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| AK-107/108 |
AK-108 with underslung GP-30 Grenade Launcher |
| Type |
Assault rifle |
| Place of origin |
 Russia |
| Production history |
| Designer |
Mikhail Kalashnikov |
| Designed |
1990s |
| Variants |
AK-101, AK-102, AK-103, AK-104, AK-105, AL-7 |
| Specifications |
| Weight |
3.4 kg without magazine |
| Length |
- 943 mm (stock extended)
- 695 mm (stock folded)
|
| Barrel length |
415 mm |
|
| Cartridge |
5.45x39mm / 5.56x45mm NATO |
| Action |
Gas-operated, rotating bolt with 2 lugs, balanced bolt-carrier/bolt group, reduces recoil, BARS |
| Rate of fire |
850 – 900 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity |
900 – 910 m/s |
| Effective range |
500 m |
| Feed system |
30 or newly 60-round detachable box magazine |
| Sights |
Adjustable iron sights, equipped with optical plate for attaching various scopes |
The AK-107 and AK-108 are variants of the AK-101 series. The difference from the AK-101 series is that the 107 and 108 have BARS (Balanced Automatic Recoil System), based on the AL-7. As the projectile is ejected from the muzzle, the gas that flows into the main gas chamber moves toward the piston that drives the bolt. This occurs while another portion of the same gas moves through its own cylinder to a piston that moves in the opposite direction, towards the muzzle. This "double recoil" decreases recoil and increases accuracy in full auto mode. The 107 and the 108 are different in that the 107 uses a 5.45x39mm M74 cartridge while the 108 uses a 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge. Like the rest of the 101 series these newer AKs use synthetic materials such as black fiberglass-reinforced polyamide for the pistol grip and heat shield. This change of material is more cost efficient and much stronger than the original AK-47 wood furnishings.
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