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.
