The incredible side-by-side AK....

[SDC]

I'm reading through S.B. Monetchikov's "History of Russian Assault Rifles", and he mentions this downright freaky rifle designed by V.S. Yakushchev at TsNIITOChMASh during the 1970s; a side-by side AK variant, with one side firing the standard 5.45x39mm round, and the other side firing a special short .50-calibre grenade cartridge. This rifle will fire one OR the other, and to switch back and forth, you need to remove one of the magazines, as the magazine well for one calibre is the ejection port for the other calibre. The 5.45mm side accepts a 30-round magazine, while the 12.7mm side accepts a 10-round magazine. Here are a couple of pictures of this oddball, from http://militaryclub.narod.ru/war/pers.htm

Overall, assembled:


Overall, stripped:


View of muzzle of 12.7mm barrel:


View of bolt, showing extractors and ejection slots:

 

[texfed]

Cool! That's right up there with the Nazi Germany sub gun that had a curved barrel to shoot around corners!

 

[psyopspec]

Cool find, thanks for sharing!

 

[mgregg85]

Cool idea but I'm wondering how heavy it would be.

I'm thinking the underslung grenade launcher on an AK would be more effective as it could be kept loaded all the time with the AK still loaded and ready.

Having to unload one caliber to use the other on the double weapon seems like it would be too time consuming on a battle field.

 

[SDC]

Cool idea but I'm wondering how heavy it would be.

Monetchikov says 4.9 kilograms unloaded, which works out to a bit over 10 pounds, 12 ounces.

 

[modifiedbrowning]

Ever seen a Tromix Siamese .223?
http://www.imfdb.org/index.php?title=Tromix_Siamese_.223

 

[JesseL]

I'm really not understanding what I'm seeing on the bolt/bolt carrier.

It looks like both bolts are connected? But how would they rotate to lock?

 

[SDC]

Given the "elongated oval" shape of the bolt face(s), I think the whole front of the bolt cams up and down to lock, instead of rotating.

 

[daskro]

Perhaps the two rails below the bolts rotate away from the ejection port as the action is disengaged.

 

[JesseL]

Given the "elongated oval" shape of the bolt face(s), I think the whole front of the bolt cams up and down to lock, instead of rotating.

It looks like you're correct, but that raises more questions:

Are both barrels fired simultaneously? If so, why two gas pistons?

How does ejection work when the extractors and ejectors are opposite from where they ought to be for flinging empties out of their respective sides?

 

[nalioth]

It looks like you're correct, but that raises more questions:

Are both barrels fired simultaneously? If so, why two gas pistons?

How does ejection work when the extractors and ejectors are opposite from where they ought to be for flinging empties out of their respective sides?

This rifle will fire one OR the other, and to switch back and forth, you need to remove one of the magazines, as the magazine well for one calibre is the ejection port for the other calibre.

Reading is fundamental.

 

[JesseL]

Reading is fundamental.

Whoops, missed that part.

 

[nalioth]

I suspect this weapon would not have been issued for general use.

 

[Famaldehide Face]

Gotta give those Russian Engineers some credit

 

[LaEscopeta]

…the magazine well for one calibre is the ejection port for the other calibre.

So the 12.7mm mag fits onto the 5.45 mm ejection port on the right side of the rifle? The 1st photo of the right side does not look like the standard AK ejection port but there is a level below the rear sight that looks like it might hold the 12.7 mm mag in place.

Are both barrels fired simultaneously? If so, why two gas pistons?

If the 12.7 mag goes on the right side maybe that explains why 2 gas pistons are needed. The big mag would stop the bolt handle for the small caliber piston from moving, requiring a second piston (and a reciprocating handle for the 2cd piston on the left of the rifle?)

 

[JesseL]

When a 5.45mm magazine is in the right side magwell it fires 5.45mm rounds, the right side piston cycles the action, and ejects the empties out the magwell on the left.

When a 12.7mm magazine is in the magwell on the left, it fires 12.7mm rounds, the left side piston cycles the action, and the empties eject out the right side magwell.