Gennadiy Nikonov

Gennadiy Nikolaevich Nikonov (; 11 August 1950 – 14 May 2003) was a Russian firearm engineer. Some of his accomplishments were as the designer of the AN-94 assault rifle, and the "straight-back bolt." Nikonov held 44 Copyright Certificates, and was awarded the titles of "The Best Designer of the Company" and "The Best Designer of the Ministry." In his memory there is a memorial plaque on the building design and weapons center of "Izhmash". and the "blow back shifted pulse (BBSP)" used on the AN-94.

Nikonov machine gun The weapon was developed on Nikonov's own initiative, from work connected with competitions and technical tasks. The weapon has no bolt, but a stationary breech and movable barrels, each with its own gas cylinders and pistons connected to the adjacent barrel. Upon firing one barrel, the next one is forced backwards, and thus causes the next barrel to move forward (a Gast gun principle). Firing operates a feeding device that channels rounds into the barrels, with the spent cartridges being ejected from both sides. The barrels move back and forth the full length of the cartridge. The double-barreled design, in combination with the shortest possible stroke, allows for a high rate of fire at more than 3,000 rounds per minute. The prototype is now in the M.T. Kalashnikov museum in Izhevsk.

Personal life He was married and had two sons.