Korobov TKB-059

History

TKB-059 is a Soviet experimental prototype assault rifle by G. A. Korobov. Work began in 1962 and continued until 1966, when the famous Tula Arms Factory was producing quality-of-service models.

Concealed in a bullpup configuration with its unique three-barrel approach, the rifle never made it past the prototype stage. The chamber measures 7.62x39 mm and the action is pneumatic.

The arrangement of the three barrels makes the TKB-059 an absolutely unique assault rifle - the components are placed side by side, and each barrel has its own feed system. This is thanks to a new three-bend 30-round magazine for a total of 90 rounds.

As a bullpup configuration, the TKB-059's pistol grip and trigger assembly is positioned forward of the action. The action is focused on the shoulder stick. This allows the use of a full-length barrel.

Spent cartridges are ejected downward (not one side or the other), so two-handed handling is an inherent feature of the design. The rifle allows for fully automatic fire mode, aiming is via standard iron fittings.

The weapon reportedly had a rate of fire of 1,400 to 1,800 rounds per minute more than double the rate of typical assault rifles of the time.

The Soviet Union conducted numerous trials and experiments with personal offensive weapons during the Cold War, but few of them yielded useful results and were discarded. The TKB-059 never received mass production or service, and it ended its days as a museum exhibit.

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