New Kalashnikov: AK-19

[jerry_r60]

I was just watching some news and saw segment saying Kalashnikov just released a new AK, the AK-19. I was a quick segment on i24 and didn't have much detail so I googled. Apparently it had been announced earlier and just released. Collapsible / foldable stock, polymer stock and mags, new flash suppressor and it fires Nato rounds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4IfeFz_i14

https://taskandpurpose.com/military-tec ... ifle-video

Some of the features were previously release on AK-12 / AK-15, not sure all the differences.
https://www.popularmechanics.com/milita ... %20AK%2D47.

[Beiruty]

My version in 556
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ALT17P3S6g6JSjMn8

[jerry_r60]

My version in 556
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ALT17P3S6g6JSjMn8

Nice!

[Rafe]

Color me intrigued. Here's another item about the AK-19 from August 25; it's from the website Russia Beyond so you get to deal with some "Russian products are always superior" sort of language:

https://www.rbth.com/science-and-tech/3 ... rifle-nato

I don't own a rifle with a Kalashnikov manual of arms. I've shot a number, but don't own one. Hindrance for me was that I simply didn't want to add another caliber and another magazine requirement. Introduction of the AK-12 & AK-15 didn't help those issues for me, of course.

Beiruty, is that an actual AK-19? From what I've read, the 19 uses a new, proprietary polymer magazine, that it isn't out-of-the box compatible with AR15/M4 mil-spec mags. Has yours been altered to accept standard AR mags?

But I'm still intrigued even if it would mean new magazines. Everything I've read indicates the same basic operation and field takedown as older Kalashnikov's, but with design improvements first added with 12/15 like a reworked gas system, barrel that's a little more free-floated than the 47/74 ("quasi-freefloat"?), lower sight profile, picatinny rails, a "universal" suppressor mounting...and chambered for 5.56x45 NATO.