Russians Developing AK-9
The Russians appear to be working on a Kalashnikov version of what seems to be a PDW or submachine gun, developed by none other than Alexei Dragunov.
The AK-9 is fitted with a silencer and fires large 9.0-millimeter caliber bullets intended to pierce body armour. At 3.8 kilograms (8.4 pounds) it is also slightly lighter than previous models of the Kalashnikov.
“There’s no one else making it,” said Richard Jones, editor of British-based Jane’s Infantry Weapons, a specialist journal, referring to other rifles combining such a large caliber with a silencer.
That doesn’t tell me much. I’m guessing this isn’t a pistol round, but it some kind of intermediate cartridge in a large, subsonic caliber. Dragonuv seems to be a bit less circumspect than his counterpart, Mikhail Kalashnikov:
Asked whether he feels any remorse about producing guns, Dragunov smiles and answers: “Can you imagine a world without violence? Firearms are not for killing people, they’re a deterrent.”
Sadly, no pictures yet. Hopefully we can see this in action soon.
August 10th, 2007 at 1:57 am
Supposed to be 7.62×39 necked up to 9mm with heavy bullets and subsonic/supersonic capability. Seems a lot like the Whisper concept.
August 10th, 2007 at 4:28 am
They did a 9×39 years ago in small quantities. It was basically a soviet take on the various 30 whisper/45 acp suppressed carbines the brits and americans have developed over the past 70 years.
I’ll stick with my suppressed 45 acp rifle because whatever else may be true about 9×39, the ammo is going to be insanely pricey.
Although the fancy cartridges do outperform plain old 45 ball, they don’t outperform it by a lot. Rainbow trajectory is rainbow trajectory.
August 10th, 2007 at 6:38 am
…and you pretty much get armor piercing or subsonic, not both at the same time. The write-up’s a little misleading that way.
August 10th, 2007 at 9:22 am
I could see a subsonic round, Tam. Something like a 300gr 9mm round made of a milled steel spike with a copper or lead forcing band would do the trick, provided it was very, very sharp.
August 10th, 2007 at 11:16 am
the Russians do have a history of developing some very odd firearms, to say the least. but unless they’re planning to put a saboted, subcaliber penetrator spike through that suppressor somehow, i can’t really see a 9mm firearm using low- to intermediate-power ammo penetrating any great deal of armor, either.
August 10th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
“Can you imagine a world without violence?”
Sure, Mars — until Man gets there.
August 17th, 2007 at 1:43 am
New Millennium eTechnology!!! 🙂