For the first time, the legendary Kalashnikov assault rifle (AK) entered service with the Soviet army in 1949. Because of its shape, the military is also called the “oar”. Later, in an effort to improve technical specifications, the rifle unit was repeatedly modernized. Judging by the reviews, many lovers of automatic weapons are interested in how to distinguish models of a Kalashnikov assault rifle? This is due to the fact that many AK samples have been developed, which have their own characteristics and design features. According to experts, Kalashnikov assault rifles of all models turned out to be quite effective. Even today, modified versions of the legendary AK are used by Russian law enforcement agencies. Descriptions of all models of Kalashnikov assault rifles and photos of all modifications are contained in this article.
AK 1949
Of all the Kalashnikov assault rifle models, this rifle unit is the very first. In the technical documentation - under the index 56-A-212. The Red Army entered the arsenal in 1949. An 870-mm weapon with a stamped receiver and without the possibility of using a bayonet. Fires ammunition 7.62 x 39 mm. 1943 release. Automatic machine with a 415 mm barrel, in which 4 pieces are cut. occupy 369 mm. barrel length. Ammunition store type. The clip is designed for 30 ammunition. Target shooting can be conducted from a machine gun at a distance of up to 800 m. Per minute, a fighter burst fires at a target up to 100 rounds and 40 single shots. The bullet takes off with an initial speed of 715 m / s. With an empty ammunition load, the machine weighs no more than 4300 g, fully equipped - 4786 g. The cartridge weighs 16.2 g, cartridge case - 6.8 g. Shell weight - 7.95 g, powder charge - 1.6 g. The cartridge has a length of 55 , 9 mm, sleeve - 38.7 mm. The target is hit by a 26 mm bullet. Soviet designers based on the first AK created several more options. The following is information about other models of a Kalashnikov assault rifle with names and photos.
AKS 56-A-212M
Unlike the basic AK, the new weapon provides the ability to install a bayonet. The new weapon has a length of 64.5 cm. It shoots with ammunition 7.62 x 39 mm. Both models of the Kalashnikov assault rifle 1949 release.
Lightweight AK 7.62 mm, 1953
Index machine 56-A-212. In an effort to reduce the weight of this AK, the designers eased the milled receiver, the cover to it and the clip. There are stiffeners in the side walls of the stores. Changed the size of the butt and the method of attachment to the receiver. Despite the design innovations, this rifle unit is still called - AK. The moving parts and ballistic properties of the 56-A-212 weapons do not differ from previous Kalashnikov assault rifle models. The lightweight version is equipped with a removable blade 275-gram bayonet (56-X-212). The weight of the scabbard is 100 g. The weight of the unloaded AK is 3800 g, the empty magazine is 330 g. The total length of the weapon with the bayonet mounted reaches 107.6 cm. The blade is 20 cm long and 2.2 cm wide.
About AKC 1953
In the technical documentation, weapons under the index 56-A-212. Unlike previous models, a Kalashnikov assault rifle with a metal folding butt. It is also equipped with 7.62 x 39 mm cartridges of the 1943 model. If the butt is folded out and the bayonet is attached, the length of the weapon will be 107.6 cm. With an empty ammunition, the AKS will weigh no more than 4568 g.
You can install a silent firing device (PBS) on the machine, which is mainly called a silencer. The device weighs 623 g. The AKS under the index 65-A-212 has a special aiming bar, it uses both standard cartridges and ammunition with a reduced projectile speed. The total weight of the weapon is 4711 g. The AKS with PBS provides targeted fire at a distance of up to 400 m. In order to make the weapon effective at night, the AKS was slightly redone for the installation of NSP2, a night-vision device. The new rifle unit is listed as AKN. With this device and without ammunition, the mass of weapons was increased to 7480 g, with cartridges - 8185 g.
AKM 1959
It is a modernized Kalashnikov assault rifle of 7.62 mm (index 6P1). Soviet gunsmiths made some changes to the AK design. For example, in order to increase the stability of the machine in a horizontal position, a blow in the bolt frame was placed on the right. In addition, the trigger was equipped with a moderator.
As a result, inter-cycle time is increased, which positively affected accuracy. Instead of the old bayonet, the AKM is equipped with a new 278 mm bayonet-knife (index 6 x 3). The length of the cutting part is 14.8 cm, the width is 3 cm. Bakelite plywood is used to make parts of the stock, namely the stock, forend and handguards. The upgraded automatic machine of 1959 of release has the following performance characteristics:
- Fires ammunition 7.62 x 39 mm 1943
- The length of the whole machine with a bayonet-knife is 102 cm, without a bayonet - 87 cm, the barrel 41.5 cm.
- Within a minute, a single fighter can fire 40 bullets, in bursts - 100.
- The aiming range increased to 1 thousand m.
- With an empty ammunition and without a knife, the AKM weighs 3,100 g, with cartridges 3,600 g.
In 1969, a muzzle compensator was developed for weapons. It is presented in the form of a special nozzle with an oblique cut. In addition, new models of a Kalashnikov assault rifle with bayonet-knives (index 6 x 4).
About the upgraded special AKMS, AKMN and AKM with PBS-1
In 1959, the Kalashnikov assault rifle under the index 6P4 entered service with the Soviet army. The developers reduced the length of the weapon to 88 cm. With an empty ammunition load, the AKMS weighs up to 330 g. It is equipped with 7.62 mm caliber ammunition. According to experts, the automation in this model is the same as in the AKM.
AKMN is a modernized Kalashnikov assault rifle with a night vision device. Appears under the 6P1N index. The design has a muzzle compensator and a special bar for mounting night sights. Ammunition is provided from plastic stores.
AKM with a PBS-1 silencer (index 6CH12), like previous versions of rifle units, shoots 7.62 mm cartridges. According to experts, the technical characteristics of all models of Kalashnikov assault rifles are identical.
Upgraded options with a grenade launcher and night vision sights
The machine on which the GP-25 40-mm grenade launcher is installed is known in the technical documentation under the 6G15 index. Without ammunition and grenades, AKM weighs 6010 g. Kalashnikov assault rifles with night vision sights received the abbreviation AKMSN. These devices are presented in two versions: NSP-ZA (1PN-27) and NSPU (1PN-34). Without cartridges with a sight, the rifle unit has a mass of 6255 g.
AK-74
Since 1974, the 5.45 mm Kalashnikov assault rifle was in service with the Soviet army. Among the military, this model is known as the AK-74 (index 6P20).
Unlike previous options, the following features are inherent in a weapon:
- At the base is a front sight with two cylindrical nozzles. The front is equipped with a thread through which the muzzle brake compensator (DTK) is attached to the weapon. The rear nozzle is equipped with a protrusion with a hole. A ramrod is inserted into it.
- Automatic with a long two-chamber DTK.
- The gas pipe has an oval spring washer.
- Shutter is reduced.
- Machine with rubber butt pad.
- All parts of the trigger are presented in a separate assembly.
About specifications
The AK-74 has the following characteristics:
- Shooting is carried out by 5.45 x 39 mm ammunition of the 1974 model.
- Together with the bayonet, the weapon is 94 cm long. The barrel is 41.5 cm long. There are 4 rifles in it 37.2 cm long.
- When firing single shots per minute, 40 bullets can be fired, with bursts of 100.
- The machine is effective at a distance of no more than 1 thousand m.
- Weight AK-74 with an empty ammunition load - 3300 g, with cartridges and without a bayonet - 3600 g.
- The cartridge with a mass of 10.2 g is equipped with a 3.4-gram bullet and a powder charge (1.45 g).
- The entire length of the ammunition is 57 mm, the liner is 39.6 mm. The 25.5 mm bullet has a steel core.
- The projectile launched moves toward the target at a speed of 900 m / s.
AKS74, AK74NZ and automatic machine with GP-25
This rifle unit, namely AKS74 (index 6P21) has a folding metal butt. If folded, the length of the assault rifle will not exceed 70 cm. With an empty magazine, the weapon weighs 3200 g, with a full ammunition load - 3500 g. For the manufacture of butts, firing handles, magazines, handguards, receiver pads, scabbards and bayonet-knife handles (index 6 x 5) use glass-filled polyamide PA6S-211DS.
The AK74NZ (6P20NZ) uses the NSPU-3 night vision sight. Automatic with a metal butt plate, on which there are transverse corrugations. With the device installed, the weight of the Kalash will be 5600 g.
For AK 74 model year, it is possible to install GP-25 grenade launchers of 40 mm caliber. So that the lid in the receiver does not come off, the button in the return mechanism is held by means of a special lock. This model has a butt with a rubber butt pad. With GP-25 without cartridges and grenades, the weapon weighs 5200 g.
Shortened version
In 1979, the 5.45-mm Kalashnikov assault rifle, which is known as the AKS74U (6P26), entered service. Designed at an arms factory in Tula. Unlike the basic version, the AKS74U with a shortened barrel, lower initial projectile speed and accuracy. Nevertheless, this machine is considered quite rapid-fire.
AKS74U was equipped with fighters of the special forces of the Airborne Forces, police, signalmen, sappers and mechanics-drivers of BM. The machine is designed to destroy enemy manpower at short range. Also, a shortened AKC is convenient for use in the village. For the rifle unit, a bracket was developed with which you can attach a night vision sight to the machine. Ammunition is produced from stores with a capacity of 20 and 30 ammunition. Shoots weapons with 5.45x39 mm ammo. 1974 sample. The barrel length is 21 cm. The aiming range index has been reduced to 500 m. The machine weighs no more than 2710 g. There are also options for shortened machine guns with night sights, with silencers (AKS74UB) and BS-1 grenade launchers.
The use of additional nozzles was reflected in the mass of shortened “Kalash”. For example, with an instrument for night vision, the machine weighs 4760 g, with PBS or BS-1 - 5430 g.