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

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

List of AK rifles

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

Rifles derived directly from the original AK

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

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

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

Hungary[11] AK-55 (domestic manufacture of the 2nd Model AK); AKM-63 (also known as AMD-63 in the US; modernized AK-55), AMD-65M (modernized AKM-63, shorter barrel and side-folding stock), AMP-69 (rifle grenade launcher); AK-63F/D (other name AMM/AMMSz), AK-63MF (modernized); NGM-81 (5.56×45mm NATO; fixed and under-folding stock)
Iran KLS/KLF (AK-47/AKS), KLT (AKMS)
Iraq Tabuk Sniper Rifle, Tabuk Assault Rifle (with fixed or underfolding stock, outright clones of Yugoslavian M70 rifles series), Tabuk Short Assault Rifle
Nigeria Produced by the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria as OBJ-006[12][13]
North Korea Type 58A/B (Type 3 AK/w. stamped steel folding stock), Type 68A/B (AKM/AKMS), Type 88 (AKS-74)[14][15]
Pakistan Reverse engineered by hand and machine in Pakistan's highland areas (see Khyber Pass Copy) near the border of Afghanistan; more recently the Pakistan Ordnance Factories started the manufacture of an AK/AKM clone called PK-10. Pakistanis had also made a new caliber just by a little changing in original (7.62×39mm) ammo, that is known as 44 bore.[16] Pakistani 5.45mm AKs are sometimes called "Kalakovs" and also, there's a variant of the AKM called "Qalamcut", which it's cartridge is unknown (possibly the 7.62×39mm). [17]
Poland[18] pmK (kbk AK) / pmKS (kbk AKS) (name has changed from pmK – "pistolet maszynowy Kałasznikowa", Kalashnikov SMG to the kbk AK – "karabinek AK", Kalashnikov Carbine in mid-1960s) (AK/AKS); kbkg wz. 1960 (rifle grenade launcher), kbkg wz. 1960/72 (modernized); kbk AKM / kbk AKMS (AKM/AKMS); kbk wz. 1988 Tantal (5.45×39mm), skbk wz. 1989 Onyks (compact carbine); kbs wz. 1996 Beryl (5.56×45mm), kbk wz. 1996 Mini-Beryl (compact carbine)
Romania PM md. 63/65 (AKM/AKMS), PM md. 80, PM md. 90, collectively exported under the umbrella name AIM or AIMS; PA md. 86 (AK-74), exported as the AIMS-74; PM md. 90 short barrel, PA md. 86 short barrel, exported as the AIMR; PSL (designated marksman rifle; other names PSL-54C, Romak III, FPK and SSG-97)
Sudan MAZ[19] (based on the Type 56)
Ukraine Vepr (bullpup, 5.45×39mm), Malyuk (bullpup)[20]
United States US132 rifle (7.62×39mm), US132Z assault rifle (7.62×39mm), US109L shotgun (12 Gauge) & US109T shotgun (12 Gauge). Produced by Kalashnikov USA.[21][22][23]
Vietnam AKM-1, AKM-VN (AKM) assault rifle, TUL-1 (RPK) light machine gun, Galil ACE 31/32 assault rifle
Venezuela AK-103[24] / License granted to Venezuela[25]
Yugoslavia/Serbia M64, M70, M72, M76, M77, M80, M82, M85, M90, M91, M92, M99, M21

Similar rifles

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

Comparative characteristics of AK rifles

NameCountry TypeCartridgeLength extended/folded (mm)Barrel length (mm)Weight (kg) (empty)Cyclic rate of fire (rounds per minute)Maximum sighting range (m)Muzzle velocity (m/s)
AK-47Soviet Union Assault rifle7.62×39mm M438704153.47600800715
AKMSoviet Union Assault rifle7.62×39mm M438804153.16001,000715
RPK(s)Soviet Union Light machine gun7.62×39mm M431040/8205904.80/5.66001,000745
PK(M)Soviet Union General-purpose machine gun7.62×54mmR11736059.0/7.56501,500825
AK-74Soviet Union Assault rifle5.45×39mm M749434153.076001,000900
AKS-74Soviet Union Assault rifle5.45×39mm M74933/6904152.976001,000900
AK-74MSoviet Union Assault rifle5.45×39mm M74943/7054153.46501,000900
RPK-74Soviet Union Light machine gun5.45×39mm M7410605904.76001,000960
AKS-74USoviet Union Carbine assault rifle5.45×39mm M74730/4902072.7700500735
AK-101Russia Assault rifle5.56×45mm NATO943/7004153.66001,000910
AK-102Russia Carbine assault rifle5.56×45mm NATO824/5863143.0600500850
AK-103Russia Assault rifle7.62×39mm M43943/7054153.46001,000715
AK-104Russia Carbine assault rifle7.62×39mm M43824/5863143.0600500670
AK-105Russia Carbine assault rifle5.45×39mm M74824/5863143.2600500840
AK-107Russia Assault rifle5.45×39mm M74943/7004153.88501,000900
AK-108Russia Assault rifle5.56×45mm NATO943/7004153.89001,000910
AK-109Russia Assault rifle7.62×39mm M43943/7004153.89001,000750
AK-9Russia Assault rifle9×39mm705/4652003.1/3.8 (with suppressor)600400290 (СП-5) / 305 (СП-6)
AK-12Russia Assault rifle5.45×39mm M74940/7304153.37001,000900
AK-15Russia Assault rifle7.62×39mm M43922/8624153.57001,000715
AK-19 Russia Assault rifle 5.56×45mm NATO 935/725 415 3.35 700 1,000 910

See also

Notes

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

    References

    Citations

    1. ↑ Blair, David (2015-07-02). "AK-47 Kalashnikov: The firearm which has killed more people than any other". Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 2022-01-12. Retrieved 2019-09-26.
    2. 1 2 Franko, Blake (2017-05-08). "The Gun That Is in Almost 100 Countries: Why the AK-47 Dominates". The National Interest. Archived from the original on June 3, 2023. Retrieved 2019-09-26.
    3. ↑ McCarthy, Niall. "The Cost Of An AK-47 On The Black Market Around The World [Infographic]". Forbes. Archived from the original on May 9, 2023. Retrieved 2019-09-26.
    4. ↑ "Концерн Калашников -- Официальный сайт". kalashnikov.com.
    5. ↑ "200 series Kalashnikov assault rifle: AK-200, AK-201, AK-202, AK-203, AK-204, AK-205 (Russia)". modernfirearms.net. 7 June 2018.
    6. ↑ "Albanian Small Arms". Aftermath Gun Club. Archived from the original on 2017-10-14.
    7. ↑ Азербайджан приступил к серийному производству автоматов АК-74М по российской лицензии [Azerbaijan began serial production of AK-74M assault rifles under Russian license]. ЦАМТО (in Russian). Moscow: Centre for Analysis of World Arms Trade. 8 July 2011. Archived from the original on April 22, 2023. Retrieved 8 July 2011.
    8. ↑ Dimov, Roman. "Kalashnikov Arms Versions". The AK Site. Archived from the original on 29 September 2007.
    9. ↑ "MPi-K / MPi-AK Assault Rifle Series". Энциклопедия оружия и боеприпасов (in Russian). Archived from the original on April 27, 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
    10. ↑ "Advertisement flyer for manufacturing capabilities of the GAEC – Gafat Armament Engineering Complex". Archived from the original on July 10, 2011. Retrieved 2014-01-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) Retrieved on 8 October 2010.
    11. ↑ "Hungary. Assault Rifles". Энциклопедия оружия и боеприпасов (in Russian). Archived from the original on April 27, 2023. Retrieved 24 February 2013.
    12. ↑ "Nigeria to mass-produce Nigerian version of AK-47 rifles". Archived from the original on 14 January 2009. Retrieved 5 October 2008.
    13. ↑ "DICON – Defence Industry Corp. of Nigeria". Archived from the original on 2013-12-27. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
    14. ↑ US Department of Defense, North Korea Country Handbook 1997, Appendix A: Equipment Recognition, PPSH 1943 SUBMACHINEGUN [sic] (TYPE-50 CHINA/MODEL-49 DPRK), p. A-79.
    15. ↑ US Department of Defense, North Korea Country Handbook 1997, Appendix A: Equipment Recognition, TYPE-68 (AKM) ASSAULT RIFLE, p. A-77.
    16. ↑ Russia confronts Pakistan, China over copied weapons, 2009-11-16, archived from the original on 2011-07-17, retrieved 2011-10-16
    17. ↑ Onokoy, Vladimir (16 July 2018). "Pashtun Names for AKs in Pakistan and Afghanistan". The Firearm Blog. Archived from the original on July 1, 2023. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
    18. ↑ "Poland. Assault Rifles". Энциклопедия оружия и боеприпасов (in Russian). Archived from the original on April 26, 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
    19. ↑ "MAZ". Military Industry Corporation. Archived from the original on 27 December 2008. Retrieved 8 February 2009.
    20. ↑ Raigorodetsky, Aleksandr (6 October 2011). Автомат "Малюк" ("Малыш") (Украина) ["Malyuk" Assault Rifle (Ukraine)]. Оружейная экзотика (in Russian). Archived from the original on 2015-09-03. Retrieved 1 Dec 2012.
    21. ↑ "Kalashnikov USA Website".
    22. ↑ Smith, Aaron (30 June 2015). "The first American-made Kalashnikovs are now for sale". CNN.com. Archived from the original on July 1, 2023.
    23. ↑ Slowik, Max (August 10, 2015). "Kalashnikov USA prices out first wave of American AKs". Guns.com. Archived from the original on February 1, 2016.
    24. ↑ "Primeros 3,000: Cavim inicia entrega de fusiles de asalto Kalashnikov AK-103 a la Fuerza Armada de Venezuela". infodefensa.com. 3 June 2013. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved 14 September 2015. (in spanish)
    25. ↑ Sieff, Martin (15 August 2007). "Defense Focus: Venezuela's Kalashnikovs". UPI.com. Archived from the original on 2008-06-04. Retrieved 19 October 2008.
    26. ↑ Reeder, David (6 October 2018). "Breach Bang Clear". Archived from the original on October 17, 2018.

    Sources

    Further reading

    • Media related to AK family at Wikimedia Commons
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