Ak 47 characteristics lethal force. Video: Modernized Kalashnikov assault rifle - AKM

For firing from the AK-74 assault rifle, 5.45 mm 7n6 and 7n10 cartridges with ordinary (steel core), tracer and armor-piercing incendiary bullets are used.

Automatic or single fire is fired from the machine gun. Automatic fire is the main type of fire from a machine gun. It is fired in short (up to 5 shots), long (up to 10 shots) bursts and continuously. When firing, cartridges are supplied from a box magazine with a capacity of 30 rounds.

The most effective fire from an AK-74 assault rifle is fired at a distance of up to 500 m.

Tactical and technical characteristics of AKM and AK-74

The machine consists of the following main parts and mechanisms:

barrel with receiver, with sighting device, butt and pistol grip;

receiver covers;

bolt frame with gas piston;

• return mechanism;

  gas tube with receiver lining;

  trigger mechanism;

• store.

Main parts and mechanisms of the machine

IN machine gun kit includes:

accessories (cleaning rod and pencil case with accessories)

• shopping bag.

Affiliation

Belt and shopping bag

The automatic action of the AK-74 is based on the use of the energy of powder gases diverted from the barrel to the gas piston of the bolt frame.

Interaction of machine parts and mechanisms.

When fired, part of the powder gases following the bullet rushes through the hole in the upper part of the barrel into gas chamber, presses on the front wall of the gas piston and throws the piston and bolt frame with the bolt to the rear position. When moving back, the bolt turns, unlocks and opens the barrel, removes the cartridge case from the chamber and throws it out, and the bolt frame compresses the return spring and cocks the hammer (puts it on the self-timer).

The bolt frame with the bolt returns to the forward position under the action of the return mechanism, the bolt sends the next cartridge from the magazine into the chamber and, turning, closes and locks the barrel, and the bolt frame removes the self-timer protrusion (sear) from under the self-timer cocking of the trigger. The bolt is locked by turning it to the left and inserting the bolt lugs into the cutouts of the receiver.

Purpose and design of machine parts and mechanisms.

Trunk serves to direct the flight of the bullet. The inside of the barrel has a channel with four rifling, winding from left to right.

Muzzle brake compensator serves to increase the accuracy of combat when firing bursts from unstable positions (on the move, standing, kneeling), as well as to reduce recoil energy.

Front sight base has a stop for a ramrod and a bayonet-knife handle, a hole for a front sight slide, a front sight safety device and a retainer with a spring.

Gas chamber serves to direct powder gases from the barrel to the gas piston of the bolt frame.

Sighting device serves to aim the machine gun when firing at targets at various distances. It consists of a sight and a front sight.

Stock and pistol grip serve for convenience of automatic operation.

Coupling serves to attach the forend to the machine gun. It has a forearm lock, a sling swivel and a hole for a cleaning rod.

Receiver serves to connect the parts and mechanisms of the machine gun, ensure that the barrel bore is closed by the bolt and the bolt is locked; the trigger mechanism is placed in the receiver. It is closed with a lid on top.

Receiver cover protects parts and mechanisms placed in the receiver from contamination.

Bolt carrier with gas piston serves to activate the bolt and trigger mechanism.

Gate serves to send a cartridge into the chamber, close and lock the barrel bore, break the primer and remove the cartridge case (cartridge) from the chamber. The bolt consists of a frame, a firing pin, an ejector with a spring and an axis, and a pin.

Trigger mechanism serves to release the hammer from the combat cocking or cocking the self-timer, strike the firing pin, ensure automatic or single fire, stop firing, prevent shots when the bolt is unlocked, and put the safety on the machine gun.

Trigger mechanism is placed in the receiver, where it is attached with three interchangeable axes, and consists of a hammer with a mainspring, a hammer retarder with a spring, a trigger, a single fire sear with a spring, a self-timer with a spring and an interpreter.

Trigger with mainspring are used to strike the striker. The trigger serves to keep the hammer cocked and to release the hammer. The single-fire sear serves to hold the trigger in the rearmost position after firing, if the trigger was not released when firing a single fire.

Self-timer with spring serves to automatically release the trigger from cocking the self-timer when firing in bursts, as well as to prevent the trigger from being released when the barrel is open and the bolt is unlocked. The translator is used to set the machine gun to automatic or single fire mode, as well as to put the safety on.

Return mechanism serves to return the bolt frame with the bolt to the forward position. It consists of a return spring, a guide rod, a movable rod and a coupling.

Gas tube with barrel lining consists of a gas tube, front and rear connecting couplings, a barrel lining and a metal half ring. The gas tube serves to guide the movement of the gas piston. The barrel guard serves to protect the machine gunner’s hands from burns when shooting.

Shop serves to place cartridges and feed them into the receiver. It consists of a body, a cover, a locking bar, a spring and a feeder.

Bayonet knife attaches to the machine gun before an attack and serves to defeat the enemy in hand-to-hand combat.

Sheath used for carrying a bayonet-knife on a waist belt. In addition, they are used in conjunction with a bayonet for cutting wire.

Affiliation serves for disassembling, assembling, cleaning and lubricating the machine. Accessories include: cleaning rod, cleaning rod, brush, screwdriver, drift, pin, pencil case and oiler.

Purpose, combat properties And general device PM.

The 9 mm Makarov pistol is a personal weapon of attack and defense, designed to defeat the enemy at short distances.

This article will discuss weapons with a worldwide reputation, the development of which marked the beginning of an entire era in the field of domestic weapons design. The performance characteristics of the Kalashnikov assault rifle were improved from one model to another, but the principle of operation remained unchanged. The traditions laid down by the creator himself in his model also remained unbreakable: quality, reliability, simplicity and long service life.

History of creation...

The prerequisites for the development of a new weapon model were the results of the meeting technical council at the People's Commissariat of the USSR in July 1943, where the captured prototype of the German StG-44 and the American M1 Carbine was dismantled.

About a month later, a new experimental cartridge of 7.62 x 41 mm caliber was created, subsequently the cartridge was adjusted, and as a result the caliber was converted to 7.62 x 39 mm.

Later, a number of design competitions were announced, as a result of which the famous machine gun was developed.

In 1947, it was decided to start production of the machine gun in Izhevsk. And just two years later, two models were put into service: a standard AK with a caliber of 7.62 mm and a model with a folding stock - AKS - of the same caliber.

1959 was marked by the release of a modernized version of the machine. The flaws identified during operation were corrected, and based on the TKB-517 assault rifle already in use, new performance characteristics Kalashnikov assault rifle and the first machine gun based on the AKM was released.

Machine

The Kalashnikov assault rifle, performance characteristics and main parts were refined from one version of the product to another to increase efficiency, reliability and improve quality. However, the design features remained unchanged.

From the moment it entered service, the performance characteristics established at that time became the starting point for the non-stop development of design ideas. The types and shapes of butts, the shape of the handle, and the length of the barrel changed. Models of the hundredth series (in addition to the protrusions for fastening the bayonet-knife) have a socket for mounting. The fifth generation assault rifle (for example, AK-12) has provisions for mounting various types equipment, such as optical or collimator sights, laser designators or a flashlight. The quality, purpose, and performance characteristics of the Kalashnikov assault rifle are constantly improving.

Purpose of the main parts of the product

Now you should dwell directly on each component in order to understand which part serves what.

Trunk— intended to set the direction of flight of the bullet directly when fired.

Receiver- acts as a connector of all parts and mechanisms of the machine gun, ensures the closure of the barrel with the bolt and locking of the latter.

Receiver cover— helps protect the internal parts of the product (placed in the receiver) from contamination and penetration of foreign objects.

Sighting device— consists of a front sight and a sight. Designed to point the barrel of a machine gun at the target for the most effective shooting.

Butt- provides comfortable shooting along with the handle.

Bolt carrier - operates the bolt and firing mechanism. The bolt, in turn, sends the cartridge into the chamber, locks the barrel, breaks the capsule shell, and removes the cartridge case.

Return mechanism— brings the bolt frame and bolt to their original (front) position.

Gas tube and barrel lining— protect the shooter’s hands from burns, and also set the direction of movement of the gas piston.

Trigger mechanism— pulls the trigger, which is in the cocked (combat) position. Strikes the firing pin, thereby providing automatic fire in bursts or single shooting. Serves to stop firing, set the fuse to safety mode, and also prevents shots when the bolt is locked.

Handguard— serves for a comfortable grip on the machine gun body when shooting. Together with the gas tube, it protects the shooter’s palm from burns.

Shop- serves for storing and transporting machine gun cartridges, as well as feeding them into the chamber for firing in different positions.

Bayonet knife— when attached to a machine gun, it is used in a bayonet attack or any other type of close contact combat. Can be used as a knife, saw and wire cutter.

Performance characteristics of the Kalashnikov AK-74 and more

The modern model of the Kalashnikov AK-74M assault rifle has the following characteristics: the weight of the product is 3.6 kg without cartridges, 3.9 kg - loaded, 5.8 kg - without cartridges, but with the NSPUM model installed, while the NSPU-3 type sight is slightly lighter - only 0.1 kg.

An empty magazine weighs 0.23 kg, and the bayonet outside the sheath weighs only 0.32 kg.

The length of the machine gun is 940 millimeters, and with an attached bayonet - 1089 mm. With the stock unfolded, this figure already has a value of 943, and with the stock folded - 704 millimeters. With the advent of new models, the performance characteristics of the Kalashnikov assault rifle are undergoing changes.

The barrel length is 415 millimeters with the installed muzzle brake compensator and only 372 mm without it.

Width is also an integral part of the performance characteristics of the Kalashnikov assault rifle. It is 70 millimeters for a standard product. Height - 195 mm.

The principle of operation for all models is the same - a gas exhaust system for burnt gunpowder and a rotating bolt - despite the performance characteristics of the Kalashnikov assault rifle varying from one model to another.

5.45 - caliber of the modern AK-74M.

Performance characteristics of the Kalashnikov AKS-74U assault rifle and some interesting things

Short folding Kalashnikov assault rifle - this is the abbreviation of the name of this weapon. It is a shortened version of the standard AK-74, designed to conduct combat missions in a small confined space: to equip military transport crews in peaceful or combat conditions (for example, BTR-80), crews of all kinds of guns, as well as airborne units. It is in service with security structures and has proven itself in them due to its compactness and low weight.

It weighs about 3 kg with cartridges and 2.7 kg without them. The weight of the magazine is 0.21 kg; installation of an NSPUM sight weighing 2.2 kg is provided.

The length of the product is 730 millimeters with the butt unfolded, 490 - respectively, with the butt folded. The length of the barrel itself is 206 mm.

The rate of fire varies from 600 to 700 rounds per second. The target range is 500 meters, but the effective range is only 300.

A bullet fired from the AKS-74U is capable of developing an initial speed of 735 m/s.

Features of AKS-74U

In view of the global trend towards creating shortened versions of existing assault rifles, USSR designers in the 70s also took care of creating a compact model of an existing assault rifle.

Compared to the original version, “drying” (sometimes there are versions with the letter “h” instead of “w”) has the following features:

• a significantly shortened barrel with a mounted muzzle, which in turn serves as a flame arrester;
• the gas piston rod is shortened by almost half;
• The system for slowing down the rate of fire has been removed;
• The system for stabilizing the flight of a bullet with a shortened barrel has been improved.

Advantages

The main feature is the relatively high firing range for this type of weapon. But this is far from the only advantage. Should also be mentioned:

• due to its small dimensions, concealed carrying is possible;
• reliable, easy to disassemble, clean and reassemble;
• high penetration ability.

Flaws

Despite the high popularity of the AKS-74U, the product also has a number of disadvantages. Some of them lead to refusal to use this weapon, some require getting used to. It all depends on the desires and capabilities of the owner.

• First of all, significantly lower accuracy is noticeable to the naked eye compared to the original version of the product.
• The sighting range is similarly low when compared with the classic version of the machine gun.
• Low percentage of stopping effect. This term refers to a bullet parameter that determines the enemy’s ability to take further action after being hit by a bullet. In this case, the low indicator of this parameter is associated with the use of 5.45 caliber.
• The model overheats quickly due to its small size.

Kalashnikov assault rifle in popular culture

In a number African countries newborn boys are given the name “Kalash”. There are many versions of this naming.

One theory says that it is named after the hero of the film “22 Minutes” - a Somali pirate who helped the main character.

According to another version, it is argued that the name has no semantic connection with the Kalashnikov assault rifle, but means something in local dialects.

There is also a religious interpretation, rooted in totemistic religions based on the cult of patron ancestors. Such views are held by about 16% of the population of all Africa.

According to this interpretation, the Kalashnikov assault rifle is so famous all over the world that it is difficult to name a country that it would not have influenced. In particular, this weapon was also used in a number of armed conflicts in Africa.

In the end, it got to the point that a number of African tribes that used the famous Kalash identified this weapon with the spirit of a great ancestor, capable of both harming and protecting. Therefore, when a boy was born, and, therefore, a warrior, he was called “Kalash”, thereby implying that the future protector, support and hope of the whole family was growing.

But this is just one theory.

On many albums musical groups Images of a Kalashnikov assault rifle are used in different directions.

The song "Dragunov" by the Swedish Industrial band Raubtier mentions a Kalashnikov assault rifle in the following context:

«Dragunov and Stolichnaya

Smirnoff and Kalashnikoff."

This is the unusual use the Kalashnikov assault rifle has found. The device, purpose, performance characteristics are not involved in any way.

"Kalashnikov" on the coats of arms of countries around the world

The famous machine gun is or was present in different time on the coats of arms of several countries. For example, it is used on the coat of arms and (with an attached bayonet) in the heraldry of the state of Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso from 1987 to 1997.

Since 2007, the outlines of the Kalash have been used on the coat of arms of East Timor.

Also used in the emblem of the Vanguard of the Red Youth, a communist Bolshevik organization common in the states of the former USSR.

Coat of arms of the Ukrainian volunteer paramilitary association formed to eliminate local conflict on the territory of Donbass, also includes a Kalashnikov assault rifle.

For almost 70 years, several dozen modifications, prototypes and concepts of the most popular small arms in the world - a Kalashnikov assault rifle. The universal base allows you to design “guns” for almost any taste: folding, shortened, with a bayonet, optics or an under-barrel grenade launcher, for special services or individual branches of the military.

In this material we will tell you how to learn to distinguish between the main AK models and what their unique features are.

The classic, very first AK-47 adopted for service is difficult to confuse with anything else. Made of iron and wood, without any bells and whistles, it has long become a symbol of reliability and ease of use in any conditions. At the same time, it didn’t take long for the machine gun to become like this: it took Mikhail Kalashnikov several years to bring his creation to fruition.

In 1946, the military leadership of the USSR announced a competition to create an assault rifle chambered for an intermediate (in terms of destructive power - between a pistol and a rifle) cartridge. The new weapon had to be maneuverable, fast-firing, and have sufficient bullet lethality and shooting accuracy. The competition took place in several stages and was extended more than once, since none of the gunsmiths could give the required result. In particular, the commission sent AK-46 models No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 (with a folding metal stock) for revision.

The improved Kalashnikov assault rifle, which was given the index AK-47, as Sergei Monetchikov writes in the book “The History of the Russian Automatic,” was almost completely redesigned. The designs of competitors' weapons were borrowed best ideas, implemented in individual parts and entire units.

The machine gun did not have a classic solid stock. Taking into account the strong receiver, the separate wooden stock and fore-end contributed to holding the weapon during shooting. The design of the receiver was redesigned; it was fundamentally different from the previous ones with a special liner rigidly attached to it, connecting it to the barrel. In particular, a reflector of spent cartridges was attached to the insert.

The reloading handle, made integral with the bolt frame, was moved to the right side. This was demanded by test soldiers; they noted: the left-sided position of the handle interferes with shooting while moving on the move without stopping, touching the stomach. In the same position it is inconvenient to reload the weapon.

The transfer of controls to the right side of the receiver made it possible to create a successful fire switch (from single to automatic), which is also a fuse, made in the form of a single rotating part.

The large mass of the bolt frame and a powerful return spring ensured reliable operation mechanisms, including unfavorable conditions: when dusty, dirty, or thickened lubricant. The weapon turned out to be adapted for trouble-free operation in the range of air temperature changes up to 100 degrees Celsius.

The wooden parts of the new weapon - the butt, fore-end and receiver grip, as well as the pistol grip, made from birch blanks - were coated with three layers of varnish, which ensured their sufficient resistance to swelling in damp conditions.

AKS-47

Simultaneously with the AK-47, a model with the letter “C”, meaning “folding”, was also adopted. This version of the machine gun was intended for special forces and airborne forces; its difference was in the metal rather than wooden butt, which could also be folded under the receiver.

“Such a stock, consisting of two stamped-welded rods, a shoulder rest and a locking mechanism, ensured ease of handling of the weapon - in the stowed position, when traveling on skis, parachuting, as well as its use for firing from tanks, armored personnel carriers, etc. .”, writes Sergei Monetchikov.

The machine gun was supposed to be fired with the butt folded down, but if this was not possible, the weapon could also be fired with the butt folded. True, it was not very comfortable: the butt rods had insufficient rigidity and strength, and the wide shoulder rest did not fit into the hollow of the shoulder and therefore tended to move from there when firing in bursts.

AKM and AKMS

The modernized Kalashnikov assault rifle (AKM) was put into service 10 years after the AK-47 - in 1959. It turned out to be lighter, longer-range and easier to use.

“We, and especially the main customer, were not satisfied with the accuracy when shooting from stable positions, lying down from a rest, standing from a rest. A solution was found by introducing a trigger retarder, which increased the inter-cycle time, Kalashnikov wrote in the book “Notes of a Weapon Designer.” “Later, a muzzle compensator was developed, which made it possible to improve the accuracy of combat during automatic shooting from unstable positions, standing, kneeling, lying down from the hand.”

The retarder allowed the bolt frame to stabilize in the extreme forward position before the next shot, which affected the accuracy of fire. The muzzle compensator in the form of a petal was installed on the barrel thread, and was one of the obvious distinctive features AKM. Due to the compensator, the trunk cut was not vertical, but diagonal. By the way, mufflers could be attached to the same thread.

Improving the accuracy of fire made it possible to increase it sighting range up to 1000 meters, as a result, the aiming bar also changed, the range scale consisted of numbers from 1 to 10 (on the AK-47 - up to 8).

The butt was raised upward, which brought the resting point closer to the firing line. Changed external forms wooden forend. On the sides it received rests for the fingers. The phosphate-varnish coating, which replaced the oxide coating, increased the anti-corrosion resistance tenfold. Monetchikov notes that the store, made not from steel sheets, but from light alloys, has also undergone radical changes. To increase reliability and protect against deformation, the side walls of its body were reinforced with stiffeners.

The design of the bayonet-knife, attached under the barrel, was also new. A sheath with a rubber tip for electrical insulation allowed the knife to be used for cutting through barbed wire and live wires. Combat power The AKM increased significantly due to the possibility of installing the GP-25 Koster under-barrel grenade launcher. Like its predecessor, the AKM was also developed in a folding version with the letter “C” in the name.

AK-74

In the 1960s, the Soviet military leadership decided to develop small arms chambered for the low-impulse 5.45 mm caliber cartridge. The fact is that the AKM failed to achieve high accuracy of fire. The reason was that the cartridge was too powerful, which gave a strong impulse.

In addition, as Monetchikov writes, military trophies from South Vietnam — american rifles AR-15, the automatic version of which was later adopted by the US Army under the designation M-16. Even then, the AKM was inferior in many respects to the AR-15, in particular in terms of combat accuracy and hit probability.

“In terms of the difficulty of development, in terms of finding approaches, the construction of an assault rifle chambered for the 5.45-mm caliber can probably only be compared with the birth of the AK-47, the father of the entire family of our system. At first, when we decided to take the AKM automation scheme as a basis, one of the factory managers expressed the idea that there was no need to look for something and invent something here, they say, a simple re-barrel would be enough. “I marveled in my soul at the naivety of such a judgment,” Mikhail Kalashnikov recalled about that period. — Of course, change the barrel larger caliber for a smaller one it’s a simple matter. Then, by the way, the popular opinion began to circulate that we just changed the number “47” to “74”.

The main feature of the new machine was a two-chamber muzzle brake, which, when fired, absorbed approximately half the recoil energy. A rail for night sights was mounted on the left side of the receiver. The new rubber-metal design of the butt butt with transverse grooves reduced its sliding along the shoulder when conducting aimed shooting.

The handguard and stock were initially made of wood, but switched to black plastic in the 1980s. External feature the butt had grooves on both sides; they were made to lighten the overall weight of the machine gun. Shops were also made from plastic.

AKS-74

For the Airborne Forces, a modification with a folding stock was traditionally made, although this time it was retracted to the left along the receiver. It is believed that this decision was not very successful: when folded, the machine gun was wide and rubbed the skin when worn behind the back. When worn on the chest, it became inconvenient if it was necessary to fold back the butt without removing the weapon.

A leather cheek muff appeared on the upper side of the butt; it protected the shooter’s cheek from freezing to a metal part in winter conditions.

AKS-74U

Following the world fashion of the 1960-70s, the USSR decided to develop a small-sized machine gun that could be used in cramped combat conditions, mainly when shooting at close and medium distances. The next announced competition among designers was won by Mikhail Kalashnikov.

Compared to the AKS-74, the barrel was shortened from 415 to 206.5 millimeters, which is why the gas chamber had to be moved back. This, writes Sergei Monetchikov, entailed a change in the design of the front sight. Its base was made in conjunction with the gas chamber. This design also caused the sight to be moved closer to the shooter’s eye, otherwise the aiming line would be very short. Finishing the topic of the sight, we note that the machine guns of this model were equipped with self-luminous attachments for shooting at night and in conditions of limited visibility.

The greater pressure of the powder gases required the installation of a reinforced flame arrester. It was a cylindrical chamber with a bell (an extension in the form of a funnel) at the front. The flame arrester was mounted on the muzzle of the barrel, on a threaded fit.

The shortened machine gun was equipped with a more massive wooden fore-end and a gas tube receiver; it could use either standard 30-round magazines or shortened 20-round magazines.

For a more complete unification of the shortened machine gun with the AKS-74, it was decided to use the same butt, reclining on left side receiver.

AK-74M

This machine gun is a deep modernization of the weapon adopted for service in 1974. Saving everything best qualities, inherent in Kalashnikov assault rifles, the AK-74M acquired a number of new ones, which significantly improved its combat and operational characteristics.

The main feature of the new model was a folding plastic stock, replacing the metal one. It was lighter than its predecessors and similar in design to the permanent plastic stock of the AK-74 produced in the late 1980s. When worn, it clings less to clothing and does not cause discomfort when shooting in low or high temperature conditions.

The handguard and the barrel lining of the gas tube of the machine gun were made of glass-filled polyamide. By heat transfer new material almost indistinguishable from wood, which eliminated hand burns during prolonged shooting. Longitudinal ribs on the fore-end made it easier and more secure to hold the weapon during aimed fire.

"The hundredth series" (AK 101-109)

These modifications of the Kalashnikov, developed in the 1990s on the basis of the AK-74M, are called the first domestic family of commercial weapons, since they were intended more for export than for domestic consumption. In particular, they were designed for the NATO cartridge of 5.56 by 45 millimeters.

AK-102

AK-107

From the designs of the “100th” series machines (similar to best model 5.45 mm Kalashnikov assault rifle - AK74M) wooden parts are completely excluded. The butt and forearm of all are made of impact-resistant glass-filled polyamide in black color, for which this weapon, as Monetchikov writes, received the name “Black Kalashnikov” from the Americans. All models have plastic stocks that fold to the left along the receiver and a rail for mounting sights.

The most original in the “hundredth” series were the AK-102, AK-104 and AK-105 assault rifles. In their design, a breakthrough was made in increasing the level of unification between standard assault rifles and their shortened versions. Due to a slight increase in the overall length (by 100 millimeters compared to the AKS-74U), it became possible to leave the gas chamber in the same place as in the AK-74, thus allowing the use of a unified moving system and sighting devices on all machine guns of the series.

The “hundredth” series assault rifles differ from each other mainly in caliber, barrel length (314 - 415 millimeters), and sector sights designed for different ranges (from 500 to 1000 meters).

AK-9

This machine gun was also developed on the basis of the AK-74M; it also used developments from the “hundredth” series. Same black color, same polymer folding stock. The main difference from the classic Kalashnikovs can be considered a shortened barrel and a gas exhaust mechanism. Experts call the new pistol grip, which has better ergonomics, an important improvement.

The machine gun was created as a silent, flameless rifle system for covert shooting. It uses subsonic 9x39 mm cartridges, which together with a silencer make the shot almost inaudible. Magazine capacity - 20 rounds.

The forend has a special strip for various removable equipment - flashlights, laser pointers.

AK-12

Most modern machine gun of the Kalashnikov family, the tests of which have not yet been completed. From external changes The use of Picatinny rails for attaching attachments is striking. Unlike the AK-9, they are both on the forend and on top of the receiver. In this case, the lower bar does not interfere with installation underbarrel grenade launchers- this option is saved. The AK-12 also has two short rails on the sides of the handguard and one on top of the gas chamber.

In addition, the butt of the machine gun is easily removed and can be folded in both directions. On top of that, it is telescopic; the cheekpiece and butt plate are adjustable in height. There is also a variant of the machine gun with a stationary, lighter plastic butt.

The fire switch safety flag is duplicated on the left side; the machine gun can fire single, short series of three shots, and in automatic mode. And in general, all the controls of the machine gun are made in such a way that a soldier can use them with one hand, including changing the magazine and pulling the bolt. By the way, a variety of magazines can be used, up to an experimental drum with 95 rounds

The new assault rifle, developed by M. T. Kalashnikov, was adopted by the army in 1949. The shortened 7.62x39 M 43 cartridges and the Kalashnikov AK 47 assault rifle became a significant achievement in the USSR defense industry. Only M. T. Kalashnikov was able to achieve the combination of all the necessary technical characteristics of a weapon with the principle of removing powder gases from the barrel.

In September 1941, as a tank commander, he, then a sergeant, was seriously wounded and while on leave for injury he tried himself as a weapons designer, and in 1942 he created his first machine gun. This weapon, equipped with Tokarev cartridges, had a barrel without a casing, a second pistol grip in front of the magazine and a folding metal shoulder rest. This machine gun, like the next one - 9 mm caliber, was not produced. And yet, Kalashnikov was included in the Moscow design team and focused on developing an assault rifle for new shortened cartridges. The prototype was ready in 1946, and then it was improved and eventually registered for competition. Kalashnikov presented two prototypes and documentation for the project.

According to the terms of the competition, he called them a special code: the name consisted of the initial letters of his name and patronymic Mikhtim. In his memoirs, Kalashnikov describes this competition as follows: “I felt quite confident until such aces as Degtyarev, Simonov and Shpagin appeared... Who did I want to measure my strength with? After the first tests, some samples were completely rejected and not even recommended for improvement. For a designer, this is a heavy blow when the work of many sleepless nights suddenly it turns out not to be in demand. However, this is better than the defeat of a thousand soldiers because of your weapon. My Mikhtim was one of three models that were recommended for appropriate improvement before new tests... The second test was to take place in conditions closest to combat.

A loaded machine gun was placed in swamp water, then someone ran with it for a while and opened fire as they ran. The machine was contaminated with sand and dust. However, he shot, and not bad, although he was completely covered in mud. Even after the machine was dropped several times from a great height onto a cement floor, there were no malfunctions or interference during reloading. This merciless examination ended with an unequivocal conclusion: “The 7.62 mm assault rifle developed by Kalashnikov should be recommended for adoption.”
This is how this machine gun appeared, which became the prototype of a whole generation of weapons.

The Soviet armed forces have been equipped with Kalashnikov assault rifles since 1949. Motorized rifle squads, security and service units of the air force and naval forces received a version with a stationary wooden butt; airborne troops, tank crews and special units- modification with a folding metal shoulder rest. In the Soviet Union, the assault rifle was officially called an automatic weapon of the Kalashnikov system (Kalashnikov assault rifle); in specialized literature, the abbreviations AK and AK 47 are used. In the specialized press and literature of other countries, this assault rifle is often referred to as assault rifle, and the version with a folding metal shoulder rest is often called AKS, or AKS 47.

The Kalashnikov AK 47 assault rifle operates on the principle of removing the energy of powder gases from the barrel. Locking is carried out by the lugs of the bolt rotating around its axis. The pressure of the powder gases that arises after the shot acts through the hole in the barrel on the gas piston and on the bolt, which, when reverse stroke turns out of its locking device in the housing. The barrel rifling pitch length is 240 mm. Even at very high or low temperatures the weapon shoots flawlessly. To supply ammunition, horn magazines made of steel or light metal with 30 rounds are used. On the right side there is a safety lever, which is also used as a fire switch.

Although the weapon has a fairly short aiming line (378 mm), good accuracy is achieved when shooting: for example, with a single fire from a distance of 300 m it is 25 and 30 cm. Range effective action Kalashnikov assault rifle is 400 m with single fire, 300 m with burst fire, 500 m with group fire, 800 m with group fire, and 400 m with air targets. The bullet retains its penetrating power up to 1500 m. Practical The rate of fire is 40 rds/min with single fire, and 90 to 100 rds/min with automatic fire.

IN sighting device includes a mobile sector sight, mounted at a range from 100 to 800 m, and a front sight with side protection, mounted on a rather high protruding holder. The version with a folding metal stock has a length of 645 mm, with the stock folded down - 880 mm. A bayonet can be used for both versions. A ramrod is attached under the barrel. A Kalashnikov assault rifle can be disassembled with just a few movements and without special tools. Since 1959, the Kalashnikov assault rifle has been produced in a modified version: the AKM model - with a stationary wooden or plastic butt and the AKMS model - with a folding metal shoulder rest. The length of both models corresponds to the length of the first versions. Both the barrel length and the length of the aiming line are identical.

But there are also differences. AKM and AKMS assault rifles weigh significantly less. The trigger is equipped with an additional lock for single-fire mode. This ensures that only one cartridge is ignited. The stock, stock and shift lever have also been improved. In addition, a new bayonet was developed that can be used as a saw or as scissors for cutting wire fences. The length of the weapon with a bayonet installed is 1020 mm. Further improvements were aimed at hitting accuracy. A few years later, the outlet of the Kalashnikov assault rifle barrel began to be equipped with an asymmetrical compensator, which had a positive effect on the stability of the weapon when firing in bursts. Hitting accuracy has been significantly improved. In addition, the second version of the weapon has a larger target firing range and can be equipped with an additional sight for shooting in the dark, as well as an active or passive night vision device.

The Kalashnikov assault rifle was the model for the Israeli-developed Galil automatic rifles. Finnish designers also focused on Soviet machine guns when they developed automatic rifles of models 60,62 and 82 of the Valmet weapon system. The design principle of the Kalashnikov assault rifle has decisively influenced small arms development projects in many countries. According to experts, until mid-1985, more than 50 million Kalashnikov-type assault rifles were produced. Weapons of this system, as experts from many countries are convinced, are one of the most common modern models small arms of the world. It can be used in any combat and extreme situations. climatic conditions. This applies not only to machine guns, but also to light and universal machine guns of the same system. The AK 47, AKS 47, AKM and AKMS assault rifles have a caliber of 7.62 mm, the AK/AKS 74 assault rifles have a caliber of 5.45 mm, light machine guns type RPK - 7.62 mm and RPK 74 - 5.45 mm. Universal machine guns of the PK/PKS and PKM/PKMS models are equipped with 7.62x54 R rifle cartridges.

Tactical and technical characteristics of the AK 47 assault rifle

“Optimists can learn English, pessimists can learn Chinese, and realists can learn a Kalashnikov assault rifle.”

The science of how to distinguish between Kalashnikov assault rifle models

AK (AK-47)

The classic, very first AK-47 adopted for service is difficult to confuse with anything else. Made of iron and wood, without any bells and whistles, it has long become a symbol of reliability and ease of use in any conditions. At the same time, it didn’t take long for the machine gun to become like this: it took Mikhail Kalashnikov several years to bring his creation to fruition.

In 1946, the military leadership of the USSR announced a competition to create an assault rifle chambered for an intermediate (in terms of destructive power - between a pistol and a rifle) cartridge. The new weapon had to be maneuverable, fast-firing, and have sufficient bullet lethality and shooting accuracy. The competition took place in several stages and was extended more than once, since none of the gunsmiths could give the required result. In particular, the commission sent AK-46 models No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 (with a folding metal stock) for revision.

The improved Kalashnikov assault rifle, which was given the index AK-47, as Sergei Monetchikov writes in the book “The History of the Russian Automatic,” was almost completely redesigned. The best ideas were borrowed from the designs of competitors' weapons, implemented in individual parts and entire assemblies.

The machine gun did not have a classic solid stock. Taking into account the strong receiver, the separate wooden stock and fore-end contributed to holding the weapon during shooting. The design of the receiver was redesigned; it was fundamentally different from the previous ones with a special liner rigidly attached to it, connecting it to the barrel. In particular, a reflector of spent cartridges was attached to the insert.

The reloading handle, made integral with the bolt frame, was moved to the right side. This was demanded by test soldiers; they noted: the left-sided position of the handle interferes with shooting while moving on the move without stopping, touching the stomach. In the same position it is inconvenient to reload the weapon.

The transfer of controls to the right side of the receiver made it possible to create a successful fire switch (from single to automatic), which is also a fuse, made in the form of a single rotating part.

The large mass of the bolt frame and a powerful return spring ensured reliable operation of the mechanisms, including in adverse conditions: dusty, dirty, thickened lubricant. The weapon turned out to be adapted for trouble-free operation in the range of air temperature changes up to 100 degrees Celsius.

The wooden parts of the new weapon - the butt, fore-end and receiver grip, as well as the pistol grip, made from birch blanks - were coated with three layers of varnish, which ensured their sufficient resistance to swelling in damp conditions.

AKS (AKS-47)

Simultaneously with the AK-47, a model with the letter “C”, meaning “folding”, was also adopted. This version of the machine gun was intended for special forces and airborne forces; its difference was in the metal rather than wooden butt, which could also be folded under the receiver.

“Such a stock, consisting of two stamped-welded rods, a shoulder rest and a locking mechanism, ensured ease of handling of the weapon - in the stowed position, when moving on skis, parachuting, as well as its use for firing from tanks, armored personnel carriers, etc. .”, writes Sergei Monetchikov.

The machine gun was supposed to be fired with the butt folded down, but if this was not possible, the weapon could also be fired with the butt folded. True, it was not very comfortable: the butt rods had insufficient rigidity and strength, and the wide shoulder rest did not fit into the hollow of the shoulder and therefore tended to move from there when firing in bursts.

AKM and AKMS

The modernized Kalashnikov assault rifle (AKM) was put into service 10 years after the AK-47 - in 1959. It turned out to be lighter, longer-range and easier to use.

“We, and especially the main customer, were not satisfied with the accuracy when shooting from stable positions, lying down from a rest, standing from a rest. We found a way out by introducing a trigger retarder, which increased the inter-cycle time,” Kalashnikov wrote in the book “Notes of a Gunsmith Designer.” Later, a muzzle compensator was developed, which made it possible to improve the accuracy of combat during automatic shooting from unstable positions, standing, kneeling, lying down from the hand."

The retarder allowed the bolt frame to stabilize in the extreme forward position before the next shot, which affected the accuracy of fire. The muzzle compensator in the form of a petal was installed on the barrel thread, and was one of the obvious distinctive features of the AKM. Due to the compensator, the trunk cut was not vertical, but diagonal. By the way, mufflers could be attached to the same thread.

Improving the accuracy of fire made it possible to increase its sighting range to 1000 meters, as a result, the aiming bar also changed, the range scale consisted of numbers from 1 to 10 (on the AK-47 - up to 8).

The butt was raised upward, which brought the resting point closer to the firing line. The external shape of the wooden forend has changed. On the sides it received rests for the fingers. The phosphate-varnish coating, which replaced the oxide coating, increased the anti-corrosion resistance tenfold. Monetchikov notes that the store, made not from steel sheets, but from light alloys, has also undergone radical changes. To increase reliability and protect against deformation, the side walls of its body were reinforced with stiffeners.

The design of the bayonet-knife, attached under the barrel, was also new. A sheath with a rubber tip for electrical insulation allowed the knife to be used for cutting through barbed wire and live wires. The combat power of the AKM increased significantly due to the possibility of installing the GP-25 Koster under-barrel grenade launcher. Like its predecessor, the AKM was also developed in a folding version with the letter “C” in the name.

AK-74

In the 1960s, the Soviet military leadership decided to develop small arms chambered for the low-impulse 5.45 mm caliber cartridge. The fact is that the AKM failed to achieve high accuracy of fire. The reason was that the cartridge was too powerful, which gave a strong impulse.

In addition, as Monetchikov writes, military trophies from South Vietnam also ended up in the hands of Soviet military specialists - American AR-15 rifles, the automatic version of which was later adopted by the US Army under the designation M-16. Even then, the AKM was inferior in many respects to the AR-15, in particular in terms of combat accuracy and hit probability.

“In terms of the difficulty of development, in terms of finding approaches, the design of an assault rifle chambered for the 5.45-mm caliber can probably only be compared with the birth of the AK-47 - the father of the entire family of our system. At first, when we decided to take the AKM automatic circuit as a basis, one one of the factory managers expressed the idea that there was no need to look for something here and invent something, they say, a simple re-barrel would be enough. I marveled in my soul at the naivety of such a judgment, - Mikhail Kalashnikov recalled about that period. - Of course, changing a barrel of a larger caliber to a smaller one is a matter Then, by the way, the popular opinion began to circulate that we just changed the number “47” to “74”.

The main feature of the new machine gun was a two-chamber muzzle brake, which, when firing, absorbed approximately half of the recoil energy. A rail for night sights was mounted on the left side of the receiver. The new rubber-metal design of the butt butt with transverse grooves reduced its sliding along the shoulder when conducting aimed shooting.

The handguard and stock were initially made of wood, but switched to black plastic in the 1980s. The external feature of the butt was grooves on both sides; they were made to lighten the overall weight of the machine. Shops were also made from plastic.

AKS-74

For the Airborne Forces, a modification with a folding stock was traditionally made, although this time it was retracted to the left along the receiver. It is believed that this decision was not very successful: when folded, the machine gun was wide and rubbed the skin when worn behind the back. When worn on the chest, it became inconvenient if it was necessary to fold back the butt without removing the weapon.

A leather cheek muff appeared on the upper side of the butt; it protected the shooter’s cheek from freezing to a metal part in winter conditions.

AKS-74U
Following the world fashion of the 1960-70s, the USSR decided to develop a small-sized machine gun that could be used in cramped combat conditions, mainly when shooting at close and medium distances. The next announced competition among designers was won by Mikhail Kalashnikov.

Compared to the AKS-74, the barrel was shortened from 415 to 206.5 millimeters, which is why the gas chamber had to be moved back. This, writes Sergei Monetchikov, entailed a change in the design of the front sight. Its base was made in conjunction with the gas chamber. This design also caused the sight to be moved closer to the shooter’s eye, otherwise the aiming line would be very short. Finishing the topic of the sight, we note that the machine guns of this model were equipped with self-luminous attachments for shooting at night and in conditions of limited visibility.

The greater pressure of the powder gases required the installation of a reinforced flame arrester. It was a cylindrical chamber with a bell (an extension in the form of a funnel) at the front. The flame arrester was mounted on the muzzle of the barrel, on a threaded fit.

The shortened machine gun was equipped with a more massive wooden fore-end and a gas tube receiver; it could use either standard 30-round magazines or shortened 20-round magazines.

To more completely unify the shortened machine gun with the AKS-74, it was decided to use the same butt, which folds onto the left side of the receiver.

AK-74M

This machine gun is a deep modernization of the weapon adopted for service in 1974. Having retained all the best qualities inherent in Kalashnikov assault rifles, the AK-74M acquired a number of new ones that significantly improved its combat and operational characteristics.

The main feature of the new model was a folding plastic stock, replacing the metal one. It was lighter than its predecessors and similar in design to the permanent plastic stock of the AK-74 produced in the late 1980s. When worn, it clings less to clothing and does not cause discomfort when shooting in low or high temperature conditions.

The handguard and the barrel lining of the gas tube of the machine gun were made of glass-filled polyamide. In terms of heat transfer, the new material was almost no different from wood, which eliminated hand burns during prolonged shooting. Longitudinal ribs on the fore-end made it easier and more secure to hold the weapon during aimed fire.

"The hundredth series" (AK 101-109)

These modifications of the Kalashnikov, developed in the 1990s on the basis of the AK-74M, are called the first domestic family of commercial weapons, since they were intended more for export than for domestic consumption. In particular, they were designed for the NATO cartridge of 5.56 by 45 millimeters.

Wooden parts are completely excluded from the designs of the "100th" series assault rifles (similar to the best model of the 5.45 mm Kalashnikov assault rifle - AK74M). The butt and forearm of all are made of impact-resistant glass-filled polyamide in black color, for which this weapon, as Monetchikov writes, received the name “Black Kalashnikov” from the Americans. All models have plastic stocks that fold to the left along the receiver and a rail for mounting sights.

The most original in the “hundredth” series were the AK-102, AK-104 and AK-105 assault rifles. In their design, a breakthrough was made in increasing the level of unification between standard assault rifles and their shortened versions. Due to a slight increase in the overall length (by 100 millimeters compared to the AKS-74U), it became possible to leave the gas chamber in the same place as in the AK-74, thus allowing the use of a unified moving system and sighting devices on all machine guns of the series.

The "hundredth" series assault rifles differ from each other mainly in caliber, barrel length (314 - 415 millimeters), and sector sights designed for different ranges (from 500 to 1000 meters).

This machine gun was also developed on the basis of the AK-74M; it also used developments from the “hundredth” series. Same black color, same polymer folding stock. The main difference from the classic Kalashnikovs can be considered a shortened barrel and a gas exhaust mechanism. Experts call the new pistol grip, which has better ergonomics, an important improvement.

The machine gun was created as a silent, flameless rifle system for covert shooting. It uses subsonic 9x39 mm cartridges, which together with a silencer make the shot almost inaudible. Magazine capacity - 20 rounds.

The forend has a special strip for various removable equipment - flashlights, laser pointers.

The most modern assault rifle of the Kalashnikov family, testing of which has not yet been completed. One of the most striking external changes is the use of Picatinny rails for attaching attachments. Unlike the AK-9, they are both on the forend and on top of the receiver. At the same time, the lower bar does not interfere with the installation of under-barrel grenade launchers - this option is retained. The AK-12 also has two short rails on the sides of the handguard and one on top of the gas chamber.

In addition, the butt of the machine gun is easily removed and can be folded in both directions. On top of that, it is telescopic; the cheekpiece and butt plate are adjustable in height. There is also a variant of the machine gun with a stationary, lighter plastic butt.

The fire switch safety flag is duplicated on the left side; the machine gun can fire single, short series of three shots, and in automatic mode. And in general, all the controls of the machine gun are made in such a way that a soldier can use them with one hand, including changing the magazine and pulling the bolt. By the way, a variety of magazines can be used, up to an experimental drum with 95 rounds.