AK-47
The AK-47, officially known as the Avtomat Kalashnikova (Russian: Автома́т Кала́шникова, lit. ‘Kalashnikov’s automatic rifle‘; also known as the Kalashnikov or just AK), is a gas-operated, 7.62×39mm assault rifle developed in the Soviet Union by Mikhail Kalashnikov in the aftermath of World War II. It is the originating firearm of the Kalashnikov rifle (or “AK”) family. The number 47 refers to the year it was finished.
Design work on the AK-47 assault rifles began in 1945. It was presented for official military trials the following year, and in 1948 the fixed-stock version was introduced into active service with selected units of the Soviet Army. An early development of the design was the AKS (Skladnoy, or ‘folding’), which was equipped with an under folding metal shoulder stock. In early 1949, the AK was officially accepted by the Soviet Armed Forces and used by the majority of the member states of the Warsaw Pact.
Specifications | |
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Mass | Without magazine: 3.47 kg (7.7 lb) Magazine, empty: 0.43 kg (0.95 lb) (early issue) 0.33 kg (0.73 lb) (steel) 0.25 kg (0.55 lb) (plastic) 0.17 kg (0.37 lb) (light alloy) |
Length | Fixed wooden stock: 880 mm (35 in) 875 mm (34.4 in) folding stock extended 645 mm (25.4 in) stock folded |
Barrel length | Overall length: 415 mm (16.3 in) Rifled bore length: 369 mm (14.5 in) |
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Cartridge | 7.62×39mm |
Action | Gas-operated, rotating bolt |
Rate of fire | Cyclic rate of fire: 600 rds/min Combat rate of fire: Semi-auto 40 rds/min Bursts 100 rds/min |
Muzzle velocity | 715 m/s (2,350 ft/s) |
Effective firing range | 350 m (380 yd) |
Feed system | 20-round, 30-round detachable box magazine There are also 40-round, 75-round drum magazines available |
Sights | 100–800 m adjustable iron sights Sight radius: 378 mm (14.9 in) |
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