Kalashnikov assault rifle AK-74M: review, description, characteristics

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:42

The upgraded AK-74M Kalashnikov assault rifle was the last in a series of famous individual weapons of 1974. Since the beginning of production, it has been used in many countries. Decades later, the model has not lost its popularity, now being made for the civilian population as souvenirs, training models and modifications for various paramilitary entertainment.

History of Creation

The history of the creation of the Kalashnikov assault rifle began during the Second World War. In 1942, Soviet troops captured several German carbines on the Volkhov front. The resulting samples were created under the intermediate cartridge 7, 92-mm caliber. In 1943, an NPO meeting was held, at which it was decided to develop their own line of weapons. They were supposed to arm the infantry for effective firing at a distance of more than 400 meters. Such a distance was prohibitive for the submachine guns then available.

Development required the creation of a new cartridge. Work began in three directions - a carbine with manual and automaticreload and automatic. Sergeant Kalashnikov, after being wounded in 1942, began to develop a submachine gun. Subsequently, the model was sent to a test site for small arms near Moscow. In 1944, a self-loading carbine was developed, and from 1946 Kalashnikov joined the competition to create an assault rifle. By 1948, the production of AK 47 was fully established.

In the mid-1980s, the designers of the Izhevsk plant were creating a modified model of the 1974 Kalashnikov assault rifle. The new development enters service already in 1993.

Model description

AK-74M became a deep modernization of the 1974 weapon of the year. He acquired a number of new qualities, thanks to which his combat characteristics improved:

• foldable plastic buttstock - does not cling to clothes and is much lighter than its metal predecessor;
• forearm and fingerboard are made of glass-filled polyamide, which eliminates the possibility of burns;
• the presence of a longitudinal thread on the forearm allows you to hold the weapon more firmly during firing;
• special coating of metal parts prevents rust;
• presence of mounts for bayonet-knife and scope.

Currently, the AK-74M is an individual weapon of the army and special forces.

Optional equipment

On the AK-74M there are seats for connecting an underbarrel grenade launcher (GP-25 40-mmcaliber). There is also a place on the barrel for attaching a bayonet-knife. A night vision sight is mounted on the side of the AK-74M assault rifle.

The muzzle brake ensures high accuracy of fire by reducing the distance of the machine from the aiming point. The high quality of the AK-74M is also ensured by extensive testing at the factory.

Due to the presence of a universal side strap, the machine is designed to install not only day optical and night sights. You can also put a collimator on it. It is useful when shooting from short distances - less than 100 meters.

Tactical and technical characteristics of the machine

When conducting a battle, not only the tactical parameters of the weapon (weight, length and design features) are important, but also its technical features, which determine the convenience of using the machine gun in combat conditions. If we consider the AK-74M, its characteristics are impressive:

• caliber of cartridges used - 5, 45 mm;
• muzzle velocity - 900 m/s;
• sighting range - 1000 m;
• rate of fire - 650 rounds per minute;
• combat rate of fire - 40 for single fire and 100 for short bursts;
• shooting modes - automatic and single;
• product weight - 3.9 kg with equipped magazine and 3.6 - without magazine;
• range of a direct shot at a target with a height of 50 cm - 440 m.

The upgraded machine gun of 1974, the characteristics of which meet all the requirements of today, does not losepopularity for many decades.

Training MMG AK-74M

Many weapon lovers get a model of the legendary weapon as a souvenir. It is an exact copy of the machine and is purchased without a license. The model is equipped with plastic and metal parts that have some design improvements. The layout of the AK-74 M allows you to perform the following actions:

• transfer fuse to positions AB, OB and "protection";
• imitation of the recharge process;
• lowering the trigger simulator;
• transferring the butt to the "travel" and "combat" positions;
• partial disassembly and assembly of the machine.

Thanks to such wide possibilities, the layout has become widely used as a teaching tool. Also, the model is in demand among fans of firearms and is purchased by them as a decorative item.

Airsoft AK-74M

Airsoft is a popular entertainment for fans of military strategy. The weapon used during the game is negotiated before the start of the competition. The Kalashnikov assault rifle is gaining popularity among players. After the ministry stopped submitting orders for the 1974 model, the engineers of the Izhevsk plant began to work on the creation of the legendary machine gun for civilian needs.

Airsoft electro-pneumatic model AK-74M has the following equipment:

• automatic;
• charger;
• bunker shop (with 500 balls);
• battery;
• ramrod.

The balls weigh 0.20 g and gain initial speed when leaving the barrel 95-110 m/s. Without a box, the machine weighs 3120 g. The build quality, the use of modern materials and the features of the prototype largely determine the pleasure of using the machine during the game.

Interesting facts

The assault rifle developed by Kalashnikov has become popular not only in Russia, but also in many foreign countries, including America. US President Clinton even issued a law banning the import of these weapons into the country. In the West, all Kalashnikov models are called AK-74, regardless of the year of manufacture and design features.

According to statistics, today various modifications of the Kalashnikov assault rifle are adopted in 55 countries. On the basis of AK, a huge number of modifications are handicraft. In the 1950s, the license for the production of the Kalashnikov assault rifle was issued by the USSR to 18 states.

Due to its ease of use and ease of maintenance, the machine is popular among illegal gangs. After coming to power, many of their leaders placed it on the state flag. For example, AK is depicted on the emblems of Mozambique, Burkina Faso and Zimbabwe.

Those who are interested in the AK-74M model know about the many advantages of this weapon, allowing it to remain the most popular in the world. Someone knows about him from the stories of friends, someone knows him from the time of his service in the Armed Forces. However, no one will dispute the advantages of this weapon andthe foresight of its developers.