AK-203
- Category
- Assault Rifle
- Barrel
- 415 mm
- Weight, empty
- 3.80 kg
- Introduced
- 2018
About
What it is, and why it matters
The AK-203 is a select-fire assault rifle chambered in 7.62x39mm, produced by Kalashnikov Concern since 2018. 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 3800g (134.0 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-203's Indian production deal is one of the biggest small arms contracts in modern history, with over 670,000 rifles to be manufactured in India with full technology transfer -- a testament to the enduring global appeal of the Kalashnikov platform 75 years after the original AK-47.
The AK-203 is essentially the AK-103 upgraded with AK-12 generation ergonomics and accessories. The Indian contract makes this the most commercially significant AK variant in recent decades. Production began in India in 2022-2023 with full technology transfer. Also designated 6P45-1 under the Russian GRAU index. Compatible with 50-round quad-stacked magazines in addition to standard 30-round box magazines.
Specification
Everything measured
IdentityWhat it is, who built it and when.
- Manufacturer
- Kalashnikov Concern
- Category
- Assault Rifle
- Country
- Russia
- Status
- In production
- Produced
- 2018
- Variant of
- Modernized
DimensionsAs issued, without a magazine or an optic.
- Barrel
- 415 mm
- Overall length
- 940 mm
- Height
- 190 mm
- Width
- 45 mm
- Weight, empty
- 3.80 kg
- Weight, loaded
- 4.20 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
- 730 m/s
- Muzzle energy
- 2124 J
- Effective range
- 800 m
- Maximum range
- 1100 m
- Rate of fire
- 700 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
Adjustable folding stock
Picatinny rail top
Picatinny rail sides- Ak-12 derived ergonomics
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 59 7.62x39mm assault rifles | 3.80 kg | 3.60 kg | Heavier than about 70% |
| Overall lengthAmong 58 7.62x39mm assault rifles | 940 mm | 880 mm | Longer than about 80% |
| Barrel lengthAmong 57 7.62x39mm assault rifles | 415 mm | 415 mm | Near the median |
| Magazine capacityAmong 59 7.62x39mm assault rifles | 30 | 30 | Near the median |
Answers
Questions about the AK-203
How much does the AK-203 weigh?
The AK-203 weighs 3.80 kg (8.38 lb) empty and 4.20 kg (9.26 lb) loaded.
What caliber is the AK-203?
The AK-203 is chambered in 7.62x39mm.
How many rounds does the AK-203 hold?
The AK-203 holds 30 rounds, fed from a detachable box magazine.
How long is the AK-203?
The AK-203 is 940 mm (37.0 in) long overall, with a 415 mm (16.3 in) barrel.
Who makes the AK-203?
The AK-203 is made by Kalashnikov Concern (Russia).
When was the AK-203 introduced?
The AK-203 was introduced in 2018.
How does the AK-203 operate?
The AK-203 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
- Indian Armed Forces
- 2023
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-203' \ --header 'X-API-Key: your_key'{ "id": "ak-203", "name": "AK-203", "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": 2018, "barrel_length_mm": 415, "weight_empty_g": 3800, "action_type": "gas_operated_long_stroke"}