Data Quality83%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the assault rifles category.
01 / Overview
AEK-971
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1990–
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
ASSAULT RIFLES · COLD WAR
25
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
70
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ 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
- Receiver Materialsteel
- Furniture Materialpolymer
- Folding / Collapsing StockYes
- Bullpup LayoutNo
- Ambidextrous ControlsYes
- ModularityPicatinny rail, folding stock, ambidextrous controls
⬢Features4MOD.4
▲Production & Cost2MOD.2
- Production Start1990
- Variants5
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1990Production started
- 1999First deployment: Second Chechen War
36
years in service
1
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
05 / MASS Score
ASSAULT RIFLES RANKING Assault Rifles · Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
114ASSAULT RIFLES25COLD WAR · ASSAULT RIFLES336RUSSIA · ALL WEAPONS186PERFORMANCE/PRICE · ASSAULT RIFLES
ⓘ Rankings are within theAssault Riflescategory.
📖 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