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AEK-971
Photo: Виталий Кузьмин · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
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AEK-971

Assault Rifles · Russia · 1990
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AEK-971

AEK-971
AEK-971 Photo: Виталий Кузьмин · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Firepower
75
Accuracy
70
Effective Range
65
Controllability
85
Reliability
80
Ergonomics
60
Modularity
55
Weight
70
Versatility
65
Cost-Effectiveness
75
Origin Russia
ManufacturerDegtyarev plant, Kalashnikov Concern
CategoryAssault Rifles
EraCold War
In service1990
Operators1 countries
Data Quality83%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
71
Assault Rifles MASS Rating
25/83
Cold War
114/279
All-Time
Assault Rifles · 10 axes scored
Firepower
75
Accuracy
70
Effective Range
65
Controllability
85
Reliability
80
Ergonomics
60
Modularity
55
Weight
70
Versatility
65
Cost-Effectiveness
75
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the assault rifles category.
01 / Overview
AEK-971
Country
Production
1990–
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
ASSAULT RIFLES · COLD WAR
25
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
70
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
71
assault rifles category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the assault rifles category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
  • First Production Year1980
  • Service Entry Year1980
  • DesignerStanislav Koksharov
  • Weight (Empty)3.3 kg
  • Currently In ServiceYes
  • Notable UsersRussian Armed Forces, Spetsnaz, MVD Internal Troops
◈Cartridge & Calibre6MOD.6
  • Cartridge5.45×39mm (AEK-971, AEK-971S, 6P67 KORD); 5.56×45mm NATO (AEK-972); 7.62×39mm (AEK-973, AEK-973S, 6P68 KORD)
  • Calibre5.45 mm
  • Case Length39 mm
  • Calibre Classintermediate
  • RimfireNo
  • Caseless AmmunitionNo
▣Operation9MOD.9
  • Action TypeGas-Operated
  • Fire Modessafe, semi-auto, 2-round burst, 3-round burst, full-auto
  • Select FireYes
  • Feed SystemDetachable Magazine
  • Magazine Capacity30
  • Drum / Belt Capacity60
  • Cyclic Rate of Fire900
  • Trigger Typesingle-stage
  • Safety Typeselector lever
◇Ballistics3MOD.3
  • Muzzle Velocity880 m/s
  • Effective Range (point)500 m
  • Maximum Range1,000 m
◆Barrel & Sights5MOD.5
  • Barrel Length420 mm
  • Sight TypeAEK-971:; Adjustable iron sights, hooded front post and rear notch on a scaled tangent; 6P67 KORD:; Iron sights that con
  • Optic RailYes
  • Iron SightsYes
  • Threaded BarrelNo
▤Construction6MOD.6
▲Production & Cost2MOD.2
  • Production Start1990
  • Variants5
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1990Production started
  2. 1999First deployment: Second Chechen War
36
years in service
1
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Operators
Operator Countries1country
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE9terms
A firearm feed system where ammunition is stored in a separate container (magazine) that can be removed and replaced, enabling rapid reloading.
A firearm stock that can be folded or collapsed to reduce overall length for storage or transport.
Firearm action type where expanding gas from a fired cartridge cycles the mechanism, typically via a piston or direct impingement.
Uses high-pressure gas to cycle the action, rather than recoil energy.
Adjustable metal aiming devices on firearms, consisting of a front post and rear notch, used without magnification.
A mounting system for attaching optical sights to rifles.
Select fire is a fire selector mechanism on a firearm that lets the shooter choose the firing mode, such as semi‑automatic, burst, or fully automatic.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Assault Rifles entry →