AK-47

AK-47

The AK-47, officially known as the Avtomat Kalashnikova (Russian: Автомат Калашникова), is a gas-operated, 7.62×39mm assault rifle developed in the Soviet Union by Mikhail Kalashnikov. It is the originating firearm of the Kalashnikov rifle (or "AK") family. Design work on the AK-47 began in 1945. In 1946, the AK-47 was presented for official military trials, and in 1948, the fixed-stock version was introduced into active service with selected units of the Soviet Army. An early development of the design was the AKS (S—Skladnoy or "folding"), which was equipped with an underfolding metal shoulder stock. In the early 1950s, the AK-47 was officially accepted by the Soviet Armed Forces and used by the majority of the member states of the Warsaw Pact.

The original AK-47 was one of the first true assault rifles. After more than seven decades, it has been widely adopted and manufactured in many countries, being used by military, police, and civilian populations around the world. Due to its durability, low production cost, and ease of use, it has been described as a revolutionary design that influenced many subsequent firearms.

Design and Specifications

The AK-47 is a selective-fire, gas-operated 7.62×39mm assault rifle, first developed in the Soviet Union by Mikhail Kalashnikov. It uses a long stroke gas system that is generally associated with great reliability in adverse conditions. The AK-47 was designed to be a simple, reliable fully automatic rifle that could be manufactured quickly and cheaply, using mass production methods that were state of the art in the Soviet Union during the late 1940s.

The AK-47 has a 415mm (16.3 in) barrel and a 378mm (14.9 in) sight radius. It fires the 7.62×39mm cartridge with a muzzle velocity of 715 m/s (2,350 ft/s). The rifle has a magazine capacity of typically 30 rounds, with select models able to accommodate larger magazines.

Operational History

The AK-47 was introduced into Soviet military service in 1949. It became the standard issue infantry rifle for the Soviet Army and the countries within the Warsaw Pact. The AK-47 was used in various conflicts around the world, including the Vietnam War, the Afghan War, and numerous African conflicts. Its durability, reliability, and simplicity of operation made it a favorite among soldiers, guerrillas, and insurgents. Today, it remains one of the most widely used and recognized firearms in the world.

Variants

Over the years, the AK-47 has seen numerous modifications and variations. Among the most well-known is the AKM (Avtomat Kalashnikova Modernizirovanniy), which is a modernized version of the AK-47. The AKM features several improvements, including a stamped metal receiver (replacing the AK-47's milled steel receiver), a slant compensator to reduce muzzle climb, and a lighter overall weight.

Other variants include the AK-74, which fires the smaller 5.45×39mm cartridge, and the AK-101, which is chambered for the 5.56×45mm NATO round. There are also numerous copies and derivatives produced by countries outside of Russia, including the Chinese Type 56, the Yugoslavian Zastava M70, and the Israeli Galil.

Cultural Impact

The AK-47 has had a significant impact on global culture, symbolizing both resistance and oppression, depending on the context. It appears in the flags and emblems of several countries and has been featured in countless movies, video games, and works of literature. Its image is often associated with revolution and conflict.

See Also

• Assault rifle
• Mikhail Kalashnikov
• Warsaw Pact
• Cold War arms race