Hey TerraN Is this how the new
will look like? Looks much better than the previous version.
Back to bottling my Grenache
Hard to say Conrad, I would like to see the balanced recoil system merged into AK12 but doubt it will happen. I am betting on them trying to simplify there construction and reduce the costs in that I am assuming a simplified stock, and rail like that one.
The question still yet to be answered is if the AK12 which seems to be there pick, then how far? AK12 is a system weapon, perhaps not has ambitious as the Stoner 63 but a system weapon all the same. That means AK12 can jump calibers standard Russian 5.45x39 or 7.62x39 as well as Nato Standard 5.56x45 or exoticslike 6.5x39 Grendel or 6.8SPC or maybe Norinco's 5.8x42 or perhaps the rumored Universal rifle cartridge the Russians have been said to be working on in secret. Its said there is a heavier version for larger rounds that can take 7.62x51mm Nato or 7.62x54mm Mosin Nagant.
It can be reconfigured as RPK12(infantry light machine gun: Ling heavy barrel, high cap drum or casket magazine and bipod), AK12U(12.5 inch barrel), AKSU12(9 inch barrel, perhaps a stock like its competitor) SDV12 (heaver caliber like 7.62Nato or 6.5 grendel ot 7.62x54R, long barrel, scope, bipod), AK12 Saiga (12gauge shot gun version), perhaps even bullpup versions. Os if the Russians go AK12 they could conceivably be replacing a wide swath of Russian Military small arms.
And with that they could then move onto there accessories, a new version of the GP that airbursts or has a digital range finder for Ratnik, a under barrel shotgun revolver for urban warfare, improved Day/night sight for Ratnik. Ecta... Ecta.... But that's all potential.
Its not known yet if the Russians intend to go whole hog. Or if like AN94 the program will sputter out and die. It is known that for the foreseeable future however the Russian Army will continue to use AK74 series with a number of modifications including Zenit rail systems Scopes both off the shelf from Europe, the US (as long as they are still available) Belarus ( likely fall back if US and EU sanctions force Russian military services to stop buying accessories from the US and Europe) topco style selector modifications, and replacement stocks.
