Top 45 How To Read Ak 47 Serial Number The 61 Correct Answer

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What do the numbers mean on AK?

The AK-47 and AK-74 are both Russian-made assault rifles designed by Mikhail Kalashnikov. The AK in the name refers to Kalashnikov (K) automatic (A) rifles and the numbers refer to the year in which they were designed (1947 and 1974).

What does the number in AK-47 mean?

The number “47” refers to the year the rifle was finished. Design work on the AK-47 began in 1945. It was presented for official military trials in 1947, and, in 1948, the fixed-stock version was introduced into active service for selected units of the Soviet Army.

Where is AK-47 serial number?

Many of the imported Eastern Bloc military surplus rifles such as the AK-47 have the main serial number on the left side of the frame, but also have numerous partial serial numbers on many other locations.

Can you tell what year a gun was made by the serial number?

Check the manufacturer’s website.

Once you’ve determined the model, go on the manufacturer’s website to find which year the gun was made, from the digits following the dash. In this instance, 331-12345 was manufactured in the year 2007.

What are the different types of AK-47?

Types
Model Cartridge Manufacturer
AK-47 7.62×39mm M43 Izhmash and others
AKM 7.62×39mm M43 Izhmash, Tula Arms Plant and others
AK-74 5.45×39mm M74 Izhmash
AK-74M 5.45×39mm M74 Izhmash

Who made the original AK-47?

How many rounds AK-47 can fire?

2007 Schools Wikipedia Selection. Related subjects: Military History and War
AK-47
Rate of fire 600 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity 710 m/s (~2,330 ft/s)
Effective range 300 m (330 yd)
Feed system 30-round detachable box; compatible w/ RPK 40-round box, 75-round drum magazine.

What is the difference between AK-47 and AKM?

The AKM is a gas operated assault rifle using a short stroke gas piston and rotating bolt. The main difference between AK-47 and AKM is the use of stamped sheet metal for the receiver. This makes the AKM both lighter and less costly to produce than the machined receiver of the AK-47.

Are AK-47 five pound notes valuable?

Another serial number that makes £5 notes more valuable is instantly recognisable – AK47. Banknotes starting with this prefix are worth more to collectors, as the number is the same as the model of the famous Russian assault rifle. Some have been listed on eBay for up to £160,000, but most sell for around £100.

Is Izhmash a Kalashnikov?

On 13 August 2013, Izhmash and Izhmekh (formerly Izhevsk Mechanical Plant) merged, with the new concern named Kalashnikov Concern. Thanks to the merger, Kalashnikov Concern is Russia’s largest and most important arms manufacturer.

What rifle Does Russia use?

The AK-12 is a Russian assault rifle chambered in 5.45×39mm designed and manufactured by the Kalashnikov Concern (formerly Izhmash), making it the fifth generation of Kalashnikov rifles.

Can I run a serial number on a gun to see if it’s stolen?

Unfortunately for purchasers in private sales, only law enforcement agencies are allowed to request a gun serial number check or search of the lost and stolen gun database.

What do serial numbers on a gun mean?

The serial number includes information related to the date and location of the weapon’s manufacturing. Additionally, if the weapon is stolen, it can help link the firearm to the original owner when the government places the serial number into a national database.

Where can I find the make and model of my gun?

The simplest way to identify a gun model is by the markings engraved on it. These marks show essential information like the serial number, model, manufacturer, and country of origin. If there’s no identification marking on the weapon, a serial number search may also reveal the model of the gun.

What is the difference between an AK-47 and an AK 103?

In short, Differences in the outward appearance: The AK 103 has plastic furniture while the AK 47 has wooden furniture so weight is reduced. The AK 103 is slightly longer than the AK 47 by virtue of the fact that it has an extended flash suppressor.

What does the K in AK mean?

AK-47, also called Kalashnikov Model 1947, Soviet assault rifle, possibly the most widely used shoulder weapon in the world. The initials AK represent Avtomat Kalashnikova, Russian for “automatic Kalashnikov,” for its designer, Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov, who designed the accepted version of the weapon in 1947.

What does the M in m14 stand for?

The M stands for Model. The M1903 rifles were named after the cartridge they used. i.e. M1900 = Model 1900 cartridge. M1901 = Model 1901 cartridge.

Is AK-47 and AKM same?

The AKM mechanism’s design principles and procedures for loading and firing are practically identical to those of the AK-47, the only difference being the trigger assembly (during the return stage of the bolt carrier on fully automatic mode) as a result of incorporating the rate reducer device.


AK47: Serial Numbers. WASR10/63 vs Arsenal
AK47: Serial Numbers. WASR10/63 vs Arsenal


AK-47 vs AK-74 – Difference and Comparison | Diffen

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  • Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for AK-47 vs AK-74 – Difference and Comparison | Diffen Updating AK-47 vs AK-74 comparison. The AK-47 and AK-74 are both Russian-made assault rifles designed by Mikhail Kalashnikov. The AK in the name refers to Kalashnikov (K) automatic (A) rifles and the numbers refer to the year in which they were designed (1947 and 1974). In 1978, the Soviet U…
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Comparison chart

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AK-47 vs AK-74 - Difference and Comparison | Diffen
AK-47 vs AK-74 – Difference and Comparison | Diffen

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AK-47 – Wikipedia

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Contents

History

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Characteristics

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Production

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Cultural influence and impact

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AK-47 - Wikipedia
AK-47 – Wikipedia

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How to Use a Serial Number to Search for the Make, Model & History of a Gun | Gone Outdoors | Your Adventure Awaits

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Explore America’s Campgrounds

Look for Identifying Marks

When the Serial Number Is Your Only Clue

Checking to See if a Gun Is Stolen

How to Use a Serial Number to Search for the Make, Model & History of a Gun | Gone Outdoors | Your Adventure Awaits
How to Use a Serial Number to Search for the Make, Model & History of a Gun | Gone Outdoors | Your Adventure Awaits

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Ak 47 Serial Numbers

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History and description[edit]

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Ak 47 Serial Number 5 Pound Note

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Chinese Ak 47 Serial Numbers

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Ak 47 Serial Numbers
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Ak 47 Serial Number Meaning :: freemed

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  • Summary of article content: Articles about Ak 47 Serial Number Meaning :: freemed More rifles were produced, so a larger serial number created. For example, ‘4852’ As time went on, they began including a single letter prefix, … …
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Ak 47 Serial Number Meaning :: freemed
Ak 47 Serial Number Meaning :: freemed

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How to identify a Russian-made assault rifle from a fake one – Russia Beyond

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How to identify a Russian-made assault rifle from a fake one - Russia Beyond
How to identify a Russian-made assault rifle from a fake one – Russia Beyond

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Error 403 (Forbidden)

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Error 403 (Forbidden)
Error 403 (Forbidden)

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Ak 47 Serial Numbers

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Ak 47 Serial Numbers

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Ak 47 Serial Numbers
Ak 47 Serial Numbers

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Ak 47 Serial Number Lookup :: moonpool

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Ak 47 Serial Number Lookup :: moonpool
Ak 47 Serial Number Lookup :: moonpool

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AK-47 vs AK-74 – Difference and Comparison

The AK-47 and AK-74 are both Russian-made assault rifles designed by Mikhail Kalashnikov. The AK in the name refers to Kalashnikov (K) automatic (A) rifles and the numbers refer to the year in which they were designed (1947 and 1974). In 1978, the Soviet Union began replacing their AK-47 and AKM rifles with a newer design, the AK-74.

An AK-74 assault rifle

An AK-47 assault rifle

Design comparison

The AK-74 featured a new stock, handguard and gas cylinder. The stock has a different, rubber shoulder pad that is serrated for increased traction. There are weight-reducing lightening cuts on each side of the buttstock.

The AK-74 gas tube has a spring washer attached to its rear end designed to retain the gas tube more securely. The lower handguard is fitted with a leaf spring that reduces play in the rifle’s lateral axis by keeping the wood tensioned between the receiver and the handguard retainer. All external metal surfaces are coated with a glossy black enamel.

Cartridge

The 5.45x39mm cartridge of the AK-74 makes it a more accurate and reliable rifle compared to the AK-47, which uses a 7.62x39mm cartridge.

Barrel

The barrel length of the AK-47 is 415 mm (16.3 inches) and is similar for the AK-74 except for the AKS-74U model which is 210 mm (8.3 inches).

The AK-74 barrel has a chrome-lined bore and 4 right-hand grooves at a 200 mm (1:8 in) rifling twist rate. The front sight base and gas block were redesigned. The gas block contains a gas channel that is installed at a 90° angle in relation to the bore axis. The forward section of the front sight base features a threaded collar that is used to screw in a newly-designed multifunction muzzle device (performing the role of a muzzle brake, recoil compensator and flash suppressor) or a blank-firing adaptor. The distinctive muzzle brake features a large expansion chamber, two symmetrical vertical cuts at the forward end of the brake and three vent holes positioned to prevent muzzle climb and lateral shift to the right (for right-handed shooters).

Magazines

Magazines for both rifles are similar except for the minor changes in dimensions to accommodate different size cartridges. AK-74 magazines are polymer, and have a raised horizontal rib on each side of the rear lug to prevent their use in a 7.62x39mm AK.

Weight

At 3.03 kg (6.7 lb), the AK-74 is lighter than the AK-47 which weighed 4.3 kg. The lightest variant of the AK-74 was the AKS-74U that weighed only 2.5 kg.

Cost

The AK-74 is cheaper to manufacture for mass production than the AK-47.

Where to buy

Accessories for these rifles, as well as the Airsoft versions, can be purchased on Amazon or other gunshot accessories retailers.

Popularity

As both the AK-47 and the AK-74 were designed by the Soviet Union, they were never controlled by copyright law or patents. This enabled any country or manufacturer to produce versions of the assault rifles (some better than others). Between this fact and the nature of the assault rifles’ design—that they were easy to manufacture and use, reliable, and inexpensive to replace—the AK-47 and the AK-74 are ubiquitous in many nations around the world. It’s even roughly estimated that nearly 100 million AK-47s are in circulation.

References

Wikipedia

1949 Soviet 7.62×39mm assault rifle

This article is about the weapon. For other uses, see AK-47 (disambiguation)

This article is about the AK-47. For the AK family, see Kalashnikov rifle

The AK-47, officially known as the Avtomat Kalashnikova (Russian: Автомат Калашникова, lit. ‘Kalashnikov’s automatic [rifle]’; also known as the Kalashnikov or just AK), is a gas-operated assault rifle that is chambered for the 7.62×39mm cartridge. Developed in the Soviet Union by Russian small-arms designer Mikhail Kalashnikov, it is the originating firearm of the Kalashnikov (or “AK”) family of rifles. After more than seven decades since its creation, the AK-47 model and its variants remain the most popular and widely used rifles in the world.

The number “47” refers to the year the rifle was finished. Design work on the AK-47 began in 1945. It was presented for official military trials in 1947, and, in 1948, the fixed-stock version was introduced into active service for selected units of the Soviet Army. In early 1949, the AK was officially accepted by the Soviet Armed Forces and used by the majority of the member states of the Warsaw Pact.

The model and its variants owe their global popularity to their reliability under harsh conditions, low production cost (compared to contemporary weapons), availability in virtually every geographic region, and ease of use. The AK has been manufactured in many countries, and has seen service with armed forces as well as irregular forces and insurgencies throughout the world. As of 2004 , “of the estimated 500 million firearms worldwide, approximately 100 million belong to the Kalashnikov family, three-quarters of which are AK-47s”.[4] The model is the basis for the development of many other types of individual, crew-served and specialised firearms.

History

Origins

During World War II, the Sturmgewehr 44 rifle used by German forces made a deep impression on their Soviet counterparts.[10][11] The select-fire rifle was chambered for a new intermediate cartridge, the 7.92×33mm Kurz, and combined the firepower of a submachine gun with the range and accuracy of a rifle.[12] On 15 July 1943, an earlier model of the Sturmgewehr was demonstrated before the People’s Commissariat of Arms of the USSR.[14] The Soviets were impressed with the weapon and immediately set about developing an intermediate caliber fully automatic rifle of their own,[10][11] to replace the PPSh-41 submachine guns and outdated Mosin–Nagant bolt-action rifles that armed most of the Soviet Army.[15]

The Soviets soon developed the 7.62×39mm M43 cartridge, which is used in[14] the semi-automatic SKS carbine and the RPD light machine gun.[16] Shortly after World War II, the Soviets developed the AK-47 rifle, which quickly replaced the SKS in Soviet service.[17][18] Introduced in 1959, the AKM is a lighter stamped steel version and the most ubiquitous variant of the entire AK series of firearms. In the 1960s, the Soviets introduced the RPK light machine gun, an AK type weapon with a stronger receiver, a longer heavy barrel, and a bipod, that eventually replaced the RPD light machine gun.[16]

Concept

Mikhail Kalashnikov began his career as a weapon designer in 1941 while recuperating from a shoulder wound which he received during the Battle of Bryansk.[5] Kalashnikov himself stated…”I was in the hospital, and a soldier in the bed beside me asked: ‘Why do our soldiers have only one rifle for two or three of our men, when the Germans have automatics?’ So I designed one. I was a soldier, and I created a machine gun for a soldier. It was called an Avtomat Kalashnikova, the automatic weapon of Kalashnikov—AK—and it carried the year of its first manufacture, 1947.”[20]

The AK-47 is best described as a hybrid of previous rifle technology innovations. “Kalashnikov decided to design an automatic rifle combining the best features of the American M1 and the German StG 44.”[21] Kalashnikov’s team had access to these weapons and had no need to “reinvent the wheel”. Kalashnikov himself observed: “A lot of Russian Army soldiers ask me how one can become a constructor, and how new weaponry is designed. These are very difficult questions. Each designer seems to have his own paths, his own successes and failures. But one thing is clear: before attempting to create something new, it is vital to have a good appreciation of everything that already exists in this field. I myself have had many experiences confirming this to be so.”

There are claims about Kalashnikov copying other designs, like Bulkin’s TKB-415[22] or Simonov’s AVS-31.[23]

Early designs

Kalashnikov started work on a submachine gun design in 1942 and with a light machine gun design in 1943.[26] Early in 1944, Kalashnikov was given some 7.62×39mm M43 cartridges and was informed that there were other designers working on weapons for this new Soviet small-arms cartridge. It was suggested that a new weapon might well lead to greater things. He then undertook work on the new rifle.[27] In 1944, he entered a design competition with this new 7.62×39mm, semi-automatic, gas-operated, long stroke piston carbine, strongly influenced by the American M1 Garand.[28] This new rifle was in the same class as the SKS-45 carbine, with a fixed magazine and a gas tube above the barrel.[27] However, the new Kalashnikov design lost out to a Simonov design.[29]

In 1946, a new design competition was initiated to develop a new rifle. Kalashnikov submitted an entry. It was gas-operated rifle with a short-stroke gas piston above the barrel, a breech-block mechanism similar to his 1944 carbine, and a curved 30-round magazine.[31] Kalashnikov’s rifles AK-1 (with a milled receiver) and AK-2 (with a stamped receiver) proved to be reliable weapons and were accepted to a second round of competition along with other designs.

These prototypes (also known as the AK-46) had a rotary bolt, a two-part receiver with separate trigger unit housing, dual controls (separate safety and fire selector switches) and a non-reciprocating charging handle located on the left side of the weapon.[31][32] This design had many similarities to the StG 44.[33] In late 1946, as the rifles were being tested, one of Kalashnikov’s assistants, Aleksandr Zaitsev, suggested a major redesign to improve reliability. At first, Kalashnikov was reluctant, given that their rifle had already fared better than its competitors. Eventually, however, Zaitsev managed to persuade Kalashnikov.

In November 1947, the new prototypes (AK-47s) were completed. It used a long-stroke gas piston above the barrel. The upper and lower receivers were combined into a single receiver. The selector and safety were combined into a single control-lever/dust-cover on the right side of the rifle. And, the bolt-handle was simply attached to the bolt-carrier. This simplified the design and production of the rifle. The first army trial series began in early 1948. The new rifle proved to be reliable under a wide range of conditions with convenient handling characteristics. In 1949, it was adopted by the Soviet Army as “7.62 mm Kalashnikov rifle (AK)”.

Further development

AKMS with a stamped Type 4B receiver (top) and an AK-47 with a milled Type 2A receiver

There were many difficulties during the initial phase of production. The first production models had stamped sheet metal receivers with a milled trunnion and butt stock insert, and a stamped body. Difficulties were encountered in welding the guide and ejector rails, causing high rejection rates. Instead of halting production, a heavy[N 1] machined receiver was substituted for the sheet metal receiver. Even though production of these milled rifles started in 1951, they were officially referred to as AK-49, based on the date their development started, but they are widely known in the collectors’ and current commercial market as “Type 2 AK-47”.[36][37] This was a more costly process, but the use of machined receivers accelerated production as tooling and labor for the earlier Mosin–Nagant rifle’s machined receiver were easily adapted.[38] Partly because of these problems, the Soviets were not able to distribute large numbers of the new rifle to soldiers until 1956. During this time, production of the interim SKS rifle continued.

Once the manufacturing difficulties of non-milled receivers had been overcome, a redesigned version designated the AKM (M for “modernized” or “upgraded”; in Russian: Автомат Калашникова Модернизированный [Avtomat Kalashnikova Modernizirovanniy]) was introduced in 1959.[36] This new model used a stamped sheet metal receiver and featured a slanted muzzle brake on the end of the barrel to compensate for muzzle rise under recoil. In addition, a hammer retarder was added to prevent the weapon from firing out of battery (without the bolt being fully closed), during rapid or fully automatic fire. This is also sometimes referred to as a “cyclic rate reducer”, or simply “rate reducer”, as it also has the effect of reducing the number of rounds fired per minute during fully automatic fire. It was also roughly one-third lighter than the previous model.[36]

Receiver type Description[38] Type 1A/B The original stamped receiver for the AK-47 first produced in 1948[2] adopted in 1949. The 1B was modified for an underfolding stock with a large hole present on each side to accommodate the hardware for the underfolding stock. Type 2A/B The first milled receiver made from steel forging. It went into production in 1951 and production ended in 1957. The Type 2A has a distinctive socketed metal “boot” connecting the butt stock to the receiver and the milled lightening cut on the sides runs parallel to the barrel. Type 3A/B “Final” version of the AK milled receiver made from steel bar stock. It went into production in 1955. The most ubiquitous example of the milled-receiver AK. The milled lightening cut on the sides is slanted to the barrel axis. Type 4A/B AKM receiver stamped from a smooth 1.0 mm (0.04 in) sheet of steel supported extensively by pins and rivets. It went into production in 1959. Overall, the most-used design in the construction of the AK-series rifles.

Most licensed and unlicensed productions of the Kalashnikov assault rifle abroad were of the AKM variant, partially due to the much easier production of the stamped receiver. This model is the most commonly encountered, having been produced in much greater quantities. All rifles based on the Kalashnikov design are often colloquially referred to as “AK-47s” in the West and some parts of Asia, although this is only correct when applied to rifles based on the original three receiver types. In most former Eastern Bloc countries, the weapon is known simply as the “Kalashnikov” or “AK”. The differences between the milled and stamped receivers includes the use of rivets rather than welds on the stamped receiver, as well as the placement of a small dimple above the magazine well for stabilization of the magazine.

Replacement

In 1974, the Soviets began replacing their AK-47 and AKM rifles with a newer design, the AK-74, which uses 5.45×39mm ammunition. This new rifle and cartridge had only started to be manufactured in Eastern European nations when the Soviet Union collapsed, drastically slowing production of the AK-74 and other weapons of the former Soviet bloc.

Design

The AK-47 was designed to be a simple, reliable fully automatic rifle that could be manufactured quickly and cheaply, using mass production methods that were state of the art in the Soviet Union during the late 1940s.[40] The AK-47 uses a long stroke gas system that is generally associated with great reliability in adverse conditions.[28][41][42] The large gas piston, generous clearances between moving parts, and tapered cartridge case design allow the gun to endure large amounts of foreign matter and fouling without failing to cycle.

Cartridge

Wound Profiles of Russian small-arms ammunition compiled by Dr. Martin Fackler on behalf of the U.S. military

The AK fires the 7.62×39mm cartridge with a muzzle velocity of 715 m/s (2,350 ft/s).[8] The cartridge weight is 16.3 g (0.6 oz), the projectile weight is 7.9 g (122 gr).[43] The original Soviet M43 bullets are 123 grain boat-tail bullets with a copper-plated steel jacket, a large steel core, and some lead between the core and the jacket. The AK has excellent penetration when shooting through heavy foliage, walls or a common vehicle’s metal body and into an opponent attempting to use these things as cover. The 7.62×39mm M43 projectile does not generally fragment when striking an opponent and has an unusual tendency to remain intact even after making contact with bone. The 7.62×39mm round produces significant wounding in cases where the bullet tumbles (yaws) in tissue,[44] but produces relatively minor wounds in cases where the bullet exits before beginning to yaw.[45][46][47] In the absence of yaw, the M43 round can pencil through tissue with relatively little injury.[45][48]

Most, if not all, of the 7.62×39mm ammunition found today is of the upgraded M67 variety. This variety deleted the steel insert, shifting the center of gravity rearward, and allowing the projectile to destabilize (or yaw) at about 3.3 in (8.4 cm), nearly 6.7 in (17 cm) earlier in tissue than the M43 round.[49] This change also reduces penetration in ballistic gelatin to ~25 in (64 cm) for the newer M67 round versus ~29 in (74 cm) for the older M43 round.[49][50] However, the wounding potential of M67 is mostly limited to the small permanent wound channel the bullet itself makes, especially when the bullet yaws.[49]

Operating mechanism

To fire, the operator inserts a loaded magazine, pulls back and releases the charging handle, and then pulls the trigger. In semi-automatic, the firearm fires only once, requiring the trigger to be released and depressed again for the next shot. In fully automatic, the rifle continues to fire automatically cycling fresh rounds into the chamber until the magazine is exhausted or pressure is released from the trigger. After ignition of the cartridge primer and propellant, rapidly expanding propellant gases are diverted into the gas cylinder above the barrel through a vent near the muzzle. The build-up of gases inside the gas cylinder drives the long-stroke piston and bolt carrier rearward and a cam guide machined into the underside of the bolt carrier, along with an ejector spur on the bolt carrier rail guide, rotates the bolt approximately 35° and unlocks it from the barrel extension via a camming pin on the bolt. The moving assembly has about 5.5 mm (0.2 in) of free travel, which creates a delay between the initial recoil impulse of the piston and the bolt unlocking sequence, allowing gas pressures to drop to a safe level before the seal between the chamber and the bolt is broken. The AK-47 does not have a gas valve; excess gases are ventilated through a series of radial ports in the gas cylinder. The Kalashnikov operating system offers no primary extraction upon bolt rotation, but uses an extractor claw to eject the spent cartridge case.[51]

Barrel

AK-47 barrel and its distinctive gas block with a horizontal row of gas relief ports

The rifle received a barrel with a chrome-lined bore and four right-hand grooves at a 240 mm (1 in 9.45 in) or 31.5 calibers rifling twist rate. The gas block contains a gas channel that is installed at a slanted angle in relation to the bore axis. The muzzle is threaded for the installation of various muzzle devices such as a muzzle brake or a blank-firing adaptor.

Gas block

The gas block of the AK-47 features a cleaning rod capture or sling loop. Gas relief ports that alleviate gas pressure are placed horizontally in a row on the gas cylinder.

Fire selector

Việt Cộng soldier armed with an AK-47 with the fire selector in the safe setting

The fire selector is a large lever located on the right side of the rifle, it acts as a dust-cover and prevents the charging handle from being pulled fully to the rear when it is on safe.[52] It is operated by the shooter’s right fore-fingers and has 3 settings: safe (up), full-auto (center), and semi-auto (down).[52] The reason for this is that under stress a soldier will push the selector lever down with considerable force bypassing the full-auto stage and setting the rifle to semi-auto.[52] To set the AK-47 to full-auto requires the deliberate action of centering the selector lever.[52] To operate the fire selector lever, right handed shooters have to briefly remove their right hand from the pistol grip, which is ergonomically sub-optimal. Some AK-type rifles also have a more traditional selector lever on the left side of the receiver just above the pistol grip.[52] This lever is operated by the shooter’s right thumb and has three settings: safe (forward), full-auto (center), and semi-auto (backward).[52]

Sights

Rear sight of a Chinese Type 56, featuring 100 to 800 m (109 to 875 yd) settings and omission of a battle zero setting

The AK-47 uses a notched rear tangent iron sight calibrated in 100 m (109 yd) increments from 100 to 800 m (109 to 875 yd).[53] The front sight is a post adjustable for elevation in the field. Horizontal adjustment requires a special drift tool and is done by the armory before issue or if the need arises by an armorer after issue. The sight line elements are approximately 48.5 mm (1.9 in) over the bore axis. The “point-blank range” battle zero setting “П” standing for постоянная (constant) on the 7.62×39mm AK-47 rear tangent sight element corresponds to a 300 m (328 yd) zero.[53] These settings mirror the Mosin–Nagant and SKS rifles, which the AK-47 replaced. For the AK-47 combined with service cartridges, the 300 m battle zero setting limits the apparent “bullet rise” within approximately −5 to +31 cm (−2.0 to 12.2 in) relative to the line of sight. Soldiers are instructed to fire at any target within this range by simply placing the sights on the center of mass (the belt buckle, according to Russian and former Soviet doctrine) of the enemy target. Any errors in range estimation are tactically irrelevant, as a well-aimed shot will hit the torso of the enemy soldier. Some AK-type rifles have a front sight with a flip-up luminous dot that is calibrated at 50 m (55 yd), for improved night fighting.[53]

Furniture

The AK-47 was originally equipped with a buttstock, handguard and an upper heat guard made from solid wood. With the introduction of the Type 3 receiver the buttstock, lower handguard and upper heatguard were manufactured from birch plywood laminates.[38] Such engineered woods are stronger and resist warping better than the conventional one-piece patterns, do not require lengthy maturing, and are cheaper. The wooden furniture was finished with the Russian amber shellac finishing process.[citation needed] AKS and AKMS models featured a downward-folding metal butt-stock similar to that of the German MP40 submachine-gun, for use in the restricted space in the BMP infantry combat vehicle, as well as by paratroops. All 100 series AKs use plastic furniture with side-folding stocks.

Magazines

“Bakelite” rust-colored steel-reinforced 30-round plastic box 7.62×39mm AK magazines. Three magazines have an “arrow in triangle” Izhmash arsenal mark on the bottom right. The other magazine has a “star” Tula arsenal mark on the bottom right

The standard magazine capacity is 30 rounds. There are also 10, 20, and 40-round box magazines, as well as 75-round drum magazines.

The AK-47’s standard 30-round magazines have a pronounced curve that allows them to smoothly feed ammunition into the chamber. Their heavy steel construction combined with “feed-lips” (the surfaces at the top of the magazine that control the angle at which the cartridge enters the chamber) machined from a single steel billet makes them highly resistant to damage. These magazines are so strong that “Soldiers have been known to use their mags as hammers, and even bottle openers”.[55][56] This contributes to the AK-47 magazine being more reliable, but makes it heavier than U.S. and NATO magazines.

The early slab-sided steel AK-47 30-round detachable box magazines had 1 mm (0.039 in) sheet-metal bodies and weighed 0.43 kg (0.95 lb) empty.[42] The later steel AKM 30-round magazines had lighter sheet-metal bodies with prominent reinforcing ribs weighing 0.33 kg (0.73 lb) empty.[42][57] To further reduce weight, a lightweight magazine with an aluminum body with a prominent reinforcing waffle rib pattern weighing 0.19 kg (0.42 lb) empty was developed for the AKM that proved to be too fragile and the small issued amount of these magazines was quickly withdrawn from service.[58] As a replacement steel-reinforced 30-round plastic 7.62×39mm box magazines were introduced. These rust-colored magazines weigh 0.24 kg (0.53 lb) empty and are often mistakenly identified as being made of Bakelite (a phenolic resin), but were actually fabricated from two-parts of AG-S4 molding compound (a glass-reinforced phenol-formaldehyde binder impregnated composite), assembled using an epoxy resin adhesive.[59][60][61] Noted for their durability, these magazines did however compromise the rifle’s camouflage and lacked the small horizontal reinforcing ribs running down both sides of the magazine body near the front that were added on all later plastic magazine generations.[61] A second generation steel-reinforced dark-brown (color shades vary from maroon to plum to near black) 30-round 7.62×39mm magazine was introduced in the early 1980s, fabricated from ABS plastic. The third generation steel-reinforced 30-round 7.62×39mm magazine is similar to the second generation, but is darker colored and has a matte nonreflective surface finish. The current issue steel-reinforced matte true black nonreflective surface finished 7.62×39mm 30-round magazines, fabricated from ABS plastic weigh 0.25 kg (0.55 lb) empty.[8]

Early steel AK-47 magazines are 9.75 in (248 mm) long; the later ribbed steel AKM and newer plastic 7.62×39mm magazines are about 1 in (25 mm) shorter.[62][63]

The transition from steel to mainly plastic magazines yields a significant weight reduction and allows a soldier to carry more ammunition for the same weight.

Rifle Cartridge Weight of empty magazine Weight of loaded magazine Max. 10.12 kg (22.3 lb) ammunition load* AK-47 (1949) 7.62×39mm slab-sided steel

430 g (0.95 lb) 30-rounds

916 g (2.019 lb)[42] 11 magazines for 330 rounds

10.08 kg (22.2 lb) AKM (1959) ribbed stamped-steel

330 g (0.73 lb) 30-rounds

819 g (1.806 lb)[42][57] 12 magazines for 360 rounds

9.83 kg (21.7 lb) AK-103 (1994) steel-reinforced plastic

250 g (0.55 lb) 30-rounds

739 g (1.629 lb)[42][57] 13 magazines for 390 rounds

9.61 kg (21.2 lb)

All 7.62×39mm AK magazines are backwards compatible with older AK variants.

10.12 kg (22.3 lb) is the maximum amount of ammo that the average soldier can comfortably carry. It also allows for best comparison of the three most common 7.62×39mm AK magazines.[citation needed]

Most Yugoslavian and some East German AK magazines were made with cartridge followers that hold the bolt open when empty; however, most AK magazine followers allow the bolt to close when the magazine is empty.[citation needed]

Accessories

AK-47 6H2 bayonet and scabbard

AK-47 with Kalashnikov grenade launcher mounted on the muzzle

Accessories supplied with the rifle include a 387 mm (15.2 in) long 6H3 bayonet featuring a 200 mm (7.9 in) long spear point blade. The AK-47 bayonet is installed by slipping the 17.7 mm (0.70 in) diameter muzzle ring around the muzzle and latching the handle down on the bayonet lug under the front sight base.[64]

All current model AKM rifles can mount under-barrel 40 mm grenade launchers such as the GP-25 and its variants, which can fire up to 20 rounds per minute and have an effective range of up to 400 metres.[65] The main grenade is the VOG-25 (VOG-25M) fragmentation grenade which has a 6 m (9 m) (20 ft (30 ft)) lethality radius. The VOG-25P/VOG-25PM (“jumping”) variant explodes 0.5–1 metre (1.6–3.3 ft) above the ground.[66]

The AK-47 can also mount a (rarely used) cup-type grenade launcher, the Kalashnikov grenade launcher that fires standard RGD-5 Soviet hand-grenades. The maximum effective range is approximately 150 meters.[67] This launcher can also be used to launch tear-gas and riot control grenades.

All current AKs (100 series) and some older models, have side rails for mounting a variety of scopes and sighting devices, such as the PSO-1 Optical Sniper Sight.[68] The side rails allow for the removal and remounting of optical accessories without interfering with the zeroing of the optic. However, the 100 series side folding stocks cannot be folded with the optics mounted.

Characteristics

Service life

The AK-47 and its variants have been and are made in dozens of countries, with “quality ranging from finely engineered weapons to pieces of questionable workmanship.” As a result, the AK-47 has a service/system life of approximately 6,000,[70] to 10,000,[71] to 15,000[72] rounds. The AK-47 was designed to be a cheap, simple, easy to manufacture rifle,[73] perfectly matching Soviet military doctrine that treats equipment and weapons as disposable items.[74] As units are often deployed without adequate logistical support and dependent on “battlefield cannibalization” for resupply, it is actually more cost-effective to replace rather than repair weapons.[74]

The AK-47 has small parts and springs that need to be replaced every few thousand rounds. However, “Every time it is disassembled beyond the field stripping stage, it will take some time for some parts to regain their fit, some parts may tend to shake loose and fall out when firing the weapon. Some parts of the AK-47 line are riveted together. Repairing these can be quite a hassle, since the end of the rivet has to be ground off and a new one set after the part is replaced.”[53]

Variants

7.62×39mm cartridges from Russia, China and Pakistan

Early variants (7.62×39mm)

Issue of 1948/49: Type 1: The very earliest models, stamped sheet metal receiver, are now very rare.

Issue of 1951: Type 2: Has a milled receiver. Barrel and chamber are chrome plated to resist corrosion.

Issue of 1954/55: Type 3: Lightened, milled receiver variant. Rifle weight is 3.47 kg (7.7 lb).

AKS (AKS-47): Type 1, 2, or 3 receiver: Featured a downward-folding metal stock similar to that of the MP 40 produced in Nazi Germany, for use in the restricted space in the BMP infantry combat vehicle, as well as by paratroops.

AKN (AKSN): Night scope rail.

Modernized (7.62×39mm)

AKM: A simplified, lighter version of the AK-47; Type 4 receiver is made from stamped and riveted sheet metal. A slanted muzzle device was added to counter climb in automatic fire. Rifle weight is 3.1 kg (6.8 lb) [8] due to the lighter receiver. This is the most ubiquitous variant of the AK-47. AKMS: Under-folding stock version of the AKM intended for airborne troops. AKMN (AKMSN): Night scope rail. AKML (AKMSL): Slotted flash suppressor and night scope rail. [76]

due to the lighter receiver. This is the most ubiquitous variant of the AK-47. RPK: Hand-held machine gun version with longer barrel and bipod. The variants—RPKS, RPKN (RPKSN), RPKL (RPKSL)—mirror AKM variants. The “S” variants have a side-folding wooden stock.

Foreign Variants (7.62×39mm)

Type 56: Chinese assault rifle based on the AK-47 Type 3 .[77] Still in production primarily for export markets.

For the further developed AK models, see Kalashnikov rifles.

Production

Manufacturing countries of AK-47 and its variants in alphabetical order.

A private company Kalashnikov Concern (formerly Izhmash) from Russia has repeatedly claimed that the majority of foreign manufacturers are producing AK-type rifles without proper licensing.[96][97]

Accuracy potential

Western method

The AK-47’s accuracy has always been considered[by whom?] to be “good enough” to hit an adult male torso out to about 300 m (328 yd),[98][99] though even experts firing from prone or bench rest positions at this range were observed to have difficulty placing ten consecutive rounds on target.[100] Later designs did not significantly improve its accuracy.[100] An AK can fire a 10-shot group of 5.9 in (15 cm) at 100 m (109 yd),[101] and 17.5 in (44 cm) at 300 m (328 yd)[100] The newer stamped-steel receiver AKM models, while more rugged and less prone to metal fatigue, are actually less accurate than the forged/milled receivers of their predecessors: the milled AK-47s are capable of shooting 3 to 5 in (8 to 13 cm) groups at 100 yd (91 m), whereas the stamped AKMs are capable of shooting 4 to 6 in (10 to 15 cm) groups at 100 yd (91 m).[99]

The best shooters are able to hit a man-sized target at 800 m (875 yd) within five shots (firing from prone or bench rest position) or ten shots (standing).[102]

The single-shot hit-probability on the NATO E-type Silhouette Target (a human upper body half and head silhouette) of the AK-47 and the later developed AK-74, M16A1 and M16A2 rifles were measured by the US military under ideal proving ground conditions in the 1980s as follows:

NATO E-type Silhouette Target

Single-shot hit-probability on Crouching Man (NATO E-type Silhouette) Target[103] Rifle Chambering Hit-probability (With no range estimation or aiming errors) 50 m 100 m 200 m 300 m 400 m 500 m 600 m 700 m 800 m AK-47 (1949) 7.62×39mm 100% 100% 99% 94% 82% 67% 54% 42% 31% AK-74 (1974) 5.45×39mm 100% 100% 100% 99% 93% 81% 66% 51% 34% M16A1 (1967) 5.56×45mm NATO M193 100% 100% 100% 100% 96% 87% 73% 56% 39% M16A2 (1982) 5.56×45mm NATO SS109/M855 100% 100% 100% 100% 98% 90% 79% 63% 43%

Under worst field exercise circumstances, the hit probabilities for all the tested rifles were drastically reduced, 34% at 50m down to 3–4% at 600m with no significant differences between weapons at each range.[103]

Russian method

The following table represents the Russian method for determining accuracy, which is far more complex than Western methods. In the West, one fires a group of shots into the target and then simply measures the overall diameter of the group. The Russians, on the other hand, fire a group of shots into the target. They then draw two circles on the target, one for the maximum vertical dispersion of hits and one for the maximum horizontal dispersion of hits. They then disregard the hits on the outer part of the target and only count half of the hits (50% or R 50 ) on the inner part of the circles. This dramatically reduces the overall diameter of the groups. They then use both the vertical and horizontal measurements of the reduced groups to measure accuracy. This circular error probable method used by the Russians and other European militaries cannot be converted and is not comparable to US military methods for determining rifle accuracy. When the R 50 results are doubled the hit probability increases to 93.7%.

Circular error probable 20 hits distribution example

AK-47 semi-automatic and short burst dispersion with 57-N-231 steel core service ammunition[104] Range Vertical accuracy of fire (R 50 ) semi-automatic Horizontal accuracy of fire (R 50 ) semi-automatic Vertical accuracy of fire (R 50 ) short burst Horizontal accuracy of fire (R 50 ) short burst Remaining bullet energy Remaining bullet velocity 0 m

(0 yd) 0 cm (0.0 in) 0 cm (0.0 in) 0 cm (0.0 in) 0 cm (0.0 in) 2,036 J (1,502 ft⋅lbf) 718 m/s (2,356 ft/s) 100 m (110 yd) 8 cm (3.1 in) 4 cm (1.6 in) 9 cm (3.5 in) 11 cm (4.3 in) 1,540 J (1,140 ft⋅lbf) 624 m/s (2,047 ft/s) 200 m (219 yd) 11 cm (4.3 in) 8 cm (3.1 in) 18 cm (7.1 in) 22 cm (8.7 in) 1,147 J (846 ft⋅lbf) 539 m/s (1,768 ft/s) 300 m (330 yd) 17 cm (6.7 in) 12 cm (4.7 in) 27 cm (10.6 in) 33 cm (13.0 in) 843 J (622 ft⋅lbf) 462 m/s (1,516 ft/s) 400 m (440 yd) 23 cm (9.1 in) 16 cm (6.3 in) 31 cm (12.2 in) 44 cm (17.3 in) 618 J (456 ft⋅lbf) 395 m/s (1,296 ft/s) 500 m (550 yd) 29 cm (11.4 in) 20 cm (7.9 in) 46 cm (18.1 in) 56 cm (22.0 in) 461 J (340 ft⋅lbf) 342 m/s (1,122 ft/s) 600 m (656 yd) 35 cm (13.8 in) 24 cm (9.4 in) 56 cm (22.0 in) 67 cm (26.4 in) 363 J (268 ft⋅lbf) 303 m/s (994 ft/s) 700 m (770 yd) 42 cm (16.5 in) 29 cm (11.4 in) 66 cm (26.0 in) 78 cm (30.7 in) 314 J (232 ft⋅lbf) 282 m/s (925 ft/s) 800 m (870 yd) 49 cm (19.3 in) 34 cm (13.4 in) 76 cm (29.9 in) 89 cm (35.0 in) 284 J (209 ft⋅lbf) 268 m/s (879 ft/s)

R 50 means the closest 50 percent of the shot group will all be within a circle of the mentioned diameter.

The vertical and horizontal mean (R 50 ) deviations with service ammunition at 800 m (875 yd) for AK platforms are.

SKS, AK-47, AKM, and AK-74 dispersion at 800 m (875 yd)[ citation needed ] Rifle Firing mode Vertical accuracy of fire (R 50 ) Horizontal accuracy of fire (R 50 ) SKS (1945) semi-automatic 38 cm (15.0 in) 29 cm (11.4 in) AK-47 (1949) semi-automatic 49 cm (19.3 in) 34 cm (13.4 in) AK-47 (1949) short burst 76 cm (29.9 in) 89 cm (35.0 in) AKM (1959) short burst 64 cm (25.2 in) 90 cm (35.4 in) AK-74 (1974) short burst 48 cm (18.9 in) 64 cm (25.2 in)

Users

Former users

Illicit trade

AK-47 copies confiscated from Somali pirates by Finnish mine-layer Pohjanmaa during Operation Atalanta , photographed in Manege Military Museum. The stocks are missing on the top three AKs

Throughout the world, the AK and its variants are commonly used by governments, revolutionaries, terrorists, criminals, and civilians alike. In some countries, such as Somalia, Rwanda, Mozambique, Congo and Tanzania, the prices for Black Market AKs are between $30 and $125 per weapon and prices have fallen in the last few decades due to mass counterfeiting.[133] In Kenya, “an AK-47 fetches five head of cattle (about 10,000 Kenya shillings or 100 U.S. dollars) when offered for barter, but costs almost half that price when cash is paid”.[134] There are places around the world where AK type weapons can be purchased on the black market “for as little as $6, or traded for a chicken or a sack of grain”.[135][136][137]

The AK-47 has also spawned a cottage industry of sorts and has been copied and manufactured (one gun at a time) in small shops around the world (see Khyber Pass Copy).[138][139] The estimated numbers of AK-type weapons vary greatly. The Small Arms Survey suggest that “between 70 and 100 million of these weapons have been produced since 1947”.[140] The World Bank estimates that out of the 500 million total firearms available worldwide, 100 million are of the Kalashnikov family, and 75 million are AK-47s.[4] Because AK-type weapons have been made in many countries, often illicitly, it is impossible to know how many really exist.[141]

Conflicts

Burundi peacekeepers prepare for next rotation to Somalia , 2006

Kurdish YPJ fighters in Syria, 2014

The AK-47 has been used in the following conflicts:

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

Cultural influence and impact

CIA Agent drawing of the alleged first westerner sighting of the AK-47 in 1953

“Basically, it’s the anti-Western cachet of it … And you know, one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter, so we all sort of think, oh boy, we’ve got a little bit of Che Guevara in us. And this accounts for the popularity of the (AK 47) weapon. Plus I think that in the United States it’s considered counterculture, which is always something that citizens in this country kind of like … It’s kind of sticking a finger in the eye of the man, if you will.” —Larry Kahaner, author of AK-47: The Weapon That Changed the Face of War[153]

During the Cold War, the Soviet Union and the People’s Republic of China, as well as United States and other NATO nations supplied arms and technical knowledge to numerous countries and rebel forces around the world. During this time the Western countries used relatively expensive automatic rifles, such as the FN FAL, the HK G3, the M14, and the M16. In contrast, the Russians and Chinese used the AK-47; its low production cost and ease of manufacture allow them to make AKs in vast numbers.

In the pro-communist states, the AK-47 became a symbol of the Third World revolution. They were utilized in the Cambodian Civil War and the Cambodian–Vietnamese War.[154] During the 1980s, the Soviet Union became the principal arms dealer to countries embargoed by Western nations, including Middle Eastern nations such as Libya and Syria, which welcomed Soviet Union backing against Israel. After the fall of the Soviet Union, AK-47s were sold both openly[by whom?] and on the black market to any group with cash, including drug cartels and dictatorial states, and more recently they have been seen in the hands of Islamic groups such as Al-Qaeda, ISIL, and the Taliban in Afghanistan and Iraq, and FARC, Ejército de Liberación Nacional guerrillas in Colombia.[153]

In Russia, the Kalashnikov is a tremendous source of national pride.[155] “The family of the inventor of the world’s most famous rifle, Mikhail Kalashnikov, has authorized German engineering company MMI to use the well-known Kalashnikov name on a variety of not-so-deadly goods.”[156] In recent years, Kalashnikov Vodka has been marketed with souvenir bottles in the shape of the AK-47 Kalashnikov.[157][158] There are also Kalashnikov watches,[159] umbrellas,[160] and knives.[161][162]

The Kalashnikov Museum (also called the AK-47 museum) opened on 4 November 2004 in Izhevsk, Udmurt Republic. This city is in the Ural Region of Russia. The museum chronicles the biography of General Kalashnikov and documents the invention of the AK-47. The museum complex of Kalashnikov’s small arms, a series of halls, and multimedia exhibitions are devoted to the evolution of the AK-47 rifle and attracts 10,000 monthly visitors.[163] Nadezhda Vechtomova, the museum director, stated in an interview that the purpose of the museum is to honor the ingenuity of the inventor and the hard work of the employees and to “separate the weapon as a weapon of murder from the people who are producing it and to tell its history in our country”.

On 19 September 2017 a 9 metres (30 ft) monument of Kalashnikov was unveiled in central Moscow. A protester, later detained by police, attempted to unfurl a banner reading “a creator of weapons is a creator of death”.[164]

The proliferation of this weapon is reflected by more than just numbers. The AK-47 is included on the flag of Mozambique and its emblem, an acknowledgment that the country gained its independence in large part through the effective use of their AK-47s.[165] It is also found in the coats of arms of East Timor, Zimbabwe and the revolution era Burkina Faso, as well as in the flags of Hezbollah, Syrian Resistance, FARC-EP, the New People’s Army, TKP/TIKKO and the International Revolutionary People’s Guerrilla Forces.

U.S. and Western Europe countries frequently associate the AK-47 with their enemies; both Cold War era and present-day. For example, Western works of fiction (movies, television, novels, video games) often portray criminals, gang members, insurgents, and terrorists using AK-47s as the weapon of choice. Conversely, throughout the developing world, the AK-47 can be positively attributed with revolutionaries against foreign occupation, imperialism, or colonialism. Numerous fictional depictions of the Soviet/Russian armed forces such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare show them armed with 7.62×39mm AK variants (AK-47 or AKM) as their standard-issue rifles, a long-standing anachronism thanks to the AK-47’s iconic status, despite the Soviets having actually replaced them with the 5.45×39mm AK-74 in the 1970s. Movies and video games often pass off licensed clones like the Norinco Type 56 rifle as the AK-47.[153]

In Ireland the AK-47 is associated with The Troubles due to its extensive use by republican paramilitaries during this period.[166] In 2013, a decommissioned AK-47 was included in the A History of Ireland in 100 Objects collection.[167]

The AK-47 made an appearance in U.S. popular culture as a recurring focus in the Nicolas Cage film Lord of War (2005). Numerous monologues in the movie focus on the weapon, and its effects on global conflict and the gun running market.[168]

In Iraq and Afghanistan, private military company contractors from the U.K. and other countries used the AK-47 and its variants along with Western firearms such as the AR-15.[169]

In 2006, the Colombian musician and peace activist César López devised the escopetarra, an AK converted into a guitar. One sold for US$17,000 in a fundraiser held to benefit the victims of anti-personnel mines, while another was exhibited at the United Nations’ Conference on Disarmament.[170]

In Mexico, the AK-47 is known as “Cuerno de Chivo” (literally “Goat’s Horn”) because of its curved magazine design. It is one of the weapons of choice of Mexican drug cartels. It is sometimes mentioned in Mexican folk music lyrics.[171]

Gallery

A map of current and former AK users

An AK-47 Type 1 (top) and 2 (bottom) on display. The Type 1 features a stamped receiver while the Type 2 receiver is milled.

A U.S. Army M.P inspects a Chinese AK-47 recovered in Vietnam, 1968

AK-47s of the PAIGC-liberation movement, ready to be transported from Senegal to Guinea-Bissau, 1973

A Soviet Spetsnaz (special operations) group prepares for a mission in Afghanistan, 1988

During the Soviet–Afghan War in the 1980s, several sources simultaneously armed both sides of the Afghan conflict, filling the country with AK-47s and their derivatives.[172]

See also

Notes

^ 2.6 lb milled from 6 lb stock. This was about 2.2 lb heavier than the stamped receiver.

References

Bibliography

How to Use a Serial Number to Search for the Make, Model & History of a Gun

Since the Gun Control Act of 1968 went into effect, American firearms manufacturers must include a serial number on every gun’s frame or receiver for identification. This serial number can be used to search for the make, model and history of a gun, but the type of information the average person can get is limited. Here’s the scoop on what info a gun’s serial number can dish out.

Look for Identifying Marks

As of 2002, imported firearms must also bear a serial number. The serial number is just one required piece of information that must be engraved on a gun, and all firearms must bear the following engraved on the piece:

Manufacturer’s name

Country of origin

Model designation, if one is assigned

Caliber or gauge of the gun

Importer information, including the importer’s city or state.

There are a few exceptions, like machine guns, but if your gun has a serial number and no other additional markings, it was probably manufactured before 2002.

When the Serial Number Is Your Only Clue

Whether your pre-2002 gun has only a serial number mark or you’re sorting through a list of serial numbers for guns to be distributed, for example, in a will, there are ways to figure out the make and model.

Do a Google search. Enter the words “gun serial number” in the search bar, followed by the portion of the number before the first hyphen. This tells you the gun’s maker. For example, with a gun serial number of 331-12345, just enter 331. The search “gun serial number 331” brings up results for the Ruger SR9, which is the gun’s correct make and model. For serial numbers with multiple hyphens, you might need to include additional numbers between the first and second hyphen to get the most accurate results. For an serial number of 16-003-123-95, enter “gun serial number 16-003” to learn that the number is for an AyA shotgun.

Check the manufacturer’s website. Once you’ve determined the model, go on the manufacturer’s website to find which year the gun was made, from the digits following the dash. In this instance, 331-12345 was manufactured in the year 2007. In the case of the AyA number, the gun was manufactured in 1995, evidenced by the last two numbers, and “123” is its identifying number.

Check the NRA Museum for antiques. If Google doesn’t give you satisfactory information, the NRA Museum online might provide leads through their serialization database. The 47-page PDF lists gun manufacturers and their serial numbers dating back to the 1890s.

Checking to See if a Gun Is Stolen

Buying a gun through a licensed gun shop will help ensure you’re not buying a stolen weapon or one that was involved in a crime, but what if you’re buying from a private individual?

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