A couple of months ago we reported about the prototype of a civilian AK-12 rifle that was being tested by competition shooters in Russia. That rifle had a model designation Saiga-AK12. Several days ago, Kalashnikov Concern announced that 2,000 deactivated AK-12 rifles will be sold to the civilians. And the latest news is that the civilian versions of both AK-12 and AK-15 rifles will soon hit the shelves of Russian gun stores under a new model designation of AK TR3.

The AK TR3 rifle will be available in 5.45x39mm or 7.62x39mm caliber options thus becoming the civilian copy of the AK-12 and AK-15 rifles respectively. The main difference from the military rifles is the simplified trigger control mechanism that lacks the two-round burst and full-auto modes. As you can see in the below-embedded image, there are only two positions of the safety selector lever – Safe and Fire. According to the description in the website of Russian firearms expert Maxim Popenker, when folded, the stock also blocks the trigger making it impossible to fire the gun with a folded stock. This blocking mechanism is added to comply with the Russian legislation which has an overall length restriction for civilian firearms.

All other features of the AK TR3 look to be directly borrowed from the AK-12/AK-15 rifles including the quick detach muzzle device of a new design, improved attachment mechanism of the receiver top cover, new rear sight, telescoping stock, new ergonomic pistol grip, free floated lower handguard, railed gas tube cover and receiver cover, etc. Also, the AK TR3 rifles will be sold with the new AK-12 magazines. The start of sales in Russia is estimated to be in August of the current year.

Here is also the video demonstration of the AK TR3 rifle.

Images from www.klashnikov.media

Hat tip to Edgar A