The Grad assault rifle is a bullpup weapon of North Ossetian origin. The weapon is chambered in the 5.45x39mm round and can be fitted with a suppressor. The Grad assault rifle operates on the AK Platform and is compatible with existing AK-74 components.
Although the Grad has been proclaimed as a revolutionary upgrade to the AK-74, it is, in fact, an interesting yet fairly simple modification of the basic AK-74 system in a bullpup design, with the following modifications:
- The standard gas-operated, rotating-bolt AK-74 mechanism is removed from its furniture and a new butt plate is mounted directly on the rear of the receiver;
- A polymer cheek rest is fitted to the receiver cover;
- The trigger and pistol grip are placed in front of the magazine;
- The cocking handle is removed from the bolt carrier and a new cocking handle arrangement is placed on the left side of the forearm.
