The article is devoted specifically to the first Kalashnikov AK-47 assault rifle.
Kalashnikov assault rifle under intermediate cartridge 7.62x39 mm was designed by Mikhail Timofeevich Kalashnikov in 1947. Entered into service in 1949 and was produced until 1959, supplied to the military under the designation GRAU-56-A-212. Since the machine gun was designed in 1947 and had a prototype AK-46, it is often referred to as AK-47.
Kalashnikov assault rifle is the most widespread and popular weapon in the world. Over 60 years, more than 70 million have been produced worldwide Kalashnikov assault rifles and its modifications. This is approximately 1/5 of everything produced small arms in the world, closest competitor Kalashnikov assault rifle is an American machine gun in the USA - about 8 million units were produced.
History of creation
Prerequisite for creation Kalashnikov assault rifle became second World War, during which the German StG-44 assault rifle chambered for the 7.92x33 mm intermediate cartridge and the American-made semi-automatic M1 carbine chambered for the 7.62x33 mm cartridge, which was supplied to the USSR under Lend-Lease, appeared. The military and designers appreciated positive sides machine guns and rifles chambered for intermediate cartridges and gave impetus to the development of domestic models of weapons chambered for intermediate cartridges.
Looking ahead a little. The Soviet intermediate cartridge 7.62x39 mm was developed by designers B.V. Semina and N.M. Elizarova at OKB-44 in November 1943. Initially, the cartridge caliber was 7.62x41 mm, but was later shortened. Production of the industrial cartridge began in 1944. The new cartridge occupied a niche between pistol cartridges and rifle-machine-gun cartridges. The intermediate cartridge received many advantages with minimal losses in performance characteristics. So the new cartridge has become smaller in size, much lighter, effective when shooting at enemy personnel at a distance of up to 700-800 meters, and has less recoil. So the weight of a 7.62x39 mm cartridge is 16.2 grams, and a 7.62x54 rifle-machine-gun cartridge weighs 24.7 grams. The weight difference is almost 9 grams, which is 60% lighter.
Thanks to the emergence of a more compact and less powerful cartridge, new models for this cartridge were created. So the new weapon was initially compact and lightweight compared to weapons chambered for 7.62x4 mm. The new weapon chambered for an intermediate cartridge was supposed to be effective at a range of 400-800 meters. Submachine guns PPSh and PPD-effective sighting range, which did not exceed 200-300 meters, were replaced with new weapons. This made it more effective than submachine guns with an effective range of 200-300 meters. The role of rifle cartridges was also reduced - often soldiers did not need rifles and machine guns increased power and with great return.
As a result, the intermediate cartridge was born Kalashnikov-AK assault rifle, Degtyarev-RPD light machine gun and Simonov-SKS self-loading carbine. Subsequently, in the USSR, the Kalashnikov assault rifle replaced the SKS carbine within 10-15 years, since AK had a higher density of fire, modern military conflicts have shown that semi-automatic rifles with an aiming range of 600-800 meters are not as effective as machine guns. RPD machine gun over the course of 10-15 years, it unfairly replaced the Kalashnikov machine gun chambered for 7.62x54 mm due to the unification of machine guns.
The first Soviet AS-44 assault rifle chambered for the 7.62x41 mm intermediate cartridge was created by Alexey Ivanovich Sudaev (creator of the Sudaev submachine gun). The machine was produced in a small batch for military tests, but was never put into service, despite the pros and cons, the military wanted to get an assault rifle for themselves after modifications, but the death of A.I. Sudaev stopped further work to refine the AS-44 assault rifle. After the death of A.I. Sudaveva was appointed new competition on the development of a machine gun, rifle and machine gun chambered for an intermediate cartridge. In November 1946, M.T. Kalashnikov presented his machine gun. The Kalashnikov's competitors were the Bulkin and Dementiev assault rifles.
The first sample of the AK-46 was visually different from AK-47- had a split safety lever and a fire switch, the cocking handle was on the left side. The military commission needed to move the cocking handle to right side, combine the fire selector with the fuse and place it on the right side of the machine gun to rid the left side of the automatic protrusions. After revision at the second competition Kalashnikov assault rifle deemed unsuitable. Despite the verdict, Kalashnikov, together with designer Zaitsev, finalized the machine gun at the Kovrov plant; during the finalization, some of the mechanisms were borrowed from other machine guns that took part in competitions, such as AB-46 / TKB-415 and early weapons. Ethical Standards borrowing technical solutions from other models was not prohibited in any way, but was even encouraged, since the military wanted to see a successful weapon model in which all these technical solutions were included. Despite the fact that the AK-46 was rejected, Kalashnikov turned for help to the military with whom he fought during the Second World War, so that he would be given the opportunity to present military commission new sample his machine gun. In the winter of 1946-1947, the commission was presented with Dementiev KBP-520, Bulkin TKB-415, and Kalashnikov KBP-580 assault rifles. Commission Once again again rejected all the assault rifles, but noted that the Kalashnikov assault rifle is the most reliable, but has poor accuracy, while the Bulkin TKB-415 assault rifle has good accuracy, but low reliability. Despite the negative assessment of the machine guns, it was decided to adopt Kalashnikov assault rifle, and postpone the problem with accuracy until another time, thereby arming the army with machine guns.
Production Kalashnikov assault rifles it was decided to establish it at the Izhevsk plant in 1947 (later at the Tula arms plant). After the military and field testing in 1948 for service Soviet army two modifications of the AK were adopted under the designation "7.62 mm Kalashnikov assault rifle" -AK and "7.62 mm Kalashnikov assault rifle with folding stock" -AKS.In 1949 M.T. Kalashnikov for creation AK was awarded Stalin Prize first degree.
The machine turned out to be “half-baked”, as there were complaints about accuracy and operation in different climatic conditions, changes began to be made in the design and production. In the early 1950s, AK-47 a “competitor” to German Korobov’s design appeared—the TKB-417 assault rifle. The Korobov assault rifle had better accuracy, lighter weight and was cheaper to produce. Despite this, Kalashnikov corrected the shortcomings of his assault rifle and introduced a modernized version of the AK, which in 1959 was put into service as “ 7.62-mm modernized Kalashnikov assault rifle - AKM.
Automation of the Kalashnikov assault rifle
Kalashnikov assault rifle consists of approximately 95 parts. Automatic AK-47 works by removing part of the powder gases from the barrel during a shot. Gases entering the barrel bore push the gas piston, which gives impulse to the bolt group to complete a new cycle. During the rollback, the cylinder rotates, locking the cartridge in the chamber with further extraction of the cartridge case from the machine gun. The disadvantage of such a bolt group is heavy weight(520 grams), which during shooting leads to noticeable recoil and worsens the accuracy of the battle. The bolt is returned to the firing position using a return spring. When the cartridges in the magazine are used up, the bolt does not engage the slide stop, which is a disadvantage.
The USM trigger mechanism is not installed inside the housing as a separate unit. Allows automatic (burst firing - provides self-timer) and semi-automatic (single) fire. The trigger is combined into a single unit with a safety lock that locks the bolt and trigger, which prevents an accidental shot even with a loaded cartridge in the chamber. The trigger works using a twisted wire, which is located U-shaped inside the machine body. USM.
The receiver serves as the body of the entire machine, uniting all parts into a single whole. Inside the receiver there are four rails for sliding the bolt group. First AK-47 assault rifles had a stamped receiver, which greatly affected the quality and reliability of the machine. Later during production AKM began to be manufactured using the milling method, which increased reliability, but the weight of the machine also increased. On the receiver there is a sector sight with an aiming range of 800 meters.
First AK-47 they did not have compensators for muzzle brakes on the barrel. On the trunk AK a mount was provided for the bayonet of a knife, which could be used during hand-to-hand combat.AKS did not provide for mounting a bayonet knife. The wooden butt of the machine gun has a pencil case for cleaning and servicing the machine.
Ammunition:
For shooting from AK assault rifle You can use 7.62x39 mm cartridges:
- ordinary bullet cartridges have a steel jacket, with steel core, between the clad steel jacket and the core there is a lead jacket. The first cartridges had a soft steel core, which did not significantly increase the armor-piercing effect. The cartridge is designed for shooting at enemy personnel. The bullet has no distinctive markings on the nose of the bullet.
- The armor-piercing incendiary cartridge is designed for firing at enemy personnel and lightly armored vehicles at a distance of up to 300 meters. The cartridge is effective for shooting at fuel containers and gas tanks Vehicle. The bullet has a tombac-clad jacket, inside of which there is a steel core made of high-carbon steel, with lead between the jacket and the core. At the bottom of the bullet there is a tray with incendiary composition. The tip of the incendiary cartridge bullet is marked black with a red band.
- The tracer is designed for shooting at enemy personnel in the daytime and at night at a distance of up to 800 meters; when shooting, it helps to identify the enemy. It has a tombac-clad jacket with a steel core placed in lead. On the bottom there are nozzles for burning composition. The bullet is marked green at the end.
- - the incendiary cartridge is reassigned for firing at enemy personnel, enemy equipment or flammable materials at a distance of up to 700 meters to create fires. The cartridge consists of a copper jacket inside which contains a flammable composition in air. The bullet tip is marked in red.
- hunting, shell intended for commercial hunting and shooting training. There is a lead core inside the tombac-clad steel bullet.
- There are also blanks, armor-piercing tracer cartridges, etc.
The machine is fed from a removable box-shaped double-row magazine with 30 rounds of ammunition. Since the intermediate cartridge has a conical shape, to accommodate them it was necessary to create a magazine with a recognizable bend. Magazines for AK and AKM were made of metal; later, for the AK-74, magazines began to be made of hard polymers. In addition to the 30-round magazine, sector magazines with 40 rounds and a drum magazine with 75 rounds have been created for AK and AKM. The magazine is attached to the machine gun by attaching the magazine to the neck of the receiver and securing it with a latch.
Accuracy AK assault rifle the first releases was not important, which was noted when it was put into service, but the reliability of the machine outweighed this drawback. With each modernization, with the help of muzzle cuts and muzzle brakes of compensators, the accuracy of the machine gun increased. The range of a direct shot at a tall enemy figure is 350 meters.
The standards for disassembling and assembling a Kalashnikov assault rifle in life safety lessons are:
- “Excellent” - 18 and 30 seconds
- For “good” - 30 and 35 seconds
- To “satisfactory” 35-40 seconds
- The standard for the military is 15 and 25 seconds
Combat use of the AK-47
Soviet public AK-47 was presented in the film "Maxim Perepelitsa" in 1955.
First combat use The AK occurred during Operation Whirlwind to suppress the uprising in Hungary on November 1, 1956. Then came the Vietnam War, where Kalashnikov assault rifle surpassed head and shoulders its competitor, the M16 assault rifle, whose reliability in the jungles of Vietnam “let us down.” After Vietnam, the Kalashnikov assault rifle appeared in every armed conflict, which took place in the World.
Conclusion.
Kalashnikov AK-47 assault rifle Initially it turned out not to be ideal, but over time many of the shortcomings were eliminated, and it became the standard of reliability in the weapons world. Klashnikov assault rifle has become synonymous with the word “reliability”. The subsequent adoption of the AKM confirmed the position of the machine gun in the weapons world.
| Number of shots | 30 in the store |
| Barrel caliber | 7.62x39 mm, 8 grooves |
| Combat rate of fire | 120 rounds per minute |
| Maximum rate of fire | 540-600 rounds per minute |
| Sighting range | 3200-3500 meters |
| Effective sighting range | 800 meters |
| Maximum bullet range | 3000 meters |
| Initial departure speed | 715 m/s |
| Automation | gas outlet |
| Weight | 4.3 kg empty, 4.8 kg loaded |
| Dimensions | 870 mm AK, 645 mm AKS |
November 10, 2009 marked the 90th anniversary of the birth of Mikhail Kalashnikov, the creator of the most famous and reliable assault rifle used in different modifications in many countries of the world.
In 1943, the USSR created a new cartridge with a caliber of 7.62 mm, which received the designation “7.62 mm cartridge of the 1943 model.” In terms of power and firing range, the new ammunition took a position between pistol and rifle cartridges. Soon, the development of a family of small arms began under the new cartridge, which was supposed to replace Mosin rifles and PPSh submachine guns (submachine gun designed by Shpagin) and PPS (Sudaev submachine gun).
Work on a new class of weapons, designated in the West as “ assault rifle”, and in the USSR as an “automatic machine”, began in 1944 by several leading “rifle” design bureaus Soviet Union- Simonova, Degtyareva, Sudaeva, etc.
In 1945, the Main Artillery Directorate (GAU) of the Red Army (the main customer of small arms in the USSR) announced a competition for the creation of a new machine gun chambered for a 1943 model rifle cartridge. Among the main requirements, the following were put forward: high accuracy of combat, limited weight and dimensions of the weapon, trouble-free operation, survivability of parts, simplicity of design of the future machine gun.
The design of the Kalashnikov assault rifle was much simpler and cheaper to manufacture compared to the Simonov self-loading carbine, which was the first to be created chambered for a 7.62 mm caliber cartridge.
At the same time, based on the AK, it was developed and put into service light machine gun RPK (Kalashnikov light machine gun). Together with a similar one in design single machine gun PK/PKS, AK and RPK formed the basis of the small arms complex of the Soviet Army and.
In the 1950s, licenses for the production of AKs were transferred by the USSR to eighteen countries (mainly Warsaw Pact allies). At the same time, eleven more states began producing AKs without a license. The number of countries in which AKs were produced without a license in small batches, much less handicraft, cannot be counted.
According to Rosoboronexport for 2009, the licenses of all states that previously received them have already expired, however, production continues.
The production of AK clones is deployed in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe. According to very rough estimates, there are from 70 to 105 million copies of various modifications of Kalashnikov assault rifles in the world.
In 1974, a new modification of the AK was developed - the AK-74. The weapon entered mass production in 1976. The main difference was the transition to a smaller caliber and a new massive muzzle barrel, which increased the accuracy and accuracy of fire when rapid fire single shots and bursts.
At the end of the 1970s it was created new model AK assault rifle chambered for a 5.45 mm cartridge - AK-74M. The barrel and bolt were changed, and a compensator was added to prevent the barrel from going up when firing.
It had a folding plastic stock, a special rail for attaching night sights, and it could also mount an under-barrel grenade launcher.
Subsequently, two more variants of assault rifles were created on its basis - AK-101 and AK-103 chambered for 5.56x45 mm NATO cartridges.
Shortened AK-102, AK-103, AK-104, AK-105 assault rifles chambered for 5.56x45 mm NATO, 7.62x39 mm, 5.45x39 mm cartridges were also developed. The length of the machine gun barrel was reduced to 314 mm in comparison with the prototype. With reduced dimensions, it practically retained ballistic characteristics. The sighting range of these machine guns reached 500 m, the combat rate of fire was 40-100 rounds/min. The total length of the weapon was 824 mm, with the butt folded - 586 mm. The weight of the machine is 3.2 kg. Magazine capacity 30 rounds.
A number of hunting weapons were also developed on the basis of the Kalashnikov assault rifle: the Saiga carbine chambered for 7.62-9.2 (expansive bullet) and 7.62-8 (jacketed bullet); smooth-bore self-loading shotguns: “Saiga-310”, “Saiga-410s” “Saiga-410K”, “Saiga-20”, “Saiga-20S”, “Saiga-20K”, “Saiga-12K”, “Saiga-308” and etc.; self-loading carbines"Vepr" and "Vepr-308"; sports and training gas-cylinder Kalashnikov assault rifle.
The Kalashnikov assault rifle is currently in service with the armies and special forces of 106 countries.
Several states have included the image of a Kalashnikov assault rifle in their symbols: Mozambique (coat of arms and flag, since 1975), Zimbabwe (coat of arms, since 1980), Burkina Faso (coat of arms, 1984-1997).
In the summer of 2007 in Moscow and Izhevsk, the Federal State Unitary Enterprise Rosoboronexport, the Government Udmurt Republic and the Izhevsk Machine-Building Plant held large-scale celebrations in honor of the 60th anniversary of the creation of the Kalashnikov assault rifle.
The Kalashnikov assault rifle was included in the Guinness Book of Records - it and its modifications make up 15% of all small arms in the world, being the most common small arms.
The AK took first place in the list of the most significant inventions of the 20th century, according to the French magazine Liberation, leaving behind atomic weapons and space technologies.
Tactical specifications AK-47 assault rifles:
Caliber - 7.62 mm.
The cartridge used is 7.62x39 mm,
Length - 870 mm,
Length with attached bayonet - 1070 mm,
Barrel length - 415 mm,
Magazine capacity - 30 rounds,
Weight without magazine and bayonet - 3.8 kg,
Weight with loaded magazine - 4.3 kg,
Effective firing range - 600 m,
Sighting range - 800 m,
Initial bullet speed - 715 m/sec,
Control mode - single/continuous,
Muzzle energy - 2019 J,
Rate of fire - 660 rounds/min,
Rate of fire - 40-100 rounds/min,
Direct shot range at a tall figure - 525 m,
Rifling - 4, right-handed, pitch 240.
The material was prepared based on information from open sources
The history of Kalashnikov begins with the appearance in 1943 of a new cartridge of 7.62 mm caliber. Using this cartridge, which was transitional, Soviet designers began developing weapons to replace already outdated ones and PPS.
In 1944, several design bureaus began working on the creation of a new class of small arms - Degtyarev, Simonov, Sudaeva and others.
As a result of the competition announced by the Chief artillery department, Kalashnikov was adopted into service in 1949, with the AK-47 index assigned to it.
In 1959, a modernized version of the AK went into production, receiving the AKM index, the main change in which was an all-stamped receiver with less weight.
The AKM is used almost unchanged in our time, since it has very high reliability, which is very important for the survival of a soldier and the performance of combat missions.
Switching to a new cartridge.
In the early 70s, Soviet engineers realized the promise of the small-caliber cartridge. Such a bullet, having a high initial speed,
will retain lethal force, improve obesity and shooting accuracy, as well as the mass of portable equipment.
So in 1974 it appeared new Kalashnikov– The AK-74, which entered service in 1976, the most important difference from the AKM is the transition to a 5.45 mm caliber, which led to an increase in the effectiveness of the machine gun.
A little later, at the very end of the 70s, the 74th Kalashnikov underwent modernization, the barrel and bolt were changed, and a muzzle compensator was installed.
It also had a folding stock and a rail for a night sight.
The hundredth episode.
In the early 90s, shortened versions of the AK appeared - AK-102, AK-103, AK-104, AK-105 chambered for the NATO cartridge, which has a caliber of 5.56 mm and soviet cartridges 7.62 and 5.45 mm. The machine modification data was saved combat characteristics, despite the reduced dimensions. Their target range is 500 m.
Conclusion
Currently, Kalashnikov, despite its age, is in service with the armies of 106 countries. It is depicted on the symbols of some countries, such as Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso.
And, if a replacement is found in our country, another assault rifle comes into service, and there are already competitors, the Kalashnikov assault rifle will not be forgotten soon, since it is still on the list of the best firearms in the world.
Even during the First World War, it became clear that the density of fire of the rifle squad created with the help of rifles and carbines was insufficient.
There was a need for individual infantry soldiers to have personal rapid-fire weapons.
This problem was solved with the creation of submachine guns and machine guns. The Second World War gave rise to many various designs automatic weapons, among which it should be noted.
However, towards the end of the war, a need arose to create new weapons, which was solved by the introduction of the Kalashnikov assault rifle.
How the first Kalashnikov assault rifle appeared
In 1943, the Technical Council conducted a study of the German MKb.42(H) assault rifle, created for the Wehrmacht 7.92x33 mm cartridge. The German experience and the experience of the American designers who created the M1 Carbine were considered successful.
Before Soviet designers the question of creating a similar weapon was raised.
After several attempts to create a universal cartridge, experts settled on the 7.62x39 caliber. Its creators were designers N.M. Elizarov and B.V. Semin. Designer Sudaev developed the AS-44 assault rifle for this cartridge, which went into small series.
The machine passed army tests, but the military recommended modifying the design, reducing the overall weight of the machine. The death of Sudaev stopped work on this design.
The need to create weapons required a new round of the competition, at which the first Kalashnikov assault rifle was shown in 1946. Following the results of two stages, this machine was declared unsuitable, but the designer managed to obtain the right to modify it.
After modifications in 1947, the machine still did not satisfy necessary requirements, however, was better than the others presented in the competition.
Kalashnikov was sent to Izhevsk, where, after modification, the famous machine gun of the 1947 model appeared, which for decades determined the development of automatic weapons on the planet.
The question of who invented the Kalashnikov assault rifle does not have as clear an answer as it seems.
It’s hard to believe that a not very literate Komsomol member was able to create an effective military weapon.
Designer Mikhail Timofeevich Kalashnikov claimed that the idea of creating a new machine gun came to him after reading a book about small arms. But it’s one thing to think, and quite another to create it.
On the other hand, as a Komsomol leader, Mikhail Timofeevich was quite suitable for the role of a wedding general.
Let us remind you that this is exactly what Alexey Stakhanov became earlier, to whom all the work of the brigade was credited.
The layout and technical solutions used in the Kalashnikov Ak-47 assault rifle are in many ways similar to the German submachine gun, as well as the MP-40 created by a group of German specialists.
Automatic model 1946
The Kalashnikov AK-46 assault rifle itself was a very crude and intermediate version.
It was rather a transitional model from the Shpagin submachine gun, the most common at that time in the Soviet (Red) Army, to the weapon that became familiar to everyone under the name AK-47.
It contained many shortcomings, but it was a necessary step towards the subsequent constructive breakthrough. Let's look at this weapon in more detail.
What was the circuit and device
Since the original machine gun was quite different from the model we are used to, it is interesting to know what the differences were:
- The cocking handle was located on the left, not on the right. The location was changed at the suggestion of the state commission, since when moving by crawling, the handle would rest against the stomach;
- Availability of a separate fuse;
- The lever for converting firing from single to burst firing was a separate device;
- Folding firing mechanism on stiletto heels.
The bolt frame with a rigidly fixed gas piston appeared during modifications at the Kovrov plant before the second round of the competition.
Its appearance dramatically improved the tactical and technical characteristics, so to the question of how the Kalashnikov assault rifle works, the answer is simple - due to the energy of the exhausted powder gases.
A similar device could have been copied from the Bulkin machine gun that participated in the competition.
The structure of the machine gun for burst firing was changed - the safety was combined with the transfer lever, which significantly simplified the design, making it clearer for soldiers.
What technical characteristics did the AK-46 have?
- Cartridge caliber 7.62×41 model 1943;
- Barrel length 450 millimeters;
- The total length of the machine is 950 millimeters;
- Magazine capacity of 30 rounds + 1 round in the barrel;
- The weight of the machine gun, excluding the weight of cartridges, is 4.328 kilograms;
- The target firing range is 0.8 kilometers.
How the AK-47 and AKS were created
After the second round, held in 1946, the commission made a decision that stated that none of the machines submitted to the competition, even after modifications, met the required characteristics.
The one who came closest to the necessary requirements was tactical and technical characteristics(TTX) machine gun created by designer Bulkin. However, for reasons of simplicity and accessibility of production, and maybe for some other reasons, it was decided to modify the Kalashnikov assault rifle.
To bring the weapon to required characteristics The Kalashnikov-Zaitsev design group was sent to Izhevsk. At that time, a group of famous German designers worked at the Izhevsk arms factory.
Among them was the famous Hugo Schmeisser, who at one time designed many samples of automatic and assault weapons. His weapons were successfully used by the Wehrmacht on various fronts of the Second World War.
It is unknown whether the Germans collaborated with the creators of the new machine gun, but it was very different from the one provided earlier.
The machine gun itself was originally produced with a wooden butt. However for special troops this was inconvenient, primarily due to the length of the weapon, so a modification was created for them that reduced the dimensions of the product.
The wooden stock was replaced by a metal one, and the latter could be folded. This modification of the weapon was called the folding Kalashnikov assault rifle (AKS). It was possible to go into battle with this weapon straight after a parachute jump, without unfolding the butt.
What tactical and technical characteristics did the AK-47 have?
Let's consider TTX machine gun Kalashnikov model 1947. It should be noted here that the table itself is given for the basic model. The folding version is practically no different from it, with the exception of weight. It is 400 grams lighter and 2 millimeters shorter.
- The caliber of the weapon is 7.62 millimeters.
- The cartridge used for shooting is 7.62x39 mm;
- The total length of the machine is 870 millimeters;
- The length of the stem is 415 millimeters;
- The weight of the machine gun excluding cartridges is 4.3 kilograms;
- The total mass of cartridges is 576 grams;
- Total weight including cartridges – 4.876 kilograms;
- The maximum firing range is 0.8 kilometers;
- Rate of fire – 600 rounds per minute;
- Burst rate of fire – 400 rounds per minute;
- Rate of fire with single shots – from 90 to 100 rounds per minute;
- Initial bullet speed -715 m/s (2500 km/h);
- The number of cartridges in the magazine is 30 pieces.
How did the modernized Kalashnikov assault rifle (AKM) appear?
In the early fifties, designer German Korobov presented a new model of infantry weapon, the TKB-517 assault rifle, to experts and army leadership.
This weapon had better accuracy and lighter weight compared to the AK-47. The mere fact that the production of TKB-517 was cheaper meant a lot. Taking into account the best technical and tactical characteristics of the newly introduced model, it was clear that the time had come for a new weapon.
However, the army leadership and the government of the Soviet Union decided not to radically change the production technology (as well as debunk the inflated glory of the designer) and gave Kalashnikov the opportunity to modernize his version of the weapon.
This is how the modernized AKM Kalashnikov assault rifle appeared.
In the new version, the butt was slightly raised compared to the original, which brought the butt resting point on the shoulder closer to the shot line. The target range was increased to one kilometer.
In addition, a light machine gun unified with it, called the RPK, was created on the basis of the AKM.
Is it possible to install a bayonet?
On the first AK-47 models, the installation of a bayonet was not provided. This fact indirectly proves the participation of German weapons designers in the work on weapons.
The fact is that during the Second World War, Nazi weapons did not have the possibility of attaching additional bladed weapons. The German infantryman had to be able to use weapons in such a way as to hit the enemy with a bullet.
Infantry soldiers were simply practically not trained in hand-to-hand combat techniques.
However, later the AK received a blade two hundred millimeters long, which was attached to the gas chamber. It had a double blade and fuller.
The appearance of the AKM also changed the design of additional weapons.
Instead of a double blade, a single blade appeared with a file on the other side.
The length of the blade was reduced to 150 millimeters. The bayonet-knife itself received more possibilities for use in the economic field for the needs of the soldier.
How the 1974 AK-74 model came to be
In the early seventies of the last century, the armies of potential enemies (NATO) began to massively switch their automatic weapons from the usual rifle caliber to a lightweight unified cartridge with a caliber of 5.56 millimeters.
Before the armies of countries Warsaw Pact and the Soviet Union there was an urgent need to take a step in the same direction. The 5.45 mm caliber was called upon to replace the rifle cartridge.
He had enough lethal force, but had less weight and was less expensive to produce. The total weight of the eight wearable ammunition loads has been reduced by 1,400 grams.
The new version of the machine gun has a 100-meter longer direct shot range and a magazine made of durable plastic. Thanks to the new muzzle brake, the accuracy and accuracy of the combat has increased.
What myths and misconceptions haunt the Kalashnikov assault rifle
Main myth Regarding this type of weapon, there is talk that this machine gun is the best on Earth. Essentially, on the planet, and even in Russia, there are many types of small arms that are superior in their characteristics to the Kalash; one can recall the same Abakan.
The second myth is that the machine gun was personally designed by Mikhail Timofeevich. In reality, the help of designer Zaitsev was simply invaluable; in addition, a whole group of designers also worked on the weapon. The work of German specialists led by Hugo Schmeisser cannot be ruled out.
Be that as it may, the Kalashnikov assault rifle was, is and will remain a legend glorifying Russian designers who created one of the most trouble-free assault rifles of the 20th century and, without a doubt, it is the most widespread.
Kalashnikov is still in service huge number states It is depicted on the coats of arms of 4 states and the flag of Mozambique. Yes, new weapons are coming, but it is unlikely that anyone else will achieve such mass distribution as the AK.
Video
“Optimists can learn English, pessimists can learn Chinese, and realists can learn a Kalashnikov assault rifle.”
The science of how to distinguish between Kalashnikov assault rifle models
AK (AK-47)
The classic, very first AK-47 adopted for service is difficult to confuse with anything else. Made of iron and wood, without any bells and whistles, it has long become a symbol of reliability and ease of use in any conditions. At the same time, it didn’t take long for the machine gun to become like this: it took Mikhail Kalashnikov several years to bring his creation to fruition.
In 1946, the military leadership of the USSR announced a competition to create an assault rifle for intermediate (according to lethal force- between a pistol and a rifle) cartridge. The new weapon had to be maneuverable, quick-firing, and have sufficient lethal effect bullets and shooting accuracy. The competition took place in several stages and was extended more than once, since none of the gunsmiths could give the required result. In particular, the commission sent AK-46 models No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 (with a folding metal stock) for revision.
The improved Kalashnikov assault rifle, which was given the index AK-47, as Sergei Monetchikov writes in the book “The History of the Russian Automatic,” was almost completely redesigned. The best ideas were borrowed from the designs of competitors' weapons, implemented in individual parts and entire assemblies.
The machine gun did not have a classic solid stock. Taking into account the strong receiver, the separate wooden stock and fore-end contributed to holding the weapon during shooting. The design of the receiver was redesigned; it was fundamentally different from the previous ones with a special liner rigidly attached to it, connecting it to the barrel. In particular, a reflector of spent cartridges was attached to the insert.
The reloading handle, made integral with the bolt frame, was moved to the right side. This was demanded by test soldiers; they noted: the left-sided position of the handle interferes with shooting while moving on the move without stopping, touching the stomach. In the same position it is inconvenient to reload the weapon.
The transfer of controls to the right side of the receiver made it possible to create a successful fire switch (from single to automatic), which is also a fuse, made in the form of a single rotating part.
The large mass of the bolt frame and a powerful return spring ensured reliable operation of the mechanisms, including unfavorable conditions: when dusty, dirty, or thickened lubricant. The weapon turned out to be adapted for trouble-free operation in the range of air temperature changes up to 100 degrees Celsius.
The wooden parts of the new weapon - the butt, fore-end and receiver grip, as well as the pistol grip, made from birch blanks - were coated with three layers of varnish, which ensured their sufficient resistance to swelling in damp conditions.
AKS (AKS-47)
Simultaneously with the AK-47, a model with the letter “C”, meaning “folding”, was also adopted. This version of the machine gun was intended for special forces and airborne forces; its difference was in the metal rather than wooden butt, which could also be folded under the receiver.
“Such a stock, consisting of two stamped-welded rods, a shoulder rest and a locking mechanism, ensured ease of handling of the weapon - in the stowed position, when moving on skis, parachuting, as well as its use for shooting from tanks, armored personnel carriers, etc. .”, writes Sergei Monetchikov.
The machine gun was supposed to be fired with the butt folded down, but if this was not possible, the weapon could also be fired with the butt folded. True, it was not very comfortable: the butt rods had insufficient rigidity and strength, and the wide shoulder rest did not fit into the hollow of the shoulder and therefore tended to move from there when firing in bursts.
AKM and AKMS
The modernized Kalashnikov assault rifle (AKM) was put into service 10 years after the AK-47 - in 1959. It turned out to be lighter, longer-range and easier to use.
“We, and especially the main customer, were not satisfied with the accuracy when shooting from stable positions, lying down from a rest, standing from a rest. We found a way out by introducing a trigger retarder, which increased the inter-cycle time,” Kalashnikov wrote in the book “Notes of a Gunsmith Designer.” Later, a muzzle compensator was developed, which made it possible to improve the accuracy of combat during automatic shooting from unstable positions, standing, kneeling, lying down from the hand."
The retarder allowed the bolt frame to stabilize in the extreme forward position before the next shot, which affected the accuracy of fire. The muzzle compensator in the form of a petal was installed on the barrel thread, and was one of the obvious distinctive features AKM. Due to the compensator, the trunk cut was not vertical, but diagonal. By the way, mufflers could be attached to the same thread.
Improving the accuracy of fire made it possible to increase it sighting range up to 1000 meters, as a result, the aiming bar also changed, the range scale consisted of numbers from 1 to 10 (on the AK-47 - up to 8).
The butt was raised upward, which brought the resting point closer to the firing line. The external shape of the wooden forend has changed. On the sides it received rests for the fingers. The phosphate-varnish coating, which replaced the oxide coating, increased the anti-corrosion resistance tenfold. Monetchikov notes that the store, made not from steel sheets, but from light alloys, has also undergone radical changes. To increase reliability and protect against deformation, the side walls of its body were reinforced with stiffeners.
The design of the bayonet-knife, attached under the barrel, was also new. A sheath with a rubber tip for electrical insulation allowed the knife to be used for cutting through barbed wire and live wires. The combat power of the AKM increased significantly due to the possibility of installing the GP-25 Koster under-barrel grenade launcher. Like its predecessor, the AKM was also developed in a folding version with the letter “C” in the name.
AK-74
In the 1960s, the Soviet military leadership decided to develop small arms under low-impulse cartridge caliber 5.45 millimeters. The fact is that the AKM failed to achieve high accuracy of fire. The reason was that the cartridge was too powerful, which gave a strong impulse.
In addition, as Monetchikov writes, military trophies from South Vietnam also ended up in the hands of Soviet military specialists - american rifles AR-15, the automatic version of which was later adopted by the US Army under the designation M-16. Even then, the AKM was inferior in many respects to the AR-15, in particular in terms of combat accuracy and hit probability.
“In terms of the difficulty of development, in terms of finding approaches, the design of an assault rifle chambered for the 5.45-mm caliber can probably only be compared with the birth of the AK-47 - the father of the entire family of our system. At first, when we decided to take the AKM automatic circuit as a basis, one one of the factory managers expressed the idea that there was no need to look for something and invent something here, they say, a simple re-barrel would be enough. I marveled in my soul at the naivety of such a judgment, - Mikhail Kalashnikov recalled about that period. - Of course, change the barrel larger caliber for a smaller one it’s a simple matter. Then, by the way, the popular opinion began to circulate that we just changed the number “47” to “74”.
The main feature of the new machine gun was a two-chamber muzzle brake, which, when firing, absorbed approximately half of the recoil energy. A rail for night sights was mounted on the left side of the receiver. The new rubber-metal design of the butt butt with transverse grooves reduced its sliding along the shoulder when conducting aimed shooting.
The handguard and stock were initially made of wood, but switched to black plastic in the 1980s. External feature butt had grooves on both sides, they were made to make it easier total weight machine. Shops were also made from plastic.
AKS-74
For the Airborne Forces, a modification with a folding stock was traditionally made, although this time it was retracted to the left along the receiver. It is believed that this decision was not very successful: when folded, the machine gun was wide and rubbed the skin when worn behind the back. When worn on the chest, it became inconvenient if it was necessary to fold back the butt without removing the weapon.
A leather cheek muff appeared on the upper side of the butt; it protected the shooter’s cheek from freezing to a metal part in winter conditions.
AKS-74U
Following the world fashion of the 1960-70s, the USSR decided to develop a small-sized machine gun that could be used in cramped combat conditions, mainly when shooting at close and medium distances. The next announced competition among designers was won by Mikhail Kalashnikov.
Compared to the AKS-74, the barrel was shortened from 415 to 206.5 millimeters, which is why the gas chamber had to be moved back. This, writes Sergei Monetchikov, entailed a change in the design of the front sight. Its base was made in conjunction with the gas chamber. This design also caused the sight to be moved closer to the shooter’s eye, otherwise the aiming line would be very short. Finishing the topic of the sight, we note that the machine guns of this model were equipped with self-luminous attachments for shooting at night and in conditions of limited visibility.
The greater pressure of the powder gases required the installation of a reinforced flame arrester. It was a cylindrical chamber with a bell (an extension in the form of a funnel) at the front. The flame arrester was mounted on the muzzle of the barrel, on a threaded fit.
The shortened machine gun was equipped with a more massive wooden fore-end and a gas tube receiver; it could use either standard 30-round magazines or shortened 20-round magazines.
For a more complete unification of the shortened machine gun with the AKS-74, it was decided to use the same butt, reclining on left side receiver.
AK-74M
This machine gun is a deep modernization of the weapon adopted for service in 1974. Saving everything best qualities, inherent in Kalashnikov assault rifles, the AK-74M acquired a number of new ones, which significantly improved its combat and operational characteristics.
The main feature of the new model was a folding plastic stock, replacing the metal one. It was lighter than its predecessors and similar in design to the permanent plastic stock of the AK-74 produced in the late 1980s. When worn, it clings less to clothing and does not cause discomfort when shooting in low or high temperature conditions.
The handguard and the barrel lining of the gas tube of the machine gun were made of glass-filled polyamide. By heat transfer new material almost indistinguishable from wood, which eliminated hand burns during prolonged shooting. Longitudinal ribs on the fore-end made it easier and more secure to hold the weapon during aimed fire.
"The hundredth series" (AK 101-109)
These modifications of the Kalashnikov, developed in the 1990s on the basis of the AK-74M, are called the first domestic family of commercial weapons, since they were intended more for export than for domestic consumption. In particular, they were designed for the NATO cartridge of 5.56 by 45 millimeters.
From the designs of the "100th" series machines (similar to best model 5.45 mm Kalashnikov assault rifle - AK74M) wooden parts are completely excluded. The butt and forearm of all are made of impact-resistant glass-filled polyamide in black color, for which this weapon, as Monetchikov writes, received the name “Black Kalashnikov” from the Americans. All models have plastic stocks that fold to the left along the receiver and a rail for mounting sights.
The most original in the “hundredth” series were the AK-102, AK-104 and AK-105 assault rifles. In their design, a breakthrough was made in increasing the level of unification between standard assault rifles and their shortened versions. Due to a slight increase in the overall length (by 100 millimeters compared to the AKS-74U), it became possible to leave the gas chamber in the same place as in the AK-74, thus allowing the use of a unified moving system and sighting devices on all machine guns of the series.
The "hundredth" series assault rifles differ from each other mainly in caliber, barrel length (314 - 415 millimeters), and sector sights designed for different ranges (from 500 to 1000 meters).
This machine gun was also developed on the basis of the AK-74M; it also used developments from the “hundredth” series. Same black color, same polymer folding stock. The main difference from the classic Kalashnikovs can be considered a shortened barrel and a gas exhaust mechanism. Experts call the new pistol grip, which has better ergonomics, an important improvement.
The machine gun was created as a silent, flameless rifle system for covert shooting. It uses subsonic 9x39 mm cartridges, which together with a silencer make the shot almost inaudible. Magazine capacity - 20 rounds.
The forend has a special strip for various removable equipment - flashlights, laser pointers.
Most modern machine gun of the Kalashnikov family, the tests of which have not yet been completed. One of the most striking external changes is the use of Picatinny rails for mounting attachments. Unlike the AK-9, they are both on the forend and on top of the receiver. At the same time, the lower bar does not interfere with the installation of under-barrel grenade launchers - this option is retained. The AK-12 also has two short rails on the sides of the handguard and one on top of the gas chamber.
In addition, the butt of the machine gun is easily removed and can be folded in both directions. On top of that, it is telescopic; the cheekpiece and butt plate are adjustable in height. There is also a variant of the machine gun with a stationary, lighter plastic butt.
The fire switch safety flag is duplicated on the left side; the machine gun can fire single, short series of three shots, and in automatic mode. And in general, all the controls of the machine gun are made in such a way that a soldier can use them with one hand, including changing the magazine and pulling the bolt. By the way, a variety of magazines can be used, up to an experimental drum with 95 rounds.
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