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What?s AK-47 all about?
The AK-47 (Avtomat Kalashnikova model 1947, Russian: is an assault rifle designed in 1947 by Mikhail Kalashnikov, produced by Russian manufacturer IZH, and used in many Eastern block nations during the Cold War. Compared to the rifles used in World War II, the AK-47 was lighter and more compact, with a shorter range, a smaller 7.62 ? 39 mm cartridge, and was capable of selective fire, thus making it one of the first assault rifles. It was also produced in greater numbers than any other assault rifle in the 20th century.
The AK-47 (Avtomat Kalashnikova model 1947, Russian: is an assault rifle designed in 1947 by Mikhail Kalashnikov, produced by Russian manufacturer IZH, and used in many Eastern block nations during the Cold War. Compared to the rifles used in World War II, the AK-47 was lighter and more compact, with a shorter range, a smaller 7.62 × 39 mm cartridge, and was capable of selective fire, thus making it one of the first assault rifles. It was also produced in greater numbers than any other assault rifle in the 20th century.
The AK-47 was not the first assault rifle but was preceded by earlier Italian, Russian, and German MP 44 assault rifle designs. Mikhail Kalashnikov adamantly denies that it is based on the German model, though they share an external aesthetic. The AK-47 resembles the MP 44 in profile and layout; however, the internal mechanisms of the two are totally different. Internally, the AK-47 owes much to the M1 Garand Rifle. The double locking lugs, unlocking raceway, and trigger mechanism are clearly derivative of the earlier American design. Where the Kalashnikov rifle differs is in its simplification of those contributing designs and adaptation to mass production by relatively unskilled labor.
According to the story, tank sergeant Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov began imagining his weapon while still in the hospital, after being wounded in the battle of Bryansk. He had been informed that a new weapon was required for the 7.62 × 39 mm cartridge derived from the German 7.92 × 33K cartridge by Elisarov and Semin in 1943. Sudayev’s PPS43 submachine gun was preferred to Kalashnikov’s first attempt, but Kalashnikov redesigned the rifle after examining a German STG 44 in 1946. It has been suggested that Kalashnikov was chosen to lead a team of designers more for propaganda value due to his war-hero status rather than for his expertise. This choice would follow Soviet patterns in other industries.
The use of machined receivers interestingly accelerated production. Tooling for the earlier Mosin-Nagant rifle’s machined receiver was readily adapted until tooling and machinery for stamping became available. Although standardized in 1947, the Soviets were not able to distribute the AK-47 to soldiers until 1956.
The first stamped sheet metal version appeared in 1959. In the mid-1970s, the Soviet Union began replacing their AK-47 and AKM rifles with a newer design, the AK-74.
Notable features
The AK-47 is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and very easy to clean and maintain. Its ruggedness and reliability is legendary. The oversized gas piston, generous clearances between moving parts, and tapered cartridge case design allow the gun to endure large amounts of foreign matter and fouling without failing to cycle.
Originally, the AK-47 had a cyclic rate of 600 rounds per minute. Newer variants incorporate a device variably known as a hammer retarder or rate reducer. While it is unclear what the utility of the device is, it may prevent firing before the action is fully closed. The rate of fire, however, is not significantly altered.
The notched rear tangent iron sight is calibrated with each numeral denoting hundreds of meters. The front sight is a post adjustable for elevation in the field. Windage adjustment is done by the armory prior to issue. The battle setting places the round within a few centimeters above or below the point of aim out to approximately 250 meters. This “point-blank range” setting allows the shooter to fire the gun at any close target without adjusting the sights. Longer settings are intended for area suppression. These settings mirror the Mosin-Nagant and SKS rifles which the AK-47 replaced. This eased transition and simplified training.
The bore and chamber, as well as the gas piston and the interior of the gas cylinder, are generally chromium plated. This plating dramatically increases the life of these parts by resisting corrosion and wear. Chrome plating of critical parts is now common on most modern military weapons.
