Prototype Models

1. Submachine gun prototype designed in 1942

The submachine gun was tested in Schurovskoy facility. The test board concluded that the showed submachine gun was more complex and costly than PPSh-41 and PPS, and required critical and long-time milling operations. The device was not adopted for use in the army. 7.62 mm caliber. Delayed blowback action. Firing mechanism based on retracting spring. Triggering mechanism provides both single and continuous fire. Safety-type selector switch located on the left of trigger-guard group at the same time serves as a safety lock for the trigger. The extraction and injection is ensured by a shell extractor mounted on the breechblock and ejector fixed on the bottom side of the trigger-guard group. The pistol is fed from 30-capacity double-column box magazine. The submachine gun is equipped with a metallic fold stock, wooden pistol grip and auxiliary grip mounted on the barrel sleeve to hold at firing. The front face of the barrel sleeve serves as a compensation block.

2. Light machine gun prototype designed in 1943

7.62 mm caliber. Tested in Schurovskoy facility in 1943. Not adopted for use in the army.P>

3. Self-loading carbine prototype designed in 1944

7.62 mm caliber. Tested in Schurovskoy facility in 1943. Not adopted for use in the army.P>

4. Submachine gun prototype designed in 1947

9 mm caliber. Automatic action is based on free-bolt recoil. Triggering mechanism provides both single and continuous fire. Selector switch at the same time serves as a safety lock. Extraction and injection is ensured by a shell extractor mounted on the breechblock and ejector fixed on the side of the trigger-guard group. The pistol is fed from a double-column box magazine which is used as auxiliary grip to hold the pistol. Rotary sight is intended particularly for shooting distance of 100 and 200 m. The Submachine gun is equipped with a wooden grip and extractable metallic buttstock which is to be folded into the barrel extension during march.

The device was not adopted for the use in the army.

Models adopted for use in the army.

1.  Kalashnikov gun AK-47 designed in 1947

Caliber: 7.62 mm
Mass: 4.86 kg
Overall length: 870 mm
Sight distance: 800 m
Muzzle velocity: 700 m/s
Fire cycle: 600 shots/ min
Usable rate of fire: 40/90-100
Magazine capacity: 30

The gun was adopted for use in the Soviet Army in 1949 г. During the period from 1949 to 1957 two versions were in series production: the one with unfolded, the other with folded metallic buttstock. Automatic action is based on partial use of the energy of gases extracted from the barrel. Locking the bore is made by two bolt stops at a turn due to the interaction between breechblock projections and a slot of the bolt carrier assembly, the gun is fed from 30-capacity section magazine. Firing mechanism provides both single and continuous fire. The gun is equipped with a replaceable spit.

2.  Upgraded Kalashnikov gun AKM

Caliber: 7.62 mm
Mass: 3.6 kg
Overall length: 880 mm
Sight distance: 1000 m
Muzzle velocity: 715 m/s
Fire cycle: 600 shots/min
Usable rate of fire: 40/90-100
Magazine capacity: 30

The gun was adopted for use in the army in 1959 г. The upgrading activities first of all were aimed to improve fire dispersion, decrease mass and optimize production costs. This model differs from AK-47 by barrel extension manufactured by stamping thin metal sheet. Firing mechanism was improved by introduction of a baffle to reduce fire cycle. AKM is also featured by a muzzle brake intended to increase shooting accuracy in unstable position (with no support). Similarly as for AK-47, for AKM there is an option named AKMS with folded metallic buttstock.

3.  Kalashnikov light machine gun RPK

Caliber: 7.62 mm
Mass: 5.6 kg
Overall length: 1040 mm
Sight distance: 1000 m
Muzzle velocity: 745 m/s
Fire cycle: 600 shots/min
Usable rate of fire: 40/150
Magazine capacity: 40/75

In the mid of 1950-s in the Soviet Union it was decided to standardize the small arms inventory at platoon level. As a result, submachine gun AKM and Kalashnikov light machine gun were selected for this mission. In terms of parts the new light machine gun was to the most extent interchangeable with AKM. The updates were associated with the barrel: its length was enlarged in order to increase the effective range and weight to mitigate overheating at firing. To increase stability the gun was equipped with folding bipods and projected buttstock enabling to support the gun with the left hand. The gun is fed from box magazines with a 40-round capacity or a 75-round drum magazine.

4.  Kalashnikov submachine gun AK-74 designed in 1974

Caliber: 5.45 mm
Mass: 3.6 kg
Overall length: 940 mm
Sight distance: 1000 m
Muzzle velocity: 900 m/s
Fire cycle: 600 shots/ min
Usable rate of fire: 40/100
Magazine capacity: 30

The gun was adopted for use in the army in 1974. The main difference between the new model and former ones is 5.45 mm caliber. The decision to adopt 5.45 mm small-arms was aimed at improvement of shooting accuracy. AK-74 is mainly featured by two-chamber muzzle compensator that allowed the decrease in recoil and barrel climb. The option named AKS-74 was equipped with a stock of frame type folded on the left side of the barrel extension.

5. Kalashnikov submachine gun with folded stock and short barrel AKS-74U

Caliber: 5.45 mm
Mass: 3.0 kg
Overall length: 730 mm
Sight distance: 500 m
Muzzle velocity: 735 m/s
Fire cycle: 600 shots/ min
Usable rate of fire: 40/100
Magazine capacity: 30

Short-barrel Kalashnikov submachine gun AKS-74U is a derivative of AKS-74. It was adopted for use in the army in 1979. The gun design is an attempt to combine automatic gun power and small pistol-carbine dimensions. The gun differs from AKS-74 by barrel length (reduced by almost twice) and this required to decrease number of twist turns to comply with the needed accuracy characteristics. The block of the front sight coincides with gas chamber, the sight base is moved forward and located on the barrel extension cover. Sight leaf is suppressed by a reversable sight with two ranges. To reduce blast the gun is equipped with blast reducer.

6.  Kalashnikov light machine gun designed in 1974. RPK-74

Caliber: 5.45 mm
Mass: 5.46 kg
Overall length: 1060 mm
Sight distance: 1000 m
Muzzle velocity: 900 m/s
Fire cycle: 600 shots/ min
Usable rate of fire: 50/100
Magazine capacity: 45

Along with AK-74 a light 5.45×39 machine-gun was created the light machine-gun was produced in series at Viatsko-Polyanskiy Mashinostroiteltiy Zavod.

7.  Kalashnikov submachine gun designed in 1991 AK-74M

Caliber: 5.45 mm
Mass: 3.6 kg
Overall length: 940 mm
Sight distance: 1000 m
Muzzle velocity: 900 m/s
Fire cycle: 600 shots/ min
Usable rate of fire: 40/100
Magazine capacity: 30

AK-74 was upgraded in 1991. The new model had stock, fire control, grip and handguard made of high-tech molded plastic — glass-nylon composite. On the left part of the barrel extension there is a location for night, optical or bore sights.

8.  100-series Kalashnikov submachine gun AK101

Caliber: 5.56 mm
Mass: 3.8 kg
Overall length: 943 mm
Sight distance: 1000 m
Muzzle velocity: 910 m/s
Fire cycle: 600 shots/min
Usable rate of fire: 40/100
Magazine capacity: 30

The model was derived from AK-74M for NATO 5.56×39 mm standards. The model is intended for exporting.STRONG>Калибр: 5,56 мм

9.  100-series Kalashnikov submachine gun AK103

Caliber: 7.62 mm
Mass: 3.8 kg
Overall length: 943 
Sight distance: 1000 m
Muzzle velocity: 715 m/s
Fire cycle: 600 shots/min
Usable rate of fire: 40/100
Magazine capacity: 30

The gun was derived from AK-47 for 7.62×39 мм standard. Intended for exporting.

10.  100-series Kalashnikov submachine gun AK105

Caliber: 5.45 mm
Mass: 3.5 kg
Overall length: 824 mm
Sight distance: 500 m
Muzzle velocity: 840 m/s
Fire cycle: 600 shots/ min
Usable rate of fire: 40/100
Magazine capacity: 30

The gun was derived from AK-74М and represents shorter modification. Intended for exporting.

11.  Upgraded Kalashnikov auto-machine gun PKM

Caliber: 7,62×54
Mass without carrier: 7.5 kg
200-capacity ammunition belt: 15.5 кг
Mass on the carrier without shootshells: 12 kg
Length on carrier: 1270 mm
Sight distance: 1500 m.
Firing rate: 650 shots/min

The Kalashnikov auto-machine gun was adopted for use in the army in 1961 and upgraded in 1969. This gun is a general purpose machine gun: it can be applied as with and without tripod mount. The gun is fed from a loop-link chain. Automatic action is based on gas extraction principle. Lock up is by double turning of the bolt. Firing mechanism provides only shooting in automatic mode.

12.  Kalashnikov tank machine gun PKT, upgraded tank machine-gun PKTM

Caliber: 7.62×54
Mass: 11.75 kg
Length: 1100 mm
Firing rate: 650 shots/min

The tank machine gun is intended for use in tanks and other armors. It was adopted for use in the army in в 1962 and upgraded in 1969. The distinctive features versus PK are electric trigger for remote fire control, different gas regulator design, not use of mechanical sight parts. The gun was produced at Zlatoustovsky Mashinostroitelniy Zavod in series.