11/17/25, 11:13 PM AK-47 - Wikipedia

AK-47
The AK-47, officially known as the Avtomat
AK-47
Kalashnikova (Russian: Автомат
Калашникова, lit. 'Kalashnikov's automatic
[rifle]'; also known as the Kalashnikov or just
AK), is an assault rifle that is chambered for the
7.62×39mm cartridge. Developed in the Soviet
Union by Russian small-arms designer Mikhail
Kalashnikov, it is the originating firearm of the AK-47 Type 2A
Kalashnikov (or "AK") family of rifles. After more Type Assault rifle
than seven decades since its creation, the AK-47
Place of origin Soviet Union
model and its variants remain one of the most
popular and widely used firearms in the world. Service history
In service 1949–1974 (Soviet Union)
Design work on the AK-47 began in 1945. It was 1949–present (other
presented for official military trials in 1947, and, countries)
in 1948, the fixed-stock version was introduced Used by See Users
into active service for selected units of the Soviet
Wars See Conflicts
Army. In early 1949, the AK was officially
accepted by the Soviet Armed Forces[10] and Production history
used by the majority of the member states of the Designer Mikhail Kalashnikov
Warsaw Pact. Designed 1947[1][2]
Manufacturer Kalashnikov Concern and
The model and its variants owe their global
various others including
popularity to their reliability under harsh
Norinco
conditions, low production cost (compared to
Produced 1948–present[3][4]
contemporary weapons), availability in virtually
every geographic region, and ease of use. The AK No. built ~100 million[5][6]
has been manufactured in many countries and Variants See Variants
has seen service with armed forces as well as Specifications (AK-47 with Type 3 receiver)
irregular forces and insurgencies throughout the Mass Without magazine:
world. As of 2004, "of the estimated 500 million 3.47 kg (7.7 lb)
firearms worldwide, approximately 100 million Magazine, empty:
belong to the Kalashnikov family, three-quarters 0.43 kg (0.95 lb) (early
of which are AK-47s".[5] The model is the basis issue)[7]
for the development of many other types of 0.33 kg (0.73 lb) (steel)[8]
individual, crew-served, and specialized 0.25 kg (0.55 lb) (plastic)[9]
firearms. 0.17 kg (0.37 lb) (light alloy)[8]
Length Fixed wooden stock:
880 mm (35 in)[9]
875 mm (34.4 in) (folding
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stock extended)

History 645 mm (25.4 in) (stock

folded)[7]
Barrel length Overall length:

Origins 415 mm (16.3 in)[9]

Rifled bore length:
During World War II, the Sturmgewehr 44 rifle 369 mm (14.5 in)[9]
used by German forces made a deep impression
on their Soviet counterparts.[11][12] The select-
Cartridge 7.62×39mm
fire rifle was chambered for a new intermediate
Action Gas-operated, long-stroke
cartridge, the 7.92×33mm Kurz, and combined
piston, closed rotating bolt
the firepower of a submachine gun with the
range and accuracy of a rifle.[13][14] On 15 July Rate of fire Cyclic rate:
1943, an earlier model of the Sturmgewehr was 600 rounds/min[9]
demonstrated before the People's Commissariat Practical rate:
of Arms of the USSR.[15] The Soviets were Semi-automatic:
impressed with the weapon and immediately set 40 rounds/min[9]
about developing an intermediate caliber fully Bursts/ Fully automatic:
100 rounds/min[9]
automatic rifle of their own,[11][12] to replace the
PPSh-41 submachine guns and outdated Mosin– Muzzle velocity 715 m/s (2,350 ft/s)[9]
Nagant bolt-action rifles that armed most of the Effective firing range 350 m (380 yd)[9]
Soviet Army.[16] Feed system 20-round, 30-round, 50-round
detachable box magazine,[9]
The Soviets soon developed the 7.62×39mm
40-round, 75-round drum
M43 cartridge, used in[15] the semi-automatic magazines also available
SKS carbine and the RPD light machine gun.[17]
Sights 100–800 m adjustable iron
Shortly after World War II, the Soviets
sights
developed the AK-47 rifle, which quickly
Sight radius:
replaced the SKS in Soviet service.[18][19]
378 mm (14.9 in)[9]
Introduced in 1959, the AKM is a lighter stamped
steel version and the most ubiquitous variant of
the entire AK series of firearms. In the 1960s, the Soviets introduced the RPK light machine gun, an
AK-type weapon with a stronger receiver, a longer heavy barrel, and a bipod, that eventually replaced
the RPD light machine gun.[17]

Concept
Mikhail Kalashnikov began his career as a weapon designer in 1941 while recuperating from a
shoulder wound that he received during the Battle of Bryansk.[20][21] Kalashnikov himself stated..."I
was in the hospital, and a soldier in the bed beside me asked: 'Why do our soldiers have only one rifle
for two or three of our men when the Germans have automatics?' So I designed one. I was a soldier,
and I created a machine gun for a soldier. It was called an Avtomat Kalashnikova, the automatic
weapon of Kalashnikov—AK—and it carried the year of its first manufacture, 1947."[22]

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The AK-47 is best described as a hybrid of previous rifle technology innovations. "Kalashnikov
decided to design an automatic rifle combining the best features of the American M1 Garand and the
German StG 44."[20] Kalashnikov's team had access to these weapons and did not need to "reinvent
the wheel". 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."[21]

Some claimed that Kalashnikov copied designs like Bulkin's TKB-415[23] or Simonov's AVS-31.[24]

Early designs
Kalashnikov started work on a submachine gun design in 1942[25] and a light machine gun design in
1943.[26][27] Early in 1944, Kalashnikov was given some 7.62×39mm M43 cartridges and informed
that other designers were working on weapons for this new Soviet small-arms cartridge. It was
suggested that a new weapon might well lead to greater things. He then undertook work on the new
rifle.[28] In 1944, he entered a design competition with this new 7.62×39mm, semi-automatic, gas-
operated, long-stroke piston carbine, strongly influenced by the American M1 Garand.[29] The new
rifle was in the same class as the SKS-45 carbine, with a fixed magazine and gas tube above the
barrel.[28] However, the new Kalashnikov design lost out to a Simonov design.[30]

In 1946, a new design competition was initiated to develop a new rifle.[31] Kalashnikov submitted a
gas-operated rifle with a short-stroke gas piston above the barrel, a breechblock mechanism similar to
his 1944 carbine, and a curved 30-round magazine.[32] Kalashnikov's rifles, the AK-1 (with a milled
receiver) and AK-2 (with a stamped receiver) proved to be reliable weapons and were accepted to a
second round of competition along with other designs.

These prototypes (also known as the AK-46) had a rotating bolt, a two-part receiver with separate
trigger unit housing, dual controls (separate safety and fire selector switches), and a non-reciprocating
charging handle located on the left side of the weapon.[32][33] This design had many similarities to the
StG 44[34](though StG 44 had closed tilting bolt). In late 1946, as the rifles were being tested, one of
Kalashnikov's assistants, Aleksandr Zaitsev, suggested a major redesign to improve reliability. At first,
Kalashnikov was reluctant, given that their rifle had already fared better than its competitors.
Eventually, however, Zaitsev managed to persuade Kalashnikov.

In November 1947, the new prototypes (AK-47s) were

completed. The rifle used a long-stroke gas piston above the
barrel. The upper and lower receivers were combined into a
single receiver. The selector and safety were combined into a
single control lever/dust cover on the right side of the rifle
and the bolt handle was attached to the bolt carrier. This Trail prototype weapon with slab-sided
simplified the design and production of the rifle. The first steel magazine
army trial series began in early 1948.[35] The new rifle proved

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to be reliable under a wide range of conditions and possessed convenient handling characteristics. In
1949, it was adopted by the Soviet Army as the "7.62 mm Kalashnikov rifle (AK)".[10]

Further development
There were many difficulties during the initial phase of
production. The first production models had stamped sheet
metal receivers with a milled trunnion and butt stock insert
and a stamped body. Difficulties were encountered in welding
the guide and ejector rails, causing high rejection rates.[36]
Instead of halting production, a heavy[a] machined receiver
was substituted for the sheet metal receiver. Even though
production of these milled rifles started in 1951, they were
officially referred to as AK-49, based on the date their AKMS with a stamped Type 4B receiver
development started, but they are widely known in the (top) and an AK-47 with a milled Type 2A
collectors' and current commercial market as "Type 2 AK- receiver
47".[37][38] 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.[39] Partly because of
these problems, the Soviets were not able to distribute large numbers of the new rifles to soldiers until
1956. During this time, production of the interim SKS rifle continued.[36]

Once the manufacturing difficulties of non-milled receivers 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.[37]
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
fully automatic fire.[36] 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 fully
automatic fire. The rifle was also roughly one-third lighter than the previous model.[37]

Receiver
type Description[39]

The original stamped receiver for the AK-47 was first produced in 1948[3] and adopted in 1949. The 1B
Type 1A/B was modified for an underfolding stock with a large hole present on each side to accommodate the
hardware for the under folding stock.

The first milled receiver was made from steel forging. It went into production in 1951 and production
Type 2A/B ended in 1957. The Type 2A has a distinctive socketed metal "boot" connecting the butt stock to the
receiver and the milled lightning cut on the sides runs parallel to the barrel.
"Final" version of the AK milled receiver made from steel bar stock. It went into production in 1955. The
Type 3A/B most ubiquitous example of the AK milled receiver. The milled lightning cut on the sides is slanted to the
barrel axis.

AKM receiver stamped from a smooth 1.0 mm (0.04 in) sheet of steel supported extensively by pins and
Type 4A/B rivets. It went into production in 1959. Overall, the most-used design in the construction of AK-series
rifles.

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Most licensed and unlicensed productions of the Kalashnikov assault rifle abroad were 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 often colloquially referred to as "AK-47s" in the West and some parts of Asia,
although this is only correct when applied to rifles based on the original three receiver types.[40] In
most former Eastern Bloc countries, the weapon is known simply as the "Kalashnikov" or "AK". The
differences between the milled and stamped receivers includes 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.

Replacement
In 1974, the Soviets began replacing their AK-47 and AKM rifles with a newer design, the AK-74,
which uses 5.45×39mm ammunition. This new rifle and cartridge had only started to be
manufactured in Eastern European nations when the Soviet Union collapsed, drastically slowing the
production of the AK-74 and other weapons of the former Soviet bloc.

Design
The AK-47 was designed to be a simple, reliable fully automatic rifle that could be manufactured
quickly and cheaply, using mass production methods that were state of the art in the Soviet Union
during the late 1940s.[41] The AK-47 uses a long-stroke gas system generally associated with high
reliability in adverse conditions.[29][42][43] The large gas piston, generous clearance between moving
parts, and tapered cartridge case design allow the gun to endure large amounts of foreign matter and
fouling without failing to cycle.

Cartridge
The AK fires the 7.62×39mm cartridge with a muzzle velocity
of 715 m/s (2,350 ft/s).[9]

The cartridge weight is 16.3 g (0.6 oz), and the projectile

weight is 7.9 g (122 gr).[44] The original Soviet M43 bullets are
123-grain boat-tail bullets with a copper-plated steel jacket, a
large steel core, and some lead between the core and the
jacket. The AK has excellent penetration when shooting
through heavy foliage, walls, or a common vehicle's metal
body and into an opponent attempting to use these things as
cover. The 7.62×39mm M43 projectile does not generally Wound Profiles of Russian small-arms
fragment when striking an opponent and has an unusual ammunition compiled by Dr. Martin
tendency to remain intact even after making contact with Fackler on behalf of the US military
bone. The 7.62×39mm round produces significant wounding
in cases where the bullet tumbles (yaws) in tissue,[45] but
produces relatively minor wounds in cases where the bullet exits before beginning to yaw.[46][47][48]
In the absence of yaw, the M43 round can pencil through tissue with relatively little injury.[46][49]
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Most, if not all, of the 7.62×39mm ammunition found today is of the upgraded M67 variety. This
variety deleted the steel insert, shifting the center of gravity rearward, and allowing the projectile to
destabilize (or yaw) at about 3.3 in (8.4 cm), nearly 6.7 in (17 cm) earlier in tissue than the M43
round.[50] This change also reduces penetration in ballistic gelatin to ~25 in (64 cm) for the newer
M67 round versus ~29 in (74 cm) for the older M43 round.[50][51] However, the wounding potential of
M67 is mostly limited to the small permanent wound channel the bullet itself makes, especially when
the bullet yaws.[50]

Operating mechanism
To fire, the operator inserts a loaded magazine, pulls back and
releases the charging handle, and then pulls the trigger. In
semi-automatic, the firearm fires only once, requiring the
trigger to be released and depressed again for the next shot. In
fully automatic, the rifle continues to fire automatically The gas-operated mechanism of a
cycling fresh rounds into the chamber until the magazine is Chinese Norinco Type 56
exhausted or pressure is released from the trigger.

After ignition of the cartridge primer and propellant, rapidly expanding propellant gases are diverted
into the gas cylinder above the barrel through a vent near the muzzle. The build-up of gases inside the
gas cylinder drives the long-stroke piston and bolt carrier rearward and a cam guide machined into
the underside of the bolt carrier, along with an ejector spur on the bolt carrier rail guide, rotates the
bolt approximately 35° and unlocks it from the barrel extension via a camming pin on the bolt. The
moving assembly has about 5.5 mm (0.2 in) of free travel, which creates a delay between the initial
recoil impulse of the piston and the bolt unlocking sequence, allowing gas pressures to drop to a safe
level before the seal between the chamber and the bolt is broken.

The AK-47 does not have a gas valve; excess gases are ventilated through a series of radial ports in the
gas cylinder. Unlike many other rifle platforms, such as the AR-15 platform, the Kalashnikov platform
bolt locking lugs are chamfered allowing for primary extraction upon bolt rotation which aids reliable
feeding and extraction, albeit not with that much force due to the short distance the bolt carrier
travels before acting on the locking lug. The Kalashnikov platform then uses an extractor claw along
with a fin shaped ejector to eject the spent cartridge case.[52]

Barrel
The rifle received a barrel with a chrome-lined bore and four right-hand grooves at a 240 mm (1 in
9.45 in) or 31.5 calibers rifling twist rate. The gas block contains a gas channel that is installed at a
slanted angle with the bore axis. The muzzle is threaded for the installation of various muzzle devices
such as a muzzle brake or a blank-firing adaptor.

Gas block
The gas block of the AK-47 features a cleaning rod capture or sling loop. Gas relief ports that alleviate
gas pressure are placed horizontally in a row on the gas cylinder.

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Fire selector
The fire selector is a large lever
located on the right side of the
rifle; it acts as a dust cover and
prevents the charging handle
from being pulled fully to the
rear when it is on safe.[53] It is
operated by the shooter's right
fore-fingers and has three AK-47 barrel and its distinctive gas block
settings: safe (up), full-auto with a horizontal row of gas relief ports
(center), and semi-auto
(down). [53] The reason for this
is that a soldier under stress will push the selector lever down with
considerable force, bypassing the full-auto stage and setting the rifle to
semi-auto.[53] To set the AK-47 to full-auto requires the deliberate
Việt Cộng soldier armed with action of centering the selector lever.[53]
an AK-47 with the fire selector
in the safe setting To operate the fire selector lever, right-handed shooters have to briefly
remove their right hand from the pistol grip, which is ergonomically
sub-optimal. Some AK-type rifles also have a more traditional selector
lever on the left side of the receiver, just above the pistol grip.[53] This lever is operated by the
shooter's right thumb and has three settings: safe (forward), full-auto (center), and semi-auto
(backward).[53]

Sights
The AK-47 uses a notched rear tangent iron sight calibrated in
100 m (109 yd) increments from 100 to 800 m (109 to
875 yd).[54] The front sight is a post adjustable for elevation in
the field. Horizontal adjustment requires a special drift tool
and is done by the armory before the issue or if the need arises
by an armorer after the issue.

The sight line elements are approximately 48.5 mm (1.9 in)

over the bore axis. The "point-blank range" battle zero setting
'П', standing for постоянная (postoyannaya, 'constant') on
Rear sight of a Chinese Type 56,
the 7.62×39mm AK-47 rear tangent sight element featuring 100 to 800 m (109 to 875 yd)
corresponds to a 300 m (328 yd) zero.[54][55] These settings settings and omission of a battle zero
mirror the Mosin–Nagant and SKS rifles, which the AK-47 setting
replaced.

For the AK-47 combined with service cartridges, the 300 m battle zero setting limits the apparent
"bullet rise" within approximately −5 to +31 cm (−2.0 to 12.2 in) relative to the line of sight. Soldiers
are instructed to fire at any target within this range by simply placing the sights on the center of mass
(the belt buckle, according to Russian and former Soviet doctrine) of the enemy target. Any errors in

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range estimation are tactically irrelevant, as a well-aimed shot will hit the torso of the enemy soldier.
Some AK-type rifles have a front sight with a flip-up luminous dot that is calibrated at 50 m (55 yd),
for improved night fighting.[54]

Furniture
The AK-47 was originally equipped with a buttstock, handguard, and an upper heat guard made from
solid wood. With the introduction of the Type 3 receiver the buttstock, lower handguard, and upper
heat guard were manufactured from birch plywood laminates.[39] Such engineered woods are stronger
and resist warping better than the conventional one-piece patterns, do not require lengthy maturing,
and are cheaper. The wooden furniture was finished with the Russian amber shellac finishing
process.[56] AKS and AKMS models featured a downward-folding metal butt-stock similar to that of
the German MP40 submachine-gun, for use in the restricted space in the BMP infantry combat
vehicle, as well as by paratroops. All 100 series AKs use plastic furniture with side-folding stocks.

Magazines
The standard magazine capacity is 30 rounds. There are also
10-, 20-, and 40-round box magazines, as well as 75-round
drum magazines.

The AK-47's standard 30-round magazines have a pronounced

curve that allows them to smoothly feed ammunition into the
chamber. Their heavy steel construction combined with "feed-
lips" (the surfaces at the top of the magazine that control the
angle at which the cartridge enters the chamber) machined
from a single steel billet makes them highly resistant to
"Bakelite" rust-colored steel-reinforced
damage. These magazines are so strong that "Soldiers have 30-round plastic box 7.62×39mm AK
been known to use their mags as hammers, and even bottle magazines. Three magazines have an
openers".[57][58] This contributes to the AK-47 magazine being "arrow in triangle" Izhmash arsenal mark
more reliable but makes it heavier than US and NATO on the bottom right. The other magazine
magazines. has a "star" Tula arsenal mark on the
bottom right
The early slab-sided steel AK-47 30-round detachable box
magazines had 1 mm (0.039 in) sheet-metal bodies and
weighed 430 g (0.95 lb) empty.[43] The later steel AKM 30-round magazines had lighter sheet-metal
bodies with prominent reinforcing ribs weighing 0.33 kg (0.73 lb) empty.[43][59] To further reduce
weight, a lightweight magazine with an aluminum body with a prominent reinforcing waffle rib
pattern weighing 0.19 kg (0.42 lb) empty was developed for the AKM that proved to be too fragile, and
the small issued amount of these magazines were quickly withdrawn from service.[60]

As a replacement, steel-reinforced 30-round plastic 7.62×39mm box magazines were introduced.

These rust-colored magazines weigh 0.24 kg (0.53 lb) empty and are often mistakenly identified as
being made of Bakelite (a phenolic resin), but were fabricated from two parts of AG-S4 molding
compound (a glass-reinforced phenol-formaldehyde binder impregnated composite), assembled using
an epoxy resin adhesive.[61][62][63] Noted for their durability, these magazines did however

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compromise the rifle's camouflage and lacked the small horizontal reinforcing ribs running down both
sides of the magazine body near the front that were added on all later plastic magazine
generations.[63]

A second-generation steel-reinforced dark-brown (color shades vary from maroon to plum to near
black) 30-round 7.62×39mm magazine was introduced in the early 1980s, fabricated from ABS
plastic. The third generation steel-reinforced 30-round 7.62×39mm magazine is similar to the second
generation, but is darker colored and has a matte non-reflective surface finish. The current issue is a
steel-reinforced matte true black non- reflective surface finished 7.62×39mm 30-round magazine,
fabricated from ABS plastic weighing 0.25 kg (0.55 lb) empty.[9]

Early steel AK-47 magazines are 9.75 in (248 mm) long; the later ribbed steel AKM and newer plastic
7.62×39mm magazines are about 1 in (25 mm) shorter.[64][65]

The transition from steel to mainly plastic magazines yields a significant weight reduction and allows
a soldier to carry more ammunition for the same weight.

Weight of empty Weight of loaded Max. 10.12 kg (22.3 lb)

Rifle Cartridge
magazine magazine ammunition load*

AK-47 slab-sided steel 30-rounds 11 magazines for 330 rounds

(1949) 430 g (0.95 lb) 916 g (2.019 lb)[43] 10.08 kg (22.2 lb)

ribbed stamped-steel 30-rounds 12 magazines for 360 rounds

AKM (1959) 7.62×39mm
330 g (0.73 lb) 819 g (1.806 lb)[43][59] 9.83 kg (21.7 lb)

AK-103 steel-reinforced plastic 30-rounds 13 magazines for 390 rounds

(1994) 250 g (0.55 lb) 739 g (1.629 lb)[43][59] 9.61 kg (21.2 lb)

All 7.62×39mm AK magazines are backward compatible with older AK variants.

10.12 kg (22.3 lb) is the maximum amount of ammo that the average soldier can comfortably carry. It
also allows for the best comparison of the three most common 7.62×39mm AK magazines.

Most Yugoslavian magazines were made with cartridge followers that hold the bolt open when
empty.[66]

Accessories
Accessories supplied with the rifle include a 387 mm (15.2 in)
long 6H3 bayonet featuring a 200 mm (7.9 in) long spear
point blade. The AK-47 bayonet is installed by slipping the
17.7 mm (0.70 in) diameter muzzle ring around the muzzle
and latching the handle down on the bayonet lug under the
AK-47 6H2 bayonet and scabbard
front sight base.[67]

All current model AKM rifles can mount under-barrel 40 mm

grenade launchers such as the GP-25 and its variants, which can fire up to 20 rounds per minute and
have an effective range of up to 400 meters.[68] The main grenade is the VOG-25 (VOG-25M)

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fragmentation grenade which has a 6 m (9 m) (20 ft (30 ft))

lethality radius. The VOG-25P/VOG-25PM ("jumping") variant
explodes 0.5–1 metre (1.6–3.3 ft) above the ground.[69]

The AK-47 can also mount a (rarely used) cup-type grenade

launcher, the Kalashnikov grenade launcher that fires standard
RGD-5 Soviet hand grenades. The maximum effective range is
AK-47 with Kalashnikov grenade
approximately 150 meters.[70] This launcher can also be used to
launcher mounted on the muzzle
launch tear gas and riot control grenades.

All current AKs (100 series) and some older models have side rails for mounting a variety of scopes
and sighting devices, such as the PSO-1 Optical Sniper Sight.[71] The side rails allow for the removal
and remounting of optical accessories without interfering with the zeroing of the optic. However, the
100 series side folding stocks cannot be folded with the optics mounted.

Characteristics

Service life
The AK-47 and its variants have been and are made in dozens of countries, with "quality ranging from
finely engineered weapons to pieces of questionable workmanship."[72] As a result, the AK-47 has a
service/system life of approximately 6,000[73] to 15,000[74] rounds. The AK-47 was designed to be a
cheap, simple, easy-to-manufacture rifle,[75] perfectly matching Soviet military doctrine that treats
equipment and weapons as disposable items.[76] As units are often deployed without adequate
logistical support and dependent on "battlefield cannibalization" for resupply, it is more cost-effective
to replace rather than repair weapons.[76]

The AK-47 has small parts and springs that need to be replaced every few thousand rounds. However,
"Every time it is disassembled beyond the field stripping stage, it will take some time for some parts to
regain their fit, and some parts may tend to shake loose and fall out when firing the weapon. Some
parts of the AK-47 line are riveted together. Repairing these can be quite a hassle since the end of the
rivet has to be ground off and a new one set after the part is replaced."[54]

Variants

Early variants (7.62×39mm)

Issue of 1948/49: Type 1: The very earliest models, stamped sheet metal receivers, are now very
rare.
Issue of 1951: Type 2: Has a milled receiver. The barrel and chamber are chrome-plated to resist
corrosion.
Issue of 1954/55: Type 3: Lightened, milled receiver variant. Rifle weight is 3.47 kg (7.7 lb).[7]
AKS (AKS-47): Type 1, 2, or 3 receivers: Featured a downward under folding metal stock similar
to that of the MP 40, for use in the restricted space of the BMP infantry combat vehicle, as well as
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for airborne troops.

AKN (AKSN): Night sight rail.[77]

Modernized (7.62×39mm)

AKM: A simplified, lighter version of the AK-47; the Type 4

receiver is made from stamped and riveted sheet metal. A
slanted muzzle device was added to reduce muzzle rise in
automatic fire. The rifle weight is 3.1 kg (6.8 lb)[9] due to
the lighter receiver. This is the most ubiquitous variant of
the AK-47.
7.62×39mm cartridges from Russia,
AKMS: Under-folding stock version of the AKM China and Pakistan
intended for airborne troops.
AKMN (AKMSN): Night scope rail.
AKML (AKMSL): Slotted flash suppressor and night scope rail.[78]
RPK: Hand-held machine gun version with longer barrel and bipod. The variants—RPKS, RPKN
(RPKSN), RPKL (RPKSL)—mirror AKM variants. The "S" variants have a side-folding wooden
stock.

Foreign Variants (7.62×39mm)

Type 56: Chinese assault rifle based on the AK-47 Type 3.[79] Still in production primarily for export
markets.

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Country Military variant(s)

Automatiku Shqiptar 1978 model 56 (ASH-78 Tip-1) made at Poliçan Arsenal (copy of Type 56
based on AKM rifle); model 56 Tip-2, copy of RPK; model 56 Tip-3 hybrid for multi-purpose roles
with secondary rifle and grenade launcher capability; 1982 model (ASH-82) copy of AKMS.
Albania Several other versions of the AKMS have been produced mainly with short barrels similar to
Soviet AKS-74U for special forces, tank & armoured 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.[80]

Algeria PM-89 and PM-89-1.[81]

Armenia K-3 (bullpup, 5.45×39mm)

Azerbaijan Khazri (AK-74M)[82]

Bangladesh Chinese Type 56

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-47M1 (AKMS in 5.56×45mm NATO); AKS-47S (AK-47M1, short
Bulgaria
version, with East German folding stock, laser aiming device); AKS-47UF (short version of -M1,
Russian folding stock), AR-SF (same as −47UF, but 5.56mm NATO); AKS-93SM6 (similar to
−47M1, cannot use grenade launcher); and RKKS (RPK), AKT-47 (.22 rimfire training rifle)
Cambodia Chinese Type 56, Soviet AK-47, and AKM

China Type 56

Colombia Galil ACE, Galil Córdova

Croatia APS-95

Cuba AKM[83]
MPi-K/MPi-KS (AK-47/AKS); MPi-KM (AKM; wooden and plastic stock), MPi-KMS-72 (side-
East Germany[84] 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)[84]
Egypt AK-47, Misr assault rifle (AKMS), Maadi ARM (AKM)

AK-47, AK-103 (manufactured locally at the State-run Gafat Armament Engineering Complex as
Ethiopia
the Et-97/1)[85]
Finland Rk 62, Valmet M76 (other names Rk 62 76, M62/76), Valmet M78 (light machine gun), Rk 95 Tp
AK-55 (domestic manufacture of the 2nd Model AK-47); AKM-63 (also known as AMD-63 in the
US; modernized AK-55), AMD-65M (modernized AKM-63, shorter barrel and side-folding stock),
Hungary 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)[86]

INSAS (fixed and side-folding stock), KALANTAK (carbine), INSAS light machine gun (fixed and
India side-folding stock), a local unlicensed version with carbon fibre furniture designated as AK-7;[87]
and Trichy assault rifle[88]
Iran KLS/KLF (AK-47/AKS), KLT (AKMS)

Tabuk Sniper Rifle, Tabuk Rifle (with fixed or underfolding stock, outright clones of Yugoslavian
Iraq
M70 rifles series), Tabuk Short Rifle (carbine)
IMI Galil: AR (battle rifle), ARM (rifle/light machine gun), SAR (carbine), MAR (compact carbine),
Israel
Sniper (sniper rifle), SR-99 (sniper rifle); and Galil ACE

Italy Bernardelli VB-STD/VB-SR (Galil AR/SAR)[89]

Nigeria Produced by DICON as OBJ-006[90][91]

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Type 58A/B (Type 3 AK-47/w. stamped steel folding stock), Type 68A/B (AKM/AKMS), Type
North Korea
88A/B-2 (AK-74/AKS-74/w. top folding stock)[92][93]
Reverse engineered by hand and machine in Pakistan's highland areas (see Khyber Pass Copy)
Pakistan near the border of Afghanistan; more recently the Pakistan Ordnance Factories started the
manufacture of an AK-47/AKM clone called PK-10[94]
PmK (kbk AK) / PmKS (kbk AKS), Kalashnikov SMG name change to Kbk AK, Kalashnikov
Carbine in 1960s, (AK-47/AKS); kbkg wz. 1960 (rifle grenade launcher), kbkg wz. 1960/72
Poland (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)[95]
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.
Romania
86 short barrel exported as the AIMR; PSL (designated marksman rifle; other names PSL-54C,
Romak III, FPK and SSG-97)

South Africa R4 rifle, Truvelo Raptor, Vektor CR-21 (bullpup)

Sudan MAZ (based on the Type 56)[96]

Turkey SAR 15T,[97] SAR 308[98]

Ukraine Vepr (bullpup, 5.45×39mm), Malyuk (bullpup)[99]

Century Arms: C39 (AK-47 var.), RAS47 (AKM var.), and C39v2 (AK-47 var.), InterOrdnance:
AKM247 (AKM var.) M214 (pistol), Palmetto State Armory: PSAK-47 (AKM var.), Arsenal Inc: SA
United States
M-7 (AK-47 var.), Destructive Devices Industries: DDI 47S (AKM var.) DDI 47M (AK-47 var), Rifle
Dynamics: RD700 and other custom build AK / AKM guns
Vietnam AKM-1 (AKM), TUL-1 (RPK), Galil Ace 31/32, STV rifle

Venezuela License granted, factory under construction[100]

Yugoslavia/Serbia M64, M70, M72, M76, M77, M80, M82, M85, M90, M91, M92, M99, M21

A private company Kalashnikov Concern (formerly Izhmash) from Russia has repeatedly claimed that
the majority of foreign manufacturers are producing AK-type rifles without proper licensing.[101][102]

Accuracy potential

US military method
The AK-47's accuracy is generally sufficient to hit an adult male torso out to about 300 m
(328 yd),[103][104] though even experts firing from prone or bench rest positions at this range were
observed to have difficulty placing ten consecutive rounds on target.[105] Later designs did not
significantly improve the rifle's accuracy.[105] An AK can fire a 10-shot group of 5.9 in (15 cm) at
100 m (109 yd),[106] and 17.5 in (44 cm) at 300 m (328 yd)[105] The newer stamped-steel receiver
AKM models, while more rugged and less prone to metal fatigue, are less accurate than the
forged/milled receivers of their predecessors: the milled AK-47s are capable of shooting 3 to 5 in (8 to
13 cm) groups at 100 yd (91 m), whereas the stamped AKMs are capable of shooting 4 to 6 in (10 to
15 cm) groups at 100 yd (91 m).[104]

The best shooters can hit a man-sized target at 800 m (875 yd) within five shots (firing from a prone
or bench rest position) or ten shots (standing).[107]
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The single-shot hit-probability on the NATO E-type Silhouette Target (a human upper body half and
head silhouette) of the AK-47 and the later developed AK-74, M16A1, and M16A2 rifles were measured
by the US military under ideal proving ground conditions in the 1980s as follows:

Single-shot hit-probability on Crouching Man (NATO E-type Silhouette) Target[108]

Hit-probability (With no range estimation or aiming errors)
Rifle Chambering 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800
50 m
m m m m m m m m

AK-47
7.62×39mm 100% 100% 99% 94% 82% 67% 54% 42% 31%
(1949)

AK-74
5.45×39mm 100% 100% 100% 99% 93% 81% 66% 51% 34%
(1974)
NATO E-type
M16A1 5.56×45mm Silhouette
100% 100% 100% 100% 96% 87% 73% 56% 39%
(1967) NATO M193
Target
5.56×45mm
M16A2
NATO 100% 100% 100% 100% 98% 90% 79% 63% 43%
(1982)
SS109/M855

Under worst field exercise circumstances, the hit probabilities for all the tested rifles were drastically
reduced, from 34% at 50m down to 3–4% at 600m with no significant differences between weapons at
each range.[108]

Russian method
The following table represents the Russian circular error probable method for determining accuracy,
which involves drawing two circles on the target, one for the maximum vertical dispersion of hits and
one for the maximum horizontal dispersion of hits. They then disregard the hits on the outer part of
the target and only count half of the hits (50% or R50) on the inner part of the circles. This
significantly reduces the overall diameter of the groups. They then use both the vertical and horizontal
measurements of the reduced groups to measure accuracy. When the R50 results are doubled, the hit
probability increases to 93.7%.

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Circular error probable 20 hits distribution

example

AK-47 semi-automatic and short burst dispersion with 57-N-231 steel core service ammunition[109]
Vertical Horizontal Vertical Horizontal
accuracy of accuracy of fire accuracy of accuracy of Remaining
Remaining
Range fire (R50) semi- (R50) semi- fire (R50) fire (R50) short bullet
bullet energy
velocity
automatic automatic short burst burst

0m 2,036 J 718 m/s

0 cm (0.0 in) 0 cm (0.0 in) 0 cm (0.0 in) 0 cm (0.0 in)
(0 yd) (1,502 ft⋅lbf) (2,356 ft/s)

100 m 1,540 J 624 m/s

8 cm (3.1 in) 4 cm (1.6 in) 9 cm (3.5 in) 11 cm (4.3 in)
(110 yd) (1,140 ft⋅lbf) (2,047 ft/s)

200 m 1,147 J 539 m/s

11 cm (4.3 in) 8 cm (3.1 in) 18 cm (7.1 in) 22 cm (8.7 in)
(219 yd) (846 ft⋅lbf) (1,768 ft/s)

300 m 27 cm 843 J 462 m/s

17 cm (6.7 in) 12 cm (4.7 in) 33 cm (13.0 in)
(330 yd) (10.6 in) (622 ft⋅lbf) (1,516 ft/s)

400 m 31 cm 618 J 395 m/s

23 cm (9.1 in) 16 cm (6.3 in) 44 cm (17.3 in)
(440 yd) (12.2 in) (456 ft⋅lbf) (1,296 ft/s)

500 m 46 cm 461 J 342 m/s

29 cm (11.4 in) 20 cm (7.9 in) 56 cm (22.0 in)
(550 yd) (18.1 in) (340 ft⋅lbf) (1,122 ft/s)

600 m 56 cm 363 J 303 m/s

35 cm (13.8 in) 24 cm (9.4 in) 67 cm (26.4 in)
(656 yd) (22.0 in) (268 ft⋅lbf) (994 ft/s)

700 m 66 cm 314 J 282 m/s

42 cm (16.5 in) 29 cm (11.4 in) 78 cm (30.7 in)
(770 yd) (26.0 in) (232 ft⋅lbf) (925 ft/s)

800 m 76 cm 284 J 268 m/s

49 cm (19.3 in) 34 cm (13.4 in) 89 cm (35.0 in)
(870 yd) (29.9 in) (209 ft⋅lbf) (879 ft/s)

R50 means the closest 50 percent of the shot group will all be within a circle of the mentioned
diameter.
The vertical and horizontal mean (R50) deviations with service ammunition at 800 m (875 yd) for AK
platforms are.

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