Today’s story is purely a review, dedicated exclusively to the model ranges of weapons for .366TKM, 9.6/53 “Lancaster”, as well as 345TK and 9x22 Altay 2022 and 2022 from the main Russian manufacturers.
Attention: all technical details, including data on ammunition, including expansive, shot and grapeshot, videos with both general information and shooting of specific samples are given in the first part of the article “Lancasters go on the offensive.”
Instead of a preface: what will happen to the Lancasters in 2022 and 2022
Not so long ago, the head of the Russian Guard came up with the following initiative: “... it is necessary to establish that the issuance of semi-automatic smooth-bore weapons of the Khatsan, Hunter, Saiga, and especially Lancaster systems will be after citizens have completed a five-year period with smooth-bore weapons, because semi-automatic weapons, especially the Lancaster system, can be close to rifled weapons in their lethal effect.”
The reason, as usual not only here, was the bloody incident at Kazan school No. 175, where the shooter used the popular Turkish Escort. As you can see, everything goes in full accordance with the famous joke: “The rear left wheel of the king’s carriage fell off. The order of the next day: “check the rear left wheels of all carriages.”
And in general - a somewhat strange formulation for a man in uniform, it would be more suitable for another journalist, blogger or deputy who saw weapons only on the screen of a gadget (or maybe the general just “voiced” someone else’s theses, unable to resist the pressure). After all, any semi-automatic machine is also a semi-automatic machine in Africa, regardless of the operating principle and especially the brand, and why the “Hatsan system” or “Saiga system” is worse :)), say, the “Benelli system” or the “Tiger system” is unclear.
And the “Lancasters” simply could not help but come under attack; for a very long time, certain high-sitting “servants of the people” looked askance at them. It is not surprising that it was the deputies who brought the initiative to its logical conclusion - that is, they enshrined the restrictions in law. Well, there is a lot more fun in the amendments, but retelling the innovations is not the topic of this article; those who are interested will find somewhere to read about them.
The only thing that can be said to console novice shooters: since the law does not have retroactive force (although, alas, there have been precedents to the contrary), then, in theory, those who managed to acquire a semi-automatic or Lancaster before it came into force in 2022 , even if they have not yet achieved the required “five-year plan,” they cannot act as violators of anything, but are bona fide purchasers and users. The authorities are unlikely to agree to a wholesale confiscation of samples that have suddenly become illegal during a period of already serious tension in society, well, at least if they soberly assess the situation.
Shotguns and carbines .366TKM, 9.6/53 “lancaster”, 345TK and 9x22 Altay produced by Molot-Oruzhie
First of all, as it should be, let’s turn to the products of the pioneer of mass production in modern Russia of such an unusual firearm - the Vyatsko-Polyansky “Hammer-Weapon”. After all, what is the beauty of such devices? First of all and mainly in the absence of the need to nurse for the time being a five-year “smooth-bore” experience in order to obtain permission to purchase them. And at the same time, they are not visually different from their classic rifled counterparts, and in terms of performance characteristics they are between them and conventional guns.
But let's return to the heroes of our story. CJSC Tekhkrim developed special ammunition for them, or rather, cartridges appeared first, and then the corresponding weapons. This is .366TKM (according to the first letters “TechKrim” - “Hammer”):
And this is a much more powerful 9.6/53 Lancaster (there are also expansive and buckshot options):
Naturally, they differ very much both in speed and muzzle energy, and therefore in flatness and lethality. Details - in the first part of the article “Lancasters go on the offensive” .
By the way, Tekhkrim itself produces a TK527 with a price from 80 to 87 thousand rubles, depending on the version:
Upper barrel caliber - 12/76; lower barrel caliber - 9.6/53 Lancaster.
And now just a few words about the newest, no longer hunting, but, whatever one may say, exclusively “sporting and post-shooting” ammunition in a pistol form factor, intended, again, for use in weapons with a Lancaster/Paradox drill, which is sold at “smooth” licenses (more details about the samples themselves, which bear the quite logical name “pistol-carbine”, are below, in the corresponding chapters of the article).
A couple of years ago, Tekhkrim CJSC, building on the success of the .366TKM and 9.6/53 Lancaster, released the 345 TK caliber .
Today, the range includes two light supersonic bullets (FMJ 7.5 jacket and all-metal “Eco”) and “heavy” subsonic bullets – FMJ 9.5 jacket and expansive “Strizh”.
And in August 2022, the Barnaul Cartridge Plant presented an already certified new cartridge with a steel case of 9x22 caliber Altay Lancaster with a 6.1 g FMJ jacket bullet (speed ~ 420 m/s, average accuracy at a distance of 25 m ~ 8 cm and actual diameter , amounting to 3-5 cm.
Thus, Techkrim’s actual monopoly on ammunition for the “liberal” weapons in terms of weapons legislation, which have suddenly gained popularity, is a thing of the past. For us as consumers, this can first of all give us hope for a reduction in their costs due to the competition that has arisen. At least in the future, God willing - in the near future... As well as comparative shootings of new products, online battles of their fans and opponents on forums and social networks.
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Note. To avoid confusion, I’ll immediately note that the guys from Molot classify the Lancaster models as guns, and the Paradox ones as carbines, since some kind of rifling is still present there.
"Molot-Weapon" carbines .366TKM with a "paradox" drill bit
Today, both the newest representatives of the model lines and honored veterans are in service, primarily the VPO-208 , with a “paradox” drill (that is, no further than 140 millimeters from the muzzle - this is a legal requirement - the section with rifling begins) under .366TKM. Read more about it in the article “VPO-208 carbine: a non-standard “paradox”.
I will only add that a new version has recently appeared - VPO-208L (that is, “Lancaster”), but more about it below, in the corresponding chapter. The price of VPO-208 SKS is 38,000 rubles.
Another “oldie” is the VPO-209 AKM with a price of 37,900 rubles.
Well, here it’s also immediately clear where the legs come from...
Ermine , presented in 2022, with a longitudinally sliding “bolt” bolt with three lugs, also remained in production. This is a whole family of light and agile carbines with a compact receiver, designed mainly for “intermediate” calibers .223 Rem, 7.62x39, “Grendel”, as well as .366TKM.
In the photo above is the “Ermine” VPO-215-02 (.366TKM “paradox”) with a 600 mm barrel. The price is noticeably higher than that of the 208th model, and amounts to 52,100 rubles.
VPO-213 is another family of .366TKM “paradox”, only more in line with the needs of fans of the “tactical” style, created on the basis of modern army small arms. Let us dwell on one of its most interesting representatives. So, VPO-213-19 Sport :
We can say that the manufacturer initially carried out the tuning of the base model, so beloved by many “practitioners.” And indeed, it is precisely for them, according to the Molotovites, that it is intended. Well, a universal rail, a solid DTK, a “telescope” with an adjustable cheekpiece and a hanging forend immediately catch the eye. But in addition, we have a fire selector with an additional key for the index finger, as well as a left cocking handle (yeah, here it is the answer to the most pressing “tactical” question - “so with which hand should you use to pull the shutter :)!?”). The corresponding price is 93,800 rubles.
And another model range of the same type of samples VPO-212, or “Vepr Pioneer”. They differ mainly in stocks (and you can choose from wood or laminate, plastic is not available as a class), as well as the length of the barrel. In the photo VPO-212-04 , barrel 650 mm, price 45,100 rubles:
Well, it seems that we are done with the pure “paradoxes” of the .366TKM. However, there are also not quite ordinary representatives of weapons for this caliber.
Molot-Weapon carbines .366TKM with Lancaster drill and hybrids
There are not many of them. Here is the already mentioned VPO-208L , created for the same ammunition as the source VPO-208, but which has a Lancaster drill barrel instead of the “paradoxical” one. The appearance, as we see, has not changed, and the price too - 37,500 rubles.
Note. It must be said that the Simonov carbine was and remains very popular not only in the vastness of the former USSR, but also, say, in the main world arms market - in the USA. Some people use it in its original design, but most prefer customization. SCS tuning is carried out by both small companies and individual masters, of whom there are a dime a dozen overseas. Or you can simply purchase kits or individual parts and do the customization yourself; fortunately, the body kit, including the stock, etc., even according to Russian law, do not belong to the “main parts of the weapon.”
For example, choose freely sold options from the Israeli FAB Defense, say, a polymer stock (or stock, if you prefer) with a handle and butt. As a result of using “crazy hands”, the end result is something like this handsome guy:
Of course, it’s not difficult to recognize it as the good old SKS, but it looks really good.
However, let’s return to the model range of carbines from Molot.
Before us is the VPO-209 L AKM .
The price - 37,900 rubles - is exactly the same as that of the “paradox” VPO-209.
Now a few words about a kind of “hybrid” that combines both “Lancaster” and “paradox” drilling. There is only one - VPO-213-18 LP :
The cost is already 42,000 rubles, which is slightly more expensive than the classic 213 series (with the exception of the expensive VPO-213-19 Sport described above).
Note : In the case of VPO-213-18 LP, the logic, frankly speaking, is unclear. Either the comrades of the Vyatichi doubt the effectiveness of the “Lancaster scheme” and decided to play it safe by adding the “paradox” there, or they act on the principle “you can’t spoil the porridge with butter,” counting on some improvements as a result of such a mixture of approaches. Unclear.
Shotguns "Hammer-Weapon" 9.6/53 with Lancaster drill bit
Attention: all technical details, including data on ammunition, including expansive, shot and grapeshot, videos with both general information and shooting of specific samples are given in the first part of the article “Lancasters go on the offensive.”
Three years ago, at the “Hunting and Weapons” exhibition, they presented the “Jager” smoothbore carbine ( VPO-223 ) under 9.6/53. Not so long ago it was rebranded, and now it is called VPO-223 “Taiga” (something related to issues of ownership, etc.).
Unlike the Ermine, the Jaeger was originally created for the more respectable rifle .308Win, 7.62x54R, and, as you can see, more powerful than the 366, 9.6/53 Lancaster. The price is noticeably higher than that of representatives of the mustelid family :)). We are talking about 63,600 rubles.
Now the VPO-220 series has joined the “Jagers”/”Taiga Residents”. All of its representatives are created on the basis of the Mosin rifle of the 1891/1930 model by replacing the old rifled barrel with a new one with a Lancaster drill, made by cold rotational forging. In the photo - VPO-220 in a nice walnut stock and with a price of 55,500 rubles:
And now - VPO-220-01 in a polymer stock:
On the left side of the receiver there is a fin for fastening the side bracket, the bolt handle is curved, which allows you to work with optics. The cost, at first glance, contradicts the generally accepted practice, when “plastic” versions are cheaper than “wooden” ones, especially in a stock made of valuable species. The price for the 01st version is 60,500 rubles... Well, for the “sniper”!
Another note. By the way, like the Simonov carbine, the Mosinka is also a subject of tuning, although due to a number of design features it is not nearly as popular as the SKS or, say, the Mauser 98k. As far as I know, the main manufacturers of kits for it are Orsis and the Ukrainian Kruk.
It is clear that Molot-Weapon could not help but use in the production of Lancasters such an undoubted trump card as the Vepr carbine created there on the basis of a Kalashnikov light machine gun, known in a number of shooting and hunting online communities as “Papa Pig” :) ). A simple, rather oaky device in the best sense of the word, it became the ancestor of an entire production line. More precisely, two - VPO-221 in a wooden stock and VPO-222 in a polymer stock.
The photo shows VPO-221-03 with a barrel of 700 millimeters, a record for this family, and a cost of 40,900 rubles.
And now the same “superlong”, only VPO-222-03 (price 44,100 rubles):
Please note that they all come with a classic receiver cover and, accordingly, a seat for a side bracket. There are no models in the line yet that have not only a universal rail on the forend (the 221s generally come without such an option), say, for attaching a “tactical” grip or an under-barrel flashlight/laser, but also a cover for optics with a Picatinny/Weaver rail, like FABovskaya. However, the manufacturer, albeit vaguely, promises to please customers with something similar sooner or later. In the meantime, users habitually “collectively farm” their “Vepris” at whatever cost.
And finally, a few words about the original “big brother” of the already known VPO-212 (“Vepr Pioneer”) - VPO-224 in the only version so far “00” (wood/laminate, 550 mm barrel).
Since it comes not in 366, but in the much more serious 9.6/53, its name is no longer a pioneer :)), but a solid one - “Vepr Hunter” (the price is also impressive - about 60 thousand rubles). It is based on the same RPK, but pay attention to two striking design details that clearly distinguish it from the VPO-221 described above: this is a long gas tube and, accordingly, an enlarged aiming line, as well as the presence of a fairly quiet push-button fuse, which amount will have a beneficial effect on the results of the hunt.
Pistol-carbines for 345TK and 9x22 Altay
Most recently, Molot-Weapon presented the latest development, created on the basis of the VPO-185 pistol-carbine of the classic 9x19 caliber - VPO-285 with an oval-screw Lancaster drill for, again, the latest 9x22 Altay ammunition (see the beginning of the article).
It is based on some elements of the AK platform, in particular the details of the trigger of the Vyatka-Polyansky “Vepr”, but as such there is no single “source” in the form of a specific model of domestic rifle. That is, this is an independent development. The price of this still quite rare sample fluctuates around 48 thousand rubles.
But the photo of the “285th” brother in the production line - model VPO-289 (aka “Vepr-9 Altai”) - does not give reason to doubt the pedigree of the product: “Kalash”, it is also “Kalash” in Africa...
There is also a version in wood. The price is the same - about 44 thousand rubles.
Read about the direct competitor of the described samples - the TR9 smoothbore carbine 345TK from the Kalashnikov Concern (pictured) below, in the corresponding section.
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With this, comrades, we say goodbye to Molot-Weapon products for now and move on to models of its direct and, in principle, only competitor on the Russian market (there is another one - the last section of the article is devoted to it - but its production volumes are not so large) .
Lancaster era. Weapons of caliber .366 TKM and 9.6/53 Lancaster
New items from Hammer Arms LLC in .366 TKM and 9.6/53 Lancaster calibers. I shot Lancasters for the first time in August in Vyatskie Polyany, and the impressions I received made me think seriously about the hunting prospects of the new Russian “smoothbore” calibers.
We are talking about the .366 TKM and 9.6/53 Lancaster calibers developed by Izhevsk. The cartridges of these calibers have in common a device similar to unitary ammunition for weapons with a rifled barrel (metal sleeve, jacketed bullet (as the main one)). Both calibers are developed on the basis of domestic combat cartridges - 7.62 mm automatic (7.62×39) and 7.62 mm rifle (7.62×54), respectively. Just like bullets fired from a machine gun/rifle/machine gun, bullets of new calibers are stabilized along the trajectory by rotation acquired due to the special design of the barrel bore.
Packages with cartridges 9.6/53 Lancaster and .366 TKM produced (Izhevsk)
Initially, when the .366 TKM caliber (“TechKrimMolot”) appeared a couple of years ago, it was intended for “paradox” barrels, where the rifled part (up to 140 mm long) was present only in the muzzle of the barrel. In accordance with the Law of the Russian Federation “On Weapons”, such a barrel is smooth, and weapons with it are smooth-bore. In 2022, Tekhkim proposed a new, more powerful quasi-smoothbore caliber 9.6/53 Lancaster, the speed and energy of which turned out to be excessive for the “paradox” (the bullet broke off from the rifling) and the developers remembered the Lancaster drilling, which the prevailing practice in our country, also does not apply to the signs of a rifled weapon. To put it simply, a “lancaster” can be described as a barrel with an oval bore profile twisted along its axis. Almost immediately, experiments began with the Lancaster for .366 TKM, which showed the promise of this complex. Thus, at the end of 2017 we have three types of complexes for new calibers: .366 TKM/"Paradox", .366 TKM/"Lancaster" and 9.6/53 Lancaster/"Lancaster", but when preparing this article we focused Focus only on Lancasters. More precisely, on some of them produced by Molot Arms LLC in Vyatskie Polyany. From the assortment presented in the St. Petersburg arms store "Weapon Line", we chose three models for the accuracy test: AK-366 Lancaster, SKS-366 Lancaster and KO-44 Lancaster. All weapons were converted to Lancaster from military weapons, which adds value to them from the point of view of military history buffs due to maximum external authenticity with the originals. Looking ahead and addressing possible questions, I will devote a few words to the work of automation. A couple - because there is absolutely nothing to talk about due to the impeccable functioning of the AK-366 and SKS-366 mechanisms during reloading. The adaptation of new barrels into the design of the machine gun and carbine by Molot Arms LLC specialists was carried out professionally. There are exactly the same number of problems with reloading the KO-44 - “zero”.
The range of .366 TKM cartridges is constantly expanding. For our shooting, we chose the option with a 13-gram semi-jacketed bullet (SP, second from the right in the photo)
The purpose of the shooting is to evaluate the accuracy of fire of specific types of weapons and, based on the results obtained, the suitability of new products for use in hunting. Unfortunately, the Sunday pandemonium in the St. Petersburg Nevsky Sports Complex did not allow us to go wild to the fullest, but in a couple of hours we accumulated enough material to start a conversation about a new (and, apparently, global) topic for the Russian arms market, “Lancasters.” , meaning both weapons and ammunition. Of the listed models, three people shot - instructor of the Nevsky Sports Complex Artyom Glazkov, editor of the hunting and sports department of the KALASHNIKOV magazine Rimantas Noreika and me.
AKSU-366 Lancaster was clearly not created for hunting. But as a weapon of self-defense and “for shooting” - you can’t imagine anything better. Pay attention to the branded stock of Hammer Arms LLC - it folds to the right side
The KO-44 was equipped with a PU optical sight, and we tested the AK and SKS with standard mechanical sights. Important. Let’s immediately agree that all the arguments are about the fact that the .366 TKM and 9.6/53Lancaster cartridges are in no way inferior (or even superior - what’s more) to their conventional rifled counterparts (7.62×39 and 7.62 ×54) are meaningless by definition. Being essentially remanufactured and assembled using secondary components, they simply cannot be as stable in performance as live ammunition. Moreover, the bullets used in them with a low ballistic coefficient do not imply a long range of a direct shot at hunting targets due to a sharp decrease in the bullet’s flight path at ranges over 100–150 m. The issue of the kinetic energy of the bullet at significant ranges also does not disappear. We will have to understand all this in the future, but for now we will concentrate on the main goal of the current experiment - assessing the accuracy of fire from the available weapons.
We came across a kind of “sniper carbine” - a KO-44 “Lancaster” with a short barrel and a receiver from the sniper version of the “mosinka” with a curved bolt handle
We shot from a sitting position, with a rest, at a distance of 100 m at targets with a black circle with a diameter of 150 mm. Cartridges .366 TKM SP "Tehkrim" (bullet weight 12.6 g, muzzle velocity 610 m/s) and 9.6/53Lancaster FMJ "Tehkrim" (bullet weight 14.8 g, muzzle velocity 700 m/s). Taking into account the peculiarities of vision and the impossibility of individually adjusting it to the shooter’s eye, only Artyom was able to effectively use the PU sight, showing groups with a diameter of about 70 mm in three shots. The photo accompanying the article shows one of our collective targets. Please note that, if you do not take into account the spread of the STP, all three groups of different shooters when shooting from the KO-44 (9 hits) fit within the target size (150 mm). In the case of the SKS (mechanical sight), Artyom also did not give us a chance to compete with him, immediately knocking out a diameter of 31 mm in three shots. True, the fourth hit came off, worsening the result to 94 mm, but we will talk about the stability of the new cartridges later. I shot with a result of 47 mm (three shots), and Rimantas - 70 mm (I simply forgot my glasses).
The AK-366 Lancaster is simply a pleasure to hold. Especially after I tested it at the shooting range and appreciated its capabilities
The same thing happened with AKM. Rimantas Noreika and I shot with a result of 60–80 mm, while Artyom Glazkov immediately shot at 36 mm for four shots and lost interest in what was happening - this is reflected in the vast experience of daily work with shooting client weapons and testing their combat. Here it is worth distracting ourselves from the reasons for such interesting results on targets. In this regard, let us remember that it was at the barrel production of Molot Arms LLC that for the first time they forged serial Lancaster barrels chambered for the .366 TKM cartridge, and then for the 9.6/53 Lancaster caliber - also for the first time. This became possible thanks to the launch of our own radial forging machine - no other new Russian gunsmith has such capabilities.
In our opinion, the SKS-366 Lancaster has the greatest hunting prospects due to its ergonomic features. In this case, even a permanent magazine cannot be considered a disadvantage - in any case, you definitely won’t lose it
The machine completely covers Molot Arms’ own needs and contracts for the supply of barrels and blanks for related companies are already being discussed. Moreover, when we talk about barrels, we mean not just contoured forgings with a deployed chamber, but barrels with a chrome-plated channel and an external protective and decorative coating applied at our own galvanic site with established processes of chrome plating, phosphating and oxidation. It must be said that the launch of a full-fledged barrel production does not simply transfer Hammer Arms LLC to another level, as an enterprise with a license for the production of weapons. Everything is much more interesting. After all, now many emerging small arms production companies have the opportunity to order small batches of barrels and blanks according to original drawings. Previously, such cooperation with large industries was absolutely impossible due to administrative and production slowness, and reluctance to get involved with “trifles.”
For particularly meticulous weapon lovers, it is worth explaining some of the strangeness of the 9.6/53 Lancaster caliber markings. The unconventionality of this alphanumeric designation is due to the need for a semantic difference between the name of the new product and the usual calibers for rifled barrels
So, the interim result. The accuracy of fire from various types of weapons from Hammer Arms LLC with Lancaster barrels of .366 TKM and 9.6/53 Lancaster calibers is more than satisfactory for hunting use at reasonable ranges, taking into account a typical target. This is a wolf, roe deer, fox, gilt, etc. for .366 TKM and wild boar, elk, even bear (muzzle energy about 4000 J) for 9.6/53 Lancaster. Why is the result intermediate? Still, hunting experience with the .366 TKM is not yet sufficient for an objective assessment of its capabilities, and the 9.6/53 Lancaster is just getting onto the hunting path. In addition, we need to figure out the trajectory of the “nine”, which we will definitely do together with Tekhkrim (on .366, see the article “Encyclopedia .366” in the November “KALASHNIKOV”. There are other bottlenecks. So, for example, now It turns out that with a .336 you can hunt capercaillie in the spring without any problems - the weapon is a smooth-bore weapon. How reasonable this is, based on the situation in a particular place, is another matter, but formally, legally, it is possible. It is more difficult with shooting from a rifled weapon at waterfowl birds - it is prohibited. Yes, some "goslings" (poachers, especially "in the north") are still hitting birds in flight with a carbine. This is illegal and definitely unsafe (like shooting a bullet on the water). But the weapon is . 366 and 9.6 - smoothbore. And, what now? Have all the rangers and hunt organizers realized that new times, a new era have come? Does everyone have sufficient authority (and desire) to ensure order in the grounds? There are many questions and, therefore - to be continued…
Firing results (from left to right) from the KO-44 Lancaster, SKS-366 Lancaster and AK-366 Lancaster. Sitting from a rest position, range 100 m. Aiming with a PU sight on an MSOinka and with a manual sight on an AK and SKS. Groups of different shooters are marked by color
Carbines 9.6/53 “lancaster” and .366TKM produced by the Kalashnikov Concern
Carabiners TG3 9.6/53 with Lancaster drill bit
Let me remind you: all technical details, including data on ammunition, including expansive, shot and buckshot, videos with both general information and shooting of the TG3 carbine in comparison with the SVD and Tiger are given in the first part of the article “Lancasters go on the offensive” ".
Therefore, the story will be very brief; in fact, we will only limit ourselves to the list of models and the main differences.
TG3 itself is considered basic :
As you can see, the source was the good old “Dragunovka” in a wooden stock, now out of production.
The second version is TG3 Spanish. 01 :
This is exactly what today's SVD looks like, as well as the Tiger 7.62x54R hunting carbine. 01.
And finally, TG3 Spanish. 02 :
It is based, as you might guess, on today's SIDS with a folding stock.
The pricing policy for models from the TG3 line is quite logical and generally accepted: the model in wood is more expensive - 86,400 rubles, in polymer - the cheapest, 55,500 rubles, and the additional option in the form of a “folding box” made the 02nd version cost 78,300 rubles.
Tuning TG3
If I were a fan of the tactical style, I would opt for the most budget-friendly 01 version. And I bought everything my heart wanted, fortunately for the SVD/Tiger/TG3, similar kits and individual parts are a dime a dozen - a nice aluminum forend a la Sig Sauer MCX, a really working telescopic butt with an adjustable cheek piece and built-in dampers from FAB Defense ( or some kind of “sporty” design with a lot of settings, see photo below), a side bracket with a universal rail for optics, etc., etc.
The final cost of a “custom” would be noticeably lower than that of its brothers in the line. And the final look is exactly the same, brutal and modern:
Picture from the wonderful website of Yuri Maksimov.
Well, okay, it's time to move on to other QC products.
Carbines of the Kalashnikov Concern .366TKM with a paradox drill
TG2 , introduced back in 2022 with a price of 40,600 rubles.
In my opinion, it is not nearly as interesting as its older brother described above - the reasons are described in sufficient detail in the first part of the article “Lancasters go on the offensive .”
And yet…
Well, the modern reincarnation of the good old 7.62-mm AKM in the form of the modern AK-103, which is the basis of the model, apparently prompted the concern’s marketers to take an unusual move - the “anniversary version” was released under the slogan “70 years of guarding the world” carbine TG2:
It is based on the same 103rd, but the new product is “made in the classic style of the legendary Kalashnikov assault rifle.” I think this sample is intended mainly for foreign buyers - non-professional collectors. At one time, we played our fill with such “oars”, so we don’t see any special romance in them... Yes, SKS or Mosinka, it’s like a symbol of fathers and grandfathers :)).
Of the new products in the family, there is another one with a price of 69,000 (!) rubles:
It was developed on the basis of the AK-15 assault rifle and has maximum external similarity with it. According to the developers, while retaining the signature features of Kalashnikov weapons, the carbine has acquired improved ergonomics and compatibility with modern sighting systems. Well, it's hard to disagree with this.
TR9 PARADOX, or “Submachine Gun” for Beginners
This is the newest of the new: the TR9 is designed to fire also the latest development of Tekhkrim - the 345TK 9x19 mm cartridge, introduced in 2022.
The TR3, which is maximally unified with the Saiga-9, is nevertheless sold under a “smooth” license, since, like the samples described above, it has a barrel with a “paradox” drilling.
I am extremely skeptical about such models, since I don’t quite understand the area of their real use, including as a weapon of last chance (we are, of course, talking about hunting). Self-defense? Here, some “Saiga-410K”, in my opinion, would be much preferable: with the same dimensions and similar “agility”, the power and stopping effect of its ammunition significantly exceeds the capabilities of a pistol cartridge, and the cost, for a minute, is half as low!
Well, in various kinds of shooting games or in sports “practical” disciplines, I think he will find his admirers. And buyers. The price of the new product is almost 50,000 rubles, but such a “scale” in our time, alas, will not surprise anyone.
Moreover, the initially tuned version of the TR9 with a body kit, including a folding adjustable stock AK-EVO and a PBBS simulator, costs 79,400 rubles.
Hammer Arms weapon with Lancaster drill for .366TKM and 9.6/53
Stories about products and “Hammer Arms” are separated by chapters about products of the Kalashnikov Concern on purpose - many (including me at one time) confuse these two companies with almost identical names, and even geographically located in Vyatskiye Polyany. In a nutshell, “Molot Arms” is a subsidiary of a military production facility that was once evacuated in 1941 from the Moscow to the Kirov region, later JSC “VPMZ “Molot”, and “Molot Arms” is a private enterprise founded five years ago.
The products of both are based on samples produced, plus rarities like “mosinki” or PPSh taken from the bins of the Motherland. Phew, there are a lot of these “tools” for one paragraph, it’s time to move on to the weapons themselves.
So, the main difference between the Armz product lines and its fellow countryman competitor is that there are completely no models with a “paradox” drill, only “Lancaster” (as for me, I don’t see anything tragic in this - see the first part of the article “ Lancasters "go on the offensive"). First of all, this is a whole line of AKS-366-Lancaster . They differ in barrel length, presence/absence of a side rail, type of DTK and butts, and even the AKS-366-Lancaster-06 (price 53,200) with a “telescope” was included in the company:
And, for example, the AKS-366-Lancaster-04 (price 54,600) is equipped with a keyless stock that folds to the right side, which allows you not to remove the side bracket with optics:
There are also good old “oars”, logically called AK-366-Lancaster . They took all the surroundings from the classic AKM, including the main hardware, butt, forend and handle, losing only the “automatic” and changing the barrels (again, there are both “shortened” and standard options). DTK also differs, from the classic “whistle” to the TGP-A type, like the AK-366-Lancaster-09 (price 46,800):
A kind of analogue of the VPO-208L (see the corresponding chapter about “Hammer-Weapons”) at “Hammer Arms” is the SKS-366-Lancaster :
The price is 36,000 rubles, that is, cheaper than the “competitor”.
the KO-44-Lancaster model range, created on the basis of the Mosin rifle by replacing the barrel - a direct competitor to the VPO-220 from Molot-Weapon. All products are no longer in .366TKM, but in a much more serious 9.6/53 in all respects. A striking difference between Hammer Arms products is the pre-installed legendary PU optical sight (3.5x) and, accordingly, the curved bolt stem on all samples. In the photo - KO-44-Lancaster in a polymer stock and with a price of 45,000 rubles:
For lovers of “natural products” there is KO-44-Lancaster-01 in walnut (price 51,200):
And also an almost authentic “three-line” model, already under the designation KO-91/30-Lancaster (price 45,000):
As you can see, all of them, except for the “walnut” sample, are noticeably cheaper than similar VPO-220.
And finally, a little about a model that is somewhat curious from the point of view of not a collector, but an ordinary hunter and shooter - RPD-366-Lancaster .
“Degtyarev light machine gun mod. 1944" at one time it became one of the first adopted for service under the intermediate 7.62x39 and although it was, of course, noticeably lighter than the DP/DPM, at the very least the weight without ammunition was 7.4 kg. So imagine yourself as a beloved, trailing animal with such a “smoothbore gun” (this is what the RPD-366 is officially called)…
And yet, this new product of the end of 2022, or rather the beginning of 2022, with an as yet unknown cost (“price on request”) and performance characteristics, will most likely find its buyer, just as the completely amazing fenced legendary heavy machine gun (“carbine- machine gun ZID Maxima 7.62x54" for 300 thousand rubles). Moreover, unlike “Maxim”, it is sold under a “smooth” license, it will obviously cost several times cheaper, and you can work from an RPD from an ordinary storage shed, and not build a full-fledged bunker as a bunker :)).
AKS-366 Lancaster
The AKS-366 Lancaster smoothbore hunting rifle, caliber 366TKM, is an alternative to Lancaster rifled weapons with drilling, which is intended for hunting, sport shooting and other entertaining things. This is a model with a metal stock that folds down under the forearm.
The gun is based on one of the most popular assault rifles in the world, AK (Avtomat Kalashnikov) and uses the most current and popular cartridge - 366 TKM. Externally, the product retained its authentic appearance and underwent only minor changes: the barrel was replaced, the trigger was changed (the self-timer was removed), the stock was changed. Thanks to the relationship with the AK, the owner has enormous opportunities for tuning, since there is a huge number of parts for modernization.
A key feature is the AK 366 barrel, which was manufactured from scratch using cold rotary forging. The barrel bore profile has an oval-helical drill (Lancaster) along the entire length, which ensures uniform passage of the projectile along the rifling and ensures stable rotation of the bullet, all together guaranteeing good accuracy when shooting. Chrome plating is temporarily absent, but the plant plans to carry out the treatment in the future. Therefore, you should carefully monitor and care for the trunk; there are special protection products that can also be used.
Automation works by removing powder gases from the barrel (side-mounted gas engine), locking is carried out by a rotating bolt with 2 lugs. The hammer-type trigger mechanism ensures the production of a single shot. Manual safety. Sights consist of a sector-type sight and front sight. It is possible to install optical devices on a special bracket (purchased separately).
Several modifications are available:
- AKS Lancaster - barrel length 415 mm, folding stock, folding down under the forend, muzzle compensator installed. Created on the basis of AKS
- AKS Lancaster-02 – barrel length 415 mm, frame stock folding to the left, DTK installed. Created on the basis of AKS74.
- AKS Lancaster-03 – barrel length 300 mm, frame stock folding to the right, a special muzzle is installed.
- AKS Lancaster-04 - barrel length 300 mm, frame stock folding to the left, a special muzzle is installed.
- AKS Lancaster-05 – barrel length 415 mm, frame stock folding to the right, a special muzzle is installed.
- AKS Lancaster-06 - barrel length 415 mm, fore-end and butt made of plastic, telescopic folding stock to the right, slotted flash suppressor of the RPK type installed.
With the stock folded, shooting is impossible for all modifications. The guaranteed resource declared by the factory is 4000 shots.
You can buy a hunting rifle AKS-366 Lancaster caliber 366TKM in the Okhotnik store at an affordable price, subject to a license. View photos, descriptions and characteristics of the product. Order delivery via special communications throughout Russia.
