AK-47
Kalashnikov Concern (formerly Izhmash) · Assault Rifle · Discontinued · 1947
Also known as: Avtomat Kalashnikova, Type 56, Type 58, Kalash
Overview
The AK-47 is a select-fire assault rifle chambered in 7.62x39mm, produced by Kalashnikov Concern (formerly Izhmash) since 1947.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4300 g (151.7 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 4780 g (168.6 oz) |
| Overall Length | 869 mm (34.21") |
| Barrel Length | 415 mm (16.34") |
| Height | 190 mm (7.48") |
| Width | 45 mm (1.77") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Long Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 710 m/s (2329 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2010 J (1482 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 300 m (328 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 800 m (875 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 600 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 240 mm (9.45") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 7.62x39mm · primary — also known as 7.62x39mm Soviet, M43, 7.62mm Kalashnikov
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety Selector, Hammer Notch
- Features: Chrome Lined Barrel, Chrome Lined Chamber, Curved Magazine, Rotating Bolt, Select Fire
Variants
- AKM — Modernized
- AKMS — Folding Stock
- RPK — Light Machine Gun
- AK-74 — Different Caliber
- Type 56 — Chinese Copy
Service history
Operators
- Soviet Armed Forces · adopted 1949
- Russian Armed Forces · adopted 1991
- Chinese People's Liberation Army · adopted 1956 · as Type 56
- North Korean People's Army · adopted 1958 · as Type 58
- Egyptian Armed Forces · adopted 1960
- Iraqi Armed Forces · adopted 1960 · as Tabuk
- Vietnam People's Army · adopted 1956
- Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces · adopted 1959
Conflicts
- Vietnam War (1955-1975)
- Soviet-Afghan War (1979-1989)
- Six-Day War (1967-1967)
- Yom Kippur War (1973-1973)
- Angolan Civil War (1975-2002)
- Mozambican Civil War (1977-1992)
- Korean War (1950-1953)
- Hungarian Revolution (1956-1956)
Production
Estimated total produced: 75,000,000 · Production years: 1947-1975
Approximately 75 million AK-47 type rifles produced. Over 100 million AK-pattern rifles of all variants (including AKM, AK-74, and copies) manufactured worldwide.
Origin
Country of origin: Soviet Union
Designer: Mikhail Kalashnikov
Discontinued: 1975
Notes
Production of the original AK-47 with milled receiver ended in 1975, replaced by the modernized AKM variant with stamped receiver. The AK-47 designation is often colloquially used to refer to all AK-pattern rifles. The weapon's extreme durability stems from generous tolerances between moving parts, though this reduces accuracy compared to Western designs. Over 100 million AK-pattern rifles of all variants have been produced globally.
Background
The AK-47 is so iconic it appears on the national flag of Mozambique and the coat of arms of East Timor, Zimbabwe, and Burkina Faso. Mikhail Kalashnikov reportedly said he wished he had invented a lawnmower instead, given the death toll attributed to his creation.