The AK RIFLE
The designation AK-47 is often used, generically, to refer to all Kalashnikov-pattern assault rifles.
However, the AK-47 is a specific model of Kalashnikov.
Later Kalashnikov-pattern weapons retain many design features of the AK-47.
Calibre: 7.62 x 39 mm M1943
Length: Fixed stock: 880 mm
Folding stock:Extended: 880 mm / Folded: 645 mm
Weight (unloaded): AK-47: 3.725 kg / AK-47S: 3.980 kg
Barrel length: 417 mm
Feed device: 30-round detachable box magazine
Sighting systems: Fore: Post, adjustable / Rear: U-notch tangent
Operating system: Gas, selective fire
Rate of fire: 600 rds/min
Muzzle velocity: 715 m/s
Model: AK-47 (Type 3)
Caliber: 7.62Χ39 mm
Weight (empty): 3.47 kg
Barrel Length: 415 mm
Rate of Fire (cyclic): ~600 rpm
Muzzle Velocity: 715 m/s
Effective Range: ~800 m
Model: AKM
Caliber: 7.62Χ39 mm
Weight (empty): ~ 3.10 kg
Barrel Length: 415 mm
Rate of Fire (cyclic): 600 rpm (cyclic)
40 semi-auto, ~100 auto
Muzzle Velocity: 715 m/s
Effective Range: ~300–1,000 m (sighting)
Model: AK-74
Caliber: 5.45x39mm
Weight (empty): ~3.07 kg
Barrel Length: 415 mm
Rate of Fire (cyclic): 650 rpm
Muzzle Velocity: 900 m/s
Effective Range: 500 m point / 800 m area target; max 3,150 m
Model: AK-12 / AK-15 / AK-19
Caliber: 5.45Χ39 / 7.62Χ39 / 5.56x45 NATO
Weight (empty): ~3.3 / ~3.5 / ~3.35 kg
Barrel Length: 415 mm
Rate of Fire (cyclic): 700 rpm
Muzzle Velocity: 900 m/s (AK-12), 715 m/s (AK-15), 910 m/s (AK-19)
Effective Range: Up to 1,000 m sighting, max range ~3,150 m
Export & Users
- The AK-47 (and AK family) is one of the most widely used assault rifles globally, serving in at least 106 countries, with an estimated 100 million units in circulation.
- Russia, through Kalashnikov Concern and Rosoboronexport, continues to be a leading supplier of small arms:
• Supplies ~95% of Russia’s domestic small arms.
• Exported over 1 million AK rifles since 2000 to around 30 countries
• Active export partnerships, including the Indo-Russian joint venture producing AK-203 rifles in India, deliver thousands annually
• Major arms-importing countries for Russian weapons (not just AKs but the general portfolio) include India, China, Algeria, Egypt, and Vietnam
• Beyond production, the AK’s cultural and symbolic significance is profound: nations like Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, and East Timor even depict the Kalashnikov on their national flags or coats of arms
Market & Commerciale
- On the civilian/market side, AKs have become iconic and mass-produced by various manufacturers globally:
- Examples include Romanian WASR-10, Bulgarian Arsenal SAM‑7, and others. These are popular among enthusiasts and collectors, especially in countries like the U.S.
- The classic design's simplicity, reliability, and lack of patents meant it could be widely produced, licensed, and adapted — fueling diffusion across legal and illicit markets alike.
- Commercially, Russian arms producers ramped up workforce significantly during high export demand periods — Kalashnikov Group hired over 1,700 people in one initiative
- At least 100,000 AKs were exported in a single year (2017) under various contracts, notably from the AK‑100 series (AK‑101, 102, 103, etc.)
Technical: The original AK series evolved from the AK-47’s robust 7.62Χ39 mm design into lighter, more ergonomic, and modular modern rifle families (AK-74, AK-12/AK-15/AK-19).
Export & Use: Over 1 million AK rifles exported since 2000; used in over 100 countries; symbolic presence even features in national emblems.
Commercial: Widely produced by global manufacturers for civilian markets; high demand spurred workforce expansion and export contracts in the range of tens of thousands annually.
Type of Production
Original Design
Licensed > Indigenous
Indigenous Development
Licensed
Licensed
Indigenous
Licensed
Licensed
Licensed (currently)
Licensed / Reverse-Engineered
Licensed
Indigenous based on AK-74
Licensed
Indigenous (AK-based)
Country
Russia
China
Poland
Bulgaria
Romania
Serbia (Yugoslavia)
Hungary
North Korea
India
Iran
Egypt
Belarus
Vietnam
Mexico
Major AK Producers
Azerbaijan
Venezuela
Slovakia
Slovenia
Croatia
Albania
Libya
Pakistan
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Ukraine
Syria
Iraq
Sudan
Jordan
Indonesia
Bangladesh
Myanmar
Cuba
Ethiopia
Licensed
Licensed
Licensed / Modernization
Licensed (small batch)
Modernization only
Licensed (Chinese)
Rebuilds / Assembles
Reverse-Engineered Indigenous
Assembly only
Modernization Indigenous
Rebuild / Clone (unlicensed)
Assembly (historical)
Licensed
Assembly / Customization
Historical Licensed
Licensed
Licensed / Unauthorized Copies
Licensed (historical)
Licensed (historical)
Secondary / Smaller Producers
Notes
Origin of all AK-series (AK-47, AKM, AK-74, AK-12, etc.)
Started with licensed Type-56 ? now owns indigenous derivatives (QBZ-97 still AK-based)
Beryl, Tantal and Jack rifles based on AK mechanism but locally engineered
Arsenal AD produces licensed copies/derivatives (AR-M series)
Cugir builds licensed AKM/AK-74 variants
Zastava M70 / M90 / M21 are own design evolution of the AK
FEG produced AK-63 and AMP-69 under Soviet license
Type-58 and Type-68 are licensed copies
Produces AK-203 in cooperation with Kalashnikov
KL series closely copies AKM/AK-103
Maadi (licensed AKM)
Volat / BelOMO versions use AK-74 platform but with local R&D
Z111 factory builds AKM / Type-56 derivatives
FX-05 is a Mexican design using AK internal mechanism
AK-74M / AK-12 under Russian license
Produces AK-103 via CAVIM & Russian partnership
Modernizes AK-47/AK-74 for own forces
Small run of Zastava M70 produced/assembled
No full production; uses AK modernization tech in HS Produkt
Gramsh plant produced Type-56 under Chinese license
Small-scale refurbishment & assembly of Type-56/AKM
POF “PK-10” based on AKM/Type-56 architecture
Assembled Zastava AKs during war (not full production)
Fort rifles based on AK platform, but upgraded locally
Small batch of locally made AKM clones
Assembled Romanian AKM kits; limited capability remains
MIC produces Type-56 and AKM under license
KADDB builds customized AK platforms for internal use
Produced Type-56; now only small scale legacy production
BOF produces Type-56/AK derivatives
Type-56 and AKM clones
Soviet-licensed AKM production (small batch)
Hibret factory produced Type-56 under Chinese license; now limited refurbishment only
Country
Russia
China
Poland
Bulgaria
Serbia / Yugoslavia
Romania
Hungary
Egypt
Iran
North Korea
Pakistan
Bangladesh
Vietnam
Iraq
Cuba
Sudan
Albania
Azerbaijan
Ethiopia
Finland
East Germany
Croatia
Israel
United States
Model / Family
AK‑47 / AKM
AK-74 series
AK-100 series
AK-200 series
AK-12 family
Type 56 series
KbK / Tantal / Beryl
Arsenal AK variants
M70 family
PM / AIMS / PSL
AK-55 / AKM-63
Misr / Maadi AKM
KLS / KLF / KLT
Type 58 / 68
PK-10 / Type 56 clones
Type 56 derivatives
AKM-1 / TUL-1 / Galil Ace
Tabuk rifles
AKM clones
MAZ
ASH-78 series
Khazri (AK-74M copy)
ET-97 / 103
RK-62 / RK-95
MPi-K series
APS-95 (AK-derived)
Galil family
American AK clones
Active AK-Type Rifles by Country
Variant / Sub-variant
AK‑47 Type 1 / Type 2 / Type 3, AKS‑47, AKM, AKMS, AKMN, AKML, RPK series
AK-74, AKS-74, AK-74M, AK-74N series
AK-101 / 102, AK-103 / 104, AK-105, AK-107 / 108 / 109, AK-9
AK-200 / 205, AK-201 / 202, AK-203 / 204
AK-12, AK-12C, AK-12SC, AK-15, AK-15C, AK-15SC, AK-19, AK-308, AK-22
Type 56, Type 56-1, Type 56-2
Kbk AK, Kbk AKM / AKMS, wz. 1988 Tantal, wz. 1996 Beryl, Mini-Beryl
AKK / AKKS, AKKMS, AKKN-47, AK-47M1, AR-M1 (AK-47 5.56), SAM-7 / SAM-5
M64, M70, M70A, M70B1, M70AB2, M92, M21, ZPAP series
PM md. 63 / 65 / 80 / 90, PA md. 86 (AIMS-74), PSL DMR
AK-55, AK-63 / AK-63D, AMD-65M, AMP-69, NGM-81
Misr rifle (AKMS), Maadi ARM (AKM)
KLS (AK-47), KLF (AKS-47), KLT (AKMS)
Type 58A/B (AK-47), Type 68A/B (AKM)
PK-10, Khyber Pass kits
Chinese Type 56 clones
AKM-1, TUL-1 (RPK), and local Galil ACE
Tabuk Rifle (AK clone), Tabuk Sniper, Tabuk Carbine
Cuban AKM production
AK copy based on Type 56
ASH-78 Type-56 AK copies (Tip-1 / 2 / 3), ASH-82 (AKMS)
Khazri
ET-97/1 (AK-47), AK-103 builds
Valmet Rk 62, Rk 95 TP (AKM basis)
MPi-K, MPi-KM, MPi-KMS-72, etc.
APS-95 rifle
Galil AR / ARM / SAR / MAR / Galil ACE
PSAK-47, RAS47, C39 variants, Arsenal SAM variants