AK Rifle Series

Russian Assault Rifle. Kalashnikov

Numerous variants exist, but all of them are almost always called "AK-47" or "AK" no matter what the actual designation is. This very much annoys the Russian gun industry, which is still trying to convince the world that it can produce things other than AK-47s.

Looks suspiciously like the German MP-44 (probably in the same way that the Mig 15 looked like the Sabre and the Tu-144 looked like Concorde) even though the internal mechanism is completely different (AK47 - rotating bolt, MP44 - tipping bolt). Many mongs think they are copies, but anything other than the most cursory of glances shows that the construction, bolt system and controls are completely different. Just cos the overall concept was nabbed and they both have curved magazines does not make one a direct copy of the other. <original author: Did know that, I was going for humour and an IRONMAN reference! RH>

Owned by every Islamic fundamentalist, Marxist revolutionary, American gun nut, Afghan warlord, 14 year old African 'soldier', Bolivian Coke dealer, any bad guy in a Hollywood action movie as well as a disturbing number of people in Paisley

Allegedly so robust and squaddy proof that you can take a dump in the mechanism, bury it for 6 months, dig it up and once you've scraped the chamber clear by p!ssing on it ... it will operate first time.

About as accurate as a SKY weather forecast utilizing the faith based Islamic targeting method - Pray and Spray. However if point blank, serious weight of fire is required (and no MOD budgets to slow you down), its got to be the weapon of choice - till the Smart guns from ALIENS get invented that is.

For specs/history check out http://kalashnikov.guns.ru/

For the operating manual http://www.fortunecity.com/olympia/wagner/137/ak01.html

Variants

AK47

Troop trials started in Nov 1947, officially adopted in late 1949.

AKS

Adopted in the same year, this is the Abn version fitted with a skeleton metal stock that folds under the wpn, à la the German WWII smg MP38/MP40. Avtomat Kalashnikova Skladnoy (skladnoy = folding)

AKM

The AKM is the logical progression from the '47. Improved production techniques enabled Ivan to arm more terrs per Rouble using the Avtomat Kalashnikova Modernizirovannyj.

(If you haven't the wit to work out what that is in English you are obviously a Crab.)

AK-74

The AK-74 is an updated version firing the 5.45x39 Warsaw Bloc round.

AKS-74

Folding stock version of the AK-74. Note the stock is now a side folder.

AK-74M

On issue since the early '80s these all have side-folding synthetic full stocks and an optics rail on the LHS of the receiver.

AKS-74U

Intended as a PDW for vehicle and A/C crews, this is one noisy SOB to fire and despite the expansion chamber mounted on the front it also gives a very bright muzzle flash. The flip-up rear sight can optimistically be set to 400 metres, but the short bbl greatly diminishes the muzzle velocity and contributes to inaccuracy at ranges over 150-20 metres.

As the AK-74, AKS-74 and the AK-74M all have a bbl length of just over 16" (40 cms) and the AKS-74U has only eight inches, (20-21cms,) it is obviously much shorter, at a tad under 20" with the stock folded.

'Shortened' in Russian is 'ukorochennyj,' so work this out:Avtomat Kalashnikova Skladnoy 74 Ukorochennyj