View source for AK-9

{{Short description|Russian assault rifle}}
{{about|the firearm|Alaska Route 9|Seward Highway}}
{{multiple issues|
{{more footnotes|date=January 2013}}
{{Update|date=April 2011}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name               = AK-9
| image              = AK-9 Assault rifle.jpg
| caption            = AK-9 with a suppressor
| image_size         = 300
| type               = [[Assault rifle]]
<!-- Type selection -->
| service            = 2007–present{{Citation needed|date=July 2025}}
| wars               = [[Syrian civil war]]{{Citation needed|date=January 2015}}
<!-- Production history -->
| designer           = Izhevsk machine-building plant
| number             = Few hundreds (limited usage)
| length             = {{convert|881|mm|in|abbr=on}} (with suppressor)<br />{{convert|705|mm|in|abbr=on}} (without suppressor)<br />{{convert|465|mm|in|abbr=on}} (stock folded & without suppressor)
| action             = [[Gas-operated reloading|Gas-operated]], [[rotating bolt]]
| origin             = Russia
| is_ranged          = Yes
<!-- Service history -->
| used_by            = See ''[[#Users|Users]]''
| design_date        = Early 2000s
| manufacturer       = Izhevsk machine-building plant
| production_date    = 2000s
| variants           = 
<!-- General specifications -->
| weight             = {{convert|3.1|kg|lb|2|abbr=on}} (without suppressor)<br />{{convert|3.8|kg|lb|2|abbr=on}} (with suppressor)
| part_length        = {{convert|200|mm|in|0|abbr=on}}
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
| cartridge          = [[9×39mm]]
| rate               = 750–800 rounds/min
| velocity           = {{cvt|290|to|305|m/s|ft/s}}
| range              = {{convert|400|m|yd|1|abbr=on}}
| max_range          = 
| feed               = 20-round detachable box magazine
| sights             = [[Iron sight]]s and various optical sights by the use of a [[Warsaw Pact rail]]
<!-- For all -->
| ref = <ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-28 |title=АК-9 автомат Калашникова - характеристики, ттх, фото |url=https://www.armoury-online.ru/articles/ar/ru/ak-9/ |access-date=2023-09-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528070531/https://www.armoury-online.ru/articles/ar/ru/ak-9/ |archive-date=28 May 2022 }}</ref>
}}

The '''AK-9''' is a [[Russia]]n special-purpose compact [[assault rifle]], chambered in [[9×39mm]] cartridge. Its development started in 2004, when Izhevsk Machine-Building Plant (Izhmash), now part of [[Kalashnikov Concern]], started working on a compact assault rifle based on the [[AKS-74U]], designed to use a quick-detachable [[suppressor]]. Another prototype was later developed in 2007, which was based on the [[AK-104]], thereby making the AK-9 a part of the [[AK-100 rifle family]]. The AK-9 is primarily designed for special units of the [[Interior Ministry of Russia|Interior Ministry]] and the Russian Army.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://spec-naz.org/armory/automats_and_assault_rifles/avtomat_kalashnikova_ak_9/|title=Автомат Калашникова АК-9|website=spec-naz.org|access-date=2017-06-30}}</ref>

According to its characteristics, the AK-9 competes against the [[AS Val]], [[SR-3 Vikhr#SR-3M|SR-3M]] and [[9A-91]], but has seen limited use compared to these counterparts, which have already seen service in Russian military and police units.

==History==
In 2006, Russian authorities wanted the [[Izhmash]] factory to design a rifle with Kalashnikov properties, but suitable to be used in [[special operations]]. Factory manager Vladimir Grodetsky stated that the rifle was for [[special forces]] for [[Counter-terrorism|anti-terrorist operations]]. Alexei Dragunov, one of the designers of the AK-9, says "It shoots virtually without a sound and it can go through a [[Bulletproof vest|bullet-proof vest]]". The AK-9 is also lighter than earlier Kalashnikov models.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}

From the Vladimir Zlobin interview in February 2013:
<blockquote>We are working on an entire line of various small arms based on the [[AK-12]]. These would be submachine guns and compact assault rifles, automatic carbines and hand-held machine guns. A series of special-purpose rifles will be developed based on the AK-12 platform. For example, the AK-9 special-purpose assault rifle was transferred to this platform. The AK-9 is planned to go under preliminary tests this spring.<ref name=Zlobin>{{cite interview |last=Zlobin |first=Vladimir |interviewer=Andrei Bondarenko |title="Калашниковы" для XXI века |trans-title="Kalashnikovs" for the XXI century |language=ru |newspaper=[[Krasnaya Zvezda]] |publication-date=15 February 2013 |issue=28 (26247) |pages=10–11 |url=http://vpk.name/news/84504_kalashnikovyi_dlya_xxi_veka.html |access-date=21 February 2013}}</ref></blockquote>

==Design details==
The AK-9 is a select-fire special-purpose compact assault rifle chambered for the [[9×39mm]] [[Subsonic ammunition|subsonic]] [[Cartridge (firearms)|cartridge]] (SP-5 and SP-6), and features a quick-detachable suppressor. The original prototype of the AK-9 was designed in 2004, which was based on the [[AKS-74U]]. Then in 2007, Izhmash designed another prototype based on the [[AK-104]], which was then used as the basis of the AK-9's further development.

The AK-9 features the same tried and proven [[Gas-operated reloading|gas operated]], [[Bolt (firearms)|rotary bolt action]], and same "Kalashnikov-style" controls including reciprocating bolt handle, safety/fire selector lever and overall layout with side-folding polymer [[Stock (firearms)|buttstock]]. The [[Polymer]] furniture is improved with the addition of accessories such as a [[Picatinny rail]] on the bottom of the forend and the left side of the [[Receiver (firearms)|receiver]] is fitted with a [[Warsaw Pact rail]]. The barrel can be fitted with a specially designed quick-detachable [[suppressor]] (sound moderator), which is especially effective with the 9×39mm subsonic cartridge. The [[Magazine (firearms)|magazine]] is made of black polymer, holds 20 rounds of ammunition and appears to be of proprietary design, making it not compatible with other (competing) rifles of the same calibre, which are already in service with Russia military and law enforcement.

The AK-9 supports wide range of attachments such as a mounted grenade launcher, laser sights, tactical lights and other tactical accessories. The trigger mechanism allows it to fire in semi-automatic fire and fully automatic fire. The firing module is similar to that of the Kalashnikov assault rifle and is located on the right side of the rifle.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}

==Users==
[[File:AK-9 Users.png|thumb|Map with AK-9 users in blue]]
*{{flag|Mongolia}}: Used by the Mongolian Armed Forces and Police, S.W.A.T.{{citation needed|date=December 2017}}
*{{flag|Russia}}: In very limited usage.
*{{flag|Syria}}: Used by the [[Syrian Army]] and [[Syrian Public Security Police|Police]].{{Citation needed|date=January 2015}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons and category}}
* [http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/world/russian-gunmaker-develops-antiterrorist-kalashnikov-20070810-sic.html Russian gunmaker develops 'anti-terrorist' Kalashnikov] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214180346/http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/world/russian-gunmaker-develops-antiterrorist-kalashnikov-20070810-sic.html |date=14 February 2009 }}.''[[Brisbane Times]]''.10 August 2007. Retrieved 2009-01-23.
* [http://weapon.at.ua/load/321-1-0-831 Article at Weapon.at.ua]
* Article at http://spec-naz.org/armory/automats_and_assault_rifles/avtomat_kalashnikova_ak_9/

{{AK47 derivatives}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:AK-009}}
[[Category:9×39mm firearms]]
[[Category:Silenced firearms]]
[[Category:Assault rifles of Russia]]
[[Category:Kalashnikov derivatives]]
[[Category:Izhevsk machine-building plant products]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 2000s]]