By David Crane
david (at) defensereview (dot) com
May 12, 2016
Last updated on 5/13/16.
While we here at DefenseReview (DR) love and prefer our tactical AR’s over all other combat/tactical rifle/carbine/SBR (Short Barreled Rifle) platforms–in both direct-gas-impingement (DGI) and short-stroke gas piston/op-rod (push-type operating rod) configurations, over all others–we’re also very big AK (Kalashnikov AK-47/AKM) fans. So, we were quite intrigued when we visited the Kalashnikov USA (K USA) booth at SHOT Show 2016, and viewed the new K USA AK Alpha tactical rifle carbine with ambi (ambidextrous) controls and AR-style safety/selector switch, full top rail for mounting lasers and optics, a modular quad-rail tactical handguard up front, an Remington ACR (Adaptive Combat Rifle) / FN SCAR-style side-folding/telescoping stock, AND a nifty new Hartman MH1 Reflex Sight red dot combat optic. The MH1 is actually as interesting to us as the AK Alpha, since it was developed by IDF Lt. Col. (Ret.) Mikey Hartman, who’s a “former 20-year commander of the IDF Marksmanship and Sharpshooting School, trained more than half a million IDF soldiers in his career”, and is now running his own shop called, appropriately enough, Hartman Ltd., AND serving as CEO of CAA USA and International. So, Hartman must be pretty busy these days. Let’s hope he’s a good multi-tasker.
Anyway, DR’s going to try to get some hands-on range feedback on the MH1 from military SOF (Special Operations Forces) professionals, preferably including DR writer/contributor and chief new product tester Jeff Gurwitch, as soon as we can. That said, we have a feeling the MH1’s going to end up being pretty good, considering its designer/developer. DR’s known Hartman for years. To the best of our recollection, we initially met him in 2007, and subsequently saw him again in 2008 at NDIA Infantry Small Arms Systems Symposium 2008, at which time he was demonstrating the then-new select-fire IWI Tavor TAR-21 bullpup assault rifle/carbine and Micro Tavor MTAR-21 bullpup SBR in the main auditorium and out on the firing range. This is where we first got to run both guns (on semi-auto and full-auto), by the way–and we liked Hartman right away, as he comes across as a very intelligent, knowledgable and capable person. So, it’s nice to see him involved with the AK Alpha/MH1 combat optic package. He instills confidence, and the MH1’s features list (see below) looks pretty good.
Getting back to the AK Alpha, the upshot is that it essentially takes the Kalashnikov AK-47/AKM platform fully into the 21st-century, and as close to the latest tactical AR’s (AR-15 and AR-10/SR-25), FN SCAR and ACR as possible with regard to ergonomics, weapons handling, and controls, and thus speed of operation in a gunfight. Assuming it works as advertised, and performs as well as it looks at the range, it indeed represents the “next-step” in tactical AK’s, especially with a Hartman MH1 red dot reflex sight/combat optic mounted on it, assuming of course that the MH1 also lives up to the hype–and DR has no reason to think that it doesn’t, at this point. Assuming all of the above, it’s an exciting development in the select-fire assault and semi-auto-only combat/tactical rifle/carbine worlds, not just in the AK world. Looking at all the features listed below and shown/described in the embedded videos below, what’s not to like?
The AK Alpha/MH1 was definitely one of the most interesting new product combos Defense Review saw at SHOT. So, it logically follows that we would very much like to run the AK Alpha/MH1 package at the range as soon as possible to see how it handles and shoots, preferably side-by-side with a tactical AR (AR-15) with ambi controls and a FN SCAR, so we can see how the respective platforms really stack up against each other.
The following is the official Kalashnikov USA press release written and published by Laura Burgess Marketing (LBM):
“The AK Alfa Rifle to Debut at the 2016 SHOT Show
JANUARY 19, 2016
BY LAURABURGESS MARKETING
AK Alfa AKS
Kalashnikov USA , manufacturer of Kalashnikov style firearms, is proud to announce the AK Alfa will make its debut at booth 12571 at the 2016 SHOT Show held in Las Vegas, Nevada, Jan. 19 – 22, 2016.
The AK Alfa, built on the “engine” of the AK, has been redesigned with the sole purpose of providing outstanding performance on the battlefield. A team of hand-picked Israel Defense Force (IDF) snipers and engineers re-engineered the iconic AK platform to better serve today’s warfighter. The AK Alfa’s ability to conform to the user’s body type and shooting style make this rifle a custom AK right out of the box. All of the Alfa’s features have been thoroughly developed and tested to meet the high standards of unrelenting reliability, durability and performance.
“The AK Alfa design is a direct result of combining the historical reliability and worldwide acceptance of the AK platform with the latest in firearms technologies and manufacturing,” Tom McCrossin, CEO of Kalashnikov USA commented. “Couple that with maximizing user fit and performance and you have tomorrow’s AK today in the Alfa.”
The first two models of the new AK Alfa line are the AKL and AKS, both 7.62x39mm, and are expected to ship in 2016.
A host of features make the AK Alfa easy for the user to customize like an ambidextrous safety lever, magazine release and charging handle. Additionally, a retractable buttstock, adjustable cheek piece and interchangeable customized pistol grip inserts conform the Alfa to the user’s body type, easily and quickly without the use of tools.
Other features also allow the user to conform the rifle to specific missions, such as interchangeable charging grips and replaceable Picatinny rails and forearm grips. A sealed battery compartment in the pistol grip keeps moisture and dust away from the stored batteries. The AK Alfa uses standard AK magazines.
AK Alfa Specifications:
Model: AKL AKS
Caliber: 7.62x39mm 7.62x39mm
Overall Length: 37.4” 33.4”
Overall Length (folded): 26.98” 22.99”
Barrel Length: 16.338” 12.362”
Magazine Type: AK AK
Magazine Capacity: 30 rds. 30 rds.
Weight: 7.7 lbs. 7 lbs.
MSRP: TBA TBA
For more information on the AK Alfa from Kalashnikov USA, visit www.kalashnikov-usa.com or see it in action on YouTube. Stay up-to-date on the latest news from Kalashnikov USA on Facebook.”
The following information on the Hartman MH1 Reflex Sight comes from CAA:
“The MH1 is an advanced tactical red dot reflex sight. It has the largest field of view through the sight which greatly improves target acquisition and situational awareness in day & night (NVD) scenarios.
MH1 Specifications:
→ The MH1 was designed to maximize the user’s performance with a unique ambidextrous wireless IR PTT button (infra-red push to transmit) that
controls activation and brightness of the reticle.
The MH1 uses a shooter designed reticle which helps to maintain the weapon on a vertical plane for more accurate shooting using balancing lines at 3
& 9 o’clock and a centered red dot.
→ Unique functions such as a USB charging port and unheard of user interface control makes the MH1 one of the most advanced and innovative reflex sights in the world at a very affordable price.
The MH1 offers the user a very different & efficient approach to battery consumption. The sight uses 2 batteries; a wall socket/lighter USB
rechargeable battery and a standard single backup CR123 battery, allowing for extended battery life and easy reachable access. This, along with our
sleep mode and dual 30° motion sensors which only activates the sight when a shooting movement takes place (no accidental activation), makes the
MH1 a truly ingenious sight.
→ The ergonomic design of the MH1 allows for ambidextrous use of the uniquely angled rear activation buttons and easy access to the control panel,
even when placed directly in front of add-on optical devices i.e. magnifier or Night Vision Device (NVD).
→ The MH1 is built to MIL-STD-810F.
→ It is equipped with MIL-STD. 1913 Picatinny / Weaver mounting system assembled on the right side of the sight to avoid accidental opening.
Unique Features:
→ Easily accessible, angled ambidextrous
activation buttons.
→ The only wireless remote-controlled
reflex sight (optional).
→ One of a kind usb rechargeable reflex sight.
→ The largest field of view through the sight.
→ Accuracy enhanced reticle.
→ Smart battery consumption.
→ Custom user interface (optional).
→ Sleep mode & memory chip.
→ Dual motion sensor.
→ Night vision mode.
→ Fighter friendly low battery indicator.
→ Lower 1/3 co-witness with backup sights.
→ Rugged design.
→ True parallax free.
→ Durable antireflection coating.
→ Invisible reticle from the target side of the lens.
→ Mil-std. 1913 Locking mechanism positioned
on the right hand side.
→ Nitrogen filled fog resistant internal optics.”
Company Contact Info:
Kalashnikov USA
Bristol, PA
Main Phone: 215-949-9944
Customer Service Phone: 866-611-9576 Ext. 113
Email Info: info@kalashnikov-usa.com
Email Customer Service: customerservice@kalashnikov-usa.com
Website: http://www.kalashnikov-usa.com
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/KalashnikovUSA
Regional Sales Managers:
Jonas Sherman
Phone: 215-932-8802
Email: jsherman@kalashnikov-usa.com
Reese A Cullinane
Phone: 215-932-9772
Email: rcullinane@kalashnikov-usa.com
Andrew Breneman
Phone: 215-932-9443
Email: abreneman@kalashnikov-usa.com
Technical and Installation Questions:
Mike Grandy
Phone: 215-949-9944 Ext. 105
Email: mgrandy@kalashnikov-usa.com
Concern Kalashnikov (Kalashnikov Group)
426006
Udmurtia, Izhevsk, Deryabina driveway., 3
Phone/Fax: + 7 (3412) 43 47 47
Email: info@kalashnikovconcern.ru
Website: http://kalashnikovconcern.ru/en/
Nikiforova Ekaterina Andreyevna
Head of the Press Service
+7 (3412) 43-47-47 # 21045
Alexander A. Omelchenko
Chief Export Officer
+ 7 (495) 644 16 80 #21037
Maria V. Petrova
head of the export division
+7 (3412) 43-47-47 #11123
Ekaterina Nikolaevna Klestova
(sale of machines)
+7 (3412) 43-47-47 #11229
Maria Alexandrovna Kleimenova
+7 (3412) 43-47-47 #11059
Shop for working with private clients
+7 (3412) 49-58-21
CAA USA and International
Email USA: infousa@caagearup.com
Email Global: info@caagearup.com
Website: https://usa.caagearup.com/
Hartman Ltd.
Email Contact Page: http://hartman-il.com/contact-us/
Website: http://hartman-il.com/
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All embedded DefenseReview.com (DR) photos and videos were shot with an Apple iPhone 6s Plus smartphone still/video camera.
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2008 NDIA Small Arms Systems Symposium Firing Demo: Initial Report
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