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The AK-47 (Avtomat Kalashnikova 1947 ; Russian: Автомат Калашникова образца 1947 года) is a gas-operated assault rifle designed by Mikhail Kalashnikov, produced by Russian manufacturer IZH, and used in many Eastern bloc nations during the Cold War. It was adopted and standardized in 1947. Compared to the autoloading rifles used in World War II, the AK-47 was generally lighter, more compact, with a shorter range, a smaller 7.62 × 39 mm cartridge, and was capable of selective fire. It was one of the first true assault rifles, and remains the most widely used. The AK-47 and its numerous variants and descendants have been produced in greater numbers than any other assault rifle, and it remains in production to this day.
History
Design background
During the Second World War, Germany had developed the concept of the assault rifle. This concept was based on the knowledge that most military engagements in modern warfare were happening at fairly close range with the majority happening within 100 meters. The power and range of contemporary rifle cartridges was simply overkill for a vast majority of engagements with small arms. As a result, a cartridge and firearm were sought combining the features of a submachine gun (high-capacity magazine and fully-automatic fire capability) with an intermediate-power cartridge that would be effective to a range of 300 meters. For the sake of reducing manufacturing costs, this was done by shortening the 8 mm Mauser cartridge to 33 mm and using a lighter bullet.The resulting Sturmgewehr 44 (StG44) was not the first rifle to use these features; it was preceded by earlier Italian and Russian designs. The Germans were, however, the first to produce and field a sufficient number of the type to properly evaluate its utility. They fielded the weapon in large numbers against the Russians towards the end of the war. This experience deeply influenced Russian doctrine in the years following the war.
Mikhail Kalashnikov began imagining his weapon while still in the hospital, after being wounded in the battle of Bryansk. He had been informed that a new weapon was required for the 7.62 × 41 mm cartridge developed by Elisarov and Semin in 1943. Sudayev's PPS43 submachine gun was preferred to Kalashnikov's design. Kalashnikov redesigned his losing design after examining a German StG44 in 1946. Kalashnikov was chosen to lead a team of designers possibly more for propaganda value due to his war-hero status rather than for his expertise. This would follow Soviet patterns in other industries.
Design concept
Despite circumstantial evidence, Mikhail Kalashnikov denies that his rifle was based on the German assault rifle. It is best described as a hybrid of several previous innovations. To support his position, the AK-47 owes more to the M1 Garand Rifle than any German design. The double locking lugs, unlocking raceway, and trigger mechanism are clearly derived from the earlier American design. This is not surprising as millions of Garand rifles had operated reliably in combat around the globe. Though mechanically similar to the Garand, the AK-47 borrows its cartridge concept, weapon layout, gas system, and construction methods from the StG44. Further, the safety is surprisingly similar to the Browning designed Remington Model 8 rifle.The genius in the design of the Kalashnikov rifle is in the simplification of those contributing designs and adaptation to mass production by relatively unskilled labor. The AK-47 can be seen as a fusion of the best that the M1 Garand offered combined with the best aspects of the StG44 made by the best processes available in the Soviet Union at the time.
The operating mechanism of the Kalashnikov family of weapons is basically very similar to that of the US M1 and M14 rifles and M1/M2 carbines. In fact, as is often the case in a successful weapon design, there is little new about the individual elements of Kalashnikov’s design; the inventor’s accomplishment was in the recombination of known elements into a compact, reliable and durable package. —Ed Ezell.
Receiver development history
There were many difficulties during the initial phase of production. The first production models had stamped sheet metal receivers. Difficulties were encountered welding the guide and ejector rails causing high rejection rates. Instead of halting production, a heavy machined receiver was substituted for the sheet metal receiver. This was a more costly process, but the use of machined receivers accelerated production as tooling and labor for the earlier Mosin-Nagant rifle's machined receiver were easily adapted. Partly because of these problems, the Soviets were not able to distribute large numbers of the new rifle to soldiers until 1956. During this time, production of the interim SKS rifle continued.Once manufacturing difficulties had been overcome, a redesigned version designated the AKM (M for modernized or upgraded, in Russian Модернизированный Автомат Калашникова образца) was introduced in 1959. This new model used a stamped sheet metal receiver and featured a slanted muzzle brake on the end of the barrel to compensate for muzzle rise under recoil. It was also lighter than the previous AK-47. Licensed production of the Kalashnikov weapons abroad as well as unlicensed production was almost exclusively of the AKM, partially due to the much easier production of the stamped receiver; this model is the most commonly encountered. Despite the design difference, rifles of this pattern are most often referred to as AK-47s in the West. In most former Eastern Bloc countries, the weapon is known simply as the "Kalashnikov."
| Receiver type | Description |
|---|---|
| Type 1A/B | Original stamped receiver for AK-47. -1B modified for folding stock. Namely, a large hole is present on each side to accommodate the hardware for the underfolding stock. | (this naming convention continues with all types)
| Type 2A/B | Milled from steel forging. |
| Type 3A/B | "Final" version of the milled receiver, from steel bar stock. The most ubiquitous example of the milled-receiver AK-47. |
| Type 4A/B | Stamped AKM receiver. Overall, the most-used design in the construction of the AK-series rifles. |
Features
The AK-47 is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and easy to clean and maintain. Its ruggedness and reliability are legendary. The large gas piston, generous clearances between moving parts, and tapered cartridge case design allow the gun to endure large amounts of foreign matter and fouling without failing to cycle. This reliability comes at the cost of accuracy.
The notched rear tangent iron sight is adjustable, each setting denoting hundreds of meters. The front sight is a post adjustable for elevation in the field. Windage adjustment is done by the armory prior to issue. The battle setting places the round within a few centimeters above or below the point of aim out to approximately 250 meters. This "point-blank range" setting allows the shooter to fire the gun at any close target without adjusting the sights. Longer settings are intended for area suppression. These settings mirror the Mosin-Nagant and SKS rifles which the AK-47 replaced. This eased transition and simplified training. The bore and chamber, as well as the gas piston and the interior of the gas cylinder, are generally chromium plated. This plating dramatically increases the life of these parts by resisting corrosion and wear. Chrome plating of critical parts is now common on most modern military weapons.
Operating cycle
To fire, the operator inserts a loaded magazine, moves the selector lever to the lowest position, pulls back and releases the charging handle, and then pulls the trigger. In this setting, the gun fires only once, requiring the trigger to be released and depressed again for the next shot. With the selector in the middle position, the rifle continues to fire, automatically cycling fresh rounds into the chamber, until the magazine is exhausted or pressure is released from the trigger.Dismantling the gun involves the operator depressing the magazine catch and removing the magazine. The charging handle is pulled to the rear and the operator inspects the chamber to verify the gun is unloaded. The operator presses forward on the retainer button at the rear of the receiver cover while simultaneously lifting up on the rear of the cover to remove it. He then pushes the spring assembly forward and lifts it from its raceway, withdrawing it out of the bolt carrier and to the rear. The operator must then pull the carrier assembly all the way to the rear, lift it, and then pull it away. He removes the bolt by pushing it to the rear of the bolt carrier; rotating the bolt so the camming lug clears the raceway on the underside of the bolt carrier and then pulls it forward and free. When cleaning, the operator will pay special attention to the barrel, bolt face, and gas piston, then oil lightly and reassemble.
Ballistics
The standard AK-47 or AKM fires a 7.62 × 39 mm round with a muzzle velocity of 710 m/s (2,329 ft/s). Muzzle energy is 1,990 joules (1,467 ft·lbf). Cartridge case length is 38.6 mm, weight is 18.21 g. Projectile weight is normally 8 g (123 gr). The AK-47 and AKM, with the 7.62 × 39 mm cartridge, have an effective range of around 300 meters. For comparison, the 7.62 × 54 mm R mm cartridge has a projectile of 9.6-12 g (148-185 gr on weapon) at a velocity of 818 m/s (2,683 ft/s) for approximately 4,000 joules (2,950 ft·lbf) of energy.Legal status
In the United States
Private ownership of fully-automatic AK-47 rifles is tightly regulated by the National Firearms Act (NFA) of 1934. The Gun Control Act of 1968 ceased importing of foreign-manufactured fully-automatic firearms for civilian sales and possession, effectively halting further importation of civilian accessible AK-47 rifles. In 1986, an amendment to the Firearm Owners Protection Act stopped all future domestic manufacture of fully-automatic weapons for civilian use.However, machine guns manufactured domestically prior to 1986 and imported prior to 1968 may be transferred between civilians in accordance with federal and state law. Several Soviet and Chinese rifles made it into the U.S. during the mid-1960s, when returning Vietnam veterans brought them home after capture from enemy troops. Many of these were properly registered during the 1968 NFA amnesty. In addition, several states have laws on their books outlawing private possession of fully-automatic firearms even with NFA approval.
Certain semi-automatic AK-47 models were banned by the now-expired Assault Weapons Ban of 1994–2004.
Currently, the only federal law regulating the assembly or posession of semi-automatic AK-47-type weapons in the United States is 18 USC 922r. Commonly known as "922r", this section prohibits the domestic assembly of any firearm, which would be ineligible for importation. The effect of this is that no more than 10 of the parts from the following list may be imported (manufactured outside the U.S.):
- Receiver
- Barrel
- Trunnion
- Muzzle attachments (flash suppressors, brakes, barrel extensions, barrel nuts)
- Bolt
- Bolt carrier
- Gas piston
- Trigger
- Hammer (firearm)
- Disconnector
- Buttstock
- Pistol grip
- Forearm/handguard
- Magazine body
- Magazine follower
- Magazine floorplate
In Canada
In Canada, the AK-47 and variants are illegal for purchase, acquisition, or import, the sole exceptions being the Valmet Hunter, the Valmet Hunter Auto and the Valmet M78 rifles which are based on the AK-47 action *. However, as with many gun issues in Canada presently, the particular issue of "grandfathered" AK-47 rifles remains unclear.Illicit trade
Throughout the world, the AK-47 and variants are among the plethora of commonly smuggled and sold to governments, rebels, criminals and civilians alike, with little international oversight. This trade ensures a ready supply of inexpensive weapons to a number of conflicts, including (but certainly not limited to) The Balkans, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia.Cultural influence
During the Cold War, the Soviet Union, China and the United States supplied arms and technical knowledge to numerous client-state countries and rebel forces to promote their interests. This period saw the proliferation, sometimes free of charge, of AK-47s by the Soviet Union and China to pro-communist countries and groups such as the Nicaraguan Sandinistas and Viet-Cong.
The proliferation of this weapon is reflected by more than just numbers. The AK-47 is included in the flag of Mozambique and coat of arms (formerly also in Burkina Faso coat of arms) and the Hezbollah flag. "Kalash", a shortened form of "Kalashnikov", is used as a name for boys in some African countries.
In the U.S., moviemakers often arm criminals, ,gang member and terrorist characters in AK-47s (e.g. films like Boyz N The Hood and HEAT). Numerous computer games, video games, and rap songs feature AK-47s. Toy makers and the airsoft industry make millions of replica AK-47's.
The sheer ubiquity of the AK-47, its iconography and the fact that it possesses easily the most distinguishable weapon outline ensures a significant and conspicuous impact on society.
Variants
Kalashnikov variants include:
- AK-47 1948–51, 7.62 × 39 mm — The very earliest models with the Type 1 stamped sheet metal receiver are now very rare.
- AK-47 1952, 7.62 × 39 mm — Has a milled receiver and wooden buttstock and handguard. Barrel and chamber are chrome plated to resist corrosion. Rifle weight is 4.2 kg.
- AKS-47 — 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.
- RPK, 7.62 × 39 mm — Squad automatic rifle version with longer barrel and bipod.
- AKM, 7.62 × 39 mm — A simplified, lighter version of the AK-47; Type 4 receiver is made from stamped and riveted sheet metal (see schematic above). A slanted muzzle device was added to counter climb in automatic fire. Rifle weight is 3.61 kg, due to the lighter receiver.
- AKMS, 7.62 × 39 mm — Folding-stock version of the AKM intended for airborne troops. Stock may be either side- or under-folding
- AK-74 series, 5.45 × 39 mm — See main article for details.
- AK-101 series
- AK-103 series
- AK-107/108 series
In 1978, the Soviet Union began replacing their AK-47 and AKM rifles with a newer design, the AK-74. This new rifle and cartridge had only started being exported to eastern European nations when the Soviet Union collapsed, drastically slowing production of this and all other small arms.
Production outside of Russia
| Country | Variant(s) |
|---|---|
| Albania | Unknown. |
| Bulgaria | AKK (Type 3 AK-47), AKKS (Type 3 with 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 NATO 5.56mm) | |
| AKS-47M1 (AKMS in 5.56mm), AKS-47MA1 (Same as AKS-47M1, but semi-automatic version) | |
| 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) | |
| AKS-93SM6 (Similar to -47M1, cannot use grenade launcher) | |
| RKKS, AKT-47 (.22 Rimfire training rifle) | |
| East Germany | MPi-K (AK-47), MPi-KS (AKS), MPi-KM (AKM), MPi-KMS72 (AKMS); |
| Egypt | AK-47, MISR 7.62 (AKM) |
| Hungary | AKM-63, AMD-65, AMD-65M, NGM 5.56 |
| Iraq | Tabuk (AKM, AKMS versions) |
| Tabuk sniper rifle (AKM with 23.6" barrel, optics) | |
| North Korea | Type 58A (Type 3 AK-47), Type 58B (stamped steel folding stock), Type 68A (AKM-47) Type 68B (AKMS) |
| People's Republic of China | Type 56 Rifle (not Carbine), Type 81, Type 87 |
| Poland | Kbk AK/PMK (AK-47), Kbk AKS/PKMS (AKS), Kbk Ak PNG60, Kbk AKM/PMKM (AKM), KbK AKMS/PMKMS) |
| Romania | AI (AK-47), AIS (AKS), AIM, AIMS (AKM), AIR |
| Yugoslavia | M70, M70A, M70AB2 M64 (AK-47 with longer barrel), M64A (grenade launcher) | M64B(M70 w/ folding stock)
| Myanmar | MA1, MA4 (These are based on Chinese design firing NATO-caliber ammunition) |
Certainly more have been produced elsewhere, but the above list represents major producers and variants. An updated AKM design is still produced in Russia.
The basic design of the AK-47 has been used as the basis for other successful rifle designs such as the Finnish Valmet 62/76, the Israeli Galil, the Indian INSAS and the Yugoslav Zastava M76 and M77/82 (not to be confused with the Barrett M82) rifles. Several bullpup designs have surfaced, although none have been produced in quantity. Bullpup conversions are also available commercially.
Licensing
Russia has repeatedly claimed that majority of these manufacturers produce AK-47 without a proper license from IZH. * The Izhevsk Machine Tool Factory acquired a patent in 1999, protecting (in theory) the unauthorized manufacture of the Kalashnikov rifle system.(Poyer, 2)See also
References
- (Prior to his death, Ezell was the curator of military history at the Smithsonian Museum.)
External links
- Manufacturer's official site
- AK Site — Kalashnikov Home Page
- AK-47 Assault Rifle
- AK-47@Everything2.com
- Automat Kalaschnikow film documented the man and his machine
- Home of the AK-47 on the Internet.
- AK-47 Assault rifle (SovietArmy.com)
- Modern Firearms at Guns.ru
- AKM Assault Rifle (SovietArmy.com)
- Animation of an AK-47 action in operation
Video links
Manual
7.62 mm firearms | Assault rifles | Cold War weapons of the Soviet Union | Weapons of Russia
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