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> | ||
| − | + | 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 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 19:38, 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]
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.[2][3]
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.[4] 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.