The Russians have natively produced some scopes and optics similar to our own such as 4 power scopes, red dot optics, and it appears they have begun purchasing EOTech Holographic Weapon Sights as evidenced in this video below, a compilation of footage of the ongoing Russian conflict battling Muslim Extremists in Dagestan. Even still, these optics are expensive, heavy (often over a pound alone), and formerly were reserved for special units such as Spetznaz GRU.
Interestingly, and not widely known to civilians is that the AK-47 has been available in the US Special Operations arsenal since 1981. Technically, it is the Chinese Norinco Type-56, a copy of the AKM-47 and AKMS-47. The reason it is available to US Special Operations is for realistic opposing force training, for familiarization training, and for presence deniability in select operations. It’s hard to say American Forces aren’t present when the baddies find 5.56mm brass all over the scene. Additionally, in some environments, 7.62x39mm is more available and the AK doesn’t give up a disguise like strolling through the hillside with M4’s would.
As you can see in the above image, the weapon is very simple to break down. You unlatch the dust cover, press and unhook the drive spring, pull back the bolt carrier while lifting out, rotate the bolt to remove, and finally, unlatch and lift off the gas cylinder tube. That’s it, in 5 simple steps. This ease of take-down for cleaning and maintenance makes it attractive, there are no small parts to lose, just large component pieces near anyone can understand.
Actually operating the weapon effectively is more of a challenge due to some ergonomics challenges in the now 60 year old weapon system. As you can see above, the charging handle is on the right-hand side of the weapon. I recommend shooters learn to use the left hand to manipulate the bolt so that the weapon can be brought up to eye level (the ‘workspace‘) such as for reloads.
Speaking of reloads, notice where the magazine catch is? To reload, bring the weapon magazine into your sight plain (workspace), then the catch must be toggled to drop the magazine, and then the new magazine is hooked on the forward edge of the magazine well before rocking back and locking into place. Once locked in, reach over or under with the left hand and cycle the charging handle.
Lastly of concern is the safety selector switch. Unlike the M4 where you can quickly sweep to fire with your thumb, here you use your right pointer finger to sweep from safe (top) to auto (middle) or semi (bottom) position. It takes practice to get used to.
A word of caution, if the dust cover is removed to clear malfunctions and the weapon is loaded, rotating the selector switch upward beyond ‘safe’ WILL cause a round to be discharged. Obviously that can be dangerous to the unaware.
The short of it is, if you can operate one AK, the rest are virtually the same with some minor changes such as stock type, caliber, or some clone differences like seen on the Israeli Galil or Czech vz. 58. To list every variant on the market would be exhaustive, but there are some differences over the years worth noting. To go over some of those differences let me break it down as a list:
- AK-47 – Original design, Milled Receiver
- AKM-47 – Modified AK-47, Stamped Reciever, modified gas cylinder, muzzle compensator added. Most Common.
- AKMS-47 – Under-folding or Side-folding stock AKM-47
- AK-74 – Replacement for the AK-47. Changed to 5.45x39mm. Upgraded gas system. Polymer furniture.
- AKS-74 – Side-folding stock.
- AKS-74U – Equivalent of our CQBR in size, short barreled (8.3″) AKS-74 employed like a sub-machine gun.
- AK-74M/AK-105 – Improved AKS-74, with side mount and compensator. AK-105 has short barrel, flash hider.
- AK-101/102 – Chambered in 5.56x45mm. Same features as AK-74M/105.
- AK-103/104 – Chambered in 7.62x39mm. Same features as AK-101/102.
- AK-107/108 – Chambered in 5.45×39/5.56x45mm. Like AK-74M/105, with a recoil balance system.
The biggest change that surprised the world was the production of 5.56mm rifles. If you went back to the Cold War period and told any General they would produce rifles chambered in that caliber, you would be laughed at heartily. No one saw that change coming at that time but it shows the willingness to stay competitive for arms contracts with NATO members, many of whom employ AK derivatives.
Another big change has been the announcement of the AK-12. This new iteration is very modernized, and many note, westernized as well featuring a monolithic top rail like our M4, quad-rails in front, ergonomic grip and ambidextrous controls (Charging handle, safety).
On ammunition, we don’t see a whole lot of development like we have here stateside, at least with the original 7.62x39mm. The 123-grain M43 round had already been researched during WW II as an intermediate cartridge by the Soviet Union. The original round was very stable in flight, and caused through-and-through injuries frequently as it would not begin to tumble until typically penetrating 10″. If a round penetrates completely through the target, its full energy is not transferred and wounds are much less severe typically. The problem was addressed with the introduction of the newer M67 round. The new round had its center of gravity more rearward in the bullet, causing the far more lethal yaw tumbling effects in wounds desired to incapacitate faster. The newer round still does not tend to fragment and the tumbling path of the round inflicts the majority of tissue damage but is shown to cause two large temporary and permanent wound cavities much like the effect in the newer 5.45mm seen below.
With the production of the AK-74 rifle, the Russians chose a lighter round, the 49-grain 5.45x39mm for much the same reasons that drove the US to adopt 5.56x45mm over 7.62x51mm. The lighter cartridge would reduce weight while enhancing firepower by troops carrying more ammunition. In this cartridge, Russia has had ongoing development much like the 5.56mm has. In the original 5N7 bullet, it acted very much like the older round it replaced in wound profiles as seen above with more immediate yaw on entry of soft targets. The new caliber has less mass and produces less muzzle velocity (2,900ft/sec) than the 5.56mm fired from an M16 Series, but equals that produced by the M4 with its 14.5″ barrel when compared to the 16″ barrel of the AK-74M.
Later, with body armor becoming more common, the bullet was modified several times to improve armor penetration by incorporating a steel rod penetrator. The current issue round, the 7N10 uses a 27-grain steel penetrator and has increased fragmentation effects and is identified by a violet band on the tip. 7N22 bullets are further enhanced for armor piercing and have a black tip with red band. Unlike NATO ammo however, their tracers are identified by green tips.
To wrap this article up, I urge all soldiers be familiar with the basics of the AK series at a minimum so you can safely handle live weapons and aid site exploitation efforts. As prevalent as the weapon is in the world, it will likely remain common in 50 years to come, and likely still work despite being antiques. I personally don’t like the platform or its ergonomics, but I know it works and I respect its capabilities, as should you. Interestingly, this is the first year Russia will not purchase any new rifles, they finally say they’ve got enough stockpiled! I believe they may mean legacy AK’s, perhaps they intend to focus on the AK-12 as part of their modernization efforts? As I like to say, time will tell.
Bravo One, out.
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