The new series of Kalashnikov rifles, announced some time ago, known as the AK 500 series, despite having many parts in common with the AK12 and AK15 models, is distinguished by a completely different design of the upper and lower receiver.

In the prototype AKV-521, chambered for the 5.45 × 39 mm round, it is difficult not to find references to the design of the AR15 system, because in the presented weapon we can see the upper and lower receiver are connected with pins and the upper receiver opens upwards in the way that is the American design, although the front pin is permanently mounted and cannot be removed. This design feature was probably used to allow the mounting of a picatinny type mounting rail on the top of the receiver, which is a significant departure from previous Kalashnikov's solutions regarding the method of mounting optics.

Other new solutions that can be found in the AKV-521 are, among other things, a double-sided fire safety/selector switch that combines AR and AK design features and a handguard that does not touch the barrel which has become the so-called free floating variant. The receiver the prototype AKV-521 was made of milled steel, but according to the manufacturer's information, serial models are to be equipped with receivers made of stamped metal sheets. An interesting fact is that the charging handle is detachable and must be removed to strip down the carbine. The diameter of the handle is compatible with the size of the QD type carrying sling mounting points and can be placed in them while the weapon is being disassembled.

Parts that remain consistent and conform to the AK standard include the trigger assembly. The carbine is feed from standard AK magazines (5.45 × 39 mm). Another reason for the application of the above-described AKV-521 receiver design is a specific modularity of the system, because, as rumor has it, the Kalashnikov concern is planning to produce models chambered for 7.62 × 39 mm, .223 Remington or .366 TKM rounds, as well as independent sets of upper receiver and barrels in various lengths and calibers.

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The 500 series of carbines are to be offered on the Russian civilian market. So far, nothing is known about possible tests of the rifle by the Russian army.

Source: thefirearmblog.com