In 1970, on the basis of the standard AK-74 assault rifle, weapon designers created a new modernized version - the well-known AKS-74U. The reason that prompted the development of a more advanced model of the Kalashnikov assault rifle was the need for army personnel in a small-sized but effective weapon capable of hitting a target at a distance of at least 200 meters. The first result of the design work was the Kalashnikov 74-U.
Beginning of work on improvement
At the end of 1970, the military leadership of the Soviet Union expressed a desire to equip the army with small-sized weapons. Since the new samples were intended for mass use, weapons designers were tasked with re-equipping at the lowest cost. In order to save public funds and simplify the process, the developers decided not to create a completely new model, but to upgrade the existing AK-74.
Whatchanges?
AKS-74U is a standard 74th Kalashnikov assault rifle with a barrel shortened by half, a redesigned receiver cover, simplified sights and a muzzle - a special afterburner of powder gases, which acts as an expansion chamber and flame arrester. The design of the modernized compact assault rifle lacks a rate of fire retarder.
The result of design work
The AKS-74U assault rifle has reduced combat characteristics compared to its counterpart. The model does not have the necessary armor penetration. For this reason, it has not been widely used in the armed forces, as originally planned. Nevertheless, the AKS-74U is in demand in police and special forces units, which mainly carry out their combat missions in urban environments, where unpredictable ricochets are undesirable.
Who is the highly specialized modification intended for?
Folding AKS-74U was designed primarily to arm the paratroopers and crew of aircraft, crew guns and combat vehicles. The compact dimensions of the shortened assault rifle have been approved by law enforcement and security agencies.
Design experience in converting a long Kalashnikov assault rifle into such a small-sized model as the AKS-74U is used to create new models of camouflaged weapons intended for special services. This machine with its compactness compares favorably with its analogue. AKS-74U can be placed in a special diplomat and fixed sothat his handle will be fixed on the weapon. By pressing a certain button, the diplomat opens, and the hidden weapon, ready for firing, is in the hands. The small size of the AKS-74U is considered its strength. It can equally be used by members of the special forces of the KGB or the FSB to carry out secret missions, as well as by criminals.
Tactical and technical characteristics
The weapon has the following performance characteristics (TTX):
- AKS-74U has a length of 735 mm.
- Measures 490mm with stock folded.
- Barrel length - 210 mm.
- Highest shooting efficiency - at a distance of up to 400m.
- Direct shot range - 360 m.
- Burst speed - 100/1 min.
- Single fire speed - 40/1 min.
- Rate of fire - 735 rounds per minute.
- The cartridge AKS-74U has a caliber 5, 45x39 mm.
- Automatic magazine is designed for 30 rounds.
- The weight of the AKS-74U without ammunition is 2.71 kg.
What does a modernized Kalashnikov assault rifle consist of?
The design of the AKS-74U has the following elements:
- receiver with barrel;
- sighting device;
- folding stock;
- pistol grip;
- receiver cover;
- trigger mechanism;
- flame arrester;
- bolt frame containing gas piston;
- shutter;
- gas tube, which has a receiverlining;
- return mechanism;
- handguard;
- machine shop;
- belt.
What is provided for the machine?
Each fighter equipped with one unit of AKS-74U receives additional elements:
- case;
- ramrod;
- butter dish;
- screwdriver;
- four magazines (one is inserted into the machine, three additional ones are contained in a special bag);
- sighting device.
Sights
This product includes:
1. Rear sight. The design allows it to be used for shooting in two positions:
- “P” - at distances not exceeding 350 meters;
- “5” - shooting distance is 350-500 meters.
2. Self-luminous nozzle. Designed for the operation of weapons at night. The folding rear sight due to the wide slot is mounted on the rotary, the wide front sight is mounted on the front sight of the machine. The self-luminous nozzle when using weapons in the daytime is not removed, but is fixed in the lower position, allowing the shooter to use standard sights without any problems.
How does automation work?
The weapon works using the energy of powder gases, which are discharged from the barrel channel. During the shot, gases, pushing out the bullet, accumulate in the gas chamber through a special hole in the barrel wall. There they interact with the front wall of the gas piston, resulting in its displacement. In addition, the shutterthe bolt carrier is moved to the rear position. The shutter is designed to open the barrel channel, extract the cartridge case from the chamber and eject it outward. Due to the bolt frame, the return spring is compressed and the trigger is set to cock the self-timer. The AKS-74U return mechanism moves the frame and bolt from the rear to the front position. After sending a new cartridge into the chamber, the bore is closed. The trigger moves to the combat platoon position.
Ammunition for AKS-74U. Bullet specifications
For a shortened Kalashnikov assault rifle, bullets are provided:
- Ordinary, caliber 5, 45 mm. This type of bullet strikes the enemy's manpower, which is located in open areas or behind weak fences. The ammunition consists of a steel core, a jacket (tombac coating) and a lead jacket between them.
- Trace bullets. These ammunition perform three functions:
- hit enemy manpower;
- indicate target (mainly at night);
- correct shooting.
Tracer bullets consist of a head (contains a steel core) and bottom (contains a pressed tracer composition).
The AKS-74U cartridge contains a steel core that has the following penetrating qualities:
- at a distance of 500 meters, an AKS-74U bullet pierces a steel sheet 0.3 cm thick;
- from 210 m it pierces a sheet whose thickness is 0.5 cm;
- with 500m is able to break through a steel helmet (100% penetration);
- from 320 meters - damages body armor(probability of penetration is 50%);
- from 400 meters AKS-74U bullet pierces 200 mm thick pine beams;
- from 100 meters - a steel-core bullet gets stuck in brickwork at a depth of 8 cm;
- when it hits compacted loamy soil (parapet) from 400 m, the bullet gets stuck at a depth of 20 cm.
Modernized AK-74 variants
- AKS-74UN2 (night). This model contains, in contrast to the AKS-74U, a special bar designed for mounting night sights. Weapons equipped with a night universal modernized shooting sight (NSPUM) are used for shooting at night.
- AKS-74UB (silent). In the design of this machine, instead of a regular muzzle nozzle, a special thread is used, which allows you to mount a silencer on the barrel. In addition to the PBS, the AKS-74UB is equipped with a silent BS-1M underbarrel grenade launcher. The modernization carried out transforms this model of the Kalashnikov assault rifle into a silent small arms and grenade launcher system.
Izhevsk and Tula developments
- In Izhevsk, designers V. M. Kalashnikov and A. E. Dragunov converted the AKS-74U into a pistol - machine gun "Bizon - 2". The crafted weapon uses 9mm Makarov pistol cartridges.
- In the city of Tula, the AKS-74U was converted to fire 9mm ammunition and was named “Tees”.
- The symbiosis of the 30 mm BS-1 underbarrel grenade launcher and the silent version of the AKS-74U is a rifle-grenade launcher system“Canary”.
Identical to its analogue AKS-74U submachine gun "Veresk", designed at the Central Research Institute TOCHMASH. This submachine gun is inferior to the machine gun in firing range (calculated up to 400 meters). The strength of the model is the ability to install collimator sights, as well as lightness and compactness, exceeding these figures for the AKS-74U
Design work to improve the shortened Kalashnikov assault rifle is still being carried out today.
Maintenance of the machine. Operating Instructions
When caring for a weapon, it is provided for its complete and incomplete disassembly.
Incomplete disassembly of the AKS-74U is carried out during cleaning, lubrication and inspection of all components and mechanisms of weapons. To perform this procedure, you need:
- separate the magazine and check the chamber;
- remove the ramrod-pencil case with accessories from the bag;
- separate flash hider;
- open receiver;
- separate return mechanism;
- separate the bolt carrier and bolt;
- separate the gas tube with the handguard in it.
After completing these steps, incomplete disassembly is considered complete. AKS-74U is assembled in reverse order.
Complete disassembly is performed if the machine is heavily soiled or needs repair. To completely disassemble the machine, you need:
- partially disassemble;
- dismantle the automatic magazine;
- disassemble the return mechanism;
- trigger mechanism;
- shutter;
- separate the handguard of the machine.
After inspection and cleaning of all parts, the AKS-74U is going back.
To clean weapons from soot, the developers provide a special gun grease and a barrel cleaning solution (RCS). It is desirable to use these lubricants at a temperature not lower than 5 degrees Celsius. In winter, it is recommended to use winter RFS, after removing the remnants of summer grease. This can be done with a rag. AKS-74U can be stored in a warehouse for a long time if it is completely treated with RFS and wrapped first in inhibited (one layer) and then in paraffin paper.
AKS-74U was created during the improvement of the classic Kalashnikov assault rifle. Over time, modernization also affected this model: on its basis, “silent” and “night” versions were created, which were used in special services.
Nevertheless, the Kalashnikov assault rifle AKS-74U is still the most popular automatic weapon in the MIA system.
