The Avtomat Kalashnikova model of 1947 is a
gas operated, selective fire assault rifle designed from 1945 to 1946 by Soviet tank commander Mikhail Kalashnikov to fill the need for a rifle-caliber automatic infantry weapon within the Soviet military, after experiences against the German StG-44 which deeply influenced Soviet doctrine in the post-war years. It has become the single most prolific weapon ever created, with models in use by military and
police, or civilian consumers in nearly every country in the world. Chambered in the intermediate 7.62x39mm R.
The
AK-47 is best described as an amalgamation of several previous weapons designs. It has the Trigger, Double locking lugs, and unlocking raceway of the M1 Garand and M1 Carbine, the Safety mechanism of the John Browning designed Remington Model 8, and the layout and
gas system of the StG-44.
Versions of the
AK-47 include the following:
AK-47 Type 1/2(1948-1951) - Most rifles manufactured with a milled steel receiver.
AK-47 Type 3(1952) - All rifles manufactured with a milled steel receiver.
RPK - Handheld Automatic-Rifle variant with a longer barrel and a bipod.
AKM - Modernized variant with various improvements over the
AK-47.
AK-74 series - Series of the
AK-type rifle which replaced the
AK-47 in 1978. Chambered in 5.45x39mm
AK-101/
AK-102/
AK-103/AK-104 series - modernizations of the AK-74
AK-107/AK-108 series - incorporates a balanced bolt group, reducing muzzle
jump, vibrations, and felt recoil.
