Kalashnikov rifles continue to evolve as the manufacturer incorporates lessons from their use in the special military operation zone. The AK-12 model introduced in 2023 received some of the most substantial changes: several earlier design choices were dropped, the safety and fire selector were revised, and development of compact versions continued.

The story of the family began with the AK-47, designed for the 7.62×39 mm intermediate cartridge. Trials started in 1946, and after a series of refinements and military testing, Mikhail Kalashnikov’s rifle entered service in 1949. Further work focused on making the weapon lighter, simpler to produce and more reliable.

The next major step came with the AKM by 1959. In 1974, the AK-74 was developed for the 5.45 mm cartridge. The new ammunition reduced recoil and bullet dispersion during automatic fire, while its lower weight allowed soldiers to carry more rounds. The later AK-74M became the basis for the «100 series.»

Kalashnikov-based rifles went on to become the world’s most widespread small arms. Estimates cited in the article put total production at between 75 million and 200 million units. Their global popularity was driven by simplicity, reliability and high firepower.

A new phase began with the 5.45 mm AK-12. The first batch was delivered to the Russian Armed Forces in late 2018. Development had started in 2011 for a Defense Ministry competition to select the main rifle for the Ratnik combat equipment system, and the weapon was recommended for adoption in 2017.

The AK-12 introduced features absent from earlier models. These included a two-round burst mode, a redesigned fire selector, magazines with openings for checking remaining ammunition, a more rigid receiver cover and Picatinny rails for additional equipment. The traditional open sector sight was replaced with a diopter sight adjustable for ranges of up to 800 meters.

The muzzle system was changed as well. Early AK-12 versions used a quick-detach muzzle brake compensator with a bayonet-style mount, allowing it to be replaced with devices intended to reduce muzzle flash and suppress firing noise.

The same design family also produced the 7.62 mm AK-15. It can use US subsonic ammunition with a heavy bullet together with a suppressor, significantly reducing the sound of the shot by eliminating the supersonic crack. The rifle is also positioned for use by special-purpose units.

Operational experience soon led to further revisions. An updated AK-12 appeared in 2020, and work accelerated after the start of the special military operation. In 2022, the Russian Defense Ministry’s Main Missile and Artillery Directorate proposed removing the two-round burst mode, fitting an ambidextrous fire selector and adding an adjustable cheek rest.

In May 2023, Kalashnikov presented another AK-12 version shaped by combat experience in the special operation zone. One of the central changes was the complete removal of the two-round burst function. Other revisions focused on making the rifle easier to handle and simpler to use.

Kalashnikov Concern head Alan Lushnikov said the 2023 AK-12 delivered a 20% improvement in accuracy and shot grouping. In his assessment, the rifle surpasses foreign counterparts in reliability and ease of use while remaining comparable in weight and overall dimensions.

Small-arms expert and Lazarev Tactical founder Konstantin Lazarev highlighted the redesigned safety. The large lever used on earlier versions was replaced by a compact selector that can be operated with one finger from either side of the rifle, TASS reported.

The muzzle device was also reworked. On the 2023 version it became an integral part of the rifle. Lazarev said, citing Kalashnikov representatives, that the change was intended to prevent alignment issues after removal and reinstallation from affecting accuracy.

Another revision combined the pistol grip and trigger guard into a single molded plastic component. Lazarev suggested that the change simplified both production and operation.

He singled out the compact AK-12K and subcompact AK-12SK as especially important additions to the family. Shorter rifles are better suited to confined spaces, where reducing overall weapon length gives the operator a clear advantage.

According to Lazarev, comparative testing found virtually no ballistic difference between a full-length rifle and a version with a medium-length barrel. Cutting weapon length by even 10–15 centimeters, however, makes a noticeable difference in trenches and inside buildings.

The AK-12SK is the most compact version of the family. Unlike the older AKSU and AK-74U, it is designed from the outset to accept additional equipment through Picatinny rails. Mounting modern sights on earlier compact Kalashnikov rifles was considerably more difficult and often required specialized components.

Lazarev described the diopter sight as a more debatable choice. It can speed up aiming once a shooter is properly trained, but it requires correct head position and eye distance. Personnel unfamiliar with the system therefore need additional instruction.

He viewed the removal of the two-round burst mode differently. In his assessment, it offered no major advantage, while making the selector more complicated and forcing soldiers to deal with an extra firing position under combat conditions.

The development of the AK-12 has therefore moved toward simpler controls, greater handling convenience and closer adaptation to real combat use. Experience from the special military operation has already led to the removal of earlier design solutions and the appearance of new compact versions of the rifle.