The mysterious "6P1" AKM pattern Kalashnikov rifle seen in Iraq, Iraqi Kurdistan (KRG), & Syria

A Kalashnikov story by @thedixiemauser

Fig 1-1: “6P1” AKM pattern 7.62x39mm pictured in Iraq in 2022 (source: ak47s_inthewild on Instagram)

Introduction

Beginning in the late 2010s, images of a new style of 7.62x39mm AKM pattern assault rifle in Iraq began to appear on the internet. These rifles can easily be identified by their blonde wood furniture, black polymer pistol grip, “muzzle nut” thread protector, green web sling, markings, parkerized finish, & inventory sticker located on the front left side of the weapons receiver. Amongst other features, the front trunnion & selector markings on these rifles are similar (if not identical) to those present on modern production Kalashnikov rifles made by the Cugir Weapons Factory in Romania.

Fig 1-2: Iraq Security Forces seen training with “6P1” assault rifles in Iraq in 2019 (source: dividshub.net)

Fig 1-3: Iraqi Security Forces pictured in Iraq in 2019 with what appear to be “6P1” assault rifles (source: dividshub.net)

Fig 1-4: Iraqi Security Forces member pictured with “6P1” in Iraq in 2017 (source: dividshub.net)

Fig 1-5: Iraqi Security Forces member pictured with “6P1” in Iraq in 2017. Note the phillips head screw present in the exposed buttstock tang (source: dividshub.net)

Fig 1-6: Iraqi Security Forces member pictured with “6P1” in Iraq in 2019 (source: dividshub.net)

“6P1” rifles have not only have been pictured in the hands of Iraqi Security forces, but these unique Kalashnikovs have also been photographed in use by Kurdistan Security Forces in the autonomous Kurdistan region of northern Iraq (KRG). The “6P1” rifles used by security forces in Kurdistan appear to mainly be used for ceremonial purposes, this may be due to the fact these Kalashnikovs are in much better external shape compared to other Kalashnikov pattern rifles in their inventory.

Fig 1-7: What appear to be “6P1” rifles in the hands of Kurdistan Security Forces in in 2023. These rifles also appear to be fitted with possibly Romanian made 6X3 pattern bayonets (source: Forces 70 on Facebook)

Fig 1-8: Kurdish Peshmerga pictured in Erbil (Iraqi Kurdistan) in 2023 with what appear to be “6P1” rifles (source: forces_command on Twitter)

Fig 1-9: Kurdish Security Forces pictured with what appear to be “6P1” rifles in 2023. These examples appear to be fitted with 6X4 pattern bayonets, & what appear to be inventory stickers can be observed on the two farthest rifles on the right side of the image (souce: KRG_MOPE on Twitter)

The “6P1” part number that is present on the inventory sticker located on the front left side of the weapons stamped receiver is likely a reference to the Russian GRAU index designation for the 7.62x39mm AKM assault rifle. The GRAU index military items catalog program was originally developed by the Soviet Union, but is still in use by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. The use of this “6P1” designation somewhat makes sense, as the “6P1” rifles discussed in this article are AKM pattern rifles.

Fig 1-10: Soviet produced 7.62x39mm AKM assault rifle (source: modernfirearms.net)

Documented “6P1” rifles

As with most weapons used by Iraqi Security Forces, some of these “6P1” rifles have found their way onto the Iraqi black market. Some of the “6P1” rifles that ended up on the Iraqi black market possibly found their way into the rebel controlled region of north western Syria. This is not completely unusual, as small arms & light weapons have been illicitly flowing back & forth between Syria & Iraq for years.

Fig 2-1: Black market "6P1” assault rifle pictured in Iraq in 2022 (source: ak47s_inthewild)

Fig 2-2: Black market “6P1” assault rifle pictured in Iraq in 2022 (source: ak47s_inthewild)

Fig 2-3: Black market “6P1” pictured in Iraq in 2022 (source: ak47s_inthewild)

Fig 2-4: Black market “6P1” pictured in Iraq in 2022. Note the muzzle device (source: ak47s_inthewild)

Fig 2-5: Black market “6P1” pictured in Iraq in 2022. Note the muzzle device & sticker (source: ak47s_inthewild)

Fig 2-6: Black market “6P1” pictured in Iraq in 2022. Note the sticker and serial number (source: ak47s_inthewild)

Fig 2-7: Black market “6P1” pictured in Iraq in 2022. Note the sling & the likely locally made “Krinkov” style muzzle device (source: ak47s_inthewild)

Fig 2-8: Black market “6P1” pictured in Iraq in 2022. Note the sticker & the likely locally made “Krinkov” style muzzle device (source: ak47s_inthewild)

Fig 2-9: Black market “6P1” pictured in Iraq in 2022. Note the serial number & the sticker (source: ak47s_inthewild)

Fig 2-10: Black market “6P1” pictured in Iraq in 2023. Note the serial number & the sticker (source: ak47s_inthewild)

Fig 2-11: Black market “6P1” pictured in Iraq in 2023. Note the serial number & the sticker (source: ak47s_inthewild)

Fig 2-12: Black market “6P1” pictured in Iraq in 2023. Note the furniture and muzzle device (source: ak47s_inthewild)

Fig 2-13: What appears to be a “6P1” pictured in north western Syria in 2023. Note the sling, furniture, lack of sticker, & serial number. The seller of valued it at $250 USD (source: social media)

Fig 2-14: What appears to be a “6P1” pictured in north western Syria in 2023. Note the selector markings. The seller of the weapon valued it at $250 USD (source: social media)

Fig 2-15: What appears to be a “6P1” pictured in north western Syria in 2023. Note the furniture and muzzle device. The seller of the weapon valued it at $250 USD (source: social media)

Fig 2-16: What appears to be a “6P1” pictured in north western Syria in 2023. Note the furniture and muzzle device. The seller of the weapon valued it at $250 USD (source: social media)

What are the origins of this mysterious “6P1” rifle?

Fig 3-1: Cugir factory brochure (source: facugir.ro)

It is highly likely that these “6P1” rifles are in fact md. 63 assault rifles made by the Cugir Weapons Factory in Romania. The md. 63 is Romania’s licensed version of the Soviet AKM, which as previously mentioned is designated the “6P1” in the Russian GRAU index. The “6P1” rifles have Romanian selector markings (S for safe, FA for full auto, & FF for semi auto), as well as feature front trunnion markings that are similar or identical to those present on known modern production Romanian AKM pattern rifles. Judging by the trunnion markings, most of these “6P1” rifles were produced in the late 2010s. The “RO” present on these rifles front trunnion likely stands for “Romania”.

Fig 3-2: Production year highlighted on “6P1” rifle. This rifle was likely produced in 2016 (source: social media)

Fig 3-3: Front trunnion markings present on a likely 2017 produced WASR-10 Kalashnikov pattern sporting rifle that is made by the Cugir Weapons Factory in Romania (source: atlanticfirearms.com)

The oddest part about the “6P1” rifles is the furniture. The blonde wood stocks and black polymer pistol grip are both features seen on WASR-10 Kalashnikov pattern sporting rifles that are produced by the Cugir Weapons Factory in Romania and imported into the United States by Century Arms International. I will note that the black polymer pistol grips present on the “6P1” rifles are slightly different compared to the examples seen on WASR-10 rifles imported into the states (the black grips seen on WASR-10’s are usually American made). It is possible that these “6P1” rifles were first imported into the United States, & then exported to one or both of these Iraq based governments, or possibly acquired by the American Department of Defense before being transferred as aid to one or both of these Iraq based governments.

Fig 3-4: WASR-10 sporting rifle made by the Cugir Weapons Factory in Romania. Note the furniture (source: atlanticfirearms.com)

Conclusion

It is unknown to me at the time of writing this article who exactly supplied these Romanian rifles to the Baghdad & or Erbil based governments in Iraq. These weapons could have possibly been acquired by both or one of these governments independently , or these weapons could have been provided as military aid by a nation friendly to these Iraq based governments (such as the United States or another NATO member).

Even though these rifles may seem boring to most other American firearms enthusiasts (they are basically a select fire WASR-10 without a scope rail), I find the lore behind these rather generic AKM pattern rifles fascinating, and will proceed to catalog more information about this “6P1” md. 63 rifle as I come across it. I hope you enjoyed learning about this interesting & rather undocumented Kalashnikov rifle!

Sources

Facebook:

• Forces 70

Instagram:

• ak47s_inthewild

Websites:

• modernfirearms.net

• dividshub.net

• facugir.ro

• atlanticfirearms.com

Twitter:

• forces_command

• KRG_MOPE

Youtube:

• Misha