The "Alpha AK" is a term used to describe the heavily customized AK-pattern rifle used by special forces of Russia, namely the "Alpha Group" of the FSB. Common characteristics of the Alpha AK include railed dust covers and handguards, which enable the mounting optics, grips, and other tactical devices. The term was introduced and went viral after a retired US Army Combat veteran Larry Vickers (better known by his YouTube channel "Vickers Tactical") visited Russia to film with the aforementioned "Alpha" unit and posted pictures of the custom rifles he encountered.[1][2]
Insurgency: Sandstorm[]
The Alpha AK is an assault rifle featured in Insurgency: Sandstorm. It was first showcased in a blog post detailing the upcoming update and officially added to the game in November 8, 2018 update.[3][4]
The Alpha AK is a 7.62x39mm caliber rifle given to Insurgents for a 4 credit cost. It is a very solid choice for a great price. Its power, controllability, and price make it a prime option for a very well-rounded rifle at any range.
The Alpha AK's power comes from its 7.62x39mm cartridge, which is very effective at dispatching enemy targets, even at longer distances. Most shots to the upper torso will result in a kill, and hitting anywhere else will severely injure opponents. Penetration with the Alpha AK is solid, with the 7.62mm cartridge able to penetrate most solid objects and walls with relative ease, at the loss of minor damage afterwards. Its penetration also pretty much negates armor, cutting through even the heaviest of plates. The Alpha AK fires at a very controllable 625 rpm, making it a hair faster than the standard AKM. At range, the Alpha AK struggles a little, but that doesn't detract from the performance. Sniping with the AK isn't its strong suit, even with attachments such as the high magnification scopes, as the much more modern Western 5.56x45 caliber or even the Soviet 5.45x39mm is much more streamlined for that. Also, the even bigger 7.62x51mm found on the more expensive ACE 52, Tavor 7, or the new rifleman's choice, the MDR, are much more reliable for long-range engagements.
Because the Alpha AK is relatively cheap, users are able to afford quite a lot of attachments without sacrificing most of their other gear. Things such as the Recoil grip, powerful magnification optics, and even the drum mag are readily available with no relative detraction to the amount of equipment brought on any loadout. The Alpha AK's cost also makes it a prime choice for an equipment loadout. allowing for more credits to be used on things such as grenades, carriers, armor, or even secondaries and gas masks for Security units on modes such as Domination or FFA, where there aren't faction based weapon selection.
The Alpha AK brings a lot of modernizations to the standard AKM. Some minor adjustments, such as the picatinny rail system, may make Western Optics mount closer to the barrel than using the optics mount. Also, the rifle has a shorter barrel than the AK, making it slightly better in CQB. The Iron sights of the Alpha AK are the same as the MDR or M24 sights. They are more precise compared to the AKM's flat sights, but they compromise the sleek form factor that the AKM's sights have. Also, the slight increase in fire rate compared to the AKM means that the performance is slightly better, all for a singular credit more.
Attachments[]
| Optics | |
| Underbarrel | |
| Barrel | |
| Magazine | |
| Siderail | |
| Ammo |
Media[]
| Weapons of Insurgency: Sandstorm | ||
|---|---|---|
 Security Forces
|
 Insurgent Forces
| |
| Submachine guns | Grease Gun • MP5A5 • MP7 • Vector | Sterling • MP5A2 • Uzi • P90 |
| Carbines | G36K • Mk 18 CQBR • M4A1 • Honey Badger | SKS • AKS-74U • SG 552 • AS Val |
| Assault rifles | M16A4 • L85A2 • VHS-2 • Galil SAR • AUG A3 • QTS-11 • WCX • F2000 Tactical | M16A2 • AKM • AK-74 • Alpha AK • QBZ-03 • Galil • FAMAS F1 • QBZ-97 • AR7090 • F2000 |
| Battle rifles | Mk 17 Mod 0 • G3A3 • Mk 14 EBR • Tavor 7 • MDR | FAL • ACE 52 • M1 Garand |
| Machine guns | M249 • M60 • M240B | RPK • PKM • MG3 |
| Shotguns | M870 • KSG | KS-23 • TOZ-194 |
| Sniper rifles | M24 • TAC-338 • M110 SASS | Mosin-Nagant • L96A1 • SVD |
| Anti-materiel rifles | M82A1 CQ | M99 |
| Handguns | Tariq • L106A1 • M45 • PF940 • MR 73 | Welrod • Makarov • Browning HP • M1911 • M9 • Desert Eagle |
| Melee | Baton • Combat Knife | Kukri • Shiv |
Trivia[]
- Before Operation Nightfall the Alpha AK used a 5.45×39mm AK-74 magazine model and was listed in the loadout menu as chambered for 7.62×39mm. It has since been corrected to use steel AK-47 7.62 magazines, giving it the appearance of an AK-104 in the "Alpha AK" configuration.
- As of Operation Warlord, the Alpha AK's magazine has been reverted to 5.45mm, despite the loadout menu still suggesting it is chambered for 7.62. Curiously, its drum magazine is still modelled after the 7.62 version.
- As of Operation Glasshouse, the Alpha AK's has once again been corrected to use 7.62mm magazines.
- The Alpha AK's dovetail rail is unusable, as none of its available optics are mounted on the dovetail, and instead are mounted to the Picatinny dust cover.
- As of Operation Glasshouse, the Alpha AK can now use the PSO-1, which does use the dovetail rail on the side.
- The Alpha AK in game is modelled with a Zenitco B-30 handguard, TWS railed dust cover, a Magpul pistol grip, a SOPMOD stock (which is also featured on the Mk 14 EBR and Mk 18 CQBR) and a Tromix charging handle extension.
- The dust cover has the words "PATENTED U.S.A. MADE" marked on it.