Kalashnikov rifle

The Kalashnikov assault rifle 1974 model by Izhmash, Russia (AK-74)
The logo that is currently being used by Kalashnikov Concern to represent its series of AK-branded rifles.

Kalashnikov rifles (Russian: Автоматы Калашникова), also known as the AK platform, AK rifles or simply the AK, are a family of assault rifles based on Mikhail Kalashnikov's original design. They are officially known in Russian as avtomat Kalashnikova (Russian: автомат Калашникова, lit. 'Kalashnikov's Automatic Gun'), and informally as "kalash" in Russian. They were originally manufactured in the Soviet Union, by Kalashnikov Concern (formerly Izhmash). Rifles similar to the Kalashnikov and its Soviet variants were later produced in many countries friendly to the Soviet Bloc, with rifles based on its design such as the Galil ACE and the INSAS also being produced. The Kalashnikov is one of the most widely used firearms in the world, with an estimated 72 million rifles in global circulation.[1][2][3]

List of AK rifles

The original Kalashnikov rifles and their derivatives, as produced in the Soviet Union and later the Russian Federation.[4][5]

Rifles derived directly from the original AK

The rifle's simple design makes it easy to produce, and the Soviet Union readily leased plans of the firearm to friendly countries, where it could be produced locally at a low cost.[2] As a result, the Kalashnikov rifles and their variants have been manufactured in many countries, with and without licenses. Manufacturing countries in alphabetical order include:

Country Variant(s)
Albania Automatiku Shqiptar 1978 model 56 (ASH-78 Tip-1) copy of Type 56 based on AK-47 rifle; Tipi 1982 model (ASH-82) copy of AKS-47; model 56 Tip-2, copy of RPK; and model 56 Tip-3. Several other versions of the AKMS have been produced mainly with short barrels similar to Soviet AKS-74U for special forces, tank & armored crew and for helicopter pilots and police. There have also been modified ASh-82 (AKMS) with SOPMOD accessories, mainly for Albania's special forces RENEA & exports.[6]
Armenia K-3 (bullpup, 5.45×39mm)
Azerbaijan Khazri (AK-74M)[7]
Bangladesh Chinese Type 56
Bulgaria AKK/AKKS (Type 3 AK-47/w. side-folding buttstock); AKKMS (AKMS), AKKN-47 (fittings for NPSU night sights); AK-47M1 (Type 3 with black polymer furniture); AK-47MA1/AR-M1 (same as -M1, but in 5.56mm NATO); AKS-74M1 (AKMS in 5.56×45mm NATO); AKS-74S (AK-74M1, short version, with East German folding stock, laser aiming device); AKS-74UF (short version of -M1, Russian folding stock), AR-SF (same as −74UF, but 5.56mm NATO); AKS-93SM6 (similar to −74M1, cannot use grenade launcher); RKKS (RPK), AKT-74 (.22 rimfire training rifle)
Cambodia Chinese Type 56, Soviet AK, and AKM
China Type 56
Croatia APS-95
Cuba AKM[8]
East Germany[9] MPi-K/MPi-KS (AK/AKS); MPi-KM (AKM, wooden and plastic stock); MPi-KMS-72 (side-folding stock); MPi-KMS-K (carbine); MPi-AK-74N (AK-74); MPi-AKS-74N (side-folding stock); MPi-AKS-74NK (carbine); KK-MPi Mod.69 (.22 LR select-fire trainer)
Egypt AK, Misr assault rifle (AKM), Maadi
Ethiopia AK, AK-103 (manufactured locally at the State-run Gafat Armament Engineering Complex as the Et-97/1)[10]
Finland RK 62, (7.62×39mm)

RK 95 TP, (7.62×39mm) improvements including a fire control selector and a muzzle device that enabled the firing of rifle grenades, the attachment of a silencer, or bayonet

Hungary[11] AK-55 (domestic manufacture of the 2nd Model AK); AKM-63 (also known as AMD-63 in the US; modernized AK-55), AMD-65M (modernized AKM-63, shorter barrel and side-folding stock), AMP-69 (rifle grenade launcher); AK-63F/D (other name AMM/AMMSz), AK-63MF (modernized); NGM-81 (5.56×45mm NATO; fixed and under-folding stock)
Iran KLS/KLF (AK-47/AKS), KLT (AKMS)
Iraq Tabuk Sniper Rifle, Tabuk Assault Rifle (with fixed or underfolding stock, outright clones of Yugoslavian M70 rifles series), Tabuk Short Assault Rifle
Nigeria Produced by the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria as OBJ-006[12][13]
North Korea Type 58A/B (Type 3 AK/w. stamped steel folding stock), Type 68A/B (AKM/AKMS), Type 88 (AKS-74)[14][15]
Pakistan Khyber Pass copies) near the border of Afghanistan; PK-10;[16]
Poland[17] pmK (kbk AK) / pmKS (kbk AKS) (name has changed from pmK – "pistolet maszynowy Kałasznikowa", Kalashnikov SMG to the kbk AK – "karabinek AK", Kalashnikov Carbine in mid-1960s) (AK/AKS); kbkg wz. 1960 (rifle grenade launcher), kbkg wz. 1960/72 (modernized); kbk AKM / kbk AKMS (AKM/AKMS); kbk wz. 1988 Tantal (5.45×39mm), skbk wz. 1989 Onyks (compact carbine); kbs wz. 1996 Beryl (5.56×45mm), kbk wz. 1996 Mini-Beryl (compact carbine)
Romania PM md. 63/65 (AKM/AKMS), PM md. 80, PM md. 90, collectively exported under the umbrella name AIM or AIMS; PA md. 86 (AK-74), exported as the AIMS-74; PM md. 90 short barrel, PA md. 86 short barrel, exported as the AIMR; PSL (designated marksman rifle; other names PSL-54C, Romak III, FPK and SSG-97)
Sudan MAZ[18] (based on the Type 56)
Ukraine Vepr (bullpup, 5.45×39mm), Malyuk (bullpup)[19]
United States PSAK-47 GF3 rifle(7.62×39mm), PSAK-47 GF4 rifle(7.62×39mm), PSAK-47 GF5 rifle(7.62×39mm),Soviet Arms Krink rifle(5.56x45mm), PSA AK-556 rifle(5.56x45mm), PSAK-74 rifle(5.45x39mm), PSA AK Type 56 rifle(7.62×39mm).Produced by Palmetto State Armory.[20]

US132 rifle (7.62×39mm), US132Z assault rifle (7.62×39mm), US109L shotgun (12 gauge) & US109T shotgun (12 gauge). Produced by Kalashnikov USA.[21][22][23]

Vietnam AKM-1, AKM-VN (AKM) assault rifle, TUL-1 (RPK) light machine gun, Galil ACE 31/32 assault rifle, STV series
Venezuela AK-103[24] / License granted to Venezuela[25]
Yugoslavia/Serbia M64, M70, M72, M76, M77, M80, M82, M85, M90, M91, M92, M99, M21

Similar rifles

The following rifles were either based on the Kalashnikov design, or have a different design but are superficially similar in appearance:

Comparative characteristics of AK rifles

Name Country Type Cartridge Length extended/folded (mm) Barrel length (mm) Weight (kg) (empty) Cyclic rate of fire (rounds per minute) Maximum sighting range (m) Muzzle velocity (m/s)
AK-47 Soviet Union Assault rifle 7.62×39mm M43 870 415 3.47 600 800 715
AKM Soviet Union Assault rifle 7.62×39mm M43 880 415 3.1 600 1,000 715
RPK(s) Soviet Union Light machine gun 7.62×39mm M43 1040/820 590 4.80/5.6 600 1,000 745
PK(M) Soviet Union General-purpose machine gun 7.62×54mmR 1173 605 9.0/7.5 650 1,500 825
AK-74 Soviet Union Assault rifle 5.45×39mm M74 943 415 3.07 600 1,000 900
AKS-74 Soviet Union Assault rifle 5.45×39mm M74 933/690 415 2.97 600 1,000 900
AK-74M Soviet Union Assault rifle 5.45×39mm M74 943/705 415 3.4 650 1,000 900
RPK-74 Soviet Union Light machine gun 5.45×39mm M74 1060 590 4.7 600 1,000 960
AKS-74U Soviet Union Carbine assault rifle 5.45×39mm M74 730/490 207 2.7 700 500 735
AK-101 Russia Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO 943/700 415 3.6 600 1,000 910
AK-102 Russia Carbine assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO 824/586 314 3.0 600 500 850
AK-103 Russia Assault rifle 7.62×39mm M43 943/705 415 3.4 600 1,000 715
AK-104 Russia Carbine assault rifle 7.62×39mm M43 824/586 314 3.0 600 500 670
AK-105 Russia Carbine assault rifle 5.45×39mm M74 824/586 314 3.2 600 500 840
AK-107 Russia Assault rifle 5.45×39mm M74 943/700 415 3.8 850 1,000 900
AK-108 Russia Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO 943/700 415 3.8 900 1,000 910
AK-109 Russia Assault rifle 7.62×39mm M43 943/700 415 3.8 900 1,000 750
AK-9 Russia Assault rifle 9×39mm 705/465 200 3.1/3.8 (with suppressor) 600 400 290 (СП-5) / 305 (СП-6)
AK-12 Russia Assault rifle 5.45×39mm M74 940/730 415 3.3 700 1,000 900
AK-15 Russia Assault rifle 7.62×39mm M43 922/862 415 3.5 700 1,000 715
AK-19 Russia Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO 935/725 415 3.35 700 1,000 910
AK-308 Russia Assault rifle 7.62×51mm NATO 885-945/695 415 4.3 700 800

In the United States

The Kalashnikov weapon design has become increasingly more popular in the American firearms industry. There are specific competitive shooting matches that require the use of its weapon variants like the Red Oktober match held just outside of St. George, Utah. It is a match designed for the use of ComBloc style weapons, but the Kalashnikov design is extremely heavy within the participants' arsenals.[26]

See also

References

Citations

  1. ^ Blair, David (2015-07-02). "AK-47 Kalashnikov: The firearm which has killed more people than any other". Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 2022-01-12. Retrieved 2019-09-26.
  2. ^ a b Franko, Blake (2017-05-08). "The Gun That Is in Almost 100 Countries: Why the AK-47 Dominates". The National Interest. Archived from the original on June 3, 2023. Retrieved 2019-09-26.
  3. ^ McCarthy, Niall. "The Cost Of An AK-47 On The Black Market Around The World [Infographic]". Forbes. Archived from the original on May 9, 2023. Retrieved 2019-09-26.
  4. ^ "Концерн Калашников -- Официальный сайт". kalashnikov.com.
  5. ^ "200 series Kalashnikov assault rifle: AK-200, AK-201, AK-202, AK-203, AK-204, AK-205 (Russia)". modernfirearms.net. 7 June 2018.
  6. ^ "Albanian Small Arms". Aftermath Gun Club. 20 April 2015. Archived from the original on 2017-10-14.
  7. ^ Азербайджан приступил к серийному производству автоматов АК-74М по российской лицензии [Azerbaijan began serial production of AK-74M assault rifles under Russian license]. ЦАМТО (in Russian). Moscow: Centre for Analysis of World Arms Trade. 8 July 2011. Archived from the original on April 22, 2023. Retrieved 8 July 2011.
  8. ^ Dimov, Roman. "Kalashnikov Arms Versions". The AK Site. Archived from the original on 29 September 2007.
  9. ^ "MPi-K / MPi-AK Assault Rifle Series". Энциклопедия оружия и боеприпасов (in Russian). Archived from the original on April 27, 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  10. ^ "Advertisement flyer for manufacturing capabilities of the GAEC – Gafat Armament Engineering Complex". Archived from the original on July 10, 2011. Retrieved 2014-01-23. Retrieved on 8 October 2010.
  11. ^ "Hungary. Assault Rifles". Энциклопедия оружия и боеприпасов (in Russian). Archived from the original on April 27, 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2013.
  12. ^ "Nigeria to mass-produce Nigerian version of AK-47 rifles". Archived from the original on 14 January 2009. Retrieved 5 October 2008.
  13. ^ "DICON – Defence Industry Corp. of Nigeria". Archived from the original on 2013-12-27. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
  14. ^ US Department of Defense, North Korea Country Handbook 1997, Appendix A: Equipment Recognition, PPSH 1943 SUBMACHINEGUN [sic] (TYPE-50 CHINA/MODEL-49 DPRK), p. A-79.
  15. ^ US Department of Defense, North Korea Country Handbook 1997, Appendix A: Equipment Recognition, TYPE-68 (AKM) ASSAULT RIFLE, p. A-77.
  16. ^ Russia confronts Pakistan, China over copied weapons, 2009-11-16, archived from the original on 2011-07-17, retrieved 2011-10-16
  17. ^ "Poland. Assault Rifles". Энциклопедия оружия и боеприпасов (in Russian). Archived from the original on April 26, 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  18. ^ "MAZ". Military Industry Corporation. Archived from the original on 27 December 2008. Retrieved 8 February 2009.
  19. ^ Raigorodetsky, Aleksandr (6 October 2011). Автомат "Малюк" ("Малыш") (Украина) ["Malyuk" Assault Rifle (Ukraine)]. Оружейная экзотика (in Russian). Archived from the original on 2015-09-03. Retrieved 1 Dec 2012.
  20. ^ "Palmetto State Armory's Website".
  21. ^ "Kalashnikov USA Website". 27 October 2022.
  22. ^ Smith, Aaron (30 June 2015). "The first American-made Kalashnikovs are now for sale". CNN.com. Archived from the original on July 1, 2023.
  23. ^ Slowik, Max (August 10, 2015). "Kalashnikov USA prices out first wave of American AKs". Guns.com. Archived from the original on February 1, 2016.
  24. ^ "Primeros 3,000: Cavim inicia entrega de fusiles de asalto Kalashnikov AK-103 a la Fuerza Armada de Venezuela". infodefensa.com. 3 June 2013. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved 14 September 2015. (in spanish)
  25. ^ Sieff, Martin (15 August 2007). "Defense Focus: Venezuela's Kalashnikovs". UPI.com. Archived from the original on 2008-06-04. Retrieved 19 October 2008.
  26. ^ Reeder, David (6 October 2018). "Breach Bang Clear". Archived from the original on October 17, 2018.

General and cited references

Further reading

  • Media related to AK family at Wikimedia Commons