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AK-47
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For other uses, see AK-47 (disambiguation). The AK-47 is a selective-fire, gas-operated 7.6239mm assault rifle, first developed in the USSR by Mikhail Kalashnikov. It is officially known as Avtomat Kalashnikova (). It is also known as a Kalashnikov, an "AK", or in Russian slang, Kalash. Design work on the AK-47 began in the last year of World War II (1945). After the war in 1946, the AK-46 was presented for official military trials. In 1947 the fixed-stock version was introduced into service with select units of the Soviet Army. An early development of the design was the AKS (SSkladnoy or "folding"), which was equipped with an underfolding metal shoulder stock. In 1949, 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" to be manufactured, after the original Sturmgewehr 44.[7][8] Even after six decades the model and its variants remain the most widely used and popular assault rifles in the world because of their durability, low production cost, and ease of use. It has been manufactured in many countries and has seen service with armed forces as well as irregular forces worldwide. The AK-47 was the basis for developing many other types of individual and crew-served firearms. More AK-type rifles have been produced than all other assault rifles combined.
[2]

AK-47[1]

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Standard AK-47

Type Placeoforigin

Assault rifle Soviet Union

Service history
Inservice Usedby 1949present See Users

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Production history
Designer Designed Manufacturer Numberbuilt Mikhail Kalashnikov 19441947 Izhmash approximately 75 million AK-47 100 million AK-type rifles[2][3] Variants See Variants

Firing the 7.6239mm cartridge, the AK-47 produces significant wounding effects if the projectile tumbles and fragments in tissue;[9] but it produces relatively minor wounds when the projectile exits the body before beginning to yaw or does not yaw or fragment.
[10][11]

Contents 1 History 1.1 Design background 1.2 Design concept Weight Length 1.3 Receiver development 2 Features 2.1 Operating cycle 2.2 Disassembly 2.3 Ballistics 3 Variants 3.1 Production outside of the Soviet Union/Russia 3.2 Derivatives 3.3 Licensing 4 Illicit trade 5 Cultural influence 6 Kalashnikov Museum 7 Users 8 See also 9 Notes 10 References 11 External links 11.1 Audio 11.2 Video Sights Feedsystem Cartridge Action Rateoffire Muzzlevelocity Effectiverange

Specifications
5.21kg(11.5lb)withloaded magazine[4] 870mm(34in)fixedwoodenstock 875mm(34.4in)foldingstock extended 645mm(25.4in)stockfolded 415mm(16.3in)

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Languages Afrikaans Asturianu Azrbaycanca () Catal esky Dansk Deutsch Eesti Espaol Esperanto Euskara Franais Galego Hrvatski Bahasa Indonesia slenska Italiano

Barrellength

7.6239mmM43/M67 Gas-operated, rotating bolt 600 rounds/min 715m/s(2,350ft/s)[5] 400metres(440yd)semi-automatic

[6]

300metres(330yd)fullautomatic[6] 10, 20 , 30 , 40, 75, or 100-round detachable box and drum style magazine Adjustable iron sights, 100 800metreadjustments,378mm (14.9in)sightradius

History
Design background

[edit] [edit]

During World War II, the Germans first pioneered the assault rifle concept, based upon research that showed that most firefights happen at closerange,withinapproximately300meters.[citation needed] 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-powercartridgeeffectiveto300meters.Toreducerecoilandmanufacturingcosts,the7.92x57mm Mauser cartridge case was shortened, the result of which was the lighter 7.92x33mm Kurz. The resultant rifle was the Sturmgewehr 44 (StG44). An earlier firearm, the Italian Cei-Rigotti combined similar features but suffered poor reliability and ejection mechanism, as well as inferior magazine capacity. Towards the end of the war, the Germans fielded the StG44 against the Russians; the experience deeply influenced Russian military doctrine in the post-war years.[citation needed] Mikhail Kalashnikov began his career as a weapon designer while in a hospital after he was shot in the shoulder during the Battle of Bryansk.[12] After tinkering with a submachine gun 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). A particular requirement of the competition was the reliability of the firearm in the muddy, wet, and frozen conditions of the Soviet front line. Kalashnikov designed a carbine, strongly influenced by the American M1 Garand, that lost out to the Simonov design (scaled down PTRS-41), that later became the SKS semiautomatic carbine. 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, but trials found it to be too heavy.[13] A new design competition was held two years later

Basa Jawa Kurd Latvie u Lietuvi Magyar Bahasa Melayu Nederlands Norsk(bokml) Norsk (nynorsk) Oromoo Papiamentu Polski Portugus Romn Scots Shqip Simple English Slovenina Slovenina Soomaaliga / Srpski Srpskohrvatski / Suomi Svenska

where Kalashnikov and his design team submitted an entry. It was a gas-operated rifle which had a breech-block mechanism similar to his 1944 carbine, and a curved 30-round magazine. Kalashnikov's rifles (codenamed AK-1 and 2) proved to be reliable and the weapon was accepted to second round of competition along with designs by A.A Demetev and F. Bulkin. In late 1946, as the rifles 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. Eventually, however, Zaytsev managed to persuade Kalashnikov. The new rifle was produced for a second round of firing tests and field trials. There, Kalashnikov assault rifle model 1947 proved to be simple and reliable under a wide range of conditions with convenient handling characteristics. In 1949 it was therefore adopted by the Soviet Army as "7.62mm Kalashnikov assault rifle (AK)".[14]

Design concept

[edit]

The AK-47 is best described as a hybrid of previous rifle technology innovations: the trigger, double locking lugs and unlocking raceway of the M1 Garand/M1 carbine,[15] the safety mechanism of the John Browning designed Remington Model 8 rifle,[16] and the gas system and layout of the Sturmgewehr 44. Kalashnikov's team had access to all of these weapons and had no need to "reinvent the wheel",[17][18] though he denied that his design was based on the German Sturmgewehr 44 assault rifle.[19] Kalashnikov himself observed: "A lot of Russian 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."[20]

Receiver development
There were many difficulties during the initial phase of production. The first production models had stamped sheet metal receivers. Difficulties were encountered in welding the guide and ejector rails, causing high rejection rates.[21] Instead of halting production, a heavy machined receiver was substituted for the sheet metal receiver.[22] 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 Russians 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.[22] Once manufacturing difficulties had been overcome, a redesigned version designated the AKM (M for "modernized" or "upgraded"in Russian: ([Avtomat Kalashnikova Modernizirovanniy]) was introduced in 1959.[23] 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. 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.[24] 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 roughly one-third
AKMS on a Type 4B receiver (top), with a Type 2A

[edit]

A Type 2 AK-47, the first machined lighter than the previous model.[23] Both licensed and unlicensed production of the Kalashnikov receiver variation 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

Trke Ting Vit Yorb

only correct when applied to rifles based on the original three receiver types.[25] In most former Eastern Bloc countries, the weapon is known simply as the "Kalashnikov" or "AK". 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, Russia 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 other weapons of the former Soviet bloc. Receiver type Description Original stamped receiver for AK-47. -1B modified for underfolding stock. 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 Type 3A/B Type 4A/B Milled from steel forging. "Final" version of the milled receiver, from steel bar stock. The most ubiquitous example of the milled-receiver AK-47. Stamped AKM receiver. Overall, the most-used design in the construction of the AK-series rifles. [edit]

Type 1A/B

Features
The main advantages of the Kalashnikov rifle are its simple design, fairly compact size and adaptation to mass production. It is inexpensive to manufacture, and easy to clean and maintain. Its ruggedness and reliability are legendary.[26][27] The AK-47 was initially designed for ease of operation and repair by glovewearing 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 for precision and consistency. 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.[8] 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. The battle setting (--) places the round within +/-33cmfromthepointofaimoutto350m(380yd). This "point-blank range" setting allows the shooter to fire the gun at any close target without adjusting the sights. The field adjustment procedure for AK-47, AKM and AK-74 family requires 4 roundstobeplacedina15cmgroupatadistanceof100meters.[28][29] Longer settings are

United States Marine firing an AK-47

intended for area suppression. These settings mirror the MosinNagant and SKS rifles which the AK47 replaced. This eased transition and simplified training. The prototype of the AK-47, the AK-46, had a separate fire selector and safety.[30] These were later combined in the production version to simplify the design. The fire selector acts as a dust cover for the charging handle raceway when placed on safe. This prevents intrusion of dust and other debris into the internal parts. The dust cover on the M16 rifle, in contrast, is not tied to the safety, and has to be manually closed. Russian army handbooks for AKM and AK-74 do not cover target engagement
An Afghan National Police instructor using a Type 56, a Chinese copy of the AK47

using the semi-automatic setting, and advise the use of short and long bursts (but still recommend short ones).[28][29] 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. This is particularly important, as most military-production ammunition (and virtually all ammunition produced by the Soviet Union and other Warsaw Pact nations) during the 20th century contained potassium chlorate in the primers. On firing, this was converted to corrosive and hygroscopic potassium chloride which mandated frequent and thorough cleaning in order to prevent damage. Chrome plating of critical parts is now common on many modern military weapons. The construction of the AK magazine is very robust with reinforced feed lips that contribute to the reliable functioning for which the design is noted. Most Yugoslavian and some East German AK magazines were made with cartridge followers that hold the bolt open when empty; however, most AK magazine followers allow the bolt to close when the magazine is empty.

Operating cycle
To fire, the operator inserts a loaded magazine, pulls back and releases the charging handle, aims, and then pulls the trigger. 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 forward.[31]

[edit]

The gas-operated mechanism of a Chinese AK-47

Disassembly

[edit]

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.[31]

Ballistics
Main article: 7.62x39mm

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The standard AK-47 or AKM fires the 7.62x39mm cartridgewithamuzzlevelocityof715m/s.[5][32] Projectile weight is normally 8 g (123 grain). The AK-47andAKM,withthe7.6239mmcartridge,haveamaximumeffectiverangeofaround400metres(1,300ft).

Variants
Kalashnikov variants include: AK-47 194851, 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. Barrel andchamberarechromeplatedtoresistcorrosion.Rifleweightis4.2kg(9.3lb). AKSFeatured 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. RPK, 7.62x39mm Hand-held machine gun version with longer barrel and bipod.
1955 AK-47 Type 3

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AKM, 7.62x39mm A simplified, lighter version of the AK-47; Type 4 receiver is made from stamped and riveted sheet metal (see schematic above).Aslantedmuzzledevicewasaddedtocounterclimbinautomaticfire.Rifleweightis3.1kg(6.8lb)duetothelighterreceiver.Thisis the most ubiquitous variant of the AK-47. 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 AK-101/AK-102 series AK-103/AK-104 series AK-107/AK-108 series AK-200 series Saiga semi-automatic rifle AK variant for hunting and civilian use. Built on AK receiver with hunting style stock and hand guard in 223/5.56, 7.62x39, 5.45x39, 308WIN Saiga semi-automatic shotgun AK variant for hunting and civilian use. Built on AK receiver with hunting style stock and hand guard in 12-Gauge, 20-Gauge, and .410-Bore. KSK shotgun A new version of AK variant military using shotgun Usually the AKn was introduced in year 1900+n.

Production outside of the Soviet Union/Russia

Military variants only. Includes new designs substantially derived from the Kalashnikov. Country Variant(s) Automatiku Shqiptar model 56 (ASH-78 Tip-1) Albanian Automatic Assault Rifle Model 56 Type-1[MadeinPolian

[edit]

Arsenal] (Straight forward copy of Type 56, which in turn is a clone of the Soviet AKM rifle)[33] Automatiku Shqiptar Tipi 1982 (ASH-82)AlbanianAutomaticAssaultRifleType1982[MadeinPolianArsenal] (Straight forward copy of AKMS)[33] Automatiku Shqiptar model 56 (ASH-78 Tip-2)AlbanianLightMachineGun[MadeinPolianArsenal](Straightforward copy of RPK)[33] Albania Automatiku Shqiptar model 56 (ASH-78 Tip-3) Albanian Automatic Hybrid Rifle Model 56 Type-3[MadeinPolian Arsenal] (Hybrid rifle for multi-purpose roles mainly Marksman rifle with secondary assault rifle and grenade launcher capability)[33] Other unknown variants. Several other unnamed & unidentified versions of the AKMS have been produce mainly with short barrels similar to the Soviet AKS-74U mainly for special forces, Tank & Armoured crew also for Helicopter pilots and police. There have also been modifications and fresh production of heavily modified ASh-82 (AKMS) with SOPMOD accessories, mainly for Albania's special forces RENEA & exports.[33] Bangladesh Chinese Type 56 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,butin5.56mmNATO) AKS-47M1 (AKMS in 5.56x45mm NATO), AKS-47MA1 (same as AKS-47M1, but semi-automatic only) Bulgaria 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,but5.56mmNATO) AKS-93SM6 (similar to 47M1, cannot use grenade launcher) RKKS, AKT-47 (.22 rimfire training rifle) BARR-101 (semi-automatic-only version with a 5-round magazine) Cambodia Chinese Type 56, Soviet AK-47, and AKM

People's Type 56 Republic of China German Democratic Republic Egypt Ethiopia Hungary

MPi-K (AK-47), MPi-KS (AKS), MPi-KM (AKM), MPi-KMS-72 (AKMS), KK-MPi Mod.69 (.22-Lr select-fire trainer);

AK-47, Misr assault rifle (AKM), Maadi. AK-47, AK-103 (manufactured locally at the State-run Gafat Armament Engineering Complex as the Et-97/1[34]) AK-55 (domestic manufacture of the 2nd Model AK-47)AK-63D/E (AMM/AMMSz), AKM-63, AMD-65, AMP-69, NGM-81 (AK-63 in 5.56mm NATO) Tabuk Sniper Rifle, Tabuk Assault Rifle (with fixed or underfolding stock, outright clones of Yugoslavian M70 rifles series), Tabuk Short Assault Rifle AssaultRifle7.62mm, manufactured by Ordnance Factories Organisation[35] KLS (AKM), KLF (AKS), KLT (AKMS), KL-7.62 (Type 56) IMI Galil RK 62, RK 95 TP M60 Produced by the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria as OBJ-006[36] Type 58A (Type 3 AK-47), Type 58B (stamped steel folding stock), Type 68A (AKM-47) Type 68B (AKMS), Type 88 (AKS-74)[37][38] Reverse engineered by hand and machine in Pakistan's highland areas near the border of Afghanistan; more recently the Pakistan Ordnance Factories started the manufacture of an AK47/AKM clone called PK-10[39] pmK/kbk AK (name has changed from pmK "pistolet maszynowy Kaasznikowa", Kalashnikov SMG to the kbk AK "karabinek AK", Kalashnikov Carbine in mid 1960s) (AK-47), kbkg wz. 1960, kbk AKM (AKM), kbk AKMS (AKMS), kbk wz. 1988 Tantalbasedonthe7.62mmkbk AKMS wz. 81, kbs wz. 1996 Beryl PM md. 63 (AKM), PM md. 65 (AKMS), PM md. 90 (AKMS), collectively exported under the umbrella name AIM or AIMS

Iraq India Iran Israel Finland Macedonia Nigeria North Korea

Pakistan

Poland

Romania

PA md. 86 (AK-74), exported as the AIMS-74 PM md. 90 short barrel (AK-104), PA md. 86 short barrel (AK-105) exported as the AIMR

Serbia South Africa Sudan Vietnam Venezuela Yugoslavia

M92, M21, M70 R4 assault rifle MAZ,[40] based on the Type 56 Chinese Type 56, Soviet AK-47, AK-74, AK-108 and AKM License granted, factory under construction[41] M60, M64 (AK-47 with longer barrel), M64A (grenade launcher), M64B (M64 w/ folding stock), M66, M70, M70A, M70B1, M70AB2, M76, M77, M-21

Certainly more have been produced elsewhere; but the above list represents known producers and is limited to only military variants. An updated AKM design is still produced in Russia.

Derivatives
The basic design of the AK-47 has been used as the basis for other successful rifle designs such as the Finnish Rk 62/76 and Rk 95 Tp, the Israeli Galil, the Indian INSAS, the QBZ-95 and the Yugoslav Zastava M76 and M77/82 rifles. Several bullpup designs have surfaced such as the Chinese Norinco Type 86S, although none have been produced in quantity. Bullpup conversions are also available commercially. Further information: list of weapons influenced by the Kalashnikov design

[edit]

Licensing

[edit]
Type 56 and AKS-47

OJSC IzhMash has repeatedly claimed that the majority of manufacturers produce AK-47s without a

proper license from IZH.[42][43] The Izhevsk Machine Tool Factory acquired a patent in 1999, [clarification needed] making manufacture of the newest Kalashnikov rifles, such as AK-100s by anyone other than themselves illegal. However, older variants, such as AK and AKM are public domain due to age of design.

Illicit trade
Throughout the world, the AK and its variants are among the most commonly smuggled small arms sold to governments, rebels, criminals, and civilians alike, with little international oversight.
[citation needed]

[edit]

In some countries, prices for AKs are very low; in Somalia, Rwanda, Mozambique, Congo and Tanzania prices are between $30 and $125 per weapon, and prices have fallen in the last few decades due to mass counterfeiting. MoissNam observed that in a small town in Kenya in 1986, an AK-47 cost fifteen cows but that in 2005, the price was down to four cows indicating that supply was "immense".[44] The weapon has appeared in a number of conflicts including clashes in the Balkans, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia.[45]

Cambodian AKM with black furniture

After the Soviet retreat from Afghanistan, the Soviet Army left quantities of weapons including AKs[citation needed] which were subsequently used in the civil war between the Taliban and the Northern Alliance and were also exported to Pakistan. The gun is now also made in Pakistan's semiautonomous areas (see more at Khyber Pass Copy). It is widely used by factions in Africa like the Hamer, amongst others.[citation needed] Estimated numbers of AK-typeweaponsvary.TheSmallArmsSurveysuggestthat"between70and100millionoftheseweaponshavebeen produced since 1947."[46]TheWorldBankestimatesthatoutofthe500milliontotalfirearmsavailableworldwide,100millionareofthe Kalashnikovfamily,and75millionareAK-47s.[47]Onlyabout5millionoftheseweremanufacturedintheformerUSSR.[48] Because AK-type weapons have been made in other countries, often illicitly, it is impossible to know how many really exist.[49] Mikhail Kalashnikov addressed the United Nations in 2006 at a conference aimed at solving the problem of illicit weapons, saying that he appreciated the AK-47's role in statesponsored defense but that counterfeit weapons carrying his name in the hands of "terrorists and thugs" caused him regret.[50]

Cultural influence

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Russia/Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China, as well as Western countries "Basically, it's the anti-Western cache of it ... And you (especially the United States) supplied arms and technical knowledge to numerous know, one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter, countries and rebel forces in a global struggle between the Warsaw Pact nations and so we all sort of think, oh boy, we've got a little bit of Che their allies against NATO and their allies called the Cold War. While the NATO countries Guevara in us. And this accounts for the popularity of the used rifles such as the relatively expensive M14, HK G11, and HK G3 and M16 assault (AK 47) weapon. Plus I think that in the United States it's rifle during this time, the low production and materials costs of the AK-47 meant that the considered counterculture, which is always something that citizens in this country kind of like ... It's kind of sticking a Russia/USSR could produce and supply its allies at a very low cost. Because of its low finger in the eye of the man, if you will." cost, it was also duplicated or used as the basis for many other rifles, such as the Israeli Galil, Chinese Type 56, and Swiss SIG SG 550. As a result, the Cold War saw Larry Kahaner, author of AK-47: The Weapon That the mass export of AK-47s by the Soviet Union and the PRC to their allies, such as the Changed the Face of War[51] Nicaraguan Sandinistas, Viet Cong as well as Middle Eastern, Asian, and African revolutionaries. The United States also purchased the Type 56 from the PRC to give to the mujahideen guerrillas during the Soviet war in Afghanistan.[52] The proliferation of this weapon is reflected by more than just numbers. The AK-47 is included in the flag of Mozambique and its coat of arms, an acknowledgment that the country's leaders gained power in large part through the effective use of their AK-47s.[53] 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.[citation needed] In parts of the Western world, the AK-47 is associated with their enemies; both Cold War era and present-day. During the 1980s, Russia became the principal arms dealer to countries embargoed by Western nations, Flag of Mozambique featuring the AK-47. including Middle Eastern nations such as Syria, Libya and Iran, who welcomed Soviet Union backing against Israel. 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 more recently they have been seen in the hands of violent Islamic terrorist groups such as the Taliban and Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and Iraq, and FARC, EjrcitodeLiberacinNacional guerrillas in Colombia. Western movies often portray criminals, gang members and terrorists using AK-47s. For these reasons, in the U.S. and Western Europe the AK-47 is stereotypically regarded as the weapon of choice of insurgents, gangsters and terrorists. Conversely, throughout the developing world, the AK-47 can be positively attributed with revolutionaries or "freedom fighters" against foreign occupation, imperialism, or colonialism.[51] In Mexico, the AK-47 is known as "Cuerno de Chivo" (literally "Ram's Horn") and is one of the weapons of choice of Mexican drug cartels. It is sometimes mentioned in Mexican folk music lyrics.
[54] A U.S. Army M.P. inspects a Russian AK47 recovered in Vietnam, 1968.

In 2006, Colombian musician and peace activist CsarLpez devised the escopetarra, an AK

converted into a guitar. 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.[55]

Kalashnikov Museum

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The Kalashnikov Museum (also called the AK-47 museum) opened on 4 November 2004, in Izhevsk, a city in the Ural Mountains of Russia. The museum chronicles the biography of General Kalashnikov, as well as documents the invention of the AK-47. The museum complex of small arms of M. T. Kalashnikov, a series of halls and multimedia exhibitions is devoted to the evolution of the AK-47 assault rifle and attracts 10,000 monthly visitors. The museum serves as Russia's monument to this world-renowned infantry weapon.[56] Nadezhda Vechtomova, the museum director stated in an interview that the purpose of the museum is to honor the ingenuity of the inventor and the hard work of the employees and to "separate the weapon as a weapon of murder from the people who are producing it and to tell its history in our country."

Users
Afghanistan[57] Albania[58] Algeria[58] Angola[58] Azerbaijan[59] Armenia[58] Bangladesh[58] Benin[58] Bosnia and Herzegovina: Bosnian Armed Forces also use the Zastava M70.[citation needed] Botswana
[58] Ethiopian soldier aiming with an AK-47

[edit]

Bulgaria[58] Bulgarian modification manufactured by Arsenal J.S.Co as the AR-M1 in 7.62x39mm, 5.45x39mm, & 5.56x45mm[60][61] Cambodia[58] Cape Verde[58] Central African Republic[58] Chad[58] Chile[62] Comoros[58] Congo-Brazzaville[58] Cuba[58] Democratic Republic of the Congo[58] Egypt[58] Namibia[58] East Germany[63] Equatorial Guinea[58] Ethiopia: AK-47 variant.[58] Gabon[58] Georgia:[58] Used by the Georgian Armed Forces for over 15 years. Replaced by the M4 carbine in 2008.[64] Greece: EKAM counter-terrorist unit of the Hellenic Police.[65][66] Guinea[58] Guinea-Bissau[58] Guyana[58] Hungary[58] India: In use by Force One.[67] Iran[58] Iraq[57][58] Israel[58] Captured from Arab armies over the course of the Arab-Israeli Conflict. Laos[58] Lesotho[58] Liberia[58] Libya[58] Macedonia[68] Madagascar[58] Mali[58] Armed and Security Forces of Mali Malta: Type 56 variant.[58] Morocco[58] Mongolia[58] Mozambique[58] North Korea: Type 56 and Type 58 variants were used.[58] Palestinian Authority[69] Pakistan: Type 56 variant is used by the Special Service Group of the Pakistan Army.[70] People's Republic of China: Type 56 variant was used.[71] Peru[58] Philippines: Used by the Santiago City PNP.[72] Poland[63]

 Qatar[58] Romania[58] Russia Sao Tome and Principe[58] Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic[73] Seychelles[58] Sierra Leone[58] Somalia[58] Soviet Union: Adopted by the Soviet Union in 1951.[71] Sri Lanka: Type 56 variant.[58] Sudan[58] Syria[58] Tanzania[58] Togo[58] Turkey[58] Mainly for Special Forces Vietnam: Type 56 variant was used extensively by the Viet Cong.[71] Yemen[58] Yugoslavia[63] Zambia[58] Zimbabwe[58]

See also
Comparison of the AK-47 and M16 Legal status of the AK-47 List of Russian weaponry List of weapons influenced by the Kalashnikov design

[edit]

Notes
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. ^ Table data are for AK-47 with Type 2/3 receiver ^ a b Worldbank.org ^ "AK-47 Inventor Doesn't Lose Sleep Over Havoc Wrought With His Invention" ^ Dockery, Kevin (2007). Future Weapons. p. 102. ^ a b [1] ^ a b Bidwell, Shelford. The Encyclopedia of land warfare in the 20th century, p. 199. Spring Books, 1977. ^ Poyer, Joe. The AK-47 and AK-74 Kalashnikov Rifles and Their Variations. North Cape Publications. 2004. ^ a b "Weaponomics: The Economics of Small Arms" . ^ BellamyRF,ZajtchukR.Thephysicsandbiophysicsofwoundballistics.In:ZajtchukR,ed.TextbookofMilitaryMedicine,PartI:Warfare, Weaponry, and the Casualty, Vol. 5, Conventional Warfare: Ballistic, Blast, and Burn Injuries. Washington, DC: Office of the Surgeon General, Department of the Army, United States of America (1990) pp. 146155 ^ Roberts GK, (21 May 2008) DTIC.mil "U.S. Military Small Arms Ammunition Failures and Solutions" NDIA Dallas, Texas . Fox News. 6 July 2007. Retrieved 3 April 2010.

[edit]

10. 11.

^ "Wounding Effects of the AK-47 Rifle Used by Patrick Purdy in the Stockton, California, Schoolyard Shooting of 17 January 1989", Fackler, Martin L. M.D.; Malinowski, John A. B.S.; Hoxie, Stephen W. B.S.; Jason, Alexander B.A., American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology, September 1990 ^ "AK-47 Inventor Doesn't Lose Sleep Over Havoc Wrought With His Invention" ^ Bolotin, D.N, "Russian/Soviet Small-Arms and Ammunition", pp 68. ^ Bolotin, pp 6971. ^ J.F.S. (July 1983). "IMI Galil" . Fox News. 6 July 2007. Retrieved 26 June 2009.

12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37.

. Soldier of Fortune (AK-47.net). Archived from the original

on 23 March 2008. Retrieved 19 October 2008. on 15 June 2008. Retrieved 19 October 2008. . CBS

^ "Firearm Model History Remington Model 8"

. Remington.com. Archived from the original

^ "AK-47 Inventor Says Conscience Is Clear, Mikhail Kalashnikov Blames Politicians For Millions Of Deaths Involving His Assault Rifle" News. 6 July 2007. Retrieved 19 October 2008. ^ Edward Clinton Ezell (1986-03). The AK47 story: evolution of the Kalashnikov weapons . ISBN978-0-8117-0916-3. ^ Val Shilin; Charlie Cutshaw. "Mikhail Kalashnikov" ^ Bolotin, pp 64. ^ Poyer, 8 ^ Poyer, 9 ^ a b Ezell, 36 ^ Poyer, 11 ^ Poyer, 2
ab

. Power Custom. Retrieved 19 October 2008.

^ "An AK for Every Market by James Dunnigan April 23, 2003" . strategypage.com. Archived from the original on 25 March 2007. Retrieved 26 June 2009. ^ Rivas, Oswaldo (14 June 2007). "Soldiers from special force unit "COE" take part in a military training exercise at the military base, near Managua" . Reuters. Archived from the original on 9 January 2009. Retrieved 9 December 2008. ^ "Handbookforfirearmsuseandmaintenance:Kalashnikov7.62mmmodernizedassaultrifle(AKMandAKMS)" Ministry of Defence. 1983 (rev).
ab

(in Russian). USSR

^ a b "Manual:Kalashnikov5.45mmmodernizedassaultrifle(AK-74, AKS-74, AK-74N, AKS-74N) and Kalashnikov 5.45 light machine gun (RPK74, RPKS-74, RPK-74N, RPKS-74N). USSR Ministry of Defence, revised, 1982. In Russian; e-book" . ^ Maxim Popenker; Anthony G. Williams (28 March 2005). Assault Rifle . Crowood Press. ISBN978-1-86126-700-9. ^ Department of the Army. Operators Manual for AK-47 Assault Rifle. 203d Military Intelligence Battalion ^ [2] ^ a b c d e http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f301/kagemushamu/Page1-1/SmallArms01-001.jpg [dead link] ^ Advertisement flyer for manufacturing capabilities of the GAEC Gafat Armament Engineering Complex. Retrieved on 8 October 2010.
[dead link] ab

^ "Assault Rifle 7,62mm" . Indian Ordnance Factory Board ^ "Nigeria to mass-produce Nigerian version of AK-47 rifles."

Retrieved on 5 October 2008.

^ US Department of Defense, North Korea Country Handbook 1997, Appendix A: Equipment Recognition, PPSH 1943 SUBMACHINEGUN (TYPE50 CHINA/MODEL-49 DPRK), p. A-79.

38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50.

^ US Department of Defense, North Korea Country Handbook 1997, Appendix A: Equipment Recognition, TYPE-68 (AKM) ASSAULT RIFLE, p. A77. ^ Russia confronts Pakistan, China over copied weapons. Retrieved on 16 October 2010. ^ "MAZ" . Military Industry Corporation. Archived from the original on 27 December 2008. Retrieved 8 February 2009. ^ Martin Sieff (15 August 2007). "Defense Focus: Venezuela's Kalashnikovs" . UPI.com. Retrieved 19 October 2008. ^ "" . Lenta.ru. Archived from the original on 2 July 2006. Retrieved 19 July 2006. ^ "'' " . Lenta.ru. Retrieved 19 July 2006. ^ Nam,MoissMyers,JoanneJ.(9November2005)."ILLICIT: How Smugglers, Traffickers, and Copycats Are Hijacking the Global Economy" . Carnegie Council. Archived from the original on 29 June 2009. Retrieved 26 June 2009. ^ "The AK-47: The World's Favourite Killing Machine". ControlArms Briefing Note. Internet, available from Controlarms.org . Retrieved 2008-1102. Archived 13 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine ^ Small Arms Survey Yearbook 2004 (Chapter 1) ^ Killicoat, Phillip (Economics) (April 2007). "Weaponomics: The Global Market for Assault Rifles" Working Paper No. 10.. Oxford University.. Retrieved 3 April 2010. (PDF). Worldbank. Post-Conflict Transitions

^ Valerii N. Shilin; Charlie Cutshaw (2000-03-01). Legends and reality of the AK: a behind-the-scenes look at the history, design, and impact of the Kalashnikov family of weapons. Paladin Press. ISBN 978-1-58160-069-8 ^ Graves-Brown, P. 2007 "Avtomat Kalashnikova" . Journal of Material Culture November 2007 vol. 12 no. 3 285307 ^ "United Nations Conference to Review Progress Made in the Implementation of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects.'' New York, 26 June 7 July 2006" (PDF). United Nations.. Retrieved 3 April 2010. ^ a b AK-47: The Weapon Changed the Face of War by Andrea Seabrook, NPR Weekend Edition Sunday, November 26, 2006[dead link] ^ "Chinese Type-56 Assault Rifle" 5th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment Association website ^ Michael R. Gordon, "Burst of Pride for a Staccato Executioner: AK-47" The New York Times, 13 March 1997. ^ Muessig, Ben. "Narcocorridos: The Songs of Mexico's Drug War" . AolNews. Retrieved 9 August 2011. ^ Latorre,Hctor(24January2006)."Escopetarras:disparandomsica" . BBC World. Archived from the original on 22 February 2007. Retrieved 31 January 2007. ^ Chivers, C.J. "AK-47 Museum: Homage to the Gun That Won the East" ^ a b Kahaner, Larry (26 November 2006). "Weapon Of Mass Destruction" . The New York Times, 18 February 2007 . The Washington Post. Retrieved 3 April 2010.

51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. 67. 68. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73.

^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd Janes; Leland S. Ness (2009-12). Jane's Infantry Weapons 20092010 . Jane's Information Group. ISBN978-0-7106-2869-5. ^ [3] ^ 5.56mm AR-M1 & AR-M1F ^ 7.62mm AR-M1 & AR-M1F ^ Terry J. Gander (1995-05). Jane's Infantry Weapons 199596 . ISBN978-0-7106-1241-0. ^ a b c Modern Firearms AK-47 AKM . World.guns.ru (2011-01-24). Retrieved on 14 March 2011. ^ "Georgian Army Bids Farewell to Soviet Guns" . Today Defence (7). January 2008. ^ Milosevic, Milan (2005). "Trojanski Konj za Teroriste" (in Serbian). Kalibar. Archived from the original on 14 August 2010. Retrieved 4 April 2009. ^ "Greece Ministry of Public Order Press Office: Special Anti-Terrorist Unit" . Hellenic Police. July 2004. Archived from the original on 21 July 2010. Retrieved 27 September 2009. ^ "Maha's elite counter terror unit Force One becomes operational" . Business Standard. Retrieved 5 July 2010. ^ Macedonian military police, US National Guard conduct joint manoeuvres . SETimes.com. Retrieved on 14 March 2011. ^ Israel Aids Palestinians With Arms , New York Times. 5 September 2008. ^ Pakistan Military Consortium . Pakistan Ministry of Defense (1989-05-29). Retrieved on 2011-03-14. Archived 19 May 2011 at WebCite ^ D. M. O. Miller (31 August 2001). Illustrated directory of twentieth century guns . ISBN978-1-84065-245-1. ^ "Santiago city forms SWAT team to combat crime" . Philippine Information Agency. 2 September 2006. Retrieved 1 February 2010. ^ Western Sahara In the unforgiving deserts of south west Algeria, Nick Ryan meets the nomads fighting a 25 year battle.
abc

References

[edit]

Valerii N. Shilin; Charlie Cutshaw (1 March 2000). Legends and reality of the AK: a behind-the-scenes look at the history, design, and impact of the Kalashnikov family of weapons . Paladin Press. ISBN978-1-58160-069-8. Ezell, Edward Clinton (1986-03). The AK-47 Story: Evolution of the Kalashnikov Weapons. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books. ISBN978-0-81170916-3. Before his death, Ezell was the curator of military history at the Smithsonian Museum Ezell, Edward Clinton; R. Blake Stevens (1 December 2001). Kalashnikov: The Arms and the Man. Cobourg, ON: Collector Grade Publications. ISBN978-0-88935-267-4. managing editor, Claire Folkard. (2004-08). Guinness Book of Records. London: Guinness World Records. ISBN978-1-892051-22-6. Michael Hodges (2007-01). Ak47: The Story of the People's Gun . Hodder & Stoughton. ISBN978-0-340-92104-3. Larry Kahaner (2007). AK-47: the weapon that changed the face of war . John Wiley & Sons Inc. ISBN978-0-471-72641-8. Mikhail Timofeevich Kalashnikov; Elena Joly (2006). The gun that changed the world . Polity Press. ISBN978-0-7456-3691-7. Poyer, Joe (2004-08). The AK-47 and AK-74 Kalashnikov Rifles and Their Variations (Paperback). Tustin, CA: North Cape Publications. ISBN978-1882391-33-2. Edward Clinton Ezell; with research assistance of Thomas M. Pegg.; Thomas M. Pegg, Walter Harold Black Smith (1983). Small Arms of the World. New York: Barnes & Nobles. ISBN978-0-88029-601-4. John Walter (4 September 1999). Kalashnikov: machine pistols, assault rifles, and machine-guns, 1945 to the present Leventhal. ISBN978-1-85367-364-1. Chivers, C.J (October, 2010). The Gun . Simon & Schuster. ISBN978-0-7432-7076-2. . Greenhill Books/Lionel

Salo Pauli (2007). Rynnkkkivri7,62x39.(AssaultRifle7,62x39)

. ISBN 978-952-92-1328-3. [edit]

External links
Manufacturer's Official Site AK Site Kalashnikov Home Page US Army Operator's Manual for the AK-47 Assault Rifle Nazarian's Gun's Recognition Guide (MANUAL) AK 47 Manual (.pdf) The Timeless, Ubiquitous AK-47 slideshow by Time magazine Three-part article by C. J. Chivers, for
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: AK-47 Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: AK-47

Look up a k-47 in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

How the AK-47 Rewrote the Rules of Modern Warfare Wired Magazine

Audio

[edit]

AK-47: The Weapon Changed the Face of War

audio report by NPR audio report by NPR [edit]

The AK-47: The Gun That Changed The Battlefield

Video
History of the AK-47 TOP 10 Combat Rifles: AK-47 AK-47 Documentary: Part 1 by the Discovery Channel & Part 2 2 by Al Jazeera English 3 4 5 by The History Channel
AK-47 and derivatives
USSR/Russia Primary rifles Warsaw Pact AK-47 AKM AK-74 AK-74M AK-12 AK-63 AKM-63 AMD 65 Wz. 1960 MPi-KM MPi-AK- 74N PM md. 63/65 PM md. 90 PA md. 86

AK-47 Full Auto, U.S. Army in Iraq Tales of the Gun: AK-47 Part 1
V TE

from the Internet Archive

AK-101 AK-102 AK-103 AK-107/108 AMP- 69 APS-95 Classic Assault rifles Bullpup Z 2000 INSAS Wz. 1988 Tantal Wz. 1996 Beryl NGM- 81 R4 Truvelo Raptor Type 56 Wieger StG-940 Grad Groza K-3 Wz. 2002 BIN Wz. 2005 Jantar Shkval Type 86S Vektor CR-21 Vepr

AKMSU AKS-74U AK-102 AK-104 AK-105 AR-M4 SF MPi-AKS- 74NK Carbines KALANTAK PM md. 90 Carbine PA md. 86 Carbine Truvelo Raptor C Wz. 1989 Onyks Wz. 1996 Mini-Beryl Type 56C Machine guns Sniper rifles Close range Special purpose Competitors RPK RPK-74 RPKM / RPK-74M INSAS (LMG) P U-1/2/21 PSL SVK Tabuk Bizon Gepard KSK Saiga-12 Vityaz 80.002 AK-9 AO-27 AO-46 RWG-3 Project Abakan TKB-408 TKB-517 AO-38 AO-62 APT AEK-971 AN-94 ACE(assaultrifle/carbine) AR(assault/battlerifle) ARM (machine Galil gun) Galatz(sniperrifle) MAR(carbine) SAR(carbine) SR-99 (sniper rifle) Brands M70(assaultrifle) M72(machinegun) M76(sniperrifle) M77 Zastava (machinegun/battlerifle) M85(carbine) M90(assaultrifle) M91 (sniperrifle) M92(carbine) M21 (assault rifle) Valmet M76(assaultrifle) M78(machinegun) M82(assaultrifle) Rk 62 (assaultrifle) Rk 95 Tp (assault rifle) List of Russian weaponry

Categories: 1947 introductions

7.62 mm rifles

Assault rifles

Infantry weapons of the Cold War Cold War rifles Soviet inventions Russian inventions Weapons of the Vietnam War

Cold War weapons of the Soviet Union Kalashnikov derivatives Weapons of Russia Weapons of Yugoslavia

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