AK-47 Russian 7.62mm Assault Rifle
AK-47
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Basic Information
Name
AK-47 Russian 7.62mm Assault Rifle
Designation
AK-47
Alternate Designation
—
Equipment Type
—
Manufacturer
Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov
Date of Introduction
1949
Description
HEZBOLLAH Proliferation. AK-47, also called Kalashnikov Model 1947, Soviet assault rifle, possibly the most widely used shoulder weapon in the world. The initials AK represent Avtomat Kalashnikova, Russian for ?automatic Kalashnikov,? for its designer, Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov, who designed the accepted version of the weapon in 1947. Almost from the moment of its official adoption by the Soviet military in 1949, the AK-47 was recognized as being simple to operate, rugged, reliable under trying conditions, and amenable to mass production.
Ground Specifications
Main Weapon
7.62mm
Range
0.4 km
Variants
AKS
Folding stock AK-47.
AKM
Improved AK-47, sights, magazine, and stock.
AKMS
Folding stock variant of AKM.
System
Alternative Designations
AK, Kalashnikov
Proliferation
HEZBOLLAH
Action
Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Feed
30-round curved box magazine
Fire Mode
Selective, automatic or semi-automatic
Rate of Fire (Cyclic)
600 rds/min
Rate of Fire (Practical Automatic)
100 rds/min
Rate of Fire (Practical Semiautomatic)
40 rds/min
Efective Firing Range
350 m
Feed System
30-round detachable box magazine
There are also 5- 10-, 20- and 40-round box and 75- and 100-round drum magazines available.
Dimensions
Length
870 mm
Barrel Length
415 mm
Empty Weight (w/o magazine)
3.8 kg
Loaded Weight (with magazine)
4.3 kg
Ammunition
57N2315
Type
Rifle
Caliber
7.62 mm
Cartdige
7.62×39mm
T-45
Type
Rifle
Caliber
7.62 mm
Cartrdige
7.62×39mm
57N231P
Type
Rifle
Caliber
7.62 mm
Cartdige
7.62×39mm
Magazine
Note
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 damage. These magazines are so strong that "Soldiers have been known to use their mags as hammers, and even bottle openers". This contributes to the AK-47 magazine being more reliable but makes it heavier than U.S. and NATO magazines.
Sights
Type
Fore, pillar; Rear, U-notch
Magnification
None
Night Sights Available
Yes
Note
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). 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.
Details
Country of Origin
Russia
Category
Rifles
Land > Infantry Weapons > Rifles
Filter Label
A
Classification
Domain
Ground
Equipment Status
Active
Dimensions
Length
0.87 m
Width
—
Height
0.87 m
Weight
3.8 kg
Operators (30)
China
Belarus
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Angola
Azerbaijan
Bangladesh
Benin
Botswana
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile
Non-State Actors
Caribbean
Central Asia
Eastern Africa
Eastern Europe
Middle Africa
Northern Africa
Northern Europe
Southern Africa
Southern Asia
Southern Europe
Western Africa
Western Asia
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