AEK-971
- Category
- Assault Rifle
- Barrel
- 420 mm
- Weight, empty
- 3.30 kg
- Introduced
- 2014
About
What it is, and why it matters
The AEK-971 is a select-fire assault rifle chambered in 5.45x39mm, produced by Kovrov Mechanical Plant (KMZ) since 2014. This Russian-manufactured firearm reflects the engineering traditions and quality standards of its country of origin, designed to meet the demands of both civilian and professional users in a competitive global marketplace. Featuring a 30-round magazine capacity, this assault rifle offers generous firepower for duty use and home defense. The 16.5-inch barrel maximizes accuracy potential and ballistic performance, making this an excellent choice for target shooting, competition, or field use. At 3300g (116.4 oz), this is a substantial firearm whose weight contributes to reduced felt recoil and enhanced stability during precision shooting. The steel frame provides a solid, premium feel with the durability to withstand decades of regular use and thousands of rounds. This firearm represents its manufacturer's commitment to delivering a well-engineered, reliable product that serves the needs of discerning shooters seeking quality, accuracy, and dependable performance from a proven platform.
The AEK-971's Balanced Automatics Recoil System uses a counter-mass moving opposite to the bolt carrier, effectively canceling recoil impulse during firing. Despite losing to the AN-94 in the original Abakan trials, its simpler and more practical design was ultimately vindicated when the A-545 variant was adopted alongside the AK-12 in 2018.
Development began in the late 1970s, with the original AEK-971 competing against the AN-94 in the Abakan trials. While the AN-94 won, the AEK-971's simpler balanced-recoil approach proved more practical for mass production. The A-545 modernized variant (adopted 2014/2018) adds Picatinny rails, improved ergonomics, and modern furniture. Variants include the AEK-972 (5.56mm NATO) and AEK-973 (7.62x39mm). Compatible with standard AK-74 30-round magazines, 45-round RPK-74 magazines, and 60-round drums. The BARS concept has since influenced other designs, with Kalashnikov Concern exploring balanced-recoil systems for future AK development. The A-545 is issued to select Russian units alongside the AK-12, with unit commanders choosing between the two based on mission requirements.
Specification
Everything measured
IdentityWhat it is, who built it and when.
- Manufacturer
- V.A. Degtyarev Plant (ZiD)
- Category
- Assault Rifle
- Country
- Russia
- Status
- Limited production
- Produced
- 2014
DimensionsAs issued, without a magazine or an optic.
- Barrel
- 420 mm
- Overall length
- 960 mm
- Weight, empty
- 3.30 kg
- Weight, loaded
- 3.65 kg
ActionHow it cycles, what trips it, and what feeds it.
- Action
- Gas operated long stroke
- Firing mechanism
- Hammer fired
- Trigger
- Single stage
- Capacity
- 30
- Magazine
- Detachable box
MaterialsEach swatch is the material itself, not a colour chosen to stand for it.
- Frame
- Steel
- Barrel
- Steel
- Stock
- Polymer
- Finish
- Matte black
BallisticsFrom the service cartridge, not a handload.
- Muzzle velocity
- 879 m/s
- Muzzle energy
- 1326 J
- Effective range
- 500 m
- Maximum range
- 1000 m
- Rate of fire
- 900 rpm
Trajectory
What the round does downrange
Solved from the muzzle figures and the bullet. The dashed rule is the effective range on the record, and the crosses are the steps the solver returned.
Features
What it has
What the record lists as fitted, drawn from the catalogue.
Chrome lined barrel
Rotating bolt
Select fire
Balanced automatics recoil system- Counter mass mechanism
Side folding stock
Picatinny rail top- Improved accuracy automatic fire
Standing
How it compares
Each figure against the firearms of the same type and cartridge that record it, or of the same type where that cartridge has too few. Positions are read to the nearest tenth.
| Measurement | This firearm | Median | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empty weightAmong 25 5.45x39mm assault rifles | 3.30 kg | 3.40 kg | Lighter than about 60% |
| Overall lengthAmong 25 5.45x39mm assault rifles | 960 mm | 940 mm | Among the longest tenth |
| Barrel lengthAmong 25 5.45x39mm assault rifles | 420 mm | 415 mm | Longer than about 80% |
| Magazine capacityAmong 25 5.45x39mm assault rifles | 30 | 30 | Near the median |
Its place in the rankings
Answers
Questions about the AEK-971
How much does the AEK-971 weigh?
The AEK-971 weighs 3.30 kg (7.28 lb) empty and 3.65 kg (8.05 lb) loaded. It is the 9th lightest of 25 5.45x39mm assault rifles in the catalogue.
What caliber is the AEK-971?
The AEK-971 is chambered in 5.45x39mm.
How many rounds does the AEK-971 hold?
The AEK-971 holds 30 rounds, fed from a detachable box magazine.
How long is the AEK-971?
The AEK-971 is 960 mm (37.8 in) long overall, with a 420 mm (16.5 in) barrel.
Who makes the AEK-971?
The AEK-971 is made by V.A. Degtyarev Plant (ZiD) (Russia). It was designed by Stanislav Koksharov.
When was the AEK-971 introduced?
The AEK-971 was introduced in 2014.
How does the AEK-971 operate?
The AEK-971 uses a gas operated long stroke action, and its firing mechanism is hammer fired.
Compatibility
Which parts fit this firearm
Studio
Every part that mounts on this, resolved
Not a list the maker typed out: the answer comes from the mounts this firearm exposes and the interface each part needs, so it stays right when either one changes.
- Every part that mounts on any firearm in the catalogue
- Interface standards, platforms and fit overrides
- The same answers through the API and the MCP server
Requires a signed-in GunSpec account on the Studio plan. The answer is computed per part, so it is not part of the public record.
Provenance
What the record holds
Every figure above was taken from one of these pages. The confidence reflects how much of the record came from a page a claim can be checked against.
In service
- Russian Armed Forces
- 2014
Provenance
Confidence in this record
84%
Stockists
Where to buy
Offers link straight to the shop. GunSpec never takes the order.
No shop has listed this firearm yet
Stock and prices come from the shops themselves. If you sell this firearm, you can list it and it appears here.
List a firearmMCP
Ask an assistant about it
The same record, reached the way a person asks for it rather than the way a program does.
Ask GunSpec
Works with
Point an MCP client at GunSpec and it answers from the catalogue rather than from memory. A free key covers the read tools.
API
The call that returns this record
The same fields, in the same units, from the same endpoint the page reads.
curl --request GET \ --url 'https://api.gunspec.io/v1/firearms/aek-971' \ --header 'X-API-Key: your_key'{ "id": "aek-971", "name": "AEK-971", "manufacturer": { "id": "kovrov-mechanical-plant", "name": "V.A. Degtyarev Plant (ZiD)", "countryCode": "RU", "foundedYear": 1916, "website": "https://zid.ru/eng/", "logoUrl": null, "description": "Russian firearms manufacturer established in 1916 in Kovrov as a machine-gun manufacturing facility. Officially V.A. Degtyarev Plant, now OJSC. Historically produced PPSh-41, Kord, PKM machine guns. Note: modern Kovrov Mechanical Plant (KMZ) established 1950 is separate and focuses on nuclear industry.", "status": "active", "defunctYear": null, "stateOwned": null, "makesFirearms": true, "parentId": null, "predecessorId": null, "createdAt": "2026-02-11 23:44:38", "updatedAt": "2026-02-18 03:43:38", "version": "6bbc0f6f4a5959a471342246234e8ddcacaa1abaa902c1a1e50d086baef3f874" }, "category": { "id": "assault-rifle", "name": "Assault Rifle", "description": "Selective-fire rifles chambered in intermediate cartridges" }, "country_of_origin": "RU", "year_introduced": 2014, "barrel_length_mm": 420, "weight_empty_g": 3300, "action_type": "gas_operated_long_stroke"}