Rifle Dynamics new DMR

Anyone with the slightest interest in AKs has probably heard of Jim Fuller. If they’ve ever researched American AKs, they’ve seen the name Rifle Dynamics. Rifle Dynamics has recently been working on a DMR (Designated Marksman Rifle) Kalashnikov build: the RD 700 DMR. Why? Three reasons, as they tell it.

1. To show that the AK platform can be accurate.

2. We choose the 7.62×39 cartridge because it is not the best cartridge design for accuracy but it is the most common.

3. By proving that even with the limited accuracy of the 7,62×39 the platform can be as accurate as any other medium power fighting rifle.

Picture by Straight 8.

Rifle Dynamics new DMR

The trigger in this particular weapon is an ALG AKT and weighs in at 11 lbs. It has an 18 in. barrel and is based on the Sharps Bros. MB47 receiver (which, incidentally, they will soon be selling on their site as stripped receivers). The rifle will retail for under $3,000.00 and should be available by late summer/early fall; they're waiting to see how the 7.62 version does before determining if it's feasible to do a 5.45. They do advise the success of Fuller's new creation opens the door for a 5.56, 5.45 or 6.5 Grendel round, which would “…extend the distances.” The gas tube was chosen to save weight and was left open rather than covered with a handguard because they liked the way it looked. Note apparently that any standard gas tube can be used on this gun; this particular version was chosen to save weight. The barrel is as free floated as it's possible to be “…and still be an AK.”

Says Fuller of the weapon's performance recently in the hands of Haley Strategic Partners,

“…I’m more impressed [than a 3-shot group at 100 yards] at the 5.314 group at 500 yards since for years people have been saying you can’t hit anything beyond 100 yards. Having the gun hold MOA out to 500 says a lot.”

They’re looking forward to using the 6.5 Grendel in particular because, as Fuller explains, “The 7.62 really isn’t the best caliber for distance shooting. The accuracy of even high quality 7.62 x 39 begins to fall apart at 550-600 yards.”

Says Rifle Dynamics,

“All in all this has been something we have always wanted to do; it has brought some great companies together in this endeavor to do it. Sharps Bros, SLR Rifleworks, Haley Strategic Partners, BCM, ALG, Larue, Arsenal, Trijicon, Cor Bon Ammo and RS Regulate…these fine companies all provided things to bring the AK into new directions for our industry. That's how it should work in American Industry.”