AKSZ

The AKSZ, known as Avtomat Kalashnikova for the Midwest (Russian: Avtomat Kalashnikova dlya Srednego Zapada), or under its Midwestern classification the KAR-1(223) (Kalashnikov Automatic Rifle 1 - .223) is a select-fire rifle chambered in .223 employed by the Midwest Union Armed Forces. Adopted in 1981, originally manufactured in the USSR and later homeland steel and milling factories near Chicago. In 2000 it was succeeded by the KAR-4. It was also used in Ope, Kurwa! (1998) by Dakotan police officers.

AKSZ
AKSZ 1980 Digitized Patent Drawing
Type	Assault rifle
Place of origin	Soviet Union
Service history
In service	1981-present
Used by	The Midwest Separation Union
Wars	See Conflicts and Employment
Production history
Designer	Mikhail Kalashnikov
Manufacturer	Kalashnikov Concern and various steel mills (Midwest)
Produced	1981–present
Variants	See Variants
Specifications
Weight	Without magazine: 3.80 kg (8.4 lb) Magazine, empty: 0.50 kg (1.1 lb)
Length	Fixed wooden stock: 900 mm (35 in) 890 mm (35.0 in) (folding stock extended) 660 mm (26.0 in) (stock folded)
Barrel length	Overall length: 415 mm (16.3 in) Rifled bore length: 369 mm (14.5 in)
Cartridge	.223, 5.56
Action	Gas-operated, closed rotating bolt
Rate of fire	Cyclic rate: 580 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity	715 m/s (2,350 ft/s)
Effective firing range	350 m (380 yd)
Feed system	25-round, 30-round, round detachable box magazine, Mini-14 Compatible
Sights	100–800 m adjustable iron sights Sight radius: 378 mm (14.9 in)

Design

The AKSZ accepts stripper clips, and has a detachable 30 round magazine, interchangeable with Ruger Mini-14 magazines. Classically equipped with a folding wire stock, some coming with wood. The receiver is notably longer than AK-47, and the trigger is further back to make room for the longer bolt and slot for stripper clips, this also slightly dampening recoil. As rounds are entered via the ejection-clip port, they are redirected down by the a telescoping extrude of the bolt, moving forward when cycling, into the inserted magazine. The foregrip is sheet metal with heat ports. The barrel is fitted with an M14 style compensator, compatible with M6 bayonets.

In later models, after complaints of the gun being too top heavy, such as the AKSZ-1, KAR-1(223)A1, the stripper clip functionality is removed, the trigger moved back further, and bolt shortened. The length of the receiver remains, simply shortening the stock.

In 1984, when homeland manufacturing began, logging from northern states began to be shipped down for usage in stocks and foregrips, making early homebrew models obsolete.

Conflicts and Employment

Homeland

The Department of Civilian Defense is a common user of the AKSZ variants, previously over the M14 and Mini-14, and now over the KAR-4 for its ruggedness and reliability in extreme conditions.

Conquest

Dakotan Theatre

The AKSZ was the most common rifle during the 1983 Dakotan Theatre for Midwestern forces.

Variants

"Homebrews"

Many soldiers of the Midwest Armed Forces have been recorded modifying their rifles, even encouraged by officers, notable modifications include:

• Wood stocks and foregrips.
• Optic mounts
• (singularly) "Private Anderson's Water Cooled LMG DMR jack-of-all-trades"

KAR-2(308)

The KAR-308 is a Midwest designed rechambering of the original model, built for armor piercing and self defense in bear country. It was also adopted by the Department of Civilian Defense's Paranormal Division for the theorized stopping power against cryptids. .

KAR-3(45)

The KAR-45 is a PDW adaption, sporting a shorter barrel, and rechambering into .45 ACP. With a "Tommy Gun" style foregrip.

Gallery

AKSZA1 left in the grass during Dakotan Theatre