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“Encyclopedia of world weapons. Welcome to the M.T. Memorial Internet Museum

The first damn thing is lumpy. This saying fully reflects the beginning of the path along which the Kalashnikov model 47 assault rifle went. In 1946, the Soviet government announced a competition for the development of automatic weapons chambered for 7.62 caliber.

At the first stage of the competition, drawings of the future weapon were presented. Among many drawings, the commission selected three candidates for further testing, among them were the drawings of Mikhail Timofeevich Kalashnikov.

Kalashnikov assault rifle AK-47 (photo)

The history of the creation of the Kalashnikov assault rifle

“There are wonderful weapons, so beautiful that you want to pick them up and hug them.”
“Mikhail Kalashnikov is a soldier who knows how to draw”

Suzanne Viau, 1991

To participate in the second stage, which took place in November 1946, Kalashnikov produced 5 samples, called AK-46. Three copies had different properties, AK-47 with a wooden stock and two with a metal folding stock. The cocking trigger and the bolt cocking hook were located on the left side of the receiver, there was also a fire mode switch and, separately, a fuse.

The machine consisted of two main parts:

first- barrel with fore-end, receiver and magazine socket;
second- trigger box with butt, pistol grip and trigger guard.

During assembly, the parts were connected with a pin passing through the holes in the receiver and trigger boxes. When testing the AK-47 without a stock, none of the competition participants satisfied the conditions for reliability and accuracy of fire.

All subjects were sent for revision.

The AK-46 has undergone a radical redesign.

The cocking hook was moved to the right side. The fire mode switch and safety have been combined and also moved to the right side.

When in the “on safety” position, the switch closed the cutout on the receiver cover for moving the cocking hook and prevented dust and dirt from getting inside. The receiver cover began to completely cover the trigger mechanism. The machine gun stock and bolt frame were combined with a rod. The barrel length was reduced by 80 mm.

In this form, the AK-46 entered final testing. Thanks to the changes made, it was possible to increase the reliability of the weapon and reduce firing failures, but the accuracy of fire remained below the requirements. Despite this, the commission decided to allow the AK-46 into production, and in the future solve the problem of high accuracy of fire.

a decree was issued Decree of the Council of Ministers of the USSR on the adoption of the AK-47 and AKS-47

On July 18, 1949, a Decree of the Council of Ministers of the USSR was issued on the adoption of the AK-47 and AKS-47 (with a folding stock). The cost of manufacturing the first batches was very high, since the receiver was made by milling and there was a large percentage of defects.

Subsequently, the receiver began to be stamped, which had a positive effect on production costs. Changes were regularly made to the design of the AK-47 to improve its performance characteristics. And in 1959, production of AKM (Kalashnikov AK-47 assault rifle, modernized) began.

Performance characteristics of the AK-47

AK-47 weight

The first AK-47 models , those produced before 1959 were significantly heavier than subsequent ones. This was due to the technology of manufacturing the receiver.

weight without bayonet and magazine was 3.8 kg;
weight with attached empty magazine 4.3 kg;
weight with loaded magazine - 4.876 kg;
weight with attached bayonet and loaded magazine 5.09 kg.

AKM had the following weight indicators:

with an attached empty magazine - 3.1 kg;
without a bayonet, with a loaded magazine - 3.6 kg (AKMS - 3.8 kg)

Depending on the model of the machine, its weight also changes. Short barrel models are lighter than regular models. The use of plastic instead of wood in the manufacture of the butt and fore-end, as well as the replacement of the steel magazine with a plastic one, significantly reduced the weight of the machine and the ease of use. However, the AKS47 and AKMS models weighed a little more due to the presence of a steel folding stock.

The device of the AK-47 assault rifle

The combat AK-47 consists of the following main parts:

trunk;
receiver;
sighting device;
receiver cover;
butt and pistol grip;
bolt carrier with gas piston;
gate;
return mechanism;
gas tube with receiver lining;
trigger mechanism;
forend;
shop;
bayonet knife.

The modernized AK-47 differs from the design of the AKM and subsequent models in the absence of a muzzle brake-compensator, a greater arc curvature of the magazine and a low position of the butt heel in relation to the line of the weapon.

The device of the AK-47 assault rifle

Trunk

The barrel is fixedly fixed to the receiver without the possibility of its detachment. The barrel is rifled, with 4 rifling, running from left to top to right, which serve to impart rotational movement to the bullet. There is a chamber in the breech of the barrel, and at the opposite end there is a stand with a front sight. In the center of the barrel there is a hole for removing powder gases.

Receiver

The receiver serves to collect all parts and mechanisms into a single whole. The trigger mechanism is placed inside the receiver.

Sighting device

Serves to point the weapon at the target when firing.

Receiver cover

Serves to protect the internal parts of the receiver from contamination.

Stock and pistol grip

Serve for ease of handling weapons.

Bolt carrier with gas piston

Necessary for actuating the bolt and trigger mechanism

Gate

It sends a cartridge into the chamber, locks the barrel during a shot, breaks the primer and removes the cartridge case from the chamber after the shot.

Return mechanism

Using a spring, it returns the bolt carrier and bolt to the forward position.

Gas tube with barrel lining

The tube serves to direct the movement of the gas piston, and the pad protects your hands from burns.

Trigger mechanism

It is placed inside the receiver and serves to release the bolt and strike the firing pin. Provides firing in single or burst modes. Allows you to put the weapon on safety.

Handguard

Protects hands from burns and provides convenience when using weapons.

Shop

Serves to place cartridges in it and feed them into the receiver.

Bayonet knife

In a closed state, it is used to defeat enemy personnel in hand-to-hand combat. When unfastened, it's like a knife.

Operating principle

To understand the principle of operation of the AK-47, it is necessary to understand three stages in the operation of the mechanisms of this machine gun.

Stage 1: position of parts and mechanisms before loading

The firing mode switch is in the “on safety” position and closes the cutout in the receiver cover along which the bolt hook moves. The gas piston with the bolt frame and bolt, under the action of the return spring, are in the extreme forward position. The bore is locked with a bolt. The trigger is in the extreme forward position.

Stage 2: position of parts and mechanisms during loading

To load a weapon, you need to attach a magazine with cartridges, move the fire mode switch to the “automatic fire” position, and move the bolt to the rearmost position by hand. At the same time, the bolt unlocks the barrel bore, the trigger is positioned on the firing trigger.

The bolt, which is pulled back all the way, should be released; under the action of a spring, it moves forward from its rearmost position, with its lower plane it pushes the upper cartridge out of the magazine, sends it into the barrel bore and locks it there.

Stage 3: firing a shot

The shot is fired by pressing the tail of the trigger. The trigger, under the action of the mainspring, strikes the firing pin, which breaks the cartridge primer with its striker. The energy from the broken primer ignites the gunpowder in the cartridge case. From the sudden ignition of gunpowder, the bullet begins to move along the barrel. As soon as it passes the gas outlet hole, part of the energy of the powder gases goes into this hole, where they press on the piston, which moves the bolt frame back, dragging the bolt along with it.

Moving back, the bolt ejects the empty cartridge case and releases the chamber.

Shots in the "automatic fire" mode will continue as long as the trigger is pressed or until the cartridges run out.

To fire shots in the “single shooting” mode, you must press the tail of the trigger for each shot.

AK modifications

As already mentioned, in 1949, two types of assault rifles were adopted - AK-47 and AKS-47. The second option was equipped with a metal stock folding down.

AKS-47 - tactical

These modifications were replaced in 1959 by the AKM - a modernized Kalashnikov assault rifle. It was lighter, more reliable and easier to handle. Due to changes in the production technology of the receiver it is also cheaper.

Which was modified, which made it possible to improve the characteristics of the Kalashnikov in terms of such a parameter as accuracy of fire. At the end of the barrel there was a thread for installing a compensator or muffler. A mount for an under-barrel grenade launcher has also appeared.

Among the varieties was, as before, the Kalashnikov AKS-47 assault rifle with a folding metal butt. These models, equipped with night vision devices, were called AKMN and AKMSN.

Modification of AK-47 (AKM and AKMS)

Automatic AKS 47

In 1974, the AK-74 chambered for 5.45 mm caliber was adopted. The design of the AK-47 has changed to accommodate a smaller caliber cartridge, which has a positive effect on tactical and technical characteristics weapons. When firing a lighter bullet, weapon vibrations decreased, which, along with the use of a new muzzle brake-compensator, increased shooting accuracy.

Automatic AK-47 (AKS-47)

After the adoption of the 7.62-mm intermediate cartridge designed by N. M. Elizarov and B. V. Semin into service in 1943, work began on the creation new system small arms chambered for this cartridge. To replace submachine guns, a new individual automatic weapon was developed - an assault rifle with a replaceable magazine and a fire mode switch; repeating carbine - a self-loading carbine with a permanent magazine; rifle caliber light machine gun - lightweight light machine gun with magazine or belt feed. Work on the machine gun was started by A.I. Sudaev, who created a number of original designs in 1944, then other designers became involved. In 1946, the novice designer Mikhail Timofeevich Kalashnikov presented his model. The assault rifle he developed successfully passed tests and surpassed V.A. Degtyarev, S.G. Simonov, N.V. Rukavishnikov, K.A. Baryshev and others in terms of the totality of design indicators. At the end of the 40s, the assault rifle was adopted for service under designation AK-47 (Kalashnikov assault rifle model 1947) or simply AK.

AK automatics operate by removing powder gases through a side hole in the wall of the barrel bore. A gas piston with a rod is rigidly connected to the bolt frame. After the bolt frame moves away to the required distance under the action of gas pressure, the exhaust gases escape into the atmosphere through holes in the gas tube. The barrel bore is locked by turning the bolt, while the two lugs of the bolt fit into the corresponding grooves of the receiver. The shutter is rotated by bevelling the bolt frame. The bolt frame is the leading element of the automation: it sets the direction of movement of the moving parts, absorbs most shock loads, and a return spring is placed in the longitudinal channel of the bolt frame (by analogy with submachine guns, it is sometimes not entirely correctly called “return-combat”).

The reloading handle is located on the right and is integral with the bolt frame. When the bolt is unlocked by the bolt frame moving backwards, the cartridge case in the chamber is pre-displaced (“disturbed”). This helps relieve pressure in the chamber and prevents the case from rupturing during subsequent removal, even if the chamber is very dirty. Blowout spent cartridge case to the right through the receiver window is provided by a spring-loaded ejector mounted on the bolt and a rigid receiver reflector. The “hung” position of the moving parts in the receiver with relatively large gaps ensured reliable operation of the system even with heavy contamination.

The impact mechanism is a trigger type with a trigger rotating on an axis and a U-shaped mainspring made of double twisted wire. The trigger mechanism allows for continuous and single fire. A single rotary part performs the functions of a fire mode switch (translator) and a double-action safety lever: in the safety position, it locks the trigger, the sear of single and continuous fire and prevents the rear movement of the bolt frame, partially blocking the longitudinal groove between the receiver and its cover. In this case, the bolt can be pulled back to check the chamber, but its travel is not enough to chamber the next cartridge.

All parts of the automation and trigger mechanism are compactly assembled in the receiver, thus playing the role of both the bolt box and the body of the trigger mechanism. The first batches of AK-47 had, in accordance with the instructions, a stamped receiver with a forged barrel insert. However, the available technology did not allow the required rigidity of the box to be achieved at that time, and in mass production cold stamping was replaced by milling the box from a solid forging, which caused an increase in the weight of the weapon.

The rear stop of the recoil spring guide rod fits into the groove of the receiver and serves as a latch for the stamped receiver cover.

The machine gun has a traditional sector sight with an aiming block located in the middle part of the weapon and a front sight - at the muzzle of the barrel, on triangular base. The front sight is adjustable in height, covered on the sides with “post wings”, the sight is notched up to 800 m.

For ease of holding, the pistol grip, fore-end and barrel guard (connected to the gas tube) are made of wood. The AK-47 was produced with a permanent wooden or folding (forward and downward) metal (AKS-47 or AKS) buttstock. AKS was supplied to the airborne and special troops. During the production process, wooden parts made from birch blanks were gradually replaced: the stock was made of plywood board, the receiver was made of glued veneer, the pistol grip was made of plastic. A small Kalashnikov design team together with technologists Izhevsk plant slightly reduced the weight of the machine due to the introduction of new steel grades.

The machine was attached to a straight flat bayonet with a blade length of 200 mm and a width of 22 mm (on prototypes - a cleaver bayonet of the SVT-40 rifle).

Fire from a machine gun can be carried out with several types of bullets: ordinary, tracer, armor-piercing incendiary and incendiary. The magazine is steel (later supplemented with a light alloy magazine), box-shaped, sector-shaped with a staggered arrangement of 30 rounds.

In the socket of the AK-47 butt there was a pencil case with accessories for caring for the weapon. The ramrod was attached under the barrel and held in the fore-end channel due to its own elasticity.

Deep thought, careful fine-tuning, comparative simplicity and peculiar elegance of the scheme with widespread use The principle of multifunctionality of parts determined the high reliability of the weapon in any conditions. This was greatly facilitated by the careful selection of materials - in particular, weapons-grade steel for the manufacture of the barrel and the most critical parts of the weapon. The survivability of a machine gun barrel is 15-18 thousand shots. The well-thought-out and refined shape of the machine gun made it compact, convenient to shoot and carry. Equally important is the ease of disassembling the machine and maintaining it.

Disassembly:
1. Disconnect the magazine. Turn off the safety, pull back the bolt and make sure there is no cartridge in the chamber, pull the trigger, turn on the safety.
2. Pull down the head of the cleaning rod and separate it from the machine.
3. Press the guide rod of the return spring and remove the receiver cover.
4. Remove the return spring with the guide rod.
5. Pull the cocking handle back and remove the bolt carrier and bolt.
6. Turn over the bolt carrier. Rotate the bolt and remove it from the bolt frame.
7. Raise the gas tube locking flag and disconnect the gas tube from the receiver lining.
Reassemble in reverse order.

TACTICAL - TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Caliber, mm

Cartridge used

Length, mm

Length with attached bayonet, mm

Barrel length, mm

Sighting line length, mm

Magazine, cartridges

Unladen weight, kg

Weight with loaded magazine, kg

Weight with loaded magazine and bayonet, kg

Efficient firing range, m

Sighting range, m

starting speed bullets, m/s

Fire Modes

single/continuous

Muzzle energy, J.

Rate of fire, v/m

Combat rate of fire, v/m

Direct shot range at a tall figure, m

Right-hand rifling, pcs.

Family small arms(machine guns and machine guns), created on the basis engineering solutions talented Russian gunsmith Mikhail Kalashnikov. The family is based on the idea of automatic fire due to the removal of powder gases through the upper hole in the wall of the barrel bore. Since 1949, when the AK was put into service Soviet army, Kalashnikov assault rifles and machine guns have undergone several modifications.
Small arms of the Kalashnikov family have become widespread throughout the world - in beginning of XXI century, in 55 countries there were about 100 million units of these weapons. Unlicensed production of Kalashnikov assault rifles and machine guns is carried out in many countries, including the People's Republic of China.

Types of AK in the USSR from 1949 to 1990

The Kalashnikov assault rifle was put into service at the beginning of 1949 under official name“7.62-mm Kalashnikov assault rifle model 1947 (AK)”, however, in everyday life, as well as in foreign literature, it was often called with a digital index - AK-47. The machine gun was created for the new 7.62 mm cartridge Soviet design, which occupied an intermediate position in power between rifle and pistol. Due to its simplicity of design, low weight and reliability, the AK quickly replaced the AK from the troops. self-loading carbines, submachine guns and repeating rifles. At the same time, a version of the AKS-47 with a folding stock for airborne troops was adopted.

At the end of the fifties, the AK underwent modernization, which reduced its weight and somewhat increased the accuracy of fire. The improved assault rifle was designated AKM (AKMS). At the same time, the RPK light machine gun was developed and adopted on the basis of the AK. Together with the similar design single machine gun PK/PKS, AK and RPK formed the basis of the small arms complex of the Soviet army.

In the mid-70s, the Soviet Army adopted the AK-74 5.45 mm assault rifle, which was lighter in weight and more accurate than the AKM. Simultaneously with AK-74 Soviet troops received the landing version of the assault rifle - AKS-74 and the RPK-74 light machine gun. Together with the modernized PKM/PKMS machine gun chambered for a rifle cartridge, they are in service Russian army until now.

In the 80s, new versions of the AK-74 were created - the shortened AKS-74U, intended for arming special forces and crews of combat vehicles, and the AK-74M, which differed in the material of the butt and forend, and also, unlike its predecessor, was originally adapted for installation optical sights on it.

The last stage The modernization of the AK was the creation of the “hundredth series” in the late 1990s and early 2000s. In this series, developed on the basis of the AK-74M, two types of assault rifles were created chambered for the NATO 5.56 mm cartridge - standard and shortened (AK-101 and AK-102), as well as their versions chambered for the 7.62 mm cartridge, using in demand because of their power - AK-103 and AK-104. In addition, as part of the hundredth series, a new compact machine gun chambered for 5.45 millimeters was created - the AK-105, intended to replace the AKS-74U.

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

Characteristic
Caliber, mm
Cartridge, mm
Initial bullet speed, m/s
Sighting range, m
Magazine capacity, pcs. Patr.
Rate of fire, rds/min.
Combat rate of fire, rds/min.
when firing single shots
when firing in bursts
Machine length, mm
without bayonet
with attached bayonet
Barrel length, mm
Machine weight without bayonet, kg
with empty magazine
with loaded magazine
Weight of bayonet with sheath, kg
The range to which lethality is maintained is
bullet action, m
Direct shot range
along the chest figure (height 50 cm), m
along a running figure (150 cm high), m
Number of rifling in the barrel bore, mm

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 the closure of the barrel bore with the bolt and lock the bolt; 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 the 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.

For almost 70 years, the USSR and Russia have developed several dozen modifications, prototypes and concepts of the most popular small arms in the world - the 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 for intermediate (according to lethal force- 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

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