Simonov AG-043

Assault Rifle

Soviet Union | 1975

"The experimental AG-043 Assault Rifle appeared in 1975 and shared a striking similarity with the world-famous Kalashnikov AK-47 series."

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 08/17/2017 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

In the early-to-mid 1960s, Soviet engineer Sergei Simonov undertook several designs based on the world famous Kalashnikov AK-47 assault rifle. Between the span of 1962 and 1965, work was done on the AO-31 assault rifle which produced several major developmental forms - the base AO-31 chambered for the Soviet 7.62x39mm cartridge, the AO-31-5 chambered for the 5.45x39mm cartridge, the AO-31-6 also chambered fro the 7.62x39mm cartridge and the AO-31-7 trialing a caseless cartridge design. The weapon was gas-operated as in the AK-47 and fed from a 30-round detachable box magazine. This work then led to a slight evolution in the design, which became the compact AG-043 assault rifle. Design work on the type began in 1975.

The AG-043 looked as though a heavily compacted form of the AK-47 - its design perhaps more akin to a submachine gun with assault rifle qualities. It featured a rectangular receiver to house the internal working components, wooden furniture at the pistol grip, magazine and hand guard and a very short barrel with overhead gas cylinder. Overall length was 680mm with a barrel length of 215mm. A full length folding wire stock was added for support. The weapon was chambered for the 5.45x39mm cartridge fed from a curved 30-round detachable box magazine fitted ahead of the trigger group as normal. Muzzle velocity was 700 meters per second with iron sights above the muzzle and over the receiver. Overall weight was 2.1 kilograms unloaded.

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The AG-043 was never formally accepted into frontline service. Had it been, it could have stocked the inventories of the Soviet Army, police force and special forces due to its nice compact form. The 5.45mm cartridge was a proven round and the 30-round ammunition count was excellent for in-the-field operations. Additionally, being based on the dependable AK-47 action, the AG-043 stemmed from a solid pedigree. However, none of these factors proved enough for the AG-043 to find commercial success for Simonov and his new assault rifle.

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Physical
The physical qualities of the Simonov AG-043. Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

680 mm
26.77 in
O/A Length

215 mm
8.46 in
Barrel Length

4.63 lb
2.10 kg
Weight

Gas-Operated
Action

5.45x39mm
Caliber(s)

30-round detachable box magazine
Feed

Iron
Sights

Performance
Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Simonov AG-043. Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

2,300 ft/sec
701 m/sec
Muzzle Velocity

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Simonov AG-043 Assault Rifle family line.

AG-043 - Base Series Designation

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Simonov AG-043. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national small arms listing.

Contractor(s): State Factories - Soviet Union

[ Soviet Union ]

Design Qualities
Some designs are single-minded in their approach while others offer a more versatile solution to requirements.

AUTOMATIC FUNCTION

ASSAULT RIFLE

Recognition
Some designs stand the test of time while others are doomed to never advance beyond the drawing board; let history be their judge.

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Going Further...
The Simonov AG-043 Assault Rifle appears in the following collections:

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