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

Technical Information — Original Russian AK Rifles

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


AK47 / 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


AK47 Type 1 / Type 2 / Type 3, AKS47, 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

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