For the first time, the legendary Kalashnikov assault rifle (AK) entered service with the Soviet army in 1949. Because of its shape, the military also call it "oar". Later, in an effort to improve technical characteristics, the rifle unit was repeatedly upgraded. 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 samples of AK have been developed, which have their own characteristics and design features. Kalashnikov assault rifles of all models, according to experts, 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 models of the Kalashnikov assault rifle, this rifle unit is the very first. In technicaldocumentation - under the index 56-A-212. The Red Army entered service in 1949 with an 870-millimeter weapon with a stamped receiver and without the ability to use a bayonet. Shoots 7.62 x 39mm cartridges. 1943 issue. An assault rifle with a 415 mm barrel, in which there are 4 rifling. occupy 369 mm. barrel length. Store type ammunition. The clip is designed for 30 ammunition. Aimed fire from a machine gun can be carried out at a distance of up to 800 m. A fighter fires up to 100 shells at a target in a burst per minute and 40 single shells. The bullet flies out with an initial speed of 715 m/s. With empty ammunition, the machine weighs no more than 4300 g, fully equipped - 4786 g. The cartridge weighs 16.2 g, the cartridge case - 6.8 g. The mass of the projectile is 7.95 g, the powder charge is 1.6 g. The cartridge has a length of 55, 9 mm, sleeve - 38, 7 mm. The target is hit by a 26mm bullet. Soviet designers based on the first AK created several more options. The following is information about other models of the Kalashnikov assault rifle with names and photos.
AKS 56-A-212M
Unlike the basic AK, the new weapon has the ability to mount a bayonet. The new weapon is 64.5 cm long. It fires 7.62 x 39 mm cartridges. Both models of the 1949 Kalashnikov assault rifle.
Lightweight AK 7, 62mm, 1953
Automatic index 56-A-212. In an effort to reduce the weight of this AK, the designers lightened the milled receiver, the cover to it and the clip. There are stiffening ribs in the side walls of the magazines. Changed the size of the stock and the way it is attached to the receiver. Despite the designinnovations, this rifle unit is still referred to as AK. The moving parts and ballistic properties of the 56-A-212 weapon do not differ from previous models of the Kalashnikov assault rifle. The light version is equipped with a removable bladed 275-gram bayonet (56-X-212). The weight of the scabbard is 100 g. The weight of an unloaded AK is 3800 g, an empty magazine is 330 g. The total length of the weapon with a bayonet installed 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 symbol 56-A-212. Unlike previous models, a Kalashnikov assault rifle with a metal folding stock. It is also equipped with cartridges of 7.62 x 39 mm, sample 1943. If you expand the butt and attach the bayonet, the length of the weapon will be 107.6 cm. With empty ammunition, the AKS will weigh no more than 4568 g.
You can install a silent firing device (PBS), which is mainly called a silencer, on the machine. The device weighs 623 g. AKS under the index 65-A-212 has a special aiming bar, uses both regular cartridges and ammunition with a reduced projectile speed. The total weight of the weapon is 4711g. The new rifle unit is listed as AKN. With this device and without ammunition, the weight of the weapon was increased to 7480 g, with cartridges - 8185 g.
AKM 1959
Is a modernized machine gunKalashnikov 7, 62 mm (index 6P1). Some changes were made to the design of the AK by Soviet gunsmiths. For example, in order to increase the stability of the machine gun in a horizontal position, the blow in the bolt frame was placed on the right. In addition, the trigger was equipped with a retarder.
As a result, the cycle time has been increased, which had a positive effect on 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 for the manufacture of parts of the stock, namely the butt, forearm and overlays. The upgraded assault rifle manufactured in 1959 has the following performance characteristics:
- Fires 7.62 x 39mm rounds 1943
- The length of the entire machine with a bayonet is 102 cm, without a bayonet - 87 cm, the barrel is 41.5 cm.
- Within a minute, a fighter can fire 40 bullets with a single fire, 100 in bursts.
- The target range has been increased to 1,000 meters.
- With empty ammunition and without a knife, AKM weighs 3100 g, with cartridges - 3600 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 the Kalashnikov assault rifle with bayonet-knives (index 6 x 4).
About 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 have reduced the length of the weapon to 88 cm. With an emptyAKMS ammunition weighs up to 330 g. It is equipped with cartridges of 7, 62 mm caliber. According to experts, the automation in this model is the same as in AKM.
AKMN is a modernized Kalashnikov assault rifle with a night vision device. It appears under the index 6P1N. The design has a muzzle compensator and a special bracket for mounting night sights. Ammunition is supplied from plastic stores.
AKM with a silencer PBS-1 (index 6Ch12), like the previous versions of rifle units, fires 7.62 mm cartridges. According to experts, the technical characteristics of all models of Kalashnikov assault rifles are identical.
Upgraded variants with grenade launcher and night vision scopes
The assault rifle, on which the 40-mm GP-25 grenade launcher is installed, is known in the technical documentation under the index 6G15. 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 Soviet army was armed with a 5.45 mm Kalashnikov assault rifle. Among the military, this model is known as AK-74 (index 6P20).
Unlike the previous versions, the weapon has the following features:
- At the base of the front sight with two cylindrical nozzles. Frontequipped with a thread through which a muzzle brake-compensator (DTK) is attached to the weapon. The rear pipe is equipped with a ledge with a hole. A ramrod is inserted into it.
- Assault rifle with a long two-chamber DTC.
- The gas tube has an oval spring washer.
- Shutter reduced.
- Assault rifle with a rubberized recoil pad.
- All USM parts are presented in a separate assembly.
About Features
AK-74 has the following indicators:
- Shooting is carried out with cartridges of 5, 45 x 39 mm sample 1974
- Together with the bayonet the weapon is 94 cm long.
- When firing single shots per minute, you can fire 40 bullets, in bursts - 100.
- The assault rifle is effective at a distance of no more than 1 thousand meters.
- Weight of AK-74 with empty ammo - 3300 g, with cartridges and without bayonet - 3600 g.
- 10.2g cartridge equipped with a 3.4g bullet and powder charge (1.45g).
- The entire length of the ammunition is 57 mm, the cartridge case is 39.6 mm. The 25.5mm bullet has a steel core.
- The projectile fired towards the target moves at a speed of 900 m/s.
AKS74, AK74NZ and assault rifle with GP-25
This rifle unit, namely AKS74 (index 6P21) has a folding metal stock. If it is folded, the length of the machine will not exceed 70 cm. With an empty magazine, the weapon weighs 3200 g, with full ammunition - 3500 g. 6 x5) use glass-filled polyamide PA6S-211DS.
The AK74NZ (6P20NZ) uses the NSPU-3 night vision sight. Automatic machine with a metal butt plate, which has transverse corrugations. With the device installed, the weight of the Kalash will be 5600 g.
For AK 74 year of release, it is possible to install grenade launchers GP-25 of 40 mm caliber. To prevent the cover in the receiver from jumping off, the button in the return mechanism is held by a special latch. This model has a stock with a rubberized recoil pad. With GP-25 without cartridges and grenades, the weapon weighs 5200 g.
Short version
In 1979, the 5.45mm Kalashnikov assault rifle, known as the AKS74U (6P26), entered service. Designed at the arms factory in Tula. Unlike the basic version, AKS74U with a shortened barrel, lower muzzle velocity and accuracy. However, this assault rifle is considered to be quite fast-firing.
AKS74U was equipped with special forces soldiers of the Airborne Forces, police, signalmen, sappers and BM drivers. The machine is designed to destroy enemy manpower at a short distance. Also, a shortened AKC is convenient for use in a populated area. A bracket was developed for the rifle unit, with which a night vision sight can be attached to the machine gun. Ammunition is produced from magazines with a capacity of 20 and 30 ammunition. Shoots weapons with cartridges 5, 45x39 mm. sample 1974. Barrel length 21 cm. Target range reduced to500 m. The machine weighs no more than 2710 g. There are also options for shortened machine guns with sights for night shooting, with silencers (AKS74UB) and BS-1 grenade launchers.
The use of additional nozzles was reflected in the mass of shortened "Kalash". For example, with a night vision device, the machine weighs 4760 g, with PBS or BS-1 - 5430 g each.
