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The '''AK-47''' (Russian '''А'''втомат '''К'''алашникова образца 19'''47''' года, ''Avtomat Kalashnikova 1947'') is a gas-operated, selective-fire [[assault rifle]] designed by [[Mikhail Kalashnikov]]. Over 100 million have been manufactured, making the AK-47 the most widely used firearm in the world. During the design, Kalashnikov built upon many elements introduced by the [[Nazi]] [[Sturmgewehr44]] and the [[M1 Garand]] of the [[United States]]. The modernized version of the AK-47 is the [[AK-74]] assault rifle, the standard-issue infantry rifle of the [[Russian Federation]].<ref>[http://www.izhmash.ru/eng/ Manufacturer official site]</ref>
The '''AK-47''' (Russian '''А'''втомат '''К'''алашникова образца 19'''47''' года, ''Avtomat Kalashnikova 1947'') is a gas-operated, selective-fire [[assault rifle]] designed by [[Mikhail Kalashnikov]]. Over 100 million have been manufactured, making the AK-47 the most widely used firearm in the world.The AK-47 has seen widespread use, being involved in virtually every armed conflict since its design.
When he designed the rifle, Kalashnikov built upon many elements introduced by the [[Nazi]] [[Sturmgewehr44]] and the [[M1 Garand]] of the [[United States]]. The modernized version of the AK-47 is the [[AK-74]] assault rifle, the standard-issue infantry rifle of the [[Russian Federation]].<ref>[http://www.izhmash.ru/eng/ Manufacturer official site]</ref>
After being wounded in combat against Nazi forces during [[World War II]], Kalashnikov realized that most firefights in modern combat occurred within approximately 100 meters. Noting this, he began to design an assault rifle with a smaller cartridge than a standard rifle, a higher rate of fire, and more power than a submachine gun.<ref>[http://kalashnikov.guns.ru/ Kalashnikov official site]</ref><ref>[http://www.ak-47.net/ AK-47.net]</ref> The aesthetic design of the gun is similar to that of the Sturmgewehr44, but the moving parts of the gun look more like those of an M1 Garand rifle.<ref>[http://www.ak-47.net/ak47/galil.html AK47.Net GALIL]</ref>
After being wounded in combat against Nazi forces during [[World War II]], Kalashnikov realized that most firefights in modern combat occurred within approximately 100 meters. Noting this, he began to design an assault rifle with a smaller cartridge than a standard rifle, a higher rate of fire, and more power than a submachine gun.<ref>[http://kalashnikov.guns.ru/ Kalashnikov official site]</ref><ref>[http://www.ak-47.net/ AK-47.net]</ref> The aesthetic design of the gun is similar to that of the Sturmgewehr44, but the moving parts of the gun look more like those of an M1 Garand rifle.<ref>[http://www.ak-47.net/ak47/galil.html AK47.Net GALIL]</ref>
The AK-47 has a reputation for durability, having been fully submerged in water and filled with sand without significant affects on the gun's performance.<ref>[http://www.strategypage.com/dls/articles/20030423.asp AK Durability Assessment]</ref> This is due to the distance between major moving parts, allowing a greater tolerance. However, this comes at a cost of accuracy; the distance between parts means that the gun cannot be as precise and, therefore, not as accurate. The AK-47 has seen widespread use, being involved in virtually every armed conflict since it's design.
The AK-47 has a reputation for durability; it can be fully submerged in water and filled with sand without significant affects on its performance.<ref>[http://www.strategypage.com/dls/articles/20030423.asp AK Durability Assessment]</ref> This is due to the distance between major moving parts, allowing a greater tolerance. However, this comes at a cost of accuracy; the distance between parts means that the gun cannot be as precise and, therefore, not as accurate.
The AK-47 is undoubtedly one of the most culturally influential weapons in history. Due to the widespread use of child soldiers in Africa, young boys are often known as "Kalash". The flag of [[Mozambique]] depicts an AK-47. The AK-47 is often thought of as being used by [[terrorists]] and [[criminal]]s; however, the AK-47 and it's derivatives are the standard-issue rifles to the official military forces of [[Russia]], [[Poland]], [[Czech Republic]], [[Ukraine]], [[Finland]], [[China]], and many more.
The AK-47 is undoubtedly one of the most culturally-influential weapons in history. Due to the widespread use of child soldiers in Africa, young boys are often known as "Kalash". The flag of [[Mozambique]] depicts an AK-47, in reminiscence of the weapon's use during the country's struggle against [[Portugal|Portuguese]] colonialism. The AK-47 is often thought of as being used by [[terrorists]] and [[criminal]]s; however, the AK-47 and its derivatives are the standard-issue rifles to the official military forces of [[Russia]], [[Poland]], [[Czech Republic]], [[Ukraine]], [[Finland]], [[China]], and many more.
The AK-47 has many variants. These include the [[RPK]], [[AKMS]], and [[AK-101]]. The Soviet Union used AK-47's until 1978, when they began upgrading to the [[AK-74]] line of weapons. The leftover AK-47's were sold to the highest bidder, many of which are still used in combat today.
The AK-47 has many variants. These include the [[RPK]], [[AKMS]], and [[AK-101]]. The Soviet Union used AK-47's until 1978, when they began upgrading to the [[AK-74]] line of weapons. The leftover AK-47's were sold to the highest bidder, many of which are still used in combat today.