Kalashnikov presented a new smoothbore carbine Kalashnikov TG2

In the fall of 2022, the Kalashnikov concern showed a promotional video dedicated to its next new product - the Kalashnikov TG2 smoothbore carbine, developed for the .366 TKM cartridge based on the 7.62/39 rifled carbine. The weapon is intended for hunting in various climatic conditions (from minus 30 ° C (243 K) to plus 50 ° C (323 K)) for small and medium-sized animals.

The Saiga TG2 from the Kalashnikov concern is almost completely similar in appearance to the AK-103, but the new firearm has a number of features.

Characteristics of TG2

The new Kalashnikov TG2 smoothbore assault rifle is as authentic as possible to the combat AK103 in design and appearance, which guarantees ease of operation, as well as high strength and reliability of the weapon.

Let's take a look at some of the features of TG2:

• a folding stock made of impact-resistant polymer is equipped with a trigger mechanism lock (Trigger Mechanism);
• the side rail allows you to install collimator and optical sights;
• removable muzzle brake compensator mounted on a standard M24x1.5 thread (right);
• magazine in an elongated body with a capacity of 10 rounds;
• handguard with Picatinny rail on the side and bottom for attaching additional equipment.

Principle of operation:

1. As the bolt frame and bolt move forward, the cartridge is sent from the magazine to the chamber under the action of the return spring. After turning the bolt, the barrel bore closes and the hammer is cocked by the trigger hook. In this case, the ejector jumps over the edge of the sleeve.
2. When the trigger is pulled, the hammer comes out of engagement with the trigger hook. Under the action of the mainspring, there is an energetic blow to the firing pin, and then the shot itself.
3. When the bolt frame and bolt roll back, interacting with the reflector protrusion, the cartridge case is removed from the chamber and ejected from the receiver. All this occurs due to the energy of powder gases.
4. Under the action of the bolt frame, the hammer is cocked and captured by the interceptor.
5. The bolt carrier with the bolt rolls back to its rearmost position. Then, under the action of the return spring, it rolls forward. The rammer captures the next cartridge from the magazine and sends it into the chamber;
6. When you press the trigger again, the cycle repeats.

Characteristics of the .366 TKM cartridge

The .366 TKM cartridge is made specifically for use in self-loading long-barreled smoothbore weapons. Its design is the main feature, as the ballistic characteristics of the ammunition are close to the short-range counterparts used in rifled weapons. The 366 caliber cartridge is designed for hunting animals weighing up to 200 kg or more at a distance of up to 200 meters. Also, with the help of weapons with these bullets, inexperienced hunters can be trained, practice shooting, and learn self-defense skills.

Kalashnikov presented a new smoothbore carbine Kalashnikov TG2

At the end of October 2022, the Kalashnikov concern presented a promotional video dedicated to its next new product. We are talking about the Kalashnikov TG2 smoothbore carbine. This is the concern's first firearm chambered for the .366 TKM cartridge. A special feature of the new product is that the appearance of the carbine is completely identical to the Kalashnikov assault rifle model AK-103, with the exception of small nuances, for example, the absence of a tide under the bayonet and under the cleaning rod.

The appearance of the new carbine from Izhevsk gunsmiths almost completely replicates the AK-103 assault rifle and the Saiga rifled carbine, however, the new product can be purchased under a regular license for smooth-bore weapons. At the same time, the TG2 carbine looks predictably impressive. There is nothing strange in this, since the Kalashnikov AK-103 assault rifle was created as an individual weapon for army and special units. Like its older military relative, the new hunting smoothbore carbine received a plastic butt that folds onto the left side, with a firing lock when the butt is folded. The presence of a folding stock makes it easier to handle the weapon when moving and transporting. The TG2 carbine also has a side rail for attaching brackets and military sights with three rivets and a muzzle brake compensator with a standard M24x1.5 thread (right).

The 2022 version of the TG2 smoothbore carbine received a new cartridge feed ramp (feed guide, the so-called “cracker”), which increases the reliability of feeding cartridges from the magazine to the chamber, including the use of cartridges with semi-jacketed bullets. Instead of the standard magazine for the Saiga-MK series carbines, a new magazine with a capacity of 10 rounds, specially modified for .366 TKM cartridges, was used. The trigger mechanism is made non-removable. The Kalashnikov TG2 carbine has Picatinny-type rails at the bottom and sides of the forearm; they are integral with it. The safety lever was made with an additional protrusion near its axis, specifically for the shooter's index finger. As sighting devices, an aiming bar with markings up to 1000 meters is used, that is, an open mechanical sighting device of the AK-74, AK-103 type.

A special feature of this smoothbore carbine is the cartridge used in caliber .366 TKM (9.5x38 mm). The unique cartridge has ballistics similar to the 7.62x39 mm cartridge and allows you to accurately hit targets at distances inaccessible to conventional smooth-bore weapons. According to representatives of the Kalashnikov concern, at a distance of 100 meters the ballistics of this cartridge are similar to rifled weapons.

It is worth noting that the hunting cartridge of .366 TKM caliber (9.5x38 mm) was the first to be developed in Russia since 1991, that is, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, and then launched into large-scale production. This cartridge is used in smoothbore weapons with a partially rifled Paradox barrel or a special Paradox rifled nozzle, as well as with Lancaster drilled barrels. The Kalashnikov TG2 smoothbore carbine uses a chrome-plated Paradox barrel with a 120 mm long thread in the muzzle. “Paradox” or Fosbury drill is a special type of hunting weapon in which the smooth barrel has a thread in the muzzle, as well as the name of the thread itself. This design allows you to significantly increase accuracy when firing bullet cartridges, while at the same time leaving the opportunity to shoot shotguns.

The .366 TKM cartridge was specifically designed for use in long-barreled shotguns. A special feature of the cartridge is its design, thanks to which the ballistic characteristics of the ammunition are close to analogues intended for use in rifled weapons. Such a convergence of two cartridges is unique for the domestic ammunition market and the global market as a whole. From the point of view of Russian legislation, this cartridge is a cartridge for smooth-bore weapons. The caliber of the cartridge is indicated in fractions of an inch, and the abbreviation “TKM” means the developers of the cartridge-weapon complex - CJSC Tekhkrim (city of Izhevsk [TK]) and OJSC VPMZ "Molot" (city of Vyatskie Polyany [M]). In particular, in Vyatskie Polyany, the VPO-208 and VPO-209 carbine (re-barrelled SKS and AKM) and the VPO-212 and VPO-213 hunting carbines were produced under this cartridge.

To use .366 TKM cartridges, the design of the weapon must provide for the use of a special nozzle of the “Paradox” type or a rifled part of the barrel bore with a length of no more than 140 mm. The .366 cartridge is positioned in the chamber of the weapon along the muzzle (similar to pistol ammunition). This cartridge was based on the 7.62x39 mm cartridge case of the 1943 model. The manufacturer and developer of this hunting ammunition is the Izhevsk JSC Tekhkrim; it also owns the patent for the development.

The .366 TKM cartridge is intended for hunting animals weighing up to 200 kg at a distance of up to 150-200 meters, as well as training shooting and self-defense. The ballistic characteristics of this cartridge allow you to confidently hit a chest figure at a distance of up to 150 meters or a tall figure at a distance of up to 200 meters. At distances of more than 150 meters and up to 300 meters, this cartridge is inferior to traditional rifled cartridges (including the basic 7.62x39 mm) in terms of flatness of trajectory and bullet flight speed, but surpasses 7.62x39 in energy and impulse.

The start of sales of the new Kalashnikov TG2 smoothbore carbine is expected in December 2022. According to preliminary information, the price of a new smoothbore carbine from Izhevsk gunsmiths will be comparable to the cost of Saiga carbines of the same caliber. That is, approximately the new product will cost about 33 thousand rubles.

Sources of information: https://rg.ru/2017/10/31/reg-pfo/video-kalashnikov-pokazal-gladkostvolnyj-avtomat.html https://mgewehr42.livejournal.com/61116.html https://kalashnikov .com Open source materials

Price

The cost of a new smoothbore gun from Izhevsk gunsmiths is similar to the cost of Saiga carbines of the same caliber - about 33 thousand rubles. The gun is available for purchase under a shotgun license.

Like the price of the weapon, the price of the .366 TKM cartridge is quite high compared to other hunter ammunition. Despite this, it is quite suitable for those who prefer to use smoothbore rifles.

Approximate cost of 366 TKM cartridge:

• ECO all-metal (zinc) - 20-27 rubles;
• FMJ shell - 28-35 rubles;
• Dary lead with plastic coating - 25-30 rubles;
• Kion half-shell - 27 rubles;
• Kion half-shell - 29 rubles;
• fraction No. 10 - 28-35 rubles.

Check your Tijitu (Kalashnikov TG2 shotgun/carbine)!

Perhaps, of all the new products of the Kalashnikov concern, Saiga-366 (factory name TG2, read “tijitu”) was the most problem-free model, and the only one commercially successful.

In order not to return to the topic of the mentioned new products, I suggest looking at the materials on them published in the KALASHNIKOV magazine: “Return” and “No need to be afraid of recoil” about the MP-156 gun, “In search of balance” about the carbine with balanced automatics “Saiga-107” " and "Don't believe your eyes" about the miraculous transformation of the MP-155K shotgun into the TG1.

So, recently in Krasnoyarsk, when firing from the 366, the muzzle brake was deformed. With consequences. It turned out that the weapon was equipped with a DTK with an outlet not for .366 TKM, but for 7.62 mm or 5.45/5.56 mm. Moreover, it had the factory marking “.366 TKM”.

I think that KK will find a common language with the shooter and make amends, but the point here is different. The first time I visited the Izhmash workshops was in 1997, when the enterprise’s capacity could still realistically support the production of more than 600,000 AK74M assault rifles per year. The “deformation” and then the collapse of weapons production began much later, due to the lack of demand for such gigantic capabilities, and the process ended under the “Kalashnikov Concern” brand, when, in general, the necessary decisions were made to optimize and reorganize the enterprise .

Judging by what is happening, the process is still very far from completion and, against the backdrop of other blunders, the incident with muzzle devices is another confirmation of this. KK's response to it turned out to be quick and reasonable, expressed in the form of a letter to its trading partners.

"Dear Clients! We ask you to check the diameter of the internal outlet of the muzzle brake of TG2 products (JSC Kalashnikov Concern) available in your warehouses and arriving in the near future. Please carry out the check in accordance with the methodology outlined in the standard operation card for checking the compliance of the “muzzle brake” part on the TG2 product (in the attachment). Based on the results of the inspection, please provide the numbers of the defective products and remove them from sale.”

Trading organizations have been lucky in different ways. In one of the ones we interviewed, all the “tijitu” turned out to be in good condition, and in the other, guns with dangerous DTK turned out to be 50% of all stocks.

All the “dangerous” DTKs that we found, which are equipped with defective Kalashnikov TG2, are marked “.366 TKM”

In fact, it’s not interesting to guess how this could happen, taking into account the “correct” labeling of unusable DTKs - there are a million options. The assumption that the Kalashnikov TG2 gun/carbine is not fired at the factory is incredible. Most likely, testing with shots is carried out at the stage of “white weapons” (before applying a protective and decorative coating) and without DTK, and leading to normal combat (if it is carried out) can be carried out at a mechanized testing station without shots (this was the case before at Izhmash "). The point is different... It is important to convey to the owners of the Kalashnikov TG2 gun/carbine, who may still just be admiring their acquisition, the need to inspect their weapon to prevent possible troubles at the first shot.

In this photo, traces of reduction are clearly visible - the DTK body is made by rotary forging

The principle of inspection is simple - the through hole in the front wall of the DTK should be the same diameter throughout its entire depth, without a protruding step (if viewed from the front end, of course). If this is not the case, the shooting should be postponed and you should contact the store that sold this copy of the Kalashnikov TG2. And we can only wish the Kalashnikov concern new successes in improving quality control of its products. This also applies to quality control departments and knowledge of the nomenclature and assembly units by those responsible for packaging and assemblers, and many other production issues...

On the muzzle of the “chijitu”, the rifling formed in the “paradoxical” part of the barrel is clearly visible. On the right is a standard DTK for the Kalashnikov TG2 shotgun/carbine. To the left is the DTK with an outlet with a partition that forms a hole of reduced diameter (probably for 7.62 caliber), making shooting from the TG2 dangerous. It is these DTKs that are equipped with the defective TG2s that we found in stores. An option with an even smaller diameter is possible – for calibers 5.45/5.56.

On the left is the DTK for the Kalashnikov TG2 shotgun/carbine caliber .366 TKM, on the right is the weapon of 7.62×39 caliber

Components of the carbine

The Kalashnikov TG2 smoothbore carbine consists of the following elements:

• Receiver assembly with barrel
• Lever
• Trigger hook assembly
• Trigger
• Shutter assembly
• Bolt frame assembly
• Return mechanism
• Gas tube
• Receiver cover
• Butt
• Handguard
• Muzzle brake
• Shop