Difference between revisions of "AK-47"
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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. 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> | ||
| − | + | Kalashnikov based the design of the AK-47 on the [[Nazi]] [[Sturmgewehr44]] of late [[WWII]]. This earlier weapon was a cross between a [[rifle]] and a [[submachinegun]]. Experience in combat had shown the [[Nazis]] that most combat happened at ranges in between what was optimum for the usual mix of fullbore rifles and submachineguns equipping most infantrymen of the time. They designed a rifle with a shortened cartridge that was capable of effective automatic fire at short ranges while still being powerful enough to be accurate out to several hundred yards. Kalashnikov designed a simplified and lightened version of this rifle as the AK-47. | |
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, 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. | ||
Revision as of 15:25, June 23, 2007
| AK-47 | |
| 250px A United States Marine firing the AKMS variant of the AK-47 assault rifle. | |
| Type: | Assault rifle |
|---|---|
| Country of origin: | Soviet Union |
| Designed: | 1947 |
| Used by: | Warsaw Pact, most developing countries |
| Number built: | Over 100 million |
| Specifications | |
| Weight: | 3.8 kg (9.5 lb) empty, 4.3 kg loaded |
| Length: | 870 mm (34.25 in) |
| Barrel length: | 415 mm (16.3 in) |
| Cartridge: | 7.62x39mm |
| Rate of fire: | 600 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity: | 710 m/s (~2,330 ft/s) |
| Effective range: | 300m (330 yds) |
| Sights: | Iron |
The AK-47 (Russian Автомат Калашникова образца 1947 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.[1]
Kalashnikov based the design of the AK-47 on the Nazi Sturmgewehr44 of late WWII. This earlier weapon was a cross between a rifle and a submachinegun. Experience in combat had shown the Nazis that most combat happened at ranges in between what was optimum for the usual mix of fullbore rifles and submachineguns equipping most infantrymen of the time. They designed a rifle with a shortened cartridge that was capable of effective automatic fire at short ranges while still being powerful enough to be accurate out to several hundred yards. Kalashnikov designed a simplified and lightened version of this rifle as the AK-47.
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.[2] 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 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 criminals; 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.