TKB-022PM

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TKB-022PM: Soviet bullpup assault rifles

The TKB-022PM is a family of Soviet bullpup assault rifles designed in the 1960s by German A. Korobov. The main versions are TKB-022PM No. 1, No. 2, and PM5 No. 1.

Cartridges and variants
- TKB-022PM No. 1 and No. 2 fire 7.62×39mm rounds.
- TKB-022PM5 No. 1 uses 5.6×39mm rounds.
- Variants include No. 2 and PM5 No. 1.

design and mechanism
- The rifles are gas-operated with an annular gas piston around the barrel and a vertically moving bolt.
- A unique U-shaped rammer/extractor chambers cartridges by pushing them into the chamber, then ejects spent rounds through a tube above the barrel. This design allows firing from either hand (ambidextrous ejection).

Size and performance
- These rifles have a short receiver but relatively long barrels, giving a favorable barrel-to-length ratio.
- They were claimed to be more accurate than the AKM in some firing positions; PM5 No. 1 was reportedly more accurate at 100 meters when fired lying down. (Some of these claims lack solid sources.)

Production history
- No. 1: produced in 1962
- No. 2: produced in 1965
- PM5 No. 1: produced in 1968

Why they weren’t adopted
- The Soviet army rejected the design as too radical at the time.
- Concerns included a shifted center of gravity toward the tail and questions about the durability of the plastic housing under tough conditions or storage.

Key specifications
- Mass: No. 1 around 2.8 kg; No. 2 around 2.34 kg
- Length: 525 mm
- Barrel length: 415 mm
- Cartridges: 7.62×39mm or 5.6×39mm
- Rate of fire: about 560 rounds per minute
- Feed system: 30-round detachable magazine
- Sights: Iron

See also: lists of bullpup firearms and related Soviet-era rifles.