Eurosatory 2014: Colt debuts CK901 rifle
Eurosatory 2014: Colt debuts CK901 rifle
Remigiusz Wilk, Paris - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
17 June 2014
The Colt CK901 assault rifle, which is chambered in 7.62 x 39 mm, has been ordered for the Yemeni Republican Guard Source: Remigiusz Wilk
Colt Defense have unveiled their new CK901 assault rifle, chambered in the Russian 7.62 x 39 mm cartridge, at Eurosatory 2014 in Paris.
Speaking to IHS Jane's , a Colt Defense representative stated that the CK901 has been ordered by the Yemeni Republican Guard to replace their existing AK-47s.
According to Colt Defense representatives, the CK901 was designed for military customers in countries that use the AK-47, or AK-47-based rifles, and therefore still utilise, manufacture or possess large stockpiles of 7.62 x 39 mm ammunition.
The distinctive feature of CK901 is that it can be fed from all types of standard and non-standard AK-47 pattern magazines. Colt has thoroughly tested the rifle on all available steel or polymer magazines to assure reliable feeding of cartridges, the company stated. The company also offers the weapon with a US-made 30 round magazine manufactured by US Palm.
The CK901 is a gas-operated rifle based on the existing Colt Modular CM901 multicalibre (5.56 or 7.62 mm NATO) weapon family debuted in 2010.
The firearm uses the direct impingement gas principle with a rotary bolt locking mechanism. The weapon is equipped with a monolithic upper receiver, fitted with an upper and lower M1913 Picatinny rail and side rail attachment points.
The standard CK901 variant has a 16-inch (406 mm) barrel, which is 9 mm shorter than original AK-47, and it weighs 4.5 kg. Colt has also offered a shorter variant with a 13-inch (330 mm) barrel.
The fire selector allows it to fire in single shot or automatic modes and it is ambidextrous. The magazine release lever is similar to the AK-47. Unlike the rest of CM901 rifles new CK901 lacks a device for holding the bolt open after the last round is fired.
