Russian AN-94 Abakan Assault Rifle

The AN-94, sometimes called the "Abakan,” is an advanced Russian assault rifle. The initials stand for Avtomat Nikonova (after chief designer Gennadiy Nikonov) Model 1994; The AN-94 was the declared successor to the legendary Kalashnikov series of rifles after the 1980s Soviet Military conducted the extensive advanced assault rifle trials.

Gennadiy Nikonov's system reportedly outperformed its many remarkable rivals significantly, proving better than the most advanced Kalashnikov ever, the 'AKB'. Thus the Nikonov AN-94 was commissioned for adoption by the Russian Military.

The great advantage of the AN-94 system is its ability to 'postpone' recoil until after the rounds have left the weapon. This enables more 'hits' on target under the most adverse combat conditions. It is a more accurate weapon the M16A2. It manufacturing cost has limited its deployment in the Russian armed forces.

The AN-94 offers a two-shot burst function at a stated 1800 rounds per minute rate of fire. Simply, the Nikonov mechanism 'sneaks' a super fast second round into a one shot recoil cycle. This increases the 'hit' probability. It was chosen over many other competing firearms in an extensive trial, including the AEK-971 design.

The AN-94 was designed by the Izhmash state factories, as a replacement for the AK-74 assault rifle currently in use in the Russian military. The Russian military has chosen to retain the AK-74M as its standard service rifle and the AN-94 is only being issued to the elite forces of the Russian military, some Russian police forces, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD).

The AN-94, setting is not sold to foreign buyers although Venezuela and Peru have shown interest in either acquiring the AN-94 or developing an indigenous assault rifle based on the AN-94s recoiling barrel mechanism.

The folding butt stock makes the assault rifle convenient for handling on march, landing and transporting. It can mount a GP-30 grenade launcher and bayonet simultaneously. It can also use newly designed 60-round magazines.

This rifle is complex and requires a lot of training to operate and field strip it. The AN-94 internals are not "user friendly" and it will take a soldier months to get used to this rifle and its assembly/disassembly and maintenance procedures.

The AN-94 is considered as the "professionals' choice", and is used in limited numbers by the elite forces of the Russian Army, police and the MVD. The main body of the Russian armed forces are still armed with the Kalashnikov assault rifles, and AK-type rifles will remain in service for a long time.

It is also more expensive to made and maintain, than the AK-74. This interesting rifle is unlikely to see any widespread service, at least with the Russian Army. It also has some awkward ergonomics.

The shape of the pistol grip is not comfortable. The rear diopter sight has small apertures that are not protected from dirt, and it would be hard to clean in the battle conditions.

The rifle has sharp edges and can snag in the clothes or scratches on the skin. The grenade launcher mount under the barrel is unusual since it uses a large "bridge" between the stock and the launcher. The folding butt interferes with the trigger when it is folded. The fire selector, which is separated from the safety, is hard to operate, especially when it is wet.

Caliber:  5.45x39 mm
Action:  Gas operated, rotating bolt; moving barrel-receiver-gas drive group for delayed recoil action
Overall length:  943 mm stock (37.1 in) extended (728 mm with butt folded)
Barrel length:  405 mm
Weight without magazine:  3.85 kg (8.49 lb)The assault rifle may be complete with a detachable night optical sight,
Cyclic rate of fire: 1800 and 600 rounds per minute variable
Direct shot range of firing:  440-625 meters
Maximum effective range: 700 meters
Place of Origin: Russian Federation
In service: 1997–present
Designer: Gennadiy Nikonov
Manufacturer: Izhmash
Muzzle velocity: 900 m/s (2,953 ft/s)
Effective range: 400 m
Maximum range: 700 m
Feed system: 30, 45 or 60-round detachable box magazine
Iron sights: 700 mm (27.6 in) sight radius
Magazine Capacity: 30 rounds or 60 rounds

sources:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AN-94

world.guns.ru/assault/as08-e.htm