View source for AR-M1

{{unreliable sources|date=August 2018}}

{{Infobox weapon
|name=AR-M1
| image= File:BulgAR.jpg
| image_size = 300
|caption=An Arsenal AR in 7.62x39mm
|origin=[[Bulgaria]]
|type=[[Assault Rifle]]
<!-- Type selection -->
|is_ranged=Yes
<!-- Service history -->
|service= 2000–present
|used_by= See ''[[#Users|Users]]''
|wars=[[Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir]]<br>[[2001 insurgency in Macedonia]]<br>[[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)]]<br>[[Iraq War]]<br>[[Russo-Georgian war]]<br>[[Syrian Civil War]]<br>[[Libyan Civil War (2014-present)|Libyan Civil War]]<br>[[Yemeni Civil War (2014-present)]]
<!-- Production history -->
|designer=
|design_date=
|manufacturer=[[Arsenal AD]]
|unit_cost=
|production_date= 1998 - present
|number=
|variants= See ''[[AR-M1#Variants|Variants]]''
<!-- General specifications -->
|spec_label=
|weight=(without magazine) {{convert|3.62|kg|lb|2|abbr=on}}<ref name ='Arsenal M1'/>
|length={{convert|930|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name ='Arsenal M1'/>
|part_length=
|width=
|height=
|diameter=
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
|cartridge=[[5.56×45mm NATO]] and [[7.62×39mm]]
|action=[[Gas-operated reloading]]
|rate=600–700 rounds/min<ref name="arsenal-bg.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.arsenal-bg.com/c/556x45-762x39-mm-assault-rifles-barrel-length-415-mm-44/762x39-mm-ar-49|title = 7.62x39 mm AR - Arsenal JSCo. - Bulgarian manufacturer of weapons and ammunition since 1878}}</ref><ref name ="Iraq"/>
|velocity={{convert|910|m/s|0|abbr=on}}<ref name ='Arsenal M1'>{{cite web|url=http://www.arsenal-bg.com/c/556x45-762x39-mm-assault-rifles-barrel-length-415-mm-44/556x45-and-762x39-mm-ar-m1-30|title=5.56x45 and 7.62x39 mm AR-M1 - Arsenal JSCo. - Bulgarian manufacturer of weapons and ammunition since 1878|website=www.arsenal-bg.com}}</ref>
|range=600m<ref name ="Iraq"/>
|max_range=1,350 m<ref name ='Arsenal M1'/>
|feed=30-round detachable [[box magazine]]<ref name ="Iraq"/>
|sights={{convert|370|mm|abbr=on|1}} sight radius<ref name ='Arsenal M1'/>
}}

The '''AR-M1''' is a [[Bulgaria]]n assault rifle designed primarily for export. It is a modernized Bulgarian development of the AK, which itself is a copy of the earlier Soviet Type-3 milled receiver [[AK-47]].<ref name=Brayley>{{cite book|last=Brayley|first=Martin|title=Kalashnikov AK47 Series: The 7.62 x 39mm Assault Rifle in Detail|date=June 1, 2013|pages=45–59|publisher=The Crowood Press|location=Marlborough|isbn=978-1847974839}}</ref> 

There are two versions of the AR-M1. One chambered in [[5.56×45mm NATO]], and the other in the Soviet [[7.62×39mm]] cartridge.

== History ==
During the late 1950s, the [[Bulgarian People's Army]] was equipped with [[AK-47]]s imported from the Soviet Union. However, by the early 1960s, the Bulgarian government became interested in producing the AK assault rifle domestically.<ref name=Brayley/> Assembly of AKs, initially from imported Soviet parts, began at the [[Arsenal AD]] state arsenal in [[Kazanlak]].<ref name=Brayley/> By the mid 1960s, the Kazanlak facility was equipped to begin licensed production of the weapon type and its associated parts. Kalashnikov rifles assembled and later manufactured in Kazanlak received the designation ''AKK''.<ref name=Brayley/> A derivative with a folding stock was also produced under license as the ''AKKS''.<ref name=Brayley/> 

After the dissolution of the [[People's Republic of Bulgaria]] in the early 1990s, the Kazanlak factory became a [[joint-stock company]] known as [[Arsenal AD]].<ref name=Brayley/> Arsenal offered several modernized variants of the AKK for export, which were rebranded as the ''AR'' series.<ref name=Brayley/> The ''AR'' pattern rifles are AKKs with different furniture and a few unique features, such as polymer stocks and handguards, as well as several external parts copied directly from the [[AK-74]] including new flash hiders, sights, gas blocks, bayonet mountings and bayonets.<ref name=Brayley/> AR-M1 receivers are milled, rather than stamped (unlike the [[AKM]]), and are virtually indistinguishable from those of the early pattern Soviet AKs.<ref name=Brayley/> 

A derivative of the AKKS is also offered for export as the ''ARF''.<ref name=Brayley/>

==Variants==
The following are/were manufacted by Arsenal AD.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arsenal-bg.com/comparative-table-for-762x39-mm-arsenal-assault-rifles-6|title=Comparative Table for 7.62x39 mm ARSENAL Assault Rifles - Arsenal JSCo. - Bulgarian manufacturer of weapons and ammunition since 1878|website=www.arsenal-bg.com}}</ref>

* AR-M1 / AR-M1F{{efn|The -F model features a folding stock.}} - improved AKK copy with a [[flash suppressor]], black polymer stock set, luminous spots on the [[iron sight]]s and a rail for mounting [[Telescopic sight|optics]]. Chambered in [[5.56×45mm NATO]] and [[7.62×39mm]].
* AR-M2 / AR-M2F - improved AK-74 copy like the AR-M1/AR-M1F, but with a shortened barrel, [[AK-74#AKS-74U|AKS-74U]] front sight base and [[muzzle booster]]/flash suppressor hybrid.
* AR-M4SF - extremely short development of the AR-M1 with [[red dot sight]], provision to mount a [[Night vision|night]] [[Night-vision device|vision]] or [[laser sight]]. Chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO<ref name="Honduras"/> and 7.62×39mm.
* AR-M7F - like the AR-M1, but with an [[AK-101]]-style folding stock.
* AR-M9 / AR-M9F - improved AK-74 copy like the AR-M1/AR-M1F, features a thumb-operable [[Selective fire|fire selector]] and a different style polymer stock set.<ref name ='SAS 26'/>
* AR / AR-F - improved [[AK-47]] copies with black polymer lining and optional luminous sights.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-05 |title=7.62x39 mm AR - Arsenal JSCo. - Bulgarian manufacturer of weapons and ammunition since 1878 |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230105152742/https://www.arsenal-bg.com/c/556x45-762x39-mm-assault-rifles-barrel-length-415-mm-44/762x39-mm-ar-49 |access-date=2025-02-17 |website=web.archive.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-05 |title=7.62x39 mm AR-F - Arsenal JSCo. - Bulgarian manufacturer of weapons and ammunition since 1878 |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230105204334/http://www.arsenal-bg.com/c/556x45-762x39-mm-assault-rifles-barrel-length-415-mm-44/762x39-mm-ar-f-50 |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=web.archive.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Arsenal AR 7.62x39mm Fixed Buttstock Assault Rifle |url=https://arsenal-defense.com/product/firearms/rifles/arsenal-ar-7-62x39mm-fixed-buttstock-assault-rifle/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Arsenal Defense |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Arsenal AR-F 7.62x39mm Under-folding Assault Rifle |url=https://arsenal-defense.com/product/firearms/rifles/arsenal-ar-arf-762x39mm-assault-rifle/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Arsenal Defense |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Trichy assault rifle]] - Indian clone of the AR-M1 series.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2018/04/19/trichy-assault-rifle-gaining-traction-among-indian-law-enforcement/ | title="Trichy" Assault Rifle Gaining Traction Among Indian Law Enforcement | date=19 April 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/indian-assault-rifle-giving-stiff-competition-to-latest-russian-ak/articleshow/73941601.cms | title=Indian assault rifle giving stiff competition to latest Russian AK | newspaper=The Times of India | date=5 February 2020 }}</ref>

== Users ==
<!--READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please do not add entries into this list without a citation from a reliable source. All entries without a citation will be removed. Thank you.-->

[[File:A Indian CRPF QRT operator.jpg|thumb|An Indian [[Central Reserve Police Force|CRPF]] QRT operator with an AR-M1F41 modified with Israeli FAB Defense accessories.]]

* {{flag|Azerbaijan}}<ref>https://www.flickr.com/photos/39955793@N07/7999918704/{{better source needed|reason=image only|date=April 2020}}</ref>
* {{flag|Bulgaria}}: AR-M14SF used by the Military Police.{{citation needed|date=April 2025}}
* {{flag|Burundi}}<ref>https://www.flickr.com/photos/usarmyafrica/4324781393/{{better source needed|reason=image only|date=April 2020}}</ref>
* {{flag|Cameroon}}: AR-M4SF used by the [[Law enforcement in Cameroon|Police]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Photos - AK and its derivatives in action |url=https://www.militaryimages.net/threads/ak-and-its-derivatives-in-action.9076/page-17#post-187383 |website=A Military Photos & Video Website |access-date=11 December 2023 |date=19 March 2020}}{{better source needed|reason=image only|date=March 2024}}</ref>
* {{flag|Egypt}}<ref>https://www.dw.com/en/egypt-gunmen-launch-deadly-attack-on-coptic-church/a-41968020{{better source needed|reason=image only|date=April 2020}}</ref>
* {{flag|Georgia}}: 3500 5.45mm AR-M1 rifles imported<ref name ='UN Register'>{{cite web|title=UN small arms trade register|date=|first=N.R.|last=Jenzen-Jones|url=http://www.un-register.org/SmallArms/CountryDetail.aspx?Register_Id=559|access-date=2018-09-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915042352/http://www.un-register.org/SmallArms/CountryDetail.aspx?Register_Id=559|archive-date=2018-09-15|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* {{flag|Honduras}}: 5.56mm AR-M4SF used by the [[National Police of Honduras|Police]].<ref name="Honduras">{{cite magazine|title=Police Small Arms Arsenals in the Northern Central American Triangle|date=4 December 2015|volume=7|issue=5|url=http://www.sadefensejournal.com/wp/?p=3259|magazine=Small Arms Defense Journal}}</ref>
*{{flag|India}}: [[Railway Protection Force]],<ref>https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/no-ak-47-train-escort-party-ordered-to-carry-pistols-only/articleshow/102408077.cms</ref> [[Central Armed Police Forces]].<ref>https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/baby-tar-india-s-smallest-assault-rifle-1762654-2021-01-25</ref>
* {{flag|Indonesia}}: AR-M1F used by [[Kostrad|Tontaipur]].<ref>https://batam.tribunnews.com/2018/02/16/inilah-tontaipur-kostrad-pasukan-elite-tni-ad-jago-kubur-diri-pakai-pelepah-daun-pepaya{{better source needed|reason=image only|date=April 2020}}</ref><ref>http://indonesiaeliteforces.tripod.com/id13.html{{better source needed|reason=image only|date=April 2020}}</ref>
* {{flag|Iraq}}: 751 5.56mm AR-M1F rifles,<ref name="Iraq">{{cite report|author=Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction|author-link=Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction|date=28 October 2006|title=Iraqi Security Forces: Weapons Provided by the US Department of Defense Using the Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund|series=SIGIR-06-033|pages=8, 17|url=http://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a460516.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170430160340/http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a460516.pdf|url-status=live|archive-date=April 30, 2017}}</ref> also AR-M1s<ref>[[c:File:USMC-050522-M-0502E-015.jpg|Picture of an Iraqi soldier with an AR-M1]]{{better source needed|date=August 2018}}</ref>
* {{flag|Ivory Coast}}<ref name = 'SAS RCI 2012'>{{cite report|language=fr|title=Enquête nationale sur les armes légères et de petit calibre en Côte d'Ivoire: les défis du contrôle des armes et de la lutte contre la violence armée avant la crise post-électorale|first=Savannah|last=de Tessières|publisher=[[United Nations Development Programme|UNDP]], Commission Nationale de Lutte contre la Prolifération et la Circulation Illicite des Armes Légères et de Petit Calibre and [[Small Arms Survey]]|date= April 2012|series=Special Report No. 14|url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/C-Special-reports/SAS-SR14-CoteIvoire.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121118234610/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/C-Special-reports/SAS-SR14-CoteIvoire.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 18, 2012|page=97}}</ref>
* {{flag|Libya}}: 11th ''Lightning'' Battalion uses AR-M9s.<ref name ='SAS 26'>{{cite book|title=Web Trafficking: Analysing the Online Trade of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Libya|first1=N.R.|last1=Jenzen-Jones|first2=Ian|last2=McCollum|date=April 2017|series=Working Paper No. 26|editor=Small Arms Survey|editor-link=Small Arms Survey|page=53|url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/F-Working-papers/SAS-SANA-WP26-Libya-web-trafficking.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170516085143/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/F-Working-papers/SAS-SANA-WP26-Libya-web-trafficking.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 16, 2017}}</ref>
* {{flag|Niger}}: Special forces using AR-M52T rifles.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lionel |first1=Ekene |title=Nigér special forces fielding Bulgarian made AR-M52T assault rifles |url=https://www.military.africa/2023/03/niger-special-forces-fielding-bulgarian-made-ar-m52t-assault-rifles/ |website=Military Africa |access-date=8 December 2024 |date=30 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{flag|Philippines}}: Philippine Army confirmed use of AR-M52F assault rifle from Bulgaria during 125th founding anniversary on 23 March 2022, used by First Special Forces Regiment.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=278047307851509&set=pcb.278048847851355 Philippine Army Official Facebook page]</ref>
* {{flag|Serbia}}: Arsenal AR.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vs.rs/index.php?content=4749f06a-04b2-102c-b61c-7e17f68cdaa3|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325075022/http://www.vs.rs/index.php?content=4749f06a-04b2-102c-b61c-7e17f68cdaa3|archive-date=2016-03-25|title=Војска Србије &#124; Званични веб-сајт Војске Србије}}</ref>
* {{flag|Somalia}}: Used by DANAB Brigade.<ref>https://www.caasimada.net/ciidanka-danab-iyo-kuwii-gadoodsanaa-oo-shabaab-kala-wareegay-deegaano/{{Dead link|date=March 2021|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes }}{{better source needed|reason=image only|date=April 2020}}</ref><ref>https://www.hadalsame.com/2019/04/27/danab-teaches-us-loyalty-to-our-country/{{better source needed|reason=image only|date=April 2020}}</ref>
* {{flag|Sudan}}: AR-M9s<ref name ='ARES'>{{cite web|title=Bulgarian AR-M9 & AR-M9F rifles supplied by UAE to allied forces|date=31 January 2016|first=N.R.|last=Jenzen-Jones|url=http://armamentresearch.com/bulgarian-ar-m9-ar-m9f-rifles-supplied-by-uae-to-allied-forces/|work=The Hoplite}}</ref>
* {{flag|Uganda}}: AR-9F used by Ugandan Army.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.military.africa/2022/05/ugandan-army-fields-bulgarian-arsenal-ad-7-62x39-mm-ar-m9f-assault-rifle/|title=Ugandan army fields Bulgarian Arsenal AD 7.62×39 mm AR-M9F assault rifle|author=Patrick Kenyette|website=Military Africa|date=2022-05-13}}</ref>
* {{flag|United Arab Emirates}}: AR-M9s<ref name ='ARES'/>
* {{flag|United Kingdom}}: AR-M9Fs in 5.56mm NATO, bought as part of [[Operation Interflex]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCrSauOnBGs|title=How Britain is training up Ukrainian troops in the UK|website=[[YouTube]]|date=17 February 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://armourersbench.com/2023/02/05/ukrainians-training-with-bulgarian-arsenal-aks/|title=Ukrainians Training with Bulgarian Arsenal AKs|website=The Armourer's Bench|date=5 February 2023|access-date=5 April 2024}}</ref>
* {{flag|USA}}: AR-M1s in 5.56mm NATO, used by the 1st Battalion, [[4th Infantry Regiment (United States)|4th Infantry Regiment]] in their role as the [[opposing force]] at the [[Joint Multinational Readiness Center]].<ref>{{cite web|title=USAREUR OpFor ~ Men In Black In 2014 - Pt1|url=https://www.joint-forces.com/features/35427-usareur-opfor-men-in-black-in-2014-pt1|website=Joint Forces News|access-date=17 July 2022|date=31 August 2020}}</ref>
* {{flag|Yemen}}: AR-M9s<ref name ='ARES'/>

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References ==
{{Reflist|colwidth=50em}}

{{AK47 derivatives}}

[[Category:5.56×45mm NATO assault rifles]]
[[Category:7.62×39mm assault rifles]]
[[Category:Assault rifles of Bulgaria]]
[[Category:Kalashnikov derivatives]]