AVTOMAT KALASHNIKOV introduced 1974. more modern version of the AK-47.
russian/communist bloc equivalent to the AR-15/
M-16. main idea was to use smaller rounds so more ammo could be carried. that idea was stolen from the US forces use of the .223 remington, or
5.56 x 45 round.
the idea behind it was is a .
22 cak round moving extremely fast has the same energy as a 30 caliber round moving slower.
same size as an AK-47. unlike the ak-47 which shoots 30 caliber 7.62 x 39 rounds, the ak-74 shoots
22 caliber
5.45x39 rds
the russians replaced their
AK-
47 main battle rifles with AK-74 rifles because they could
carry more smaller rounds for the same weight.