The AR-M1 is a
Bulgarian assault rifle designed primarily for export. It is a modernized Bulgarian derivative of the AKK, which itself is based on the Soviet
AK-47.[5] The AR-M1 can be chambered for both the
5.56×45mm NATO and
7.62×39mm cartridges.
History
During the late 1950s, the
Bulgarian People's Army was equipped with
AK-47s imported from the Soviet Union. However, by the early 1960s, the Bulgarian government became interested in producing the AK assault rifle domestically.[5] Assembly of AKs, initially from imported Soviet parts, began at the state arsenal in
Kazanlak.[5] By the mid 1960s, the Kazanlak facility was equipped to begin licensed production of the weapon type and its associated parts. Kalashnikov rifles assembled and later manufactured in Kazanlak received the designation AKK.[5] A derivative with a folding stock was also produced under license as the AKKS.[5]
After the dissolution of the
People's Republic of Bulgaria in the early 1990s, the Kazanlak factory became a
joint-stock company known as
Arsenal AD.[5] Arsenal offered several modernized variants of the AKK for export, which were rebranded as the AR series.[5] The AR pattern rifles are AKKs with different furniture and a few unique features, such as polymer stocks and handguards, as well as several external parts copied directly from the
AK-74 including new flash hiders, sights, gas blocks, bayonet mountings and bayonets.[5] AR-M1 receivers are milled, rather than stamped (unlike the
AKM), and are virtually indistinguishable from those of the early pattern Soviet AKs.[5] A derivative of the AKKS is also offered for export as the ARF.[5]
AR-M2 / AR-M2F - improved AK-74 copy like the AR-M1/AR-M1F, but with a shortened barrel,
AKS-74U front sight base and
muzzle booster/flash suppressor hybrid.
AR-M4SF - extremely short development of the AR-M1 with
red dot sight, provision to mount a night vision or laser sight. Chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO[6] and 7.62×39mm.
AR-M7F - like the AR-M1, but with an
AK-101-style folding stock.
AR-M9 / AR-M9F - improved AK-74 copy like the AR-M1/AR-M1F, features a thumb-operable
fire selector and a different style polymer stock set.[7]
AR / AR-F - improved
AK-74 copies with black polymer lining and optional luminous sights.[3][8]
Trichy Assault Rifle - Indian clone of the AR-M1 series.[9][10]
Philippines: Philippine Army confirmed use of AR-M52F assault rifle from Bulgaria during 125th founding anniversary on 23 March 2022, used by First Special Forces Regiment.[21]
^
abcdefghijBrayley, Martin (June 1, 2013). Kalashnikov AK47 Series: The 7.62 x 39mm Assault Rifle in Detail. Marlborough: The Crowood Press. pp. 45–59.
ISBN978-1847974839.