rate of fire (1800 rounds/min) is employed in two-round bursts. These form the first two shots on fully automatic fire, with following rounds fired at 600 rounds/min. This is highly effective against body armour; the second round impacts at the same point as the first, enabling the penetration of armour that a conventional 5.45 mm system cannot. The rear peep sight is a dramatic improvement over the standard Kalashnikov notch and post. The muzzle brake is much more effective and produces a quieter weapon than the AK-74.
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