The TKB-517 (Russian: ТКБ-517) is an assault rifle designed by German Aleksandrovich Korobov. This rifle was externally similar to the AK-47, but based on the lever-delayed blowback mechanism invented by John Pedersen and refined by Pál Király. It turned out to be more reliable, more accurate and controllable under full auto, and easier to produce and maintain.[1] Like the AK series, it was also manufactured with folding stocks, longer, heavier barrels with bipods (forming light support weapons) and even a belt-fed variant. Its rejection was because of a greater proficiency with the AK-47 among the Soviet military, though it is just as likely it was rejected due to relatively high extraction pressure, which is a common issue firearms using lever-delayed blowback actions.[2]
| TKB-517 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Assault rifle |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union |
| Production history | |
| Designer | German Korobov |
| Designed | c. 1952 |
| Manufacturer | Tula Arms Plant |
| Variants | TKB-317 TKB-454 TKB-516 TKB-523 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 3.18 kg (7.0 lb) (unloaded) 3.5 kg (7.7 lb)(loaded with 30-round magazine) |
| Length | 910 mm (36 in) |
| Barrel length | 415 mm (16.3 in) |
| Cartridge | 7.62×39mm |
| Action | Lever-delayed blowback |
| Rate of fire | 560 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 720 m/s (2,400 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 350–400 m (1,150–1,310 ft) |
| Maximum firing range | 1,500 m (4,900 ft) |
| Feed system | 30-round detachable box magazine Belt (TKB-516) |
| Sights | Adjustable iron sights |
Design and features
editThe TKB-517 is externally similar to the AK-47 and field-strips similarly, but instead it uses lever-delayed blowback for its operation, slightly reducing recoil and making it more controllable. The receiver is made from pressed steel with laminated wood stock, grip and handguards.[3]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Popenker, Maxim. "Korobov TKB-517". Modern Firearms. Retrieved April 4, 2007.
- ^ McCollum, Ian. "Play (k) 2:33 / 2:56 How Does It Work: Lever Delayed Blowback". Youtube. Forgotten Weapons. Archived from the original on 2021-12-14. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
- ^ F, Nathaniel (December 13, 2014). "Ten 20th Century Military Rifles History Has Forgotten". The Firearm Blog. Archived from the original on October 2, 2022.
- Russian Arms Workers: Ahead of time Archived 2011-08-12 at the Wayback Machine
- German Aleksandrovich Korobov
- Игорь Боечин, "Неизвестный Коробов", Оружие, 1998/5, pp. 2–10 (this gun on pp. 7–8)
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