Evolution of the AK12 pattern rifles that have been adopted by the Russian Armed Forces (2018-2021)
A Kalashnikov story by @thedixiemauser
Introduction
Like the Soviet AK & AKS that were produced & developed throughout the late 1940s to 1950s, the Russian AK12 assault rifle has had several different generations. These generations feature somewhat minor changes, meaning there has not been drastic enough differences between AK12 generations to the require the addition of an “M” to the end “AK12”. Kalashnikov Group (aka Kalashnikov Concern JSC, & before that Izhmash), the sole manufacturer of the AK12 assault rifle, still refers to the most recent design variants of the AK12 assault rifle as the AK12, & not AK12M.
It is important to note that this article focuses on the versions of the AK12 that have been mass adopted by the Russian Armed Forces at the time of writing this article, thus the early prototype AK12 rifles that are mechanically different from the Kalashnikov Group/Kalashnikov Concern JSC produced versions will not be covered.
What is the AK12?
The AK12 is a 5.45x39mm Kalashnikov pattern assault rifle that is basically a further evolved AK74M assault rifle. The AK74M is part of a greater Kalashnikov generational “family” known as the “100 series”. This “family” features rifles and carbines of various chamberings that all share similar components for ease of production. Like the AK74M, the AK12 is also part of a greater generational “family”.
The AK12 is part of the alleged “AK-400 series” of rifles & carbines produced by Kalashnikov Group. This “AK-400 series” family consists of four base rifles chambered for four different cartridges. The AK12 is the 5.45x39mm assault rifle, the AK15 is the 7.62x39mm assault rifle, the AK19 is the 5.56x45mm assault rifle, and the AK308 is the 7.62x51mm assault rifle. Whilst these four rifles are the main “AK-400 series” rifles, there are sub-variants such as the AK15K compact assault rifle, various TR-3 sporting rifles, & the AK19 compact assault rifle.
The 2018 pattern AK12
The 2018 pattern of AK12 is the first mass adopted & produced pattern of AK12 assault rifle. The development of these rifles started in the early to mid 2010s, and in 2015, early versions of AK12 & AK15 assault rifles were trialed by the Russian Armed Forces as part of the “Ratnik” standardization & modernization program. These two rifles passed the trials, and were both adopted by the Russian Armed Forces in 2018. The AK12 was issued the GRAU index designation of 6P70.
The AK12 is likely intended to eventually completely replace the aging AK74 pattern assault rifles (AK74M, AKS74, AK74, AK RMO, etc.) that are still used by the Russian Armed Forces in 2023. This is easier said than done, as the Russian Ministry of Defense likely still possesses millions of AK74 pattern assault rifles.
Features of the 2018 pattern AK12
The 2018 pattern AK12 is a somewhat drastic leap from the AK74M. Unlike the AK74M, the 2018 pattern AK12 has a free floating polymer handguard, non-removable gas tube, removable gas plug, four position fire selector (safe, full-auto, two shot burst, & semi-auto), windage adjustable aperture rear sight graduated to 800 meters (instead of the 1000 meter rear sight on the AK74M), folding and collapsible buttstock, unique “quick detach” muzzle device, & 1913 Picatinny railed top cover with unique method of attachment.
Since the top cover is railed on the 2018 pattern AK12, there is no need for a receiver mounted optics rail, thus the 2018 pattern AK12 does not feature a receiver mounted optics rail.
AK12 rifles can often be seen with “stepped” front trunnion rivets, as can be seen in Fig 3-2 (the second from left top rivet is not inline with the first top rivet).
Like other Kalashnikov pattern rifles made by Kalashnikov Group, Kalashnikov Concern JSC, & Izhmash, the AK12 does feature a bolt cam initiating rivet (located to the left of the “6P70” marking).
Like on older styles of Kalashnikov assault rifles (such as the 1955 pattern AK), the AK12 has its forward sling swivel located near the gas block. The forward sling swivel on the 2018 pattern of AK12 (& later generations) can freely move from the left to right side to accommodate both left or right handed shooters.
The 2018 pattern of AK12 (& later generations) feature an AK74 style accessory lug located under the combination front sight gas block. The bayonet lug is located farther forward under the muzzle device attachment point.
Due to the non-threaded “quick attach/detach” muzzle device attachment system seen on the 2018 pattern AK12, proprietary muzzle devices (such as the silencer seen in Fig 3-12) have to be created for these weapons.
The stock on the 2018 pattern is collapsible (similar to buttstocks on M4A1 assault rifles), as well as foldable. The stock initially can be folded by depressing the stock lock button (that is similar to the lock found on AKS74 & AK74M), & can be unlocked by depressing a release located at the rear of the trunnion.
The sling attaches via a quick detach sling mount that can be moved to either side of the buttstock to accommodate left or right handed shooters. These quick detach cup mounts are proprietary.
Like the AK74M, AK74, AK, & AKM, the 2018 pattern of AK12 does feature a stored maintenance kit in the buttstock of the rifle. Unlike older Kalashnikov rifles, the 2018 pattern of AK12 has its cleaning rod stored in sections in the buttstock, and a oil or solvent canister stored in the pistol grip.
The maintenance kit contains a front sight tool, jag, bore brush, & punch.
The 2018 pattern AK12 has a rear sight that is ranged out to 800 meters. AK12 rear sights are marked 5,45 whilst the AK15 & AK19 have rear sights marked with their respective calibers. The rear sight is windage adjustable for zeroing without a tool, similar to how the rear sight windage can be adjusted on an RPK74. The front sight is adjustable for elevation using a tool stored in a maintenance kit that is hidden under the buttpad in the buttstock of the 2018 pattern of the AK12. Unlike most of the previous Kalashnikovs rifles made in the Soviet Union or Russia, the 2018 pattern of AK12 features an aperture rear sight instead of a notch rear sight.
The rear sight can be removed to make more space for optics (as seen in Fig 3-27).
The 2018 pattern AK12 has a unique fire control group that is capable of firing in semi-auto, two round burst, & full-auto. The fire control group is heavily inspired by the AK103-2, and the selector stop is directly taken from the AK103-2. The AK103-2 was likely inspired by the Romanian PA md. 86 5.45x39mm Kalashnikov pattern rifle.
Since the selector hangs past the receiver in the semi-auto position, wider magazines (such as drum magazines) might not fit in the AK12 when the selector is set to the semi-auto position.
Like the AK74M, late pattern Izhmash AKS74 & AK74 rifles, & some other Kalashnikovs made by Izhmash/Kalashnikov Group/Concern, the 2018 pattern AK12 does feature a smooth piston head and AK74 style bolt.
The mainspring assembly of the 2018 pattern AK12/15/19 is unique to these weapons due to the dust cover locking mechanism.
The 2021 pattern AK12
At the Army-2020 exposition, Kalashnikov Group announced a new version of the AK12 that featured a variety of updates. These updates mainly consisted of a physically smaller rear sight, improved & simplified buttstock assembly, & simplified combination pistol grip & trigger guard assembly. This new version of the AK12 would be adopted by the Russian Armed Forces in 2021. The 2021 pattern of AK12 retains the same 6P70 GRAU index designation, and is still referred to as the AK12, not the AK12M.
Many 2021 & 2018 pattern AK12s have been used in combat by Russian soldiers following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Features of the 2021 pattern AK12
Like the previous 2018 pattern AK12 assault rifle, a majority if not all 2021 pattern AK12 assault rifles have “stepped” front trunnion rivets.
The rear sight on the 2021 pattern of AK12 can be ranged from 100 to 800 meters. The battle sight approximately translates to 400 meters. The rear sight can be removed to make room for optics, and it can be zeroed for windage using a tool.
The biggest visual difference between the 2018 pattern & 2021 pattern of AK12 assault rifles is the buttstock and pistol grip assembly. It is important to note that the buttstock assemblies are interchangeable between the two rifles.
The 2021 pattern of AK12 omitted the oil bottle stored in the pistol grip, as well as the maintenance kit stored in the buttstock. On the 2021 pattern, a maintenance kit is stored within the pistol grip. This maintenance kit can be ejected via a pressing a button located on the pistol grip whilst pulling out the kit from the bottom of the grip.
Like the buttstock present on the 2018 pattern AK12, the 2021 pattern AK12 rifles buttstock folds to the left and is collapsible. There are points for quick attach/detach sling mounts on either side of the 2021 pattern AK12 rifles buttstock to accommodate left or right handed shooters.
In the United States, the buttstock seen on the 2021 pattern of AK12 is often incorrectly called an “AK19 buttstock”, this is because this style buttstock was first seen on a AK19 rifle.
Conclusion
Both of the 2018 & 2021 patterns of AK12 assault rifles have their own unique aesthetics that make them easily identifiable from each other, & give them their own unique personality. The 2021 pattern AK12 does seem to be an improvement over the earlier 2018 pattern, but there still is room for further improvement. In 2023, Kalashnikov Group announced a new version of the AK12 that features many wanted improvements such as removal of the two round burst feature, check riser, improved top cover retention & removal mechanism, ambidextrous & improved fire selector, new muzzle device capable of using quick detach silencers, new rear sight, and updated handguards.
This new version of the AK12 is currently ongoing trials with members of the Russian Armed Forces. It is quite possible that this variant will be adopted by the Russian Ministry of Defense in 2023 or early 2024, making it the newest & third pattern of the AK12.
Sources:
Websites:
kalashnikov.club
en.kalashnikovgroup.ru
YouTube channels:
Vickers Tactical
Instagram accounts:
ak47s_inthewild