The AK-103 is an assault rifle designed by Russian small arms designer Mikhail Kalashnikov. Chambered in 7.62x39 belonging to the export AK-100 (rifle family).
The AK-103 was officially offered for export on March 13, 1993.
It is an AK-100 derivative of the AK-74M that is chambered for the 7.62x39mm M43 cartridge, similar to the AKM.
The AK-103 can be fitted with a variety of sights, including night vision and telescopic sights, plus a knife-bayonet or a grenade launcher like the GP-34. Newer versions can fit Picatinny rails, allowing more accessories to be mounted.
The AK-103 uses plastic components where possible instead of wood or metal, with such components being the pistol grip, handguards, folding stock and depending on the type, the magazine.
Protective coatings for corrosion resistance of metal parts. Forearm, magazine, butt stock and pistol grip are made of high strength shatterproof plastic.
The AK-104 is a compact version of the AK-103 chambered for 7.62ÃÂ39mm ammunition. It has a muzzle brake derived from the older AKS-74U combined with a shorter barrel.
The current issue steel-reinforced matte true black nonreflective surface finished 7.62ÃÂ39mm 30-round magazines, fabricated from ABS plastic weigh empty. Early steel AK-47 magazines are long, and the later ribbed steel AKM and newer plastic 7.62ÃÂ39mm magazines are about shorter.
The transition from steel to mainly plastic magazines yielded a significant weight reduction and allow a soldier to carry more rounds for the same weight.
<small>Note: All, 7.62ÃÂ39mm AK magazines are backwards compatible with older AK variants.<br>Note *: 10.12 kg (22.3 lb) is the maximum amount of ammo that the average soldier can comfortably carry. It also allows for best comparison of the three most common 7.62ÃÂ39mm AK platform magazines.</small>
The semi-automatic only variant of the AK-103 is designated the AK-103-1, and the three round burst is designated the AK-103-2.
The STL-1A (or also called the STL-A1)
The CS/LR11 is a clone of the AK-103 made by China Jing An Import & Export Corporation (CJAIE).
Chinese clone of the AK-103 marketed by Sino Defense Manufacturing.
The KR-103 is a semi-automatic clone of the AK-103 made by Kalashnikov USA.
The PSA AK-103 is a semi-automatic partial clone of the AK-103 made by Palmetto State Armory. It shares many features of the AK-103, except that it uses an AKM style bolt and bolt carrier.