AEK-971 Assault Rifle Cold War Russia

The AEK-971 Assault Rifle does not exist in the Twilight 2000 timeline. A rare weapon in the extreme, funding has severely limited the testing of the AEK-971 Assault Rifle. This was one of the contenders to replace the AKM and AK-74 in Russian military service, but it has apparently been beaten out in that respect by the AN-94; Kovrov is reportedly now looking for export customers. This is despite fact that the AEK-971 Assault Rifle is also simpler and cheaper to manufacture than the AN-94, a fact which is very important in post-Cold War Russia.

AEK-971 Assault Rifle

Though it looks externally similar to a modified Kalashnikov, it in fact uses a wholly different method of operation. The AEK-971 Assault Rifle has two gas pistons and two gas chambers; the first set of these works as is normal for a gas-operated rifle, but the second moves in an opposite direction than the first set and greatly helps to dampen recoil. This is especially evident in automatic and burst fire, where felt recoil can be reduced by as much as 20%. Like most Russian small arms, the AEK-971 is constructed largely of steel, though the steel used is of better quality than most Russian assault rifles. At first, the AEK-971 was equipped with a plasticcoated steel folding stock, but newer models use a skeletonized polymer folding stock.

AEK-971 Assault Rifle

The fore-end and pistol grip are made from high-impact plastic. Automatic fire is low enough (about 800 rpm) to allow for burst fire from trained troops; initial models had no burst setting, but Kovrov now includes a burst-fire setting in the AEK-971 Assault Rifle. The fire selector is simple to use and is a thumb switch like most Western assault rifles. Feed is from standard Kalashnikov-type magazines of all sizes and types. The barrel is 16.54 inches long and is tipped with a muzzle brake similar in appearance to that of the AK-74.