AK-47[1]
A Type 2 AK-47, the first machined receiver variation.
Type	Assault rifle
Place of origin	Soviet Union
Service history
In service	1949–present
Used by	Warsaw Pact, Post-Soviet states, many others
Production history
Designer	Mikhail Kalashnikov
Designed	1944-1946
Manufacturer	Izhmash
Variants	See Variants
Specifications
Weight	4. An assault rifle is a Selective fire Rifle or Carbine (not to be confused with a semi-automatic only replica firing Ammunition with muzzle The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 The Warsaw Pact (see Nomenclature) was an organization of Communist states in Central and Eastern Europe. The post-Soviet states, also commonly known as former Soviet republics, are the 15 independent nations that split off from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Lieutenant General Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov (Михаи́л Тимофе́евич Кала́шников Mihail Timofeevič Kalašnikov) (born November Izhevsk Mechanical Works ( (Ижевский Mашзавод or IZhMASh (ИЖМАШ is a weapons manufacturer based in Izhevsk The AK-47 (contraction of Russian Автомат Калашникова образца 1947 года; Avtomat Kalashnikova obraztsa 1947 goda; "Kalashnikov's 3 kg (9. 5 lb) with empty magazine
Length	870 mm (34. The pound or pound-mass (abbreviation lb, lbm, or sometimes in the United States #) is a unit of Mass The Millimetre ( American spelling: millimeter, symbol mm) is a unit of Length in the Metric system, equal to 3 in) fixed wooden stock 875 mm (34. Inches redirects here To see the Les Savy Fav album see Inches. 4 in) folding stock extended 645 mm (25. 4 in) stock folded
Barrel length	415 mm (16. For the fictional characters see Gunbarrel (Transformers. A gun barrel is the tube usually Metal, through which a controlled Explosion 3 in)
Cartridge	7.62x39mm M43
Action	Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire	600 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity	715 m/s (2,346 ft/s)
Effective range	100-800 sight adjustments m
Feed system	30-round detachable box magazine, also compatible with 40-round box or 75-round drum magazines from the RPK
Sights	Adjustable iron sights, 378 mm (14. A cartridge (also known as a "round" packages the Bullet, Gunpowder and primer into a single metallic case precisely made to fit the The Soviet 762x39mm rifle cartridge was designed during World War II and first used in the SKS Carbine. In Firearms terminology an action is the system of operation used to load rounds and/or seal the Breech. Gas-operation is a system of operation used to provide energy to operate Autoloading firearms Rate of fire is the frequency at which a specific Weapon can fire or launch its projectiles A gun's muzzle velocity is the speed at which the Projectile leaves the muzzle of the gun The foot per second (plural feet per second) is a unit of both Speed (scalar and Velocity (vector quantity which includes direction The metre or meter is a unit of Length. It is the basic unit of Length in the Metric system and in the International A magazine is an Ammunition storage and feeding device within or attached to a repeating Firearm. A drum magazine is a type of magazine that is cylindrical in shape similar to a Drum. The RPK ( Ruchnoy Pulemyot Kalashnikova, Russian: Ручной пулемёт Калашникова or "Kalashnikov hand-held machine gun" The term iron sights refers to the open unmagnified system used to assist the aiming of a variety of devices usually those intended to launch Projectiles such as Firearms 9 in) sight radius

The AK-47 (contraction of Russian: Автомат Калашникова образца 1947 года; Avtomat Kalashnikova obraztsa 1947 goda; "Automatic rifle Kalashnikov model of 1947 year") is a 7.62 mm assault rifle developed in the Soviet Union by Mikhail Kalashnikov in two versions: the fixed stock AK-47 and the AKS-47 (S - So skladnym prikladom) variant equipped with an underfolding metal shoulder stock. Russian ( transliteration:,) is the most geographically widespread language of Eurasia, the most widely spoken of the Slavic languages The Soviet 762x39mm rifle cartridge was designed during World War II and first used in the SKS Carbine. An assault rifle is a Selective fire Rifle or Carbine (not to be confused with a semi-automatic only replica firing Ammunition with muzzle The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR was a constitutionally Socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991 Lieutenant General Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov (Михаи́л Тимофе́евич Кала́шников Mihail Timofeevič Kalašnikov) (born November Design work on the AK began in 1944. In 1946 the rifle was presented for official military trials, a year later the fixed stock version was introduced into service with select units of the Red Army (the folding stock model was developed later). The Red Army ( Russian: Рабоче-Крестьянская Красная Армия R aboche- K rest'yanskaya K rasnaya A rmiya The AK-47 was officially accepted by the Soviet Armed Forces in 1949. The Soviet Armed Forces refers to the armed forces of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics from its establishment during the Russian Civil War in 1918 by the It is also used by the majority of the member states of the former Warsaw Pact. The Warsaw Pact (see Nomenclature) was an organization of Communist states in Central and Eastern Europe. The AK-47 was also used as a basis for the development of countless many other types of individual and crew-served firearms. It was one of the first true assault rifles and, due to its durability and ease of use, remains the most widely used assault rifle in the world. More AK-type rifles have been produced than any other assault rifle. ^[2][3]

History

Design background

During World War II, the Germans developed the assault rifle concept, based upon research that showed that most firefights happen at close range, within 300 meters. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including The German people (Deutsche are an Ethnic group, in the sense of sharing a common German culture, descent and speaking the German language as An assault rifle is a Selective fire Rifle or Carbine (not to be confused with a semi-automatic only replica firing Ammunition with muzzle The power and range of contemporary rifle cartridges was excessive for most small arms firefights. As a result, armies sought a cartridge and rifle combining submachine gun features (large-capacity magazine, selective-fire) with an intermediate-power cartridge effective to 300 meters. A submachine gun (SMG is a Firearm that combines the automatic fire of a Machine gun with the cartridge of a Pistol, and is To reduce manufacturing costs, the 7.92x57mm Mauser cartridge case was shortened, the result of which was the lighter 7.92x33mm Kurz. The 792x57mm cartridge was designed by the German Gewehr-Prüfungskommission (G 792x33mm Kurz is a Rifle cartridge developed in Nazi Germany prior to and during World War II.

The resultant rifle, the Sturmgewehr 44 (StG44) was not the first with these features; its predecessors were the Italian Cei-Rigotti and the Russian Fedorov Avtomat design rifles. Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest Originally created by Amerigo Cei-Rigotti an officer in the Italian Army, in 1890 the Cei-Rigotti Rifle was extensively modified until its final The Russian Empire ( Pre-reform Russian: Pоссійская Имперія Modern Russian: Российская Империя translit: Rossiyskaya The Fedorov Avtomat was an early self-loading Battle rifle designed by Vladimir Grigoryevich Fedorov and made in Russia. The Germans, however, were the first to produce and field sufficient numbers of this assault rifle to properly evaluate its combat utility. Towards the end of the war, they fielded the weapon against the Soviets; the experience deeply influenced Soviet military doctrine in the post-war years.

Mikhail Kalashnikov began his career as a weapon designer while in a hospital after being wounded during the Battle of Bryansk. Lieutenant General Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov (Михаи́л Тимофе́евич Кала́шников Mihail Timofeevič Kalašnikov) (born November The Battle of Bryansk ( October 2 1941 &ndash October 21 1941) was a nineteen-day conflict during World War II (WWII conducted in ^[4] After tinkering with a submachinegun design, he entered a competition for a new weapon that would chamber the 7. 62x41mm cartridge developed by Elisarov and Semin in 1943 (the 7. 62x41mm cartridge predated the current 7.62x39mm M1943). The Soviet 762x39mm rifle cartridge was designed during World War II and first used in the SKS Carbine. A particular requirement of the competition was the reliability of the firearm in the muddy, wet, and frozen conditions of the Soviet frontline. Kalashnikov designed a carbine, strongly influenced by the American M1 Garand, that lost out to the Simonov design that would later become the SKS battle rifle. The M1 Garand (formally the United States Rifle Caliber.30 M1) was the first Semi-automatic rifle to be generally issued to the infantry in any nation The SKS is a Russian 762x39mm caliber semi-automatic carbine, designed in 1945 by Sergei Gavrilovich Simonov. At the same time, the Soviet Army was interested in developing a true assault rifle employing a shortened M1943 round. The first such weapon was presented by Sudayev in 1944; however in trials it was found to be too heavy^[5]. Alexey Ivanovich Sudayev (Алексей Иванович Судаев ( August 23, 1912 - August 17, 1946) was a Russian Weapons A new design competition was held two years later where Kalashnikov and his design team submitted an entry. It was a gas-operated rifle which had breech-block mechanism similar to his 1944 carbine and curved 30-round magazine.

Kalashnikov's rifles (codenamed AK-1 and -2) proved to be reliable and the gun was accepted to second round of competition along with designs by A. A Demetev and F. Bulkin. In late 1946, as the guns were being tested, one of Kalashnikov's assistants, Aleksandr Zaytsev, suggested a major redesign of AK-1, particularly to improve reliability. At first, Kalashnikov was reluctant given that their rifle had already fared better than its competitors; however eventually Zaytsev managed to persuade Kalashnikov and the new rifle was produced for second round of firing tests and field trials. There, Kalashnikov assault rifle model 1947 proved to be simple, reliable under a wide range of conditions with convenient handling characteristics. In 1949 it was therefore adopted by Soviet Army as '7. 62mm Kalashnikov assault rifle (AK)'. ^[6]

Design concept

The main advantages of the Kalashnikov rifle are simple design, fairly compact size and adaptation to mass production. Mass production (also called flow production, repetitive flow production, series production, or serial production) is the production of Mikhail Kalashnikov denies his assault rifle was based on the German Sturmgewehr 44 assault rifle despite circumstantial evidence to the contrary. Circumstantial evidence is a collection of Facts that when considered together can be used to infer a conclusion about something unknown ^[7] The AK-47 is best described as a hybrid of previous rifle technology innovations: the double locking lugs and unlocking raceway of the M1 Garand/M1 carbine, ^[8] the trigger and safety mechanism of the John Browning designed Remington Model 8 rifle,^[9] and the gas system and layout of the StG44. The M1 Garand (formally the United States Rifle Caliber.30 M1) was the first Semi-automatic rifle to be generally issued to the infantry in any nation The M1 Carbine (formally the United States Carbine Caliber.30 M1) is a lightweight semi-automatic Carbine that became a standard firearm in the John Moses Browning ( January 21 or January 23, 1855 – November 26, 1926) born in Ogden Utah, was an American Remington Arms is a major American manufacturer of Rifles Shotguns other Firearms, Revolvers and Ammunition. Kalashnikov's team had access to all of these weapons and had no need to "reinvent the wheel". ^[10][11] Kalashnikov himself observed: "A lot of [Soviet Army soldiers] ask me how one can become a constructor, and how new weaponry is designed. These are very difficult questions. Each designer seems to have his own paths, his own successes and failures. But one thing is clear: before attempting to create something new, it is vital to have a good appreciation of everything that already exists in this field. I myself have had many experiences confirming this to be so. "^[12]

Receiver development history

AKS-47 on a Type 4B receiver (top), with a Type 2A.

There were many difficulties during the initial phase of production. The first production models had stamped sheet metal receivers. In Firearms terminology the receiver is the part of a firearm that houses the operating parts Difficulties were encountered in welding the guide and ejector rails, causing high rejection rates. ^[13] Instead of halting production, a heavy machined receiver was substituted for the sheet metal receiver. ^[14] 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. The Mosin-Nagant (Винтовка Мосина ISO 9:) is a Bolt-action, internal magazine fed military Rifle that was used by the armed forces 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. The SKS is a Russian 762x39mm caliber semi-automatic carbine, designed in 1945 by Sergei Gavrilovich Simonov. ^[14]

Once manufacturing difficulties had been overcome, a redesigned version designated the AKM (M for "modernized" or "upgraded" — in Russian: Автомат Калашникова Модернизированный Avtomat Kalashnikova Modernizirovanniy) was introduced in 1959. For other uses of the acronym AKM see AKM (disambiguation The AKM ( Russian: Автомат Калашникова Модернизированный ^[15] 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. Muzzle brakes and recoil compensators are devices that are fitted to the muzzle of a Firearm or Cannon to redirect propellant gases with For the fictional characters see Gunbarrel (Transformers. A gun barrel is the tube usually Metal, through which a controlled Explosion The muzzle of a Firearm is the end of the barrel from which the Projectile will exit In addition, a hammer retarder was added to prevent the weapon from firing out of battery (without the bolt being fully closed), during rapid or automatic fire. ^[16] This is also sometimes referred to as a "cyclic rate reducer", or simply "rate reducer", as it also has the effect of reducing the number of rounds fired per minute during automatic fire. It was also lighter than the previous model, at roughly one-third lighter. ^[15] Both licensed and unlicensed production of the Kalashnikov weapons abroad were almost exclusively of the AKM variant, partially due to the much easier production of the stamped receiver. This model is the most commonly encountered, having been produced in much greater quantities. All rifles based on the Kalashnikov design are frequently referred to as AK-47s in the West, although this is only correct when applied to rifles based on the original 3 receiver types. ^[17] In most former Eastern Bloc countries, the weapon is known simply as the "Kalashnikov". The photo above at right illustrates the differences between the Type 2 milled receiver and the Type 4 stamped, including the use of rivets rather than welds on the stamped receiver, as well as the placement of a small dimple above the magazine well for stabilization of the magazine.

In 1978, the Soviet Union began replacing their AK-47 and AKM rifles with a newer design, the AK-74. The AK-74 is a 545 mm Assault rifle developed in the early 1970s in the Soviet Union by Mikhail Kalashnikov. 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 other weapons of the former Soviet bloc.

Features

An Afghan National Police instructor using an AKS.

The AK is simple, inexpensive to manufacture, and easy to clean and maintain. Its ruggedness and reliability are legendary. ^[18][19] The AK-47 was initially designed for ease of operation and repair by glove-wearing Soviet soldiers in Arctic conditions. 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, as the looser tolerances do not allow the precision and consistency that are required of more accurate firearms. Reflecting Soviet infantry doctrine of its time, the rifle is meant to be part of massed infantry fire, not long range engagements. The average service life of an AK-47 is 20 to 40 years depending on the conditions to which it has been exposed. (pdf)

The notched rear tangent iron sight is adjustable, and is calibrated in hundreds of meters. The front sight is a post adjustable for elevation in the field. Windage adjustment is done by the armory before issue. Windage is a Force created on an object by Friction when there is relative movement between Air and the object The battle setting places the round within a few centimeters above or below the point of aim out to about 250 meters (275 yd). A centimetre ( American spelling: centimeter, symbol cm) is a unit of Length in the Metric system, equal to one hundredth This "point-blank range" setting allows the shooter to fire the gun at any close target without adjusting the sights. In External ballistics, point-blank range is the distance between a Firearm and a target of a given size such that the bullet in flight is expected to strike the target Longer settings are intended for area suppression. These settings mirror the Mosin-Nagant and SKS rifles which the AK-47 replaced. The Mosin-Nagant (Винтовка Мосина ISO 9:) is a Bolt-action, internal magazine fed military Rifle that was used by the armed forces The SKS is a Russian 762x39mm caliber semi-automatic carbine, designed in 1945 by Sergei Gavrilovich Simonov. This eased transition and simplified training.

The prototype of the AK-47, the AK-46, had a separate fire selector and safety. ^[20] These were later combined in the production version to simplify the design. The fire selector acts as a dust cover for the ejection port when placed on safe. This makes it easier to carry the AK-47 through difficult terrain because the operator only has to safe the firearm, and does not have to remember to close another latch to protect the operating mechanism.

The bore and chamber, as well as the gas piston and the interior of the gas cylinder, are generally chromium-plated. The term caliber or calibre designates the interior Diameter of a tube or the exterior diameter of a wire or rod In Firearms, the chamber is that portion of the barrel or firing cylinder in which the cartridge is inserted prior to being fired Pneumatic cylinders (sometimes known as air cylinders) are Mechanical devices which produce Force, often in combination with movement, and are Chromium (ˈkroʊmiəm is a Chemical element which has the symbol Cr and Atomic number 24 This plating dramatically increases the life of these parts by resisting corrosion and wear. This is particularly important, as most military-production ammunition during the 20th century contained corrosive mercuric salts in the primers, which mandated frequent and thorough cleaning in order to prevent damage. Chrome plating of critical parts is now common on many 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, aims, and then pulls the trigger. A magazine is an Ammunition storage and feeding device within or attached to a repeating Firearm. A trigger is a Mechanism that actuates the firing sequence of Firearms Triggers almost universally consist of Levers or buttons actuated by the Index In this setting, the firearm fires only once (semi-automatic), requiring the trigger to be released and depressed again for the next shot. With the selector in the middle position (full-automatic), the rifle continues to fire, automatically cycling fresh rounds into the chamber, until the magazine is exhausted or pressure is released from the trigger. As each bullet travels through the barrel, a portion of the gases expanding behind it is diverted into the gas tube above the barrel, where it impacts the gas piston. The piston, in turn, is driven backward, pushing the bolt carrier, which causes the bolt to move backwards, ejecting the spent round, and chambering a new round when the recoil spring pushes it back. ^[21]

Disassembly

Dismantling the rifle 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 weapon 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. The operator 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. The operator 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. ^[21]

Ballistics

The standard AK-47 or AKM fires a 7.62x39mm round with a muzzle velocity of 710 metres per second (2,329 ft/s). The Soviet 762x39mm rifle cartridge was designed during World War II and first used in the SKS Carbine. A cartridge (also known as a "round" packages the Bullet, Gunpowder and primer into a single metallic case precisely made to fit the The foot per second (plural feet per second) is a unit of both Speed (scalar and Velocity (vector quantity which includes direction Muzzle energy is 2,010 joules (1,467 ft·lbf). The joule (written in lower case ˈdʒuːl or /ˈdʒaʊl/ (symbol J) is the SI unit of Energy measuring heat, Electricity The foot-pound force, or simply foot-pound (symbol ft·lbf or ft·lb) is a unit of work or Energy (a scalar Cartridge case length is 38. 6 millimetres (1. 5 in), weight is 18. Inches redirects here To see the Les Savy Fav album see Inches. 21 grams (281. For other uses of the words gram or gramme see Gram (disambiguation. 0 gr). Projectile weight is normally 8 grams (123 gr). In many cultures a grain is a unit of measurement of Mass that is based upon the mass of a single seed of a typical Cereal. The AK-47 and AKM, with the 7. 62x39mm cartridge, have a maximum effective range of around 400 meters.

Variants

Kalashnikov variants include:

1952 AK-47

• AK-47 1948–51, 7. 62x39mm — The very earliest models, with the Type 1 stamped sheet metal receiver, are now very rare.
• AK-47 1952, 7. 62x39mm — Has a milled receiver and wooden buttstock and handguard. A stock, also known as a buttstock or shoulder stock, is present in many Firearms and some Crossbows (though a crossbow stock is properly a Barrel and chamber are chrome plated to resist corrosion. Rifle weight is 4. 2 kg (9. 3 lb). The pound or pound-mass (abbreviation lb, lbm, or sometimes in the United States #) is a unit of Mass
• 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. The MP40 ( Maschinenpistole 40, literally "Machine Pistol 40" is a Submachine gun developed in Germany and used extensively by Paratroopers BMP-1 is a Soviet Amphibious tracked Infantry fighting vehicle.
• RPK, 7. The RPK ( Ruchnoy Pulemyot Kalashnikova, Russian: Ручной пулемёт Калашникова or "Kalashnikov hand-held machine gun" 62x39mm — Squad automatic rifle version with longer barrel and bipod. A bipod is a support device that is similar to a Tripod or Monopod, but with two legs
• AKM, 7. For other uses of the acronym AKM see AKM (disambiguation The AKM ( Russian: Автомат Калашникова Модернизированный 62x39mm — 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. 1 kg (6. 8 lb) due to the lighter receiver. The pound or pound-mass (abbreviation lb, lbm, or sometimes in the United States #) is a unit of Mass
• AKMS, 7. 62x39mm — Folding-stock version of the AKM intended for airborne troops. Stock may be either side- or under-folding
• AK-74 series, 5.45x39mm – See main article for details. The AK-74 is a 545 mm Assault rifle developed in the early 1970s in the Soviet Union by Mikhail Kalashnikov. The Soviet 545x39mm round was introduced into service in 1974 for the AKS-74U and the AK-74 assault rifle The AK-74 is a 545 mm Assault rifle developed in the early 1970s in the Soviet Union by Mikhail Kalashnikov.
• AK-101 series
• AK-103/AK-104 series
• AK-107/AK-108 series

Production outside of the Soviet Union/Russia

Polish kbk AK/pmK with Type 3A receiver. The AK-101 is an Assault rifle of the Kalashnikov series The AK-101 is designed for the world export market using 5 The AK-103 is a modern Russian built version of the famous AKM Assault rifle, chambered for the 7 The AK-103 is a modern Russian built version of the famous AKM Assault rifle, chambered for the 7 The AK-107 is a 545 mm Russian Assault rifle developed from the AK-100 -series incorporating a unique "balanced" operating system The red markings are used by the Polish Armed Forces to mark weapons used for training purposes. Wojsko Polskie ( WP, Polish Army) is the name applied to the military forces of Poland.

A U.S. Marine fires the AK-47.

Military variants only.

Certainly more have been produced elsewhere; but the above list represents known producers and is limited to only military variants. For other uses of the acronym AKM see AKM (disambiguation The AKM ( Russian: Автомат Калашникова Модернизированный The kbs wz 1996 Beryl is a Polish 556 mm Assault rifle, designed and produced by the Łucznik Arms Factory in the city of Radom Romania ( dated: Rumania, Roumania The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia ( Serbo-Croatian, Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian, Slovene, Macedonian: Serbia (Србија Srbija) officially the Republic of Serbia (Република Србија Republika Srbija) is a Landlocked Country The M-70 is a modern military assault rifle developed and manufactured by Zastava Arms of Kragujevac, Republic of Serbia. The Zastava M70B ( automatska puška model 70B) is the Yugoslavian designation for a AKM based rifle The M76 is a modern military semi-automatic designated marksman / Sniper rifle developed and manufactured by Zastava Arms of Kragujevac, The M77 is a modern military battle rifle developed and manufactured by Zastava Arms of Kragujevac, Republic of Serbia. The M-92 is a 762 mm Assault rifle developed and manufactured by Zastava Arms of Kragujevac, Republic of Serbia. The Zastava M21 is a modern Assault rifle developed and manufactured by the Serbian Zastava Arms company Vietnam (ˌviːɛtˈnɑːm Việt Nam) officially Venezuela (ˌvɛnəˈzweɪlə) officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (Spanish República Bolivariana de Venezuela) is a country on the An updated AKM design is still produced in Russia.

Derivatives

Type 56 and AKS-47. The Type 56 assault rifle is a Chinese copy of the Kalashnikov AK-47, which has been manufactured since 1956

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 and Sako Rk 95 TP, the Israeli Galil, the Indian INSAS and the Yugoslav Zastava M76 and M77/82 (not to be confused with the Barrett M82) rifles. Finland, officially the Republic of Finland ( is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of northern Europe. The RK 62 (also 762 RK 62 and M62; Finnish: R ynnäkkö k ivääri 62 for Assault rifle 62) is an Assault The RK 95 TP is a 762 mm Assault rifle of Finnish design accepted into service with the Finnish Defence Forces in the 1990s in relatively For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Israel topics. The Galil ( is a family of Israeli small arms designed by Yisrael Galili and Yaacov Lior produced by Israel Military Industries Ltd (now Israel Weapon India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country INSAS (an abbreviation of Indian National Small Arms System) is a family of infantry arms consisting of an Assault rifle, a Light machine gun and a The M76 is a modern military semi-automatic designated marksman / Sniper rifle developed and manufactured by Zastava Arms of Kragujevac, The M82 (also more recently known as the M107) is a heavy SASR (Special Application Scoped Rifle developed by the American Barrett Firearms Company Several bullpup designs have surfaced such as the Chinese Norinco Type 86S, although none have been produced in quantity. Bullpup is a Firearm configuration in which the action and magazine are located behind the trigger The Norinco Type 86S is a AKM -type Bullpup rifle and that was produced by Norinco and imported to the United States by China Sports (the Bullpup conversions are also available commercially. For a complete list, see the List of weapons influenced by the Kalashnikov design. This is a list of weapons (mostly Assault rifles influenced by the design principles of the Kalashnikov weapons system first used in the venerable AK-47.

Licensing

Russia has repeatedly claimed that the majority of manufacturers produce AK-47 without a proper license from IZH. The verb license or grant license means to give permission The noun license is the document demonstrating that permission Izhevsk Mechanical Works ( (Ижевский Mашзавод or IZhMASh (ИЖМАШ is a weapons manufacturer based in Izhevsk ^[23][24] The Izhevsk Machine Tool Factory acquired a patent in 1999, making manufacture of the Kalashnikov rifle system by anyone other than themselves illegal. Izhevsk (Иже́вск i'ʐɛfsk Ижкар from 1985 to 1987— Ustinov (ru Усти́нов after Dmitry Ustinov, is the capital city of the ^[17] However, nearly one million AK-47 assault rifles are manufactured illegally each year. ^[25]

Illicit trade

Throughout the world, the AK and variants are among the commonly smuggled small arms 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 the Balkans, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iraq topics. Afghanistan /æfˈgænɪstæn/ officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan ( Pashto: د افغانستان اسلامي جمهوریت, Somalia ( Soomaaliya; الصومال) officially the Somali Republic ( Jamhuuriyadda Soomaaliya, جمهورية الصومال) and formerly known In some countries that are recovering from war or that are at war, prices for AKs are very low. In Somalia, Rwanda, Mozambique, Congo and Ethiopia, among others, prices are between $30–$125. Somalia ( Soomaaliya; الصومال) officially the Somali Republic ( Jamhuuriyadda Soomaaliya, جمهورية الصومال) and formerly known The Republic of Rwanda (ruːˈændə or /rəˈwɑːndə/ in English ɾwanda or in Kinyarwanda is a small Landlocked country in the Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique (Moçambique or República de Moçambique, ʁɛ'publikɐ d musɐ̃'bik is a country in southeastern Africa The Democratic Republic of the Congo (République démocratique du Congo often referred to as DR Congo, DRC or RDC, and formerly known or referred to NOTE This intro is the result of careful NPOV work Please do not make potentially controversial edits to it without first discussing on the talk page ^[26] After the Soviet retreat from Afghanistan, the Soviet Army left huge quantities of weapons including AKs which were used in its civil war between Taliban and Northern Alliance and were also exported to Pakistan. Afghanistan /æfˈgænɪstæn/ officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan ( Pashto: د افغانستان اسلامي جمهوریت, The Taliban ( طالبان, also anglicised as Taleban; translation "students" is a Sunni Islamist, predominately Pakistan () officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia, Southwest Asia, Middle East and It is now also made in Pakistan's semi-autonomous areas. Pakistan () officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia, Southwest Asia, Middle East and It is widely used by tribes in Africa like the Hamar, amongst others. The Hammere (also spelled Hamar) are a tribal people in southwestern Ethiopia.

Legal status

Main article: AK-47 legal status

The legal status of the AK-47 varies in different localities. The legal status of the AK-47 varies in different localities In Australia See also Gun politics in Australia In Australia, the purchase

Cultural influence

Coat of arms of Mozambique, showing an AK-47. The coat of arms of Mozambique, which was adopted in 1990 in the Constitution of Mozambique article 194

During the Cold War, the Soviet Union, Communist China and the United States supplied arms and technical knowledge to numerous client-state countries and rebel forces. Cold War is the state of conflict tension and competition that existed between the United States and the Soviet Union (USSR and their respective allies from the While the United States used the relatively expensive M-14 battle rifle and M16 assault rifle during this time, it generally supplied older surplus weapons to its allies. M16 (more formally United States Rifle II Caliber 556 mm M16) is the U The low production and materials costs of the AK-47 meant that the USSR could produce and supply client states with this rifle instead of sending surplus munitions. As a result, the Cold War saw the mass export, sometimes free of charge, of AK-47s by the Soviet Union and Communist China to pro-communist countries and groups such as the Nicaraguan Sandinistas and Vietcong. Nicaragua (ˌnɪkəˈrɑgwə officially the Republic of Nicaragua () is a representative democratic republic and the largest nation in Central America The Sandinista National Liberation Front ( Frente Sandinista de Liberación Nacional) is a socialist Nicaraguan Political party. The AK design was spread to over 55 national armies and dozens of paramilitary groups.

The proliferation of this weapon is reflected by more than just numbers. The AK is included in the flag of Mozambique and its coat of arms. The flag of Mozambique was adopted on May 1, 1983. It includes the image of an AK-47 and is the only national flag in the world to feature such A coat of arms or armorial bearings (often just arms for short in European tradition is a design belonging to a particular person (or group of people It is also found in the coat of arms of Zimbabwe and East Timor, the revolution era coat of arms of Burkina Faso, the flag of Hezbollah, and the logo of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. See also Great Zimbabwe National Monument. For information about the March and June 2008 presidential elections see Zimbabwean presidential election East Timor, also known as Timor-Leste (officially the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste) is a country in Southeast Asia. The Coat of arms of Burkina Faso contains a shield based on the national flag The Flag of Hezbollah, while sometimes found in different colours is usually composed of the green logo of the Shi'a political/military organization Hezbollah For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iran topics. The Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution ( Sepáh e Pásdárán e Enqeláb e Eslámi) is an ideologically motivated branch of the Islamic Republic of Iran's "Kalash", a shortened form of "Kalashnikov", is used as a name for boys in some African countries.

Western cultures, especially the United States, have seen the AK-47 most often in the hands of nations and groups the United States condemns; first the Soviet Army, then its Communist allies during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. During the '80s, the Soviet Union became the principal arms dealer to countries embargoed by the United States, including many Middle Eastern nations such as Afghanistan, Syria, Libya and Iran, who were willing to ally with the USSR against U. S. interests. After the fall of the Soviet Union, AK-47s were sold both openly and on the black market to any group with cash, including drug cartels and dictatorial states, and most recently they have been seen in the hands of terrorist factions such as the Taliban and Al-Quaida in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Taliban ( طالبان, also anglicised as Taleban; translation "students" is a Sunni Islamist, predominately Al-Qaeda, alternatively spelled al-Qaida, al-Qa`ida or al-Qa`idah, ( Arabic:; ar-Latn ''al-qāʿidah'' Translation: The Afghanistan /æfˈgænɪstæn/ officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan ( Pashto: د افغانستان اسلامي جمهوریت, For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iraq topics. The AK-47 has thus garnered a reputation in Western nations as a symbol of anti-Americanism, and has gained a stereotypical role as the weapon of the enemy. In the United States, movie makers often arm criminals, gang members and terrorist characters with AKs.

In 2006, Colombian musician and peace activist César López devised the escopetarra, an AK converted into a guitar. For the Paraguayan footballer see César López Fretes. César López is a Colombian musician Vegetarian and Peace An escopetarra is a Guitar made from a modified gun used as a peace symbol One sold for US$17,000 in a fundraiser held to benefit the victims of anti-personnel mines, while another was exhibited at the United Nations' Conference on Disarmament. Anti-personnel mines are a form of mines designed for use against humans as opposed to Anti-tank mines which are designed for use against vehicles Conference on Disarmament ( CD) is a multilateral disarmament negotiating forum ^[27]

Kalashnikov Museum

The Kalashnikov Museum^[28] (also called the AK-47 Museum) opened on 4 November 2004 in Izhevsk, a city in the Ural Mountains of Russia. Events 1333 - Flood of the Arno River, causing massive damage in Florence as recorded by the Florentine chronicler Giovanni Villani "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Izhevsk (Иже́вск i'ʐɛfsk Ижкар from 1985 to 1987— Ustinov (ru Усти́нов after Dmitry Ustinov, is the capital city of the Riphean redirects here For the time period see Riphean stage The Ural Mountains (Ура́льские го́ры Uralskiye The museum has focused backward in time. It chronicles the official biography of General Kalashnikov, from his childhood to proletarian hero. Lieutenant General Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov (Михаи́л Тимофе́евич Кала́шников Mihail Timofeevič Kalašnikov) (born November The Museum Complex of Small Arms of M. T. Kalashnikov, a series of halls and multimedia exhibitions devoted to the AK-47 assault rifle and its offspring. The museum complex has been drawing on average 10,000 visitors a month. The museum serves as Russia's monument to an infantry weapon and to the workers who have made it for almost 60 years.

“We emphasize the peaceful side of this story,” said Nadezhda Vechtomova, the museum director. “We are trying to separate the weapon as a weapon of murder from the people who are producing it and to tell its history in our country. ”

See also

• AK-47 variants
• Comparison of the AK-47 and M16
• List of Russian Weaponry
• List of weapons influenced by the Kalashnikov design

Notes

References and further reading

External links

• Manufacturer's official site
• AK Site – Kalashnikov Home Page
• Animation of an AK-47 action in operation

Manual

• Nazarian's Gun's Recognition Guide (MANUAL) AK 47 Manual (.pdf)
• US Army Operator's Manual for the AK-47 Assault Rifle