The Pakistani 'Bastard' AK 203 - VSK 100-3
Pakistani army and paramilitary forces have been seen using a new AKM derivative made in Belarus is recent years. The Pakistanis have previously attempted license manufacture the AK 103 under the auspices of Russia however the AK 203 deal with India has closed this avenue in 2019.
https://theprint.in/defence/russia-...s-assures-india-of-no-deals-in-future/264004/
This left a vacuum in the 'submachine gun' category of small arms of the Pakistani forces who have been using the Type 56 rifles in some form for over half a century. Pakistan had even produced a semi-official AK 103 copy called the SMG PK 21 with an accuracy of >3.5 MOA and a 400m effective range, however this variant never entered mainstream service.
View attachment 29074
The Belarussians with the silent blessing of Russia, stepped into the vacuum with their VSK-100 rifle offering which was a 'fork' of the AK 103M/AK 203 in all but name.
https://modernfirearms.net/en/assault-rifles/belarus-assault-rifles/vsk-100-2/
View attachment 29072
Review of the VSK 100-3 by a serving Pakistan army/police personnel. Key points about the weapon :
- Full length picatinny rails
- Upper and lower polymer handguards with picatinny rails at 12'o clock and 6'o clock positions
- Provision for picatinny rails at 3'o clock and 9'o clock positions like the AK 103 series
- Improved polymer pistol grip
- Higher quality recoil spring guide rod
- Hinged dust cover
- Vepr style folding stock with cheek riser. (Folding factory stock will NOT accept any AK/Saiga stock because it does not use a standard AK type rear trunnion.)
- No lightening cuts on gas block or bolt-carrier group (but lighter)
- 1975 Type 56-2 pattern side adaptor (sights)
- Izhmash Side-Stamped style steel AK magazines
- Mostly issued iron sights and sometimes with red dot or Chinese thermal sights
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/8EbUzaWkwYM
Key differences between the AK 203/ VSK 100/ Type 56-2
| Feature/ Weapon | AK 203 (Shreshta) | VSK 100-3 | Type 56-2 |
| Caliber | 7.62x39 mm | 7.62x39 mm | 7.62x39 mm |
| Operation | Long stroke gas piston | Long stroke gas piston | Long stroke gas piston |
| Accuracy | 2-3 MOA | 3+ MOA | >3.5 MOA |
| Effective Range | 300 - 400 m | 300 - 400 m | <350 m |
| Weight | 3.8 kg without a magazine | 4.3 kg with an empty magazine | 3.9 kg+ without a magazine |
| Rate of Fire | 700 rounds/min | 900 rounds/min | 600 rounds/min |
| Muzzle Velocity | 715 m/s | 770 m/s | 710 m/s |
| Cost | $1100 | $780 | $120 |
| Manufacturer | Indo Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) | Pakistan Ordnance Factory (POF) | Pakistan Ordnance Factory (POF) |
| Construction | Stamped Steel, Polymer | Stamped Steel, Polymer | Stamped Steel, Bakelite |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds | 30 rounds | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Style | Russian Slab-Side | Vepr Side-Stamped | Type 56 Side-Stamped |
| Per Rifle | 4-5 | 4-5 | 4-5 |
| Butt Stock Type | Folding AK 103M | Folding Vepr | Folding Steel |
| Dust Cover | Hinged | Hinged | Removeable |
| Dust Cover Picatinny Rail | Yes | Yes | No |
| Dust Cover Retention Lever | Yes | No | No |
| Muzzle Device | Birdcage Type Muzzle | No | No |
| Handguard | Railed AK 203 | Railed Vepr | Wooden |
| Picatinny Handguard Rail | 12, 6'O Clock (3,9 optional) | 12, 6'O Clock (3,9 optional) | No |
| Selector Lever | AK 203 Thumb Selector | AKM Style | AKM Style |
| Pistol Grip | AK 203 Style | Molot Style | AKM Style |
| Foregrip | Yes | Yes | No |
View attachment 29076
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