Ak47, also called kalashnikov model 1947, soviet assault rifle, possibly the most widely used shoulder weapon in the world. Mar 03, 2018 well there are thousands of ak variants out there that fire the original 7. The initials ak represent avtomat kalashnikova, russian for automatic kalashnikov, for its designer, mikhail timofeyevich kalashnikov, who designed the accepted version of the weapon in 1947. For the rest of this article, well talk about the specific pros and cons of the ak47 and ak74 side by side regarding their specific features, such as ammunition, magazines, design, and so on.
If anything, the ak74 is just an updated ak47 with a lighter round. It was adopted alongside the ak 74 assault rifle in the 1970s. The ak47 and ak74 kalashnikov rifles and their variations. The legendary russian battle rifle the ak74 is profiled and how it was influenced by the ak47.
In 1974, the soviet army also replaced the akm with the ak 74 assault rifle chambered for the new smaller 5. The ak 47 is the most commonly encountered assault rifle on the planet. Weapons used by russias elite spetsnaz operators business. This article is intended to clear up the mystery behind the ak 74 as well as identify its unique strengths as a survivalprepper rifle. While later akms had this same swivel location, all ak 74s featured it. Combat and testing practice shows that the an94 can be used by special units with some reservations, but is not suitable for regular motorized infantry troops. The ak 74, basically a rechambered akm rebored to fire a 5. He basically published one of the chapters of his upcoming book dedicated to the development of the ak 47 in the soviet union and russia. The armourers bench recently launched a coloring book designed around the advanced combat rifle trials conducted by the united states army in the 1980s. The ak 74 saw the introduction of a lightening cut on either side of the butt supposedly done to help aid in identifying between ak 74 and akm in total darkness, and also saw the sling swivel location on the bottomleft of the buttstock.
Jan 15, 2016 larry checks out a more modernized version of the ak 74. Easy to use comb binding lies open and flat on your work surface. Kalashnikov bayonets ak47 ak 47 ak74 ak 74 buynow book. In 1979, the ak 74 saw combat for the first time in afghanistan. Its not meant to be used against fractions and people affected by the ak 74. This manages to be a history of automatic weapons in general, the ak 47, and also the m16. Some examples may bear a small white made in russia sticker. History and confrontation unique modern and old world war technology this book describes the history of creation and the ideological rivalry of the american m16 combat rifle and the soviet akseries assault rifle.
Original ak74 parts and other ak parts that fit the ak74. The ak74 barrel has a chromelined bore and 4 righthand grooves at a 200 mm 1. Inset soviet naval infantrymen armed with ak 74 rifles. Real sword ak s are based on the type56 which is a chinese copy of the ak 47. This confusion is prevalent even among law enforcement professional and military members. Published on aug 15, 2011 larry vickers, cohost of tactical arms tv show on the ak74 part 1 of 2.
Both the ak12 and ak15 have been developed by the kalashnikov group under the ratnik program and have been accepted into russian military service. Both the ak47 and the ak74 are soviet built assault rifles designed by mikhail kalashnikov in the respective years 1947 and 1974. Vickers guide is a one of a kind tour of some of historys most interesting and rare firearms, sourced and examined by larry vickers from public and private collections across the globe. The iraqi reload method for the ak is one that does not make too much sense. Both the ak 47 and the ak 74 are soviet built assault rifles designed by mikhail kalashnikov in the respective years 1947 and 1974. Its simple, yet robust, design has permitted the ak47 to perform effectively in practically any environment and in the hands of users with little to no training. The ak74u is a carbine version of the ak47, firing the 5. Oct 29, 2018 kalashnikov gun magazine has published an interesting article telling the story of the development and evolution of sovietrussian ak bayonets. The first ak 74 s had a 45 gas block, but that was quickly switched to a 90 gas block to help avoid shaving bullet jackets, and it also made it easier for the gas port to be in a groove vs. Presently, the rifle continues to be used by the majority of countries of the former ussr. You will learn about the origin, combat use and technical characteristics of this most popular weapon in the world.
This small ak47 mak 90 green laser sight system with universal rail mount has a ulta bright 5mwoutput it is compact extremely light weight green laser sight. Jul 26, 2018 in fact, its so simple it became the standard weapon for child soldiers, small boys forced into combat during the african civil wars of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Ak 74 tribute ak74 combat footage music video youtube. Uss carina ak74 was a craterclass cargo ship, and the only ship of the us navy to have this name. Im going to write the main variants or the ones found pretty often. We have a very special two part vickers tactical for you. Russia plans to replace the ak 74m rifle with the new ak 12 and ak 15 rifles. The ak 74m, a mildly heavier gun, is in its preproduction prototype form, and is slightly more controllable than its predecessor.
Jul 07, 2010 those ballistic differences disappear when you compare the ak 74, instead of the ak 47, to the ar15. Its just a tribute showing combat performance of this beautiful rifle and paying honor to its desinger. The lighter rounds used by the ak 74 allow the operator to carry more ammunition, compared to the larger and heavier 7. Kalashnikov ak74 m1974 assault rifle military factory. She was named for the southern constellation carina, with most of her sister ships being named for constellations or stars. The ak 47s major selling points are its simplicity. The main part of the book concerns kalashnikov, who turns out to be a more complex person. The early ak 74 s in soviet service also used laminated wood buttstocks and handguards.
Essentially it is a rechambered version of the rpk with some minor improvements. The ak 47s classic look, reliability and proliferation in hot zones around the world will keep it in movies as long as hollywood is willing to tell stories. The new guns were first used in afghanistan during the sovietafghan campaign, then in all conflicts in postsoviet territory. Its just a tribute showing combat performance of this beautiful rifle and. The ak 47 and ak 74 are both russianmade assault rifles designed by mikhail kalashnikov. This magazine type was officially replaced in the early 1980s, but large numbers are still in. Midwest industries makes rail system that looks surprisingly at home on the century arms ak74. The russian army retains a stockpile of approximately two million ak 74s in different variants. The ak 74 was introduced in the 1970s and modernized to the m standard in 1991. And the m16 is only the main rifle for the marines. Aug 03, 2010 for a machine that is pushing 70 years, the ak shows little signs of age and can still hold its own against many modern designs. The last chapter, ch 20, is well worth the information to get this outstanding book. The ak 47 and ak 74 kalashnikov rifles and their variations provides a detailed, profusely illustrated examination on a partbypart basis of the famed ak 47akm rifles, the ak 74 ak 74m series and the new century series of rifles, the ak 101 through ak 108. Check out part i to see how the acro p1 stood up to the abuse, and stay tuned for part ii next week.
If you look at the rear of the receiver you will see the same button used to fold the stock as on an aks 74. How to differentiate between the different ak pattern rifles. Military surplus army genuine field latrine vintage combat camping emergency. The ak 47 isnt even the front line rifle in the russian military anymore. The ak in the name refers to kalashnikov k automatic a rifles and the numbers refer to the year in which they were designed 1947 and 1974. The legendary russian battle rifle the ak74 is profiled and how it was influenced by the ak47 and svd sniper rifle is. It would soon replace the akm and become the standard soviet infantry rifle.
The ak 47 was first fielded with russian troops in 1949, years before the us issued its true. The ak74 saw its first combat action in the late 1970s, when the ussr invaded afghanistan. You can fit standard fixed polymer furniture to an ak 74, but the stock on an ak 74m is actually side folding. This puts it very close in performance, ballisticwise, to an ar15. Recent improvements have enabled us to significantly improve processing times currently 68 business days. Advanced combat rifle program archives the firearm blog. Over 150 pages and more than 100 illustrations most of which have never been previously released, covering all aspects of this famous soviet bloc arm. It was developed from the earlier akm itself a refined version of the ak 47 and was introduced in 1974. As soon as aimpoint announced the acro p1 we knew we would have to take the revolutionary optic through one of our famous vickers tactical torture tests.
It has nothing in common with the ak74 and akm, which are cheap and simple rifles for massive armies. Sep 22, 2012 which do you prefer the ak 47 or the ak 74. In spite of the smaller caliber and many other improvements the ak 74 failed to overcome the major shortcoming of its predecessor, which was. Written to teach russian soldiers every detail of the operation and maintenance of the kalashnikov assault rifle ak74 and kalashnikov light machine gun rpk74, this manual includes ballistic tables, zeroing information, combat firing instructions, data for the 5. The design was overseen by mikhail kalashnikov in 1974. History and evolution of sovietrussian ak bayonets the. It incorporates a new solid sidefolding polymer buttstock, as well as an improved bolt and carrier assembly. Currently, the ak74 avtomat is in service with the armed forces of most countries of the former soviet union. This manual was originally published in the soviet union and is now available in english. They took their bandoleers for stripper clips and redesigned them to include magazine pouches and other pockets for hand grenades, gun oil, war trophies or whatever. Reliability is the name of the game and few makers can lay claim to the efficiency and simplicity built into the ak design. Larry vickers, cohost of tactical arms tv show on the ak74 part 1 of 2. The history of early machine guns and the gatling gun are especially well done, with many colorful characters.
The mujahedeen, afghanistans holy warriors, were the first to incur the wrath of the ak74. The coloring book is in a format that is both informative, as well as interactive should the reader wish to read more. The front sight base and gas block were redesigned. Living with glocks is a great read, but are hard to find unless you get it here, or other places, or used book stores. It can be seen as a heavybarrel version of the ak 74, fitted with a bipod. The ak74u has two points higher fire rate than its cousin, the ak47, but it also has five points less power per shot due to the smaller caliber. An ak 74 with black furniture is different to an ak 74m. This is one of the early 1997 vintage rifles that are of much better quali for sale by noreasterafd on gunsamerica 908593664. The ar still wins on accuracy, but the ballistics are the same out to 600 yards. The ak 74 is an adaptation of the ak 47, chambered in 5. Both are rugged and reliable and have been proven to be effective in combat. Ak47 ak74 rpk ak74 specific when time allows we plan on greatly improving our ak74 parts page. It is a common weapon among newer players and is well suited for smaller maps.
In fact, its so simple it became the standard weapon for child soldiers, small boys forced into combat during the african civil wars of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Given all the love for the kalashnikov these days, one thing that always baffles me is the confusion between the ak 47 and the ak 74. The obvious advantage of compact size without sacrificing barrel length, and thus ballistic performance, is one of the greatest attributes of the ak74 bullpup from century armsshown here with an. It was developed from the earlier akm itself a refined version of the ak47 and introduced in 1974.
Book kalashnikov bayonets ak47 ak47 ak74 ak74 buynow for. Izhmash produced these magazines for the ak 74 and aks 74 rifles. Even dragged through dirt, they will still fire without any jams or failures. This article is intended to clear up the mystery behind the ak74 as well as identify its unique strengths as a survivalprepper rifle. The iraqi reload has you hold your gun with minimal control and requires fine motor skills versus gross motor skills. So, in the mid1950s, the chinese invented the chest rig for their ak 47s. History and confrontation unique modern and old world war technology this book describes the history of creation and the ideological rivalry of the american m16 combat rifle and the soviet ak series assault rifle. You are right, real sword makes the best aeg ak variants. Its not meant to be used against fractions and people affected by the ak74.
May 16, 2012 the iraqi reload method for the ak is one that does not make too much sense. The rifle first saw service with soviet forces engaged in the afghanistan conflict. The ak74 rifle was developed in the early 1970s by famous russian designer mikhail kalashnikov as the replacement for the akm and ak47 rifle. Aug, 2018 the development of the ak74 is associated with the transition to a new lowpulse cartridge, the 5. The ak74, basically a rechambered akm rebored to fire a 5. Robert boatman is no longer with us, but he does live on in his excellent books.
Main shown is a woodenstocked bulgarian variant that has been custom built as a u. The country donated 5,000 ak 74m units to the philippines in october 2017. The kremlin is currently phasing out the ak74 and its ak74m variant in favor of the modernized ak12 and ak15 rifles, but a staggering eighteen million ak74 s remain in circulation across. When completed you will find two separate categories of ak74 parts. The iraqi reload has you hold your gun with minimal control and requires fine. Mar 03, 2020 the ak 74m was eventually evolved into a more modern fighting form with increased use of plastics as the ak 100 family line to include the ak 101 rifle and the ak 102 assault carbine all way to the ak 108 rifle chambered in 5. With a history stretching back to the closing days of the second world war, the avtomat kalashnikova model 1947, or ak47 as it was to become known, transformed the modern day battlefield. Aug 15, 20 the ak 47 and ak 74 kalashnikov rifles and their variations provides a detailed, profusely illustrated examination on a partbypart basis of the famed ak 47akm rifles, the ak 74 ak 74m series and the new century series of rifles, the ak 101 through ak 108. Facebook is showing information to help you better understand the purpose of a page. The ak 74 has a flatter trajectory and produces less recoil which promote better accuracy. Automatic kalashnikov folding model 1974 shortened is a soviet carbine, developed in the late 1970s from the aks 74 assault rifle itself a foldingstock variant of the ak 74, firing the 5. Bulgarian ak74 main the ak 74 signified the soviets response to the wests m16.