Kalashnikov rifle

The Kalashnikov rifle is a family of assault rifles based on Mikhail Kalashnikov's original design. It is officially known in Russian as avtomat Kalashnikova (), and informally as kalash.

Background AK rifles were originally manufactured in the Soviet Union by Kalashnikov Concern (formerly Izhmash). Rifles similar to the Kalashnikov and its Soviet variants were later produced in many countries friendly to the Soviet Bloc, with rifles based on its design such as the Galil ACE and the INSAS also being produced. The Kalashnikov is one of the most widely used firearms in the world, with an estimated 72 million rifles in global circulation.

List of AK rifles The original Kalashnikov rifles and their derivatives, as produced in the Soviet Union and later the Russian Federation.

Rifles derived directly from the original AK The rifle's simple design makes it easy to produce, and the Soviet Union readily leased plans of the firearm to friendly countries, where it could be produced locally at a low cost. As a result, the Kalashnikov rifles and their variants have been manufactured in many countries, with and without licenses. Manufacturing countries in alphabetical order include:

Albania

Aside from the ASH-78, the ASH-82, the Albanian AKS-47 copy, was in production.

Several other versions of the AKMS have been produced mainly with short barrels similar to Soviet AKS-74U for special forces, tank and armored crew and for helicopter pilots and police.

There have also been modified ASh-82 (AKMS) with SOPMOD accessories, mainly for Albania's special forces RENEA and exports.

Armenia

Azerbaijan The AK-74M is locally produced under license in Azerbaijan as the Khazri.

Bulgaria +ModelDescriptionAKK/AKKSType 3 AK-47/w. side-folding buttstockAKKMS AKMSAKKN-47Fittings for NPSU night sightsAK-47M1Type 3 with black polymer furnitureAK-47MA1/AR-M1Same as -M1, but in 5.56×45mm NATOAKS-74M1AKMS in 5.56×45mm NATOAKS-74SAK-74M1, short version, with East German folding stock, laser aiming deviceAKS-74UFShort version of -M1, Russian folding stockAR-SFSame as −74UF, but in 5.56×45mm NATOAKS-93SM6Similar to −74M1, cannot use grenade launcherRKKSRPKAKT-74.22 rimfire training rifle

China

Croatia

Cuba The AKM is locally produced under license in Cuba.

East Germany ModelDescriptionMPi-K/MPi-KSAK/AKSMPi-KMAKM, wooden and plastic stockMPi-KMS-72 AKM, side-folding stockMPi-KMS-K CarbineMPi-AK-74NAK-74MPi-AKS-74NAK-74, side-folding stockMPi-AKS-74NKAK-74, carbineKK-MPi Mod.69.22 LR select-fire trainer

Egypt

Ethiopia The Et-97/1 is a locally manufactured AK-103 variant at the State-run Gafat Armament Engineering Complex. Retrieved on 8 October 2010.

Finland

Hungary

ModelDescriptionAK-55Domestic manufacture of the 2nd Model AKAKM-63Also known as AMD-63 in the US; modernized AK-55AMP-69Rifle grenade launcherNGM-815.56×45mm NATO; fixed and under-folding stock

Iraq

ModelDescriptionTabuk Assault Rifle With fixed or underfolding stock, outright clones of Yugoslavian M70 rifles seriesTabuk Short Assault RifleShortened Tabuk Assault Rifle variant

Nigeria The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria has been producing AK rifles as the OBJ-006.

North Korea

North Korea has been producing AK rifles as its standard issue weapons.US Department of Defense, North Korea Country Handbook 1997, Appendix A: Equipment Recognition, PPSH 1943 SUBMACHINEGUN [sic] (TYPE-50 CHINA/MODEL-49 DPRK), p. A-79.US Department of Defense, North Korea Country Handbook 1997, Appendix A: Equipment Recognition, TYPE-68 (AKM) ASSAULT RIFLE, p. A-77.

Pakistan Aside from Khyber Pass copies (near the border of Afghanistan), Pakistan has been producing AK rifles as the PK-10.

Poland

ModelDescriptionpmK (kbk AK)The name has changed from pmK () to the kbk AK () in mid-1960s; copies of the AK/AKSpmKS (kbk AKS)kbkg wz. 1960/72Modernised variantkbk AKM / kbk AKMSAKM/AKMS

Romania

Sudan The MAZ is the Sudanese licensed copy of the Chinese Type 56 made by Military Industry Corporation.

Turkey The SAR 15T/308(V2) is a locally produced and modernized version of the AK platform by defense contractor Sarsilmaz (Sarsılmaz Silah Sanayi A.Ş.).

Ukraine

United States +ModelManufacturerCalibreReferencePSAK-47 GF3 riflePalmetto State Armory7.62×39mmPSAK-47 GF4 riflePSAK-47 GF5 rifleSoviet Arms Krink rifle5.56x45mmPSA AK-556 riflePSAK-74 rifle5.45x39mmPSA AK Type 56 rifle7.62×39mmUS132 rifle Kalashnikov USAUS132ZUS109L 12 gaugeUS109T

Vietnam

AKM-1 AKM-VN (AKM) assault rifle TUL-1 (RPK) light machine gun

Venezuela The AK-103 is locally manufactured in Venezuela. (in spanish)

Yugoslavia/Serbia

Similar rifles

The following rifles were either based on the Kalashnikov design, or have a different design but are superficially similar in appearance:

Argentina

Bulgaria

China

Czechoslovakia

India

Israel

South Africa

Accessories

Sights PSO-1

Silencer

PBS-1 silencer

Bayonets

6KH2 bayonet 6KH3 bayonet 6KH4 bayonet 6KH5 bayonet 6KH9 bayonet

Grenade launcher GP-25

Comparative characteristics of AK rifles NameCountryTypeCartridgeLength extended/folded (mm)Barrel length (mm)Weight (kg) (empty)Cyclic rate of fire (rounds per minute)Maximum sighting range (m)Muzzle velocity (m/s)AK-47Soviet UnionAssault rifle7.62×39mm M438704153.47600800715AKMSoviet UnionAssault rifle7.62×39mm M438804153.106001,000715RPK(s)Soviet UnionLight machine gun7.62×39mm M431040/8205904.80/5.606001,000745AK-74Soviet UnionAssault rifle5.45×39mm M749434153.076501,000900AKS-74Soviet UnionAssault rifle5.45×39mm M74933/6904152.976501,000900AK-74MSoviet UnionAssault rifle5.45×39mm M74943/7054153.406501,000900RPK-74Soviet UnionLight machine gun5.45×39mm M7410605904.706001,000960AKS-74USoviet UnionCarbine assault rifle5.45×39mm M74730/4902072.70700500735AK-101RussiaAssault rifle5.56×45mm NATO943/7004153.606001,000910AK-102RussiaCarbine assault rifle5.56×45mm NATO824/5863143.00600500850AK-103RussiaAssault rifle7.62×39mm M43943/7054153.406001,000715AK-104RussiaCarbine assault rifle7.62×39mm M43824/5863143.00600500670AK-105RussiaCarbine assault rifle5.45×39mm M74824/5863143.20600500840AK-107RussiaAssault rifle5.45×39mm M74943/7004153.808501,000900AK-108RussiaAssault rifle5.56×45mm NATO943/7004153.809001,000910AK-109RussiaAssault rifle7.62×39mm M43943/7004153.809001,000750AK-9RussiaAssault rifle9×39mm705/4652003.10/3.80 (with suppressor)600400290 (СП-5) / 305 (СП-6)AK-12RussiaAssault rifle5.45×39mm M74940/7304153.307001,000900AK-15RussiaAssault rifle7.62×39mm M43922/8624153.507001,000715AK-19RussiaAssault rifle5.56×45mm NATO935/7254153.357001,000910AK-308RussiaBattle rifle7.62×51mm NATO885-945/6954154.30700760

In the United States The Kalashnikov weapon design has become increasingly more popular in the American firearms industry. There are specific competitive shooting matches that require the use of its weapon variants like the Red Oktober match held just outside of St. George, Utah. It is a match designed for the use of ComBloc style weapons, but the Kalashnikov design is extremely heavy within the participants' arsenals.

Due to sanctions to Russia preventing the import of arms, a number of companies started producing clones of the Kalashnikov family of weapons. In particular, the company Kalashnikov USA was created specifically for this purpose. Companies such as Palmetto State Armory and Century Arms also produce Kalashnikov clones.

Kalashnikov rifle

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