AKV-721 & AK-308: New .308 Win Rifles by Kalashnikov Concern
During the ARMY 2022 exhibition, Kalashnikov Concern unveiled a number of new firearms, both for the military/LE and civilian markets. Among the new guns are two rifles chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO / .308 Winchester – the AKV-721 and AK-308. Let’s take a look at each of these new firearms.
Kalashnikov Concecrn @ TFB:
AKV-721
AKV-721 is the bigger version of Kalashnikov Concern’s AKV-521 rifle. Although they use a lot of AK parts, what sets the AKV series of rifles apart from regular AKs is the receiver layout – the AKV rifles have upper and lower receivers. Like in the ARs, such receiver design allows having a rigid top optics rail and changing calibers and configurations in a matter of swapping the uppers. Compared to the intermediate-caliber AKV-521 which has a stamped steel upper receiver, the AKV-721 has a milled upper. The AKV-721 also features an ambidextrous safety selector lever and charging handle. The barrel length is 415mm (16.35″).
The AKV series of rifles are designed by Valentin Vlasenko, the Director of Civilian Firearms R&D at Kalashnikov Group and the owner of Sureshot Armament Group. Vlasenko is what V stands for in the model names.
AK-308
Kalashnikov Concern has first introduced the prototype of the AK-308 back in 2018 and they currently sell its civilian version called Saiga-308. At ARMY 2022, they revealed the latest iteration of the AK-308 which now has features borrowed from AK-12 rifles – the furniture, magazine design, top rail, pistol grip/trigger guard/mag release unit, etc.
Design and operation-wise, the AK-308 is basically a standard AK. It is a gas-operated select-fire rifle with a rate of fire of 700 rounds per minute in full-auto mode. The rifle has a chrome-lined 415mm (16.35″) barrel equipped with a flash hider and populated with a combination gas block / front sight block and a bayonet lug. The overall length with the stock fully collapsed and extended is 885mm – 945mm (34.85″ – 37.2″) and the length with the folded stock is 695mm (27.35″). The AK-308 rifle weighs in at 4.3 kilograms (9.5lbs).
During this week, we’ll take a look at the most interesting new Kalashnikov Concern firearms as well as guns released by other companies exhibiting at ARMY 2022. Stay tuned!
Pictures by Kalashnikov Concern and a TFB contributor
Managing Editor Being a lifelong firearms enthusiast, Hrachya always enjoys studying the history and design of guns and ammunition. Should you need to contact him, feel free to shoot him a message at Hrachya@TheFirearmBlog.com
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ok who else thought, "That is a better muzzle device than the zastava!"
I prefer the zastava, but would love to get my hands on that muzzle device.
the AKV721 could be interesting in a quick change barrel version which would allow
the different .308 based derivation calibers such as .243 winchester, 7mm-08 , and .358
winchestet , these rounds could use the same bolt assembly as the .308 as the shell casing
is the same as a .308 just necked up or down respectively.
the lighter akv521 with a quick change would be cool in 7.62 M43 , 9x39 , 5.56 x 45 or 6.5 grendel .