Thursday, May 8, 2008

AK47 Assault Rifle (History)



The Ak47 is the most wide-spread weapon in the world. More than 50 armies of the world have in their arsenals firearms created by Klashaniko. Ak47 Assault rifle was developed in1974 it has a caliber of 5.45 mm, a Cartridge of 5.45x39, Magazine capacity of 30, It's weight is approximately 3,600g and killing range of 1,350m.
This Submachine gun has been manufactured up to 1959, in several countries it is being manufactured modernized to some extent nowadays. In 1959 there was a modernization of the submachine gun aimed to increase its technical and operating characteristics. At the same time light machine guns were developed with a fixed and folding butt on the basis of the submachine gun "RPK-47".
At the end of 60th - beginning of 70th years the works on creation of the submachine guns for cartridges reduced and caliber began. It was aimed to increase the battle efficiency and operational characteristics of the weapon. After a number of experiments the cartrige 5.45x39 with a steel bullet slug was chosen.
In 1990 the Army was equipped with the modernized Kalashnikov submachine gun AK-74M, having folding plastic butt with the accessory placed in it and a plate for mounting optical and night sights.
In 1991 the same modernization was carried out with a light machine gun. And so the modernized Kalashnikov light machine guns RPK-74M (5.45 mm) was adopted in armament. It replaced four modification of light machine guns.
# AK101 - the 5,56 mm Kalashnikov submachine gun for cartridge 5,56x45 NATO
# AK102 - the same but with a short barrel
# AK103 - the 7,62 mm Kalashnikov submachine gun for cartridge 7,62x39
# AK104 - the same but with a short barrel
# AK105 - 5,45 mm Kalashnikov submachine gun with a short barrel for cartridge 5,45x39

In 1993 within the framework of conversion of a defensive industry of "IZHMASH" Open Joint Stock Company developed the self-loading hunting carbine "Saiga" on the basis of the Kalashnikov submachine guns.



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