Kurbatov Arms R-701 Pistol Caliber Carbine [Arms & Hunting 2018]

by Hrachya H

Published: October 18th, 2018

Kurbatov Arms R-701 Pistol Caliber Carbine [Arms & Hunting 2018] (1)

During the Arms & Hunting 2018 exhibition, a Russian company called Kurbatov Arms introduced a new 9mm pistol caliber carbine called R-701. This PCC is a completely new design and has some cool features. Let’s take a closer look.

Kurbatov Arms R-701 Pistol Caliber Carbine [Arms & Hunting 2018] (6)

A version with a handguard extension installed

The Kurbatov Arms R-701 PCC is a simple blowback operated firearm chambered in 9x19mm. This carbine is compatible with standard AR-15 trigger mechanisms, buffer tubes, stocks, and grips.

Kurbatov Arms R-701 Pistol Caliber Carbine [Arms & Hunting 2018] (7)

Note the AR-15 trigger mechanism

This new carbine is fed from detachable box magazines borrowed from the Saiga-9. The magazine release button of the stock version is located inside the trigger guard. However, it can be easily retrofitted with an upgrade part that extends to either side of the trigger guard. The latter is a much better option in terms of the ergonomics and speed of releasing the magazine and it is also a much safer solution not requiring to stick your finger inside the trigger guard for releasing the magazine.

Kurbatov Arms R-701 Pistol Caliber Carbine [Arms & Hunting 2018] (2)

The stock magazine release button is located inside the trigger guard

Kurbatov Arms R-701 Pistol Caliber Carbine [Arms & Hunting 2018] (4)

The upgraded magazine release button is much safer and faster

The magazine release button extension is attached via a screw

This PCC is built around a central steel trunnion. The barrel and the lower receiver are permanently attached to that trunnion. The upper receiver is attached to the lower receiver via rails and retained in place by a spring loaded plunger located at the rear portion of the receiver. In order to disassemble the upper receiver, you need to press the plunger in and slide the upper receiver rearwards. The assembly requires sliding the upper receiver forward until it clicks in place.

Kurbatov Arms R-701 Pistol Caliber Carbine [Arms & Hunting 2018] (9)

The field stripped Kurbatov Arms R-701 PCC

Kurbatov Arms R-701 Pistol Caliber Carbine [Arms & Hunting 2018] (3)

The disassembly button is located at the rear end of the upper and lower receivers

Having the scope rails on the removable upper receiver which is not attached to the barrel doesn’t sound like the best solution in terms of the rigidity of the scope mounting platform. However, the company has acknowledged and solved this issue by incorporating two steel lugs into the upper receiver design. These lugs have corresponding recesses in the central trunnion that consistently align the upper receiver ensuring a retained zero.

Kurbatov Arms R-701 Pistol Caliber Carbine [Arms & Hunting 2018] (11)

Note the two steel T-shaped lugs inside the upper receiver

Interestingly, the recoil spring of this gun is a shortened AK recoil spring. Other features of Kurbatov Arms R-701 PCC include the reversible non-reciprocating charging handle, optional extended handguards and quite a large polymer buffer inside the rear portion of the lower receiver where the bolt impacts.

Kurbatov Arms R-701 Pistol Caliber Carbine [Arms & Hunting 2018] (10)

The non-reciprocating charging handle mechanism

Kurbatov Arms R-701 Pistol Caliber Carbine [Arms & Hunting 2018] (8)

The recoil spring telescopes over the barrel

Kurbatov Arms R-701 Pistol Caliber Carbine [Arms & Hunting 2018] (14)

The recoil spring guide rod fits inside the top hole in the bolt

According to the company officials, they are planning to later introduce the intermediate caliber version of this firearm.

#9mm #Pcc #R-701 #Kurbatov #KurbatovArms

Hrachya H

Managing Editor Being a lifelong firearms enthusiast, Hrachya always enjoys studying the history and design of guns and ammunition. Should you need to contact him, feel free to shoot him a message at Hrachya@TheFirearmBlog.com

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2 of 12 comments

Ttlegend on Oct 20, 2018

All this info and no mention of price.

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Max G on Oct 24, 2018

Looks like something made with western market in mind, otherwise can't explain the ability to use AR-15 triggers, pistol grips and the buffer tube stock.
As far as lack of MLOK or KEYMOD hand-guard goes - some aftermarket mob will make one if there are enough in circulation.

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Tomáš on Mar 03, 2025

Zajímavá zbraň. Je jen škoda, že výrobci zbraní z bývaleho východního bloku opomíjejí náboj 7,62x25 Tokarev. Naopak v USA firma KAK industri vyrábí na platformě AR15 zbraně v této ráži a v různých délkách hlavní 5,25"(PDW) a 16"(PCC)

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Kurbatov Arms R-701 Pistol Caliber Carbine [Arms & Hunting 2018]

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