AK-47, AK-74, AKS-74 & AKM

The AK-47 (colloquial name: Kalashnikov or Kalashnikov) is a Soviet, and currently Russian, 7.62 mm automatic carbine from the Cold War and modern times. The first prototypes of this weapon were made in 1946, and serial production began in 1948-1949 and in fact continues to this day. The weight of the weapon with a full magazine is about 4.3 kg, and the total length with a wooden stock is 88 centimeters. The initial velocity of the bullet fired from this rifle is up to 715 m / s, and the theoretical rate of fire - up to 600 rounds per minute. The maximum range is estimated at 3000 m, while the range of the so-called effective shot does not exceed 400-450 meters. The AK-47 automatic carbine was designed primarily for the needs of the Soviet Army by MT Kalashnikov. It is worth adding that the Soviet military command considered the introduction of this type of weapon (with the use of the so-called indirect cartridge) as early as the 1930s, but the outbreak of World War II paradoxically slowed down work on such weapons. However, the advent of the successful StG44 on the front line prompted the Red Army to reopen the topic. Very intensive development work carried out from 1944-1945 in several construction offices and the decision of the Red Army command to rearm the entire Soviet infantry with this type of weapon finally led to the adaptation of the AK-47 to service. It is rightly believed that the AK-47 was the best weapon in its class when it was introduced into the line, but also for many years later. It was characterized by amazing durability, great reliability, resistance to all types of dirt and careless handling. It was also very easy to use and cheap to mass produce. It is not surprising that the AK-47 became the basic small arms weapon of almost the entire Warsaw Pact and was widely exported to many countries. Rifles such as the Israeli Galill or the Polish Beryl were also developed based on the AK-47 to a greater or lesser extent.