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Kalashnikov rifle

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A Kalashnikov (Калашников) rifle is any one of a series of automatic rifles based on the original design of Mikhail Kalashnikov. They are officially known in Russian as "Avtomát Kaláshnikova" (Russian: Автома́т Кала́шникова, lit. 'Kalashnikov's Automatic Gun'), but are widely known as Kalashnikovs, AKs, or in Russian slang, a "Kalash". They were originally manufactured in the Soviet Union, primarily by Kalashnikov Concern, formerly Izhmash, but these rifles and their variants are now manufactured in many other countries. The Kalashnikov is one of the most widely-used guns in the world, with an estimated 72 million rifles in global circulation.[1][2][3]

The Kalashnikov assault rifle 1974 model by Izhmash, Russia (AK-74)

Types[edit]

The primary types of Kalashnikov rifles.[4][5]

Soviet 7.62x39mm AK Type 2 assault rifle (1951 issue), the first model variation that features a milled receiver
ModelCartridgeYearManufacturer
AK-477.62×39mm M431949Izhmash and others
AKM7.62×39mm M431959Izhmash, Tula Arms Plant and others
AK-745.45×39mm M741974Izhmash
AK-74M5.45×39mm M741991Izhmash
AK-101, AK-1025.56×45mm NATO1995Izhmash
AK-103, AK-1047.62×39mm M432001Izhmash
AK-1055.45×39mm M742001Izhmash
AK-125.45×39mm M742011Kalashnikov Concern, formerly Izhmash
AK-12K5.45×39mm M742017Kalashnikov Concern
AK-15, AK-15K7.62×39mm M432017Kalashnikov Concern
AK-200, AK-2055.45×39mm M742018Kalashnikov Concern
AK-201, AK-2025.56×45mm NATO2018Kalashnikov Concern
AK-203, AK-2047.62×39mm M432018Kalashnikov Concern
AK-195.56×45mm NATO2020Kalashnikov Concern
Comparative characteristics of Kalashnikov assault rifles and machine guns hide
NameCountryTypeCartridgeLength 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-47Soviet UnionAssault rifle7.62×39mm M438704153.47600800715
AKMSoviet UnionAssault rifle7.62×39mm M438804153.16001,000715
RPK(s)Soviet UnionLight machine gun7.62×39mm M431040/8205904.80/5.66001,000745
PK(M)Soviet UnionGeneral-purpose machine gun7.62×54mmR11736059.0/7.56501,500825
AK-74Soviet UnionAssault rifle5.45×39mm M749434153.076001,000900
AKS-74Soviet UnionAssault rifle5.45×39mm M74933/6904152.976001,000900
AK-74MSoviet UnionAssault rifle5.45×39mm M74943/7054153.46501,000900
RPK-74Soviet UnionLight machine gun5.45×3910605904.76001,000960
AKS-74USoviet UnionCarbine assault rifle5.45×39mm M74730/490206,52.7700500735
AK-101RussiaAssault rifle5.56×45mm NATO943/7004153.66001,000910
AK-102RussiaCarbine assault rifle5.56×45mm NATO824/5863143.0600500850
AK-103RussiaAssault rifle7.62×39mm M43943/7054153.46001,000715
AK-104RussiaCarbine assault rifle7.62×39mm M43824/5863143.0600500670
AK-105RussiaCarbine assault rifle5.45×39mm M74824/5863143.2600500840
AK-107RussiaAssault rifle5.45×39mm M74943/7004153.88501,000900
AK-108RussiaAssault rifle5.56×45mm NATO943/7004153.89001,000910
AK-109RussiaAssault rifle7.62×39mm M43943/7004153.89001,000750
AK-9RussiaAssault rifle9×39mm705/4652003.1/3.8 (with suppressor)600400290 (СП-5) / 305 (СП-6)
AK-12RussiaAssault rifle5.45×39mm M74940/7304153.37001,000900
AK-15RussiaAssault rifle7.62×39mm M43922/8624153.57001,000715
AK-19RussiaAssault rifle5.56x45mm NATO935/7254153.357001,000910

Variants[edit]

Original AK variants (7.62×39mm)

  • Issue of 1948/49 – The very earliest models, with the Type 1 stamped sheet metal receiver, are now very rare.
  • Issue of 1951 – Type 2: Has a milled receiver. Barrel and chamber are chrome plated to resist corrosion.
  • Issue of 1954/55 – Type 3: Lightened milled receiver variant. Rifle weight is 3.47 kg (7.7 lb).[6]
  • AKS – Featured a downward-folding metal stock similar to that of the German MP40, for use in the restricted space in the BMP infantry combat vehicle, as well as by paratroops.
  • AKN (AKSN) – Night scope rail.[7]

Modernized (7.62×39mm)

  • AKM – A simplified, lighter version of the AK-47; Type 4 receiver is made from stamped and riveted sheet metal. A slanted muzzle device was added to counter climb in automatic fire. Rifle weight is 2.93 kg (6.5 lb)[8][9][N 1] due to the lighter receiver. This is the most ubiquitous variant of the AK-47.
    • AKMS – Under-folding stock version of the AKM intended for airborne troops.
    • AKMN (AKMSN) – Night scope rail (Scope rail and folding stock)
    • AKML (AKMSL) – Slotted flash suppressor (Flash suppressor and folding stock)[10]
  • RPK – Hand-held machine gun version with longer barrel and bipod. The variants – RPKS, RPKN (RPKSN), RPKL (RPKSL) – mirror AKM variants. The "S" variants have a side-folding wooden stock.

Low-impulse variants (5.45×39mm)

AK-74 and RPK-74

The AK-100 Series

AK-74M

5.45×39mm / 5.56×45mm / 7.62×39mm

The AK-12 series

AK-12

5.45×39mm / 7.62x39mm / 5.56x45mm

  • AK-12 / AK-15 / AK-19 – A new AK family derivative based on the AK-400 prototype. Accepted as main service rifle in January 2018.
  • AK-12K / AK-15K – Carbine.
  • RPK-16 - Squad automatic weapon, based on the AK-12.

Other weapons

PK general-purpose machine gun

Production[edit]

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:

CountryVariant(s)
AlbaniaAutomatiku Shqiptar 1978 model 56 (ASH-78 Tip-1) copy of Type 56 based on AKM rifle; Tipi 1982 model (ASH-82) copy of AKMS; 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.[11]
ArmeniaK-3 (bullpup, 5.45×39mm)
AzerbaijanKhazri (AK-74M)[12]
BangladeshChinese Type 56
BulgariaAKK/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-47M1 (AKMS in 5.56×45mm NATO); AKS-47S (AK-47M1, short version, with East German folding stock, laser aiming device); AKS-47UF (short version of -M1, Russian folding stock), AR-SF (same as −47UF, but 5.56mm NATO); AKS-93SM6 (similar to −47M1, cannot use grenade launcher); RKKS (RPK), AKT-47 (.22 rimfire training rifle)
CambodiaChinese Type 56, Soviet AK, and AKM
ChinaType 56
CroatiaAPS-95
CubaAKM[13]
East Germany[14]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)
EgyptAK, Misr assault rifle (AKM), Maadi
EthiopiaAK, AK-103 (manufactured locally at the State-run Gafat Armament Engineering Complex as the Et-97/1)[15]
FinlandRK 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[16]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)
IndiaTrichy Assault Rifle, AK-7[17][18] Indo-Russia Rifles, AK-203[19]
IranKLS/KLF (AK-47/AKS), KLT (AKMS)
IraqTabuk Sniper Rifle, Tabuk Assault Rifle (with fixed or underfolding stock, outright clones of Yugoslavian M70 rifles series), Tabuk Short Assault Rifle
NigeriaProduced by the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria as OBJ-006[20][21]
North KoreaType 58A/B (Type 3 AK/w. stamped steel folding stock), Type 68A/B (AKM/AKMS), Type 88 (AKS-74)[22][23]
PakistanReverse engineered by hand and machine in Pakistan's highland areas (see Khyber Pass Copy) near the border of Afghanistan; more recently the Pakistan Ordnance Factories started the manufacture of an AK/AKM clone called PK-10. Pakistanis had also made a new caliber just by a little changing in original (7.62×39mm) ammo, that is known as 44 bore.[24] Pakistani 5.45mm AKs are sometimes called "Kalakovs".[25]
Poland[26]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)
RomaniaPM 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)
SudanMAZ[27] (based on the Type 56)
UkraineVepr (bullpup, 5.45×39mm), Malyuk (bullpup)[28]
United StatesUS132 rifle (7.62×39mm), US132Z assault rifle (7.62×39mm), US109L shotgun (12 Gauge) & US109T shotgun (12 Gauge). Produced by Kalashnikov USA.[29][30][31]
VietnamAKM-1, AKM-VN (AKM) assault rifle, TUL-1 (RPK) light machine gun, Galil ACE 31/32 assault rifle
VenezuelaAK-103 [32] / License granted to Venezuela[33]
Yugoslavia/SerbiaM64, M70, M72, M76, M77, M80, M82, M85, M90, M91, M92, M99, M21

Similar rifles[edit]

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

See also[edit]