USSR, Afghanistan, Albania, Chile, Congo, Cuba, Indonesia, Iraq, Laos, Lebanon, Mongolia, Morocco, Pakistan, Syria, Egypt, Vietnam, Yeman, inter alia. (In excess of 100 countries.)
09. Production quantities
100+ million Kalashnikov variants, of which ~75 million AK-47/AKM.
10. Mechanism
Long-stroke gas-operated
11. Weight
3.15 Kg (6.9 lb) with empty magazine [AK-47: 3.9 Kg (8.6 lb)]
12. Mountings
13. Practicality in action
Highly practicable, short, relatively light, highly resistant to abuse and dirt. Easy to train and maintain (chromed bore). Almost universal availability worldwide
14. Comments / Other information
The most widely used post-WW2 military rifle. Improved version of the Kalashnikov AK-47, with a Type 4 receiver of pressed steel (AK-47: Type 1 pressed steel, Types 2 & 3 milled) Cyclic rate 600 rpm (in-built limiter [not in AK-47]. 30-round box magazine; also 5/10/20/40, and 75 & 100 round (drum). Can be fitted with GP-25 grenade launcher. Main variant, AKMS, with folding stock (used in e.g. armoured vehicles), plus numerous others. 7.62mm Automatic Rifle (“Assault Rifle”) (USSR) (Post-WW2) Introduced circa 1959 – essentially the Kalashnikov AK47 with the body formed from pressed steel rather that a machined forging; chambered for the 7.62x39mm round; cyclic rate about 600 rpm; 30-round box magazine; weight unloaded 6.9lb. Probably the most widely used post-WW2 military rifle.