AK-101
- Category
- Assault Rifle
- Barrel
- 415 mm
- Weight, empty
- 3.40 kg
- Introduced
- 1994
About
What it is, and why it matters
The AK-101 is a select-fire assault rifle chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO, produced by Kalashnikov Concern (formerly Izhmash) since 1994. 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 16.3-inch barrel maximizes accuracy potential and ballistic performance, making this an excellent choice for target shooting, competition, or field use. At 3400g (119.9 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 AK-101 was Kalashnikov's first serious attempt to capture NATO-caliber export markets, chambering the iconic AK platform in 5.56x45mm NATO. It represents the philosophical bridge between Eastern reliability and Western ammunition standards.
Part of the AK-100 family introduced in the mid-1990s to compete in international markets. The AK-101 uses the same receiver and bolt as the AK-74M but adapted for 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge. Compatible with most STANAG magazines with adapter. The AK-102 is a compact carbine variant with a 314mm barrel. Production continues at the Kalashnikov Concern facilities in Izhevsk, Russia.
Specification
Everything measured
IdentityWhat it is, who built it and when.
- Manufacturer
- Kalashnikov Concern
- Category
- Assault Rifle
- Country
- Russia
- Status
- In production
- Produced
- 1994
- Variant of
- Export
DimensionsAs issued, without a magazine or an optic.
- Barrel
- 415 mm
- Overall length
- 943 mm
- Height
- 189 mm
- Weight, empty
- 3.40 kg
- Weight, loaded
- 3.73 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
- Blued
BallisticsFrom the service cartridge, not a handload.
- Muzzle velocity
- 920 m/s
- Muzzle energy
- 1700 J
- Effective range
- 500 m
- Maximum range
- 1000 m
- Rate of fire
- 650 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
Chrome lined chamber
Muzzle brake compensator
Rotating bolt
Select fire
Side folding stock- Nato caliber export variant
Grenade launcher compatible
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 158 5.56x45mm NATO assault rifles | 3.40 kg | 3.60 kg | Lighter than about 60% |
| Overall lengthAmong 156 5.56x45mm NATO assault rifles | 943 mm | 920 mm | Longer than about 60% |
| Barrel lengthAmong 157 5.56x45mm NATO assault rifles | 415 mm | 449 mm | Shorter than about 60% |
| Magazine capacityAmong 158 5.56x45mm NATO assault rifles | 30 | 30 | Near the median |
Answers
Questions about the AK-101
How much does the AK-101 weigh?
The AK-101 weighs 3.40 kg (7.50 lb) empty and 3.73 kg (8.22 lb) loaded.
What caliber is the AK-101?
The AK-101 is chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO.
How many rounds does the AK-101 hold?
The AK-101 holds 30 rounds, fed from a detachable box magazine.
How long is the AK-101?
The AK-101 is 943 mm (37.1 in) long overall, with a 415 mm (16.3 in) barrel.
Who makes the AK-101?
The AK-101 is made by Kalashnikov Concern (Russia).
When was the AK-101 introduced?
The AK-101 was introduced in 1994.
How does the AK-101 operate?
The AK-101 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
- Indonesian Armed Forces
- 2003
- Venezuelan Armed Forces
- 2005
Provenance
Confidence in this record
85%
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/ak-101' \ --header 'X-API-Key: your_key'{ "id": "ak-101", "name": "AK-101", "manufacturer": { "id": "kalashnikov-concern", "name": "Kalashnikov Concern", "countryCode": "RU", "foundedYear": 1807, "website": "https://kalashnikovgroup.com", "logoUrl": null, "description": null, "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": "3593fe6aaed7a4f74f79c1f4f9b92bb1f45e039a826875e780967c2ed2b49d04" }, "category": { "id": "assault-rifle", "name": "Assault Rifle", "description": "Selective-fire rifles chambered in intermediate cartridges" }, "country_of_origin": "RU", "year_introduced": 1994, "barrel_length_mm": 415, "weight_empty_g": 3400, "action_type": "gas_operated_long_stroke"}