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HighGround

Senior Member
Registered Member
Surpluswarrior said:
I'm surprised that there hasn't been any mention of the AM-17 being adopted:




It was originally a Soviet prototype, known as the
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, and languished in a factory collection for decades. The Dragunov MA was created around the time of the competition for what became the AKS-74U, and it is generally believed that the competition was biased to ensure the victory of the Kalishnikov design. The MA was in a separate competition, for a polymer lightweight rifle.

The MA prototype extensively used polymers in the receiver and stock, which reduced weight. The construction of the upper receiver also allowed for easy and reliable scope mounting. The fire selector was more ergonomic than the AK.

It could have been conservatism, favourtism, or maybe the required polymers were too advanced for the Soviet Union of the 1970s. But it was not selected for any production at the time, and was shelved away.

After being rediscovered this century and adapted to modern production, it became the AM-17:





It is being deployed initially to policing and special forces, and people who need shorter rifles. A similar group as to who used the AKS-74U. The AKS-74U has been out-of-production since 1993 or so, so replacement production is needed. [And the AKS-74U has a number of detractors].

Not the most important story, not like aircraft production. But there are observers who say the design is superior to the AK. If the AM-17 is successful, perhaps the design will replace the longer rifles eventually. It's an interesting procurement story, in any case.
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I don't really understand the point of AKS-74U or its successor to be honest. It's really weird gun with quite a few downsides. If you need firepower, Russia has no shortage of specialized weapons with big or special rounds. If you need a compact weapon... a PP-19 is way better.
 
G

gelgoog

Lieutenant General
Registered Member
HighGround said:
I don't really understand the point of AKS-74U or its successor to be honest. It's really weird gun with quite a few downsides. If you need firepower, Russia has no shortage of specialized weapons with big or special rounds. If you need a compact weapon... a PP-19 is way better.
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It can penetrate most kinds of body armor with its rifle round, unlike SMGs which use pistol rounds.
 
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sheogorath

Major
Registered Member
Just bumped into this video of the VKS's command transport fleet doing an excercise. Lots of HQ footage of some soviet classics, including Tu-134 and Tu-154B2 which I thought were long gone, though the video is from 2021 but recently uploaded.

 
S

Surpluswarrior

Junior Member
VIP Professional
HighGround said:
I don't really understand the point of AKS-74U or its successor to be honest. It's really weird gun with quite a few downsides. If you need firepower, Russia has no shortage of specialized weapons with big or special rounds. If you need a compact weapon... a PP-19 is way better.
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It's a valid question.

The AKS-74U was unpopular among groups that were issued it as an infantry rifle.

It really only found a niche among vehicle drivers, and people that needed to sling a compact rifle.

You could use a 9mm SMG in those roles, but it would not always be the ideal firearm. Imagine you are in 1980s Afghanistan. The 74U would use the same ammunition as rifle / LMG sections. This is key. Same magazines. Most of the same maintenance equipment. Could be repaired by the same armourers.

Also, as pointed-out above, it is superior at countering body armour.

The role that the AKS-74U fills is a real one, but the 74U was not the ideal firearm for the job. Hence the development of the AM-17. I have read that some Russian pilots were issued 9mm SMGs. The AM-17 would be a more suitable firearm for escaping back to friendly lines.
 
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didklmyself

Junior Member
Registered Member
sheogorath said:
Just bumped into this video of the VKS's command transport fleet doing an excercise. Lots of HQ footage of some soviet classics, including Tu-134 and Tu-154B2 which I thought were long gone, though the video is from 2021 but recently uploaded.

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Why does this video look so AI-esque?
 
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