AM-99
Caliber: 5.45x39 [others available for export customers]
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt with balanced action for reduced recoil/muzzle jump
Weight: 3.80kg
Length: 950 mm [738 mm with stock folded] (comes with kit to swap between solid and foldable stock)
Barrel Length: 470mm, chrome lined 1/8 twist
Rate of Fire: 750 rounds per minute
Magazine Capacity: 60 round quadstack, accepts standard AK/RPK-74 magazines[5.45 caliber only].
Effective Range: 600m
Fire Modes: single, automatic
The Avtomat Morozova is the result of a 4 year research program conducted by the then-provisional government beginning in 1996 to design and build a domestic rifle to replace the 5.45 caliber Kalashnikov in service. One of the main requirements was that it was to retain the same attachments as the rifle it was replacing, meaning that all magazines, optics, grenade launchers and other equipment were to be compatible with the design. Further requirements were to have superior accuracy, and be suitable for extended periods of automatic fire.
There were several prototype models, with varying differences. The first model was a stamped steel rifle with an integrated carry handle-optic combination, but was on the heavy side[weighing in at 4kg] for its size. Prototypes 2-4 were nearly identical, but featured different furniture, stocks and iron sights, and all used the AK-74 muzzle break. The 5th Morozov prototype was a bulpup rifle, and had many possible attachment options due to it's integrated accessory rails and had a burst function. While the final 6th prototype was undergoing test trials, it was modified significantly after new requirements surfaced, requiring the AM-99 to accept attachments, and needing a larger magazine capacity as a standard. Early Service Rifle variants had only featured a AK-side mount and a single RIS strip along to top of the receiver, where as designated export models had fully customizable options concerning stocks and tactical equipment, but was essentially the same thing. Later in it's production life the rifle has updated with new furniture with rails molded into the polymer, and was now the standard equipment; this only took a few weeks to supply the new furniture to units already equipped with the rifle. This put the rifle among competitors in modular capabilities, increasing the Morozov's potential market.
Further, the muzzle break was changed. The new compound muzzle design is asymmetrical, in that it features two oval chambers with a port on either side of the end muzzle. Also there is a vent hole on the upper right of the first chamber, that turns some of the gases leaving the barrel into an ultra-sonic whistle, similar to a dog whistle, that the human ear cannot detect. This is old technology but was re-introduced because purported complaints of wide-spread hearing loss from troops using the AK-74 and its high-velocity round.
The AM-99 assault rifle has a gas driven, balanced action with rotating bolt locking. Balancing mean that AM-99 gas drive has two gas chambers and two gas pistons. The first gas piston is linked via a gas rod to the bolt carrier and operates as usual. The second gas piston is linked to a balancing steel weight and moves in the opposite direction to the main gas piston. Both pistons are synchronized through a simple gear. This design is intended to eliminate three of the four elements of action impulses, which cause a rifle to move during full-auto fire. The first impulse is received when the bullet moves along the barrel - this is the basic recoil itself. The second impulse is received when the heavy bolt carrier/bolt group moves along the receiver back and forth. The third impulse is received when bolt carrier/bolt group slams against the receiver in the rear position, and the fourth when this group is stopped in the forward position after a new cartridge is chambered. The synchronous and opposite movement of the balancing weight eliminates all except the recoil impulse, so the rifle becomes far more stable during full-auto fire.
The iron sights present on factory Morozov rifles are a detachable low profile protected front post and a rear flip V-notch sight with settings of 300m and 500m.
The polymer receiver contains the usual dovetail rail for mounting eastern bloc optics, along with a top receiver mounted M1913 rail for various western optics. The front hand guard, constructed of a black, glass-filled polymer contains 4 M1913 rails, and is available in Black, Sand and Olive Drab color.
The AM-99 uses standard AK-74 bayonets, mounting in a fashion as that a grenade launcher can be fitted and used simultaneously. While it normally mounts the GP-30 grenade launcher. It is compatible with the majority of tactical accessories and RIS-compatible grenade launchers.
Export customers have the option of replacing the side folding stock with a telescoping type of their choice. The AM-99 is available in most calibers, and discounts are available for large custom orders.
Included with each rifle:
-bayonet
-4 magazines
-AK sling
-cleaning kit
-reloading equipment[bullet guide, charging clips]
-canvas magazine pouch
-manual
-spare parts
Export cost is $800[in 5.45 caliber, others are S1200]