ASSAULT RIFLES
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Contents Articles AK-47
1
Assault rifle
16
British Army
28
FAMAS
49
FN F2000
56
FN SCAR
62
German Army
68
Heckler & Koch
88
Heckler & Koch G36
92
Heckler & Koch HK417
103
IMI Tavor TAR-21
107
Israel Defense Forces
114
M1 carbine
141
M16 rifle
159
M4 carbine
183
Mk 12 Special Purpose Rifle
194
Picatinny rail
198
SA80
200
SOPMOD
210
Steyr AUG
212
Suppressor
222
Tactical light
232
References Article Sources and Contributors
236
Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors
242
Article Licenses License
252
Contents Articles AK-47
1
Assault rifle
16
British Army
28
FAMAS
49
FN F2000
56
FN SCAR
62
German Army
68
Heckler & Koch
88
Heckler & Koch G36
92
Heckler & Koch HK417
103
IMI Tavor TAR-21
107
Israel Defense Forces
114
M1 carbine
141
M16 rifle
159
M4 carbine
183
Mk 12 Special Purpose Rifle
194
Picatinny rail
198
SA80
200
SOPMOD
210
Steyr AUG
212
Suppressor
222
Tactical light
232
References Article Sources and Contributors
236
Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors
242
Article Licenses License
252
AK-47
1
AK-47 [1]
AK-47
Standard AK-47 Type Place of origin
Assault rifle Soviet Union Service history
In service
1949 –present
Used by
See Users Production history
Designer
Mikhail Kalashnikov
Designed
1944 –1947
Manufacturer
Izhmash
Number built
approximately 75 million AK-47 100 million AK-type rifles[2] [3]
Variants
See Variants Specifications
Weight
5.21 kg (11.5 lb) with empty magazine
Length
870 mm (34 in) fixed wooden stock 875 mm (34.4 in) folding stock extended 645 mm (25.4 in) stock folded
Barrel length
415 mm (16.3 in)
Cartridge
7.62×39mm M43/M67
Action
Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire
600 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity
715 m/s (2346 ft/s)
Effective range
400 metres (440 yd) semi-automatic[4] 300 metres (330 yd) full automatic[4]
Feed system
10, 20 , 30 , 40 or 75 -round detachable box and drum style magazine, also compatible with 40-round box or 75-round drum magazines from the RPK
Sights
Adjustable iron sights, 100 –800 metre adjustments, 378 mm (14.9 in) sight radius
AK-47 The AK-47 is a selective-fire, gas-operated 7.62×39mm assault rifle, first developed in the Soviet Union by Mikhail Kalashnikov. It is officially known as Avtomat Kalashnikova (Автомат Калашникова). It is also known as a Kalashnikov, an "AK", or in Russian slang, Kalash. Design work on the AK-47 began in the last year of World War II (1945). After the war in 1946, the AK-46 was presented for official military trials. In 1947 the fixed-stock version was introduced into service with select units of the Soviet Army. An early development of the design was the AKS (S —Skladnoy or "folding"), which was equipped with an underfolding metal shoulder stock. In 1949, the AK-47 was officially accepted by the Soviet Armed Forces and used by the majority of the member states of the Warsaw Pact. The original AK-47 was one of the first fir st true "assault rifles" to be manufactured, after the original or iginal Sturmgewehr 44.[5] [6] Even after six decades the model and its variants remain the most widely used and popular assault rifles in the world because of their durability, low production cost, and ease of use. It has been manufactured in many countries and has seen service with armed forces as well as revolutionary and terrorist organizations worldwide. The AK-47 was the basis for developing many other types of individual and crew-served firearms. More AK-type rifles have been produced than all other assault rifles combined.[2] Firing the 7.62x39mm cartridge, the AK-47 produces significant wounding effects when the projectile tumbles and fragments in tissue;[7] but it produces relatively minor wounds when the projectile exits the body before beginning to yaw.[8] [9]
History Design background During World War II, the Germans first pioneered the assault rifle concept, based upon research that showed that most firefights happen at close range, within approximately 300 meters. The power and range of contemporary rifle cartridges was excessive for most small arms firefights. As a result, armies sought a cartridge and rifle combining submachine gun features (large-capacity magazine, selective-fire) with an intermediate-power cartridge effective to 300 meters. To reduce manufacturing costs, the 7.92x57mm Mauser cartridge case was shortened, the result of which was the lighter 7.92x33mm Kurz. The resultant rifle was the Sturmgewehr 44 (StG44). An earlier firearm, the Italian Cei-Rigotti combined similar features but suffered poor reliability and ejection mechanism, as well as inferior magazine capacity. Towards the end of the war, the Germans fielded the StG44 against the Soviets; the experience deeply influenced Soviet military doctrine in the post-war years. Mikhail Kalashnikov began his career as a weapon designer while in a hospital after he was shot in the shoulder during the Battle of Bryansk.[10] After tinkering with a sub-machine gun design, he entered a competition for a new weapon that would chamber the 7.62x41mm cartridge developed by Elisarov and Semin in 1943 (the 7.62x41mm cartridge predated the current 7.62x39mm M1943). A particular requirement of the competition was the reliability of the firearm in the muddy, wet, and frozen conditions of the Soviet front line. Kalashnikov designed a carbine, strongly influenced by the American M1 Garand, that lost out to the Simonov design that later became the SKS semi-automatic carbine. At the same time, the Soviet Army was interested in developing a true assault rifle employing a shortened M1943 round. The first such weapon was presented by Sudayev in 1944, but trials found it to be too heavy.[11] A new design competition was held two years later where Kalashnikov and his design team submitted an entry. It was a gas-operated rifle which had a breech-block mechanism similar to his 1944 carbine, and a curved 30-round magazine. Kalashnikov's rifles (codenamed AK-1 and −2) proved to be reliable and the weapon was accepted to second round of competition along with designs by A.A Demetev and F. Bulkin. In late 1946, as the rifles were being tested, one of Kalashnikov's assistants, Aleksandr Zaytsev, suggested a major redesign of AK-1, particularly to improve reliability. At first, Kalashnikov was reluctant, given that their rifle had already fared better than its competitors.
2
AK-47
3
Eventually, however, Zaytsev managed to persuade Kalashnikov. The new rifle was produced for a second round of firing tests and field trials. There, Kalashnikov assault rifle model 1947 proved to be simple and reliable under a wide range of conditions with convenient handling characteristics. In 1949 it was therefore adopted by the Soviet Army as '7.62mm Kalashnikov assault rifle (AK)'.[12]
Design concept The AK-47 is best described as a hybrid of previous rifle technology innovations: the trigger, double locking lugs and unlocking raceway of the M1 Garand/M1 carbine,[13] the safety mechanism of the John Browning designed Remington Model 8 rifle,[14] and the gas system and layout of the Sturmgewehr 44. Kalashnikov's team had access to all of these weapons and had no need to "reinvent the wheel", [15] [16] though he denied that his design was based on the German Sturmgewehr 44 assault rifle.[17] Kalashnikov himself observed: "A lot of [Soviet 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."[18]
Receiver development There were many difficulties during the initial phase of production. The first production models had stamped sheet metal receivers. Difficulties were encountered in welding the guide and ejector rails, causing high rejection rates.[19] Instead of halting production, a heavy machined receiver was substituted for the sheet metal receiver.[20] 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. 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.[20]
AKMS on a Type 4B receiver (top), with a Type 2A
Once manufacturing difficulties had been overcome, a redesigned version designated the AKM (M for "modernized" or "upgraded" —in Автомат Калашникова Модернизированный [Avtomat Russian: ( Автомат Kalashnikova Modernizirovanniy]) was introduced in 1959.[21] This A Type 2 AK-47, the first machined receiver new model used a stamped sheet metal receiver and featured a slanted variation 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 automatic fire.[22] 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 automatic fire. It was also roughly one-third lighter than the previous model.[21] Both licensed and unlicensed production of the Kalashnikov weapons abroad were almost exclusively 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 r ifles based on the Kalashnikov design are frequently referred to as AK-47s in the West, although this is only correct when applied to rifles based on the original three receiver types.[23] In most former Eastern Bloc countries, the weapon is known simply as the "Kalashnikov" or "AK". The photo above at right illustrates the differences between the Type 2 milled receiver and the Type 4 stamped, including the use of rivets rather than welds on t he stamped receiver, as well as the placement of a small dimple above the magazine well for stabilization of the magazine.
AK-47
4
In 1978, the Soviet Union began replacing their AK-47 and AKM rifles with a newer design, the AK-74. This new rifle and cartridge had only started being exported to eastern European nations when the Soviet Union collapsed, drastically slowing production of this and other weapons of the former Soviet bloc. Receiver type
Description
Type 1A/B
Original stamped receiver for AK-47. -1B modified for underfolding stock. A large hole is present on each side to accommodate the hardware for the underfolding stock. (this naming convention continues with all types)
Type 2A/B
Milled from steel forging.
Type 3A/B
"Final" version of the milled receiver, from steel bar stock. The most ubiquitous example of the milled-receiver AK-47.
Type 4A/B
Stamped AKM receiver. Overall, the most-used design in the construction of the AK-series rifles.
Features The main advantages of the Kalashnikov rifle are its simple design, fairly compact size and adaptation to mass production. It is inexpensive to manufacture, and easy to clean and maintain. Its ruggedness and reliability are legendary.[24] [25] The AK-47 was initially designed for ease of operation and repair by glove-wearing Soviet soldiers in Arctic conditions. 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. This reliability comes at the cost of accuracy, as the looser tolerances do not allow for precision and consistency. Reflecting Soviet infantry doctrine of its time, the rifle is meant to be part of massed infantry fire, not long range engagements. The average service life of an AK-47 is 20 to 40 years depending on the conditions to which it has been exposed.[6]
Albanian soldier with an AK47
The notched rear tangent iron sight is adjustable, and is calibrated in hundreds of meters. The front sight is a post adjustable for elevation in the field. Windage adjustment is done by the armory before issue. The battle setting places the round within +/-33 cm from the point of aim out to 350 m (380 yd). This "point-blank An Afghan National Police instructor using a Type 56-I, a Chinese copy of the AKS range" setting allows the shooter to fire the gun at any close target without adjusting the sights. The field adjustment procedure for AK-47, AKM and AK-74 family requires 4 rounds to be placed in a 15 cm group at a distance of 100 meters. [26] [27] Longer settings are intended for area suppression. These settings mirror the Mosin-Nagant and SKS rifles which the AK-47 replaced. This eased transition and simplified training. The prototype of the AK-47, the AK-46, had a separate fire selector and safety.[28] These were later combined in the production version to simplify the design. The fire selector acts as a dust cover for the charging handle raceway when placed on safe. This prevents intrusion of dust and other debris into the internal parts. The dust cover on the M16 rifle, in contrast, is not tied to the safety, and has to be manually closed. Soviet army handbooks for AKM and AK-74 do not cover target engagement using the semi-automatic setting, and advise the use of short and long bursts (but still recommend short ones).[26] [27]
AK-47 The bore and chamber, as well as the gas piston and the interior of the gas cylinder, are generally chromium-plated. This plating dramatically increases the life of these parts by resisting corrosion and wear. This is particularly important, as most military-production ammunition (and virtually all ammunition produced by the Soviet Union and other Warsaw Pact nations) during the 20th century contained potassium chlorate in the primers. On firing, this was converted to corrosive and hygroscopic potassium chloride which mandated frequent and thorough cleaning in order to prevent damage. Chrome plating of critical parts is now common on many modern military weapons. The construction of the AK magazine is very robust with reinforced feed lips that contribute to the reliable functioning for which the design is noted. 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.
Operating cycle To fire, the operator inserts a loaded magazine, moves the selector lever off of safety, pulls back and releases the charging handle, aims, and then pulls the trigger. In this setting, the firearm fires only once (semi-automatic), requiring the trigger to be released and depressed again for the next shot. With the selector in the middle position The gas-operated mechanism of an AK-47 (Chinese version) (full-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. As each bullet travels through the barrel, a portion of the gases expanding behind it is diverted into the gas tube above the barrel, where it impacts the gas piston. The piston, in turn, is driven backward, pushing the bolt carrier, which causes the bolt to move backwards, ejecting the spent round, and chambering a new round when the recoil spring pushes it back.[29]
Disassembly Dismantling the rifle involves the operator depressing the magazine catch and removing the magazine. The charging handle is pulled to the rear and the operator inspects the chamber to verify the weapon is unloaded. The operator presses forward on the retainer button at the rear of the receiver cover while simultaneously lifting up on the rear of the cover to remove it. The operator then pushes the spring assembly forward and lifts it from its raceway, withdrawing it out of the bolt carrier and to the rear. The operator must then pull the carrier assembly all the way to the rear, lift it, and then pull it away. The operator removes the bolt by pushing it to the rear of the bolt carrier; rotating the bolt so the camming lug clears the raceway on the underside of the bolt carrier and then pulls it forward and free. When cleaning, the operator will pay special attention to the barrel, bolt face, and gas piston, then oil lightly and reassemble.[29]
5
AK-47
6
Ballistics The standard AK-47 or AKM fires the 7.62x39mm cartridge with a muzzle velocity of 710 metres per second (2300 ft/s). Muzzle energy is 2010 joules (1480 ft·lbf). Projectile weight is normally 7.8 grams (120 gr). The AK-47 and AKM, with the 7.62×39mm cartridge, have a maximum effective range of around 400 metres (1300 ft).
Variants Kalashnikov variants include: • AK-47 1948 –51, 7.62x39mm – The very earliest models, with the Type 1 stamped sheet metal receiver, are now very rare. • AK-47 1952, 7.62x39mm – Has a milled receiver and wooden buttstock and handguard. Barrel and chamber are chrome plated to resist corrosion. Rifle weight is 4.2 kg (9.3 lb).
1955 AK-47 Type 3
• AKS —Featured a downward-folding metal stock similar to that of the German MP40, for use in the restricted space in the BMP infantry combat vehicle, as well as by paratroops. • RPK, 7.62x39mm – Hand-held machine gun version with longer barrel and bipod. • AKM, 7.62x39mm – A simplified, lighter version of the AK-47; Type 4 receiver is made from stamped and riveted sheet metal (see schematic above). A slanted muzzle device was added to counter climb in automatic fire. Rifle weight is 3.1 kg (6.8 lb) due to the lighter receiver. This is the most ubiquitous variant of the AK-47. • AKMS, 7.62x39mm – Folding-stock version of the AKM intended for airborne troops. Stock may be either sideor under-folding • AK-74 series, 5.45x39mm • AK-101/AK-102 series • AK-103/AK-104 series • AK-107/AK-108 series • AK-200 series • Saiga semi-automatic rifle – AK variant for hunting and civilian use. Built on AK receiver with hunting style stock and hand guard in 223/5.56, 7.62x39, 5.45x39, 308WIN • Saiga semi-automatic shotgun – AK variant for hunting and civilian use. Built on AK receiver with hunting style stock and hand guard in 12-Gauge, 20-Gauge, and .410-Bore. • KSK shotgun – A new version of AK variant military using shotgun Usually the AK n was introduced in year 1900+n.
Production outside of the Soviet Union/Russia Military variants only. Includes new designs substantially derived from the Kalashnikov.
AK-47
Country
7 Variant(s)
Albania
Automatiku Shqiptar model 56 (ASH-78 Tip-1) Albanian Automatic Assault Rifle Model 56 Type-1 [Made in Poliçan [30] Arsenal] (Straight forward copy of Type 56, which in turn is a clone of the Soviet AKM rifle) Automatiku Shqiptar Tipi 1982 (ASH-82) Albanian Automatic Assault Rifle Type 1982 [Made in Poliçan Arsenal] (Straight [30] forward copy of AKMS) Automatiku Shqiptar model 56 (ASH-78 Tip-2) Albanian Light Machine Gun [Made in Poliçan Arsenal] (Straight forward [30] copy of RPK) Automatiku Shqiptar model 56 (ASH-78 Tip-3) Albanian Automatic Hybrid Rifle Model 56 Type-3 [Made in Poliçan Arsenal] (Hybrid rifle for multi-purpose roles mainly Marksman rifle with secondary assault rifle and grenade launcher [30] capability) Other unknown variants.
several other unnamed & unidentified versions of the AKMS have been produce mainly with short barrels similar to the Soviet AKs-74u mainly for special forces, Tank & Armoured crew also for Helicopter pilots and police. There have also been modifications and fresh production of heavily modified ASh-82 (AKMS) with SOPMOD accessories, [30] mainly for Albania's special forces RENEA & exports. Bangladesh
Chinese Type 56
Bulgaria
AKK (Type 3 AK-47), AKKS (Type 3 with side-folding buttstock) AKKMS (AKMS) AKKN-47 (fittings for NPSU night sights) AK-47M1 (Type 3 with black polymer furniture) AK-47MA1/AR-M1 (same as -M1, but in 5.56 mm NATO) AKS-47M1 (AKMS in 5.56x45mm NATO), AKS-47MA1 ( same as AKS-47M1, but semi-automatic only) AKS-47S (AK-47M1, short version, with East German folding stock, laser aiming device) AKS-47UF (short version of -M1, Russian folding stock), AR-SF (same as −47UF, but 5.56 mm NATO) AKS-93SM6 (similar to −47M1, cannot use grenade launcher) RKKS, AKT-47 (.22 rimfire training rifle)
Cambodia
Chinese Type 56, Soviet AK-47, and AKM
People's Republic Type 56 of China German Democratic Republic
MPi-K (AK-47), MPi-KS (AKS), MPi-KM (AKM), MPi-KMS-72 (AKMS), KK-MPi Mod.69 (.22-Lr select-fire trainer);
Egypt
AK-47, Misr assault rifle (AKM), Maadi.
Ethiopia
[31] AK-47, AK-103 (manufactured locally at the State-run Gafat Armament Engineering Complex as the Et-97/1 )
Hungary
AK-63D/E (AMM/AMMSz), AKM-63, AMD-65, AMD-65M, AMP, NGM 5.56
Iraq
Tabuk Sniper Rifle, Tabuk Assault Rifle (with fixed or underfolding stock, outright clones of Yugoslavian M70 rifles series), Tabuk Short Assault Rifle
India
Assault Rifle 7.62 mm, manufactured by Ordnance Factories Organisation
Iran
KLS (AK-47), KLF (AKS), KLT (AKMS)
Israel
IMI Galil
Finland
RK 62, RK 95 TP
Macedonia
M60
[32]
AK-47
8
Nigeria
[33] OBJ-006
North Korea
Type 58A (Type 3 AK-47), Type 58B (stamped steel folding stock), Type 68A (AKM-47) Type 68B (AKMS), Type 88 [34] [35] (AKS-74)
Pakistan
Reverse engineered by hand and machine in Pakistan's highland areas near the border of Afghanistan; more recently the [36] Pakistan Ordnance Factories started the manufacture of an AK47/AKM clone called PK-10
Poland
pmK/kbk AK (name has changed from pmK – "pistolet maszynowy Kałasznikowa", Kalashnikov SMG to the kbk AK – "karabinek AK", Kalashnikov Carbine in mid 1960s) (AK-47), kbkg wz. 1960, kbk AKM (AKM), kbk AKMS (AKMS), kbk wz. 1988 Tantal based on the 7.62 mm kbk AKMS wz. 81, kbs wz. 1996 Beryl
Romania
PM md. 63 (AKM), PM md. 65 (AKMS), PM md. 90 (AKMS), collectively exported under the umbrella name AIM or AIMS PA md. 86 (AK-74), exported as the AIMS-74 PM md. 90 short barrel (AK-104), PA md. 86 short barrel (AK-105) exported as the AIMR
Serbia
M92, M21
South Africa
R4 assault rifle
Sudan
[37] MAZ, based on the Type 56
Vietnam
Chinese Type 56, Soviet AK-47, and AKM
Venezuela
[38] License granted, factory under construction
Yugoslavia
M60, M64 (AK-47 with longer barrel), M64A (grenade launcher), M64B (M64 w/ folding stock), M66, M70, M70A, M70B1, M70AB2, M76, M77,
Certainly more have been produced elsewhere; but the above list represents known producers and is limited to only military variants. An updated AKM design is still produced in Russia.
Derivatives The basic design of the AK-47 has been used as the basis for other successful rifle designs such as the Finnish Rk 62/76 and Rk 95 Tp, the Israeli Galil, the Indian INSAS and the Yugoslav Zastava M76 and M77/82 rifles. Several bullpup designs have surfaced such as the Chinese Norinco Type 86S, although none have been produced in quantity. Bullpup conversions are also available commercially. Further information: list of weapons influenced by the Kalashnikov design
Type 56 and AKS-47
AK-47
9
Licensing OJSC IzhMash has repeatedly claimed that the majority of manufacturers produce AK-47s without a proper license from IZH.[39] [40] The Izhevsk Machine Tool Factory acquired a patent in 1999, making manufacture of the newest Kalashnikov rifles, such as AK-100s by anyone other than themselves illegal. However, older variants, such as AK and AKM are public domain due to age of design.
Illicit trade Throughout the world, the AK and its variants are among the most commonly smuggled small arms sold to governments, rebels, criminals, and civilians alike, with little international oversight. In some countries, prices for AKs are very low; in Somalia, Rwanda, Mozambique, Congo and Ethiopia, prices are between $30 and $125 Cambodian AK-47 with black furniture per weapon, and prices have fallen in the last few decades due to mass counterfeiting. Moisés Naím observed that in a small town in Kenya in 1986, an AK-47 cost fifteen cows but that in 2005, the price was down to four cows indicating that supply was "immense".[41] The weapon has appeared in a number of conflicts including clashes in the Balkans, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia.[42] After the Soviet retreat from Afghanistan, the Soviet Army left quantities of weapons including AKs which were subsequently used in the civil war between the Taliban and the Northern Alliance and were also exported to Pakistan. The gun is now also made in Pakistan's semi-autonomous areas (see more at Khyber Pass Copy). It is widely used by tribes in Africa like the Hamer, amongst others. The World Bank estimates that out of the 500 million total firearms available worldwide, 100 million are of the Kalashnikov family, and 75 million of which are AK-47s.[43] Mikhail Kalashnikov addressed the United Nations in 2006 at a conference aimed at solving the problem of illicit weapons, saying that he appreciated the AK-47's role in state-sponsored defense but that counterfeit weapons carrying his name in the hands of "terrorists and thugs" caused him regret.[44]
Cultural influence "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
[45]
The Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China, as well as Western countries (especially the United States) supplied arms and technical knowledge to numerous countries and rebel forces in a global struggle between the Warsaw Pact nations and their allies against NATO and their allies called the Cold War. While the NATO countries used rifles such as the relatively expensive M14, FN FAL, and H&K G3 battle rifles and M16 assault rifle during this time, the low production and materials costs of the AK-47 meant that the Soviet Union could produce and supply its allies at a very low cost. Because of its low cost, it was also duplicated or used as the basis for many other rifles, such as the Israeli Galil, Chinese Type 56, and Swiss SIG SG 550. As a result, the Cold War saw the mass export of AK-47s by the Soviet Union and the PRC to their allies, such as the Nicaraguan Sandinistas, Viet Cong as well as Middle Eastern, Asian, and African revolutionaries. The United States also purchased the Type 56 from the PRC to give to the mujahideen guerrillas during the Soviet war in Afghanistan.[46]
AK-47
10 The proliferation of this weapon is reflected by more than just numbers. The AK-47 is included in the flag of Mozambique and its coat of arms, an acknowledgment that the country's leaders gained power in large part through the effective use of their AK-47s.[47] It is also found in the coat of arms of Zimbabwe and East Timor, the revolution era coat of arms of Burkina Faso, the flag of Hezbollah, and the logo of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. Flag of Mozambique featuring the AK-47.
In parts of the Western world, the AK-47 is associated with their enemies; both Cold War era and present-day. During the 1980s, the Soviet Union became the principal arms dealer to countries embargoed by Western nations, including Middle Eastern nations such as Syria, Libya and Iran, who welcomed Soviet Union backing against Israel. After the fall of the Soviet Union, AK-47s were sold both openly 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 violent Islamic terrorist groups such as the Taliban and Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and Iraq, and FARC, Ejército de Liberación Nacional guerrillas in Colombia. Western movies often portray criminals, gang members and terrorists using AK-47s. For these reasons, in the U.S. and Western Europe the AK-47 is stereotypically regarded as the weapon of choice of insurgents, gangsters and terrorists. Conversely, throughout the developing world, the AK-47 can be positively attributed with revolutionaries or "freedom fighters" against foreign occupation, imperialism, or colonialism.[45]
A U.S. Army M.P. inspects a Soviet AK-47 recovered in Vietnam, 1968.
In Mexico, the AK-47 is known as "Cuerno de Chivo" (literally "Ram's Horn") and is one of the weapons of choice of Mexican drug cartels. It is sometimes mentioned in Mexican folk music lyrics.[48] In 2006, 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.[49]
Kalashnikov Museum The Kalashnikov Museum (also called the AK-47 museum) opened on November 4, 2004, in Izhevsk, a city in the Ural Mountains of Russia. The museum chronicles the biography of General Kalashnikov, as well as documents the invention of the AK-47. The museum complex of small arms of M. T. Kalashnikov, a series of halls and multimedia exhibitions is devoted to the evolution of the AK-47 assault rifle and attracts 10,000 monthly visitors. The museum serves as Russia's monument to this world-renowned infantry weapon.[50] 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."
AK-47
11
Users • • • • • • • • •
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Afghanistan[51] Albania[52] Algeria[52] Angola[52] Armenia[52] Bangladesh[52] Benin[52] Botswana[52] Bulgaria[52] Bulgarian modification manufactured by Arsenal Ethiopian soldier aiming with an AKM J.S.Co as the AR-M1 in 7.62x39mm, 5.45x39mm, & 5.56x45mm[53] [54] Cambodia[52] Cape Verde[52] Central African Republic[52] Chad[52] Chile[55] Comoros[52] Congo-Brazzaville[52] Cuba[52] Democratic Republic of the Congo[52] Egypt[52] Namibia[52] East Germany[56] Equatorial Guinea[52] Ethiopia: AK-47 variant.[52] Gabon[52] Georgia:[52] Used by the Georgian Armed Forces for over 15 years. Replaced by the M4 carbine in 2008.[57] Greece: EKAM counter-terrorist unit of the Hellenic Police.[58] [59] Guinea[52] Guinea-Bissau[52] Guyana[52] Hungary[52] India: In use by Force One.[60] Iran[52] Iraq[51] [52] Israel[52] :Captured from Arab armies over the course of the Arab-Israeli Conflict. Laos[52] Lesotho[52] Liberia[52] Libya[52] / Anti-Gaddafi forces [61] Macedonia Madagascar[52] Mali[52] Malta: Type 56 variant.[52] Morocco[52]
AK-47 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
12 Mongolia[52] Mozambique[52] North Korea: Type 56 and Type 58 variants were used.[52] Pakistan: Type 56 variant is used by the Special Service Group of the Pakistan Army.[62] People's Republic of China: Type 56 variant was used.[63] Peru[52] Philippines: Used by the Santiago City PNP.[64] Poland[56] Qatar[52] Romania[52] Sao Tome and Principe[52] Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic[65] Seychelles[52] Sierra Leone[52] Somalia[52] Soviet Union: Adopted by the Soviet Union in 1951.[63] Sri Lanka: Type 56 variant.[52] Sudan[52] Syria[52] Tanzania[52] Togo[52] Turkey[52] Vietnam: Type 56 variant was used extensively by the Viet Cong.[63] Yemen[52] Yugoslavia[56] Zambia[52] Zimbabwe[52]
Notes [1] Table data are for AK-47 with Type 2/3 receiver [2] Worldbank.org (http:/ / www-wds.worldbank.org/ servlet/ WDSContentServer/ WDSP/ IB/ 2007/ 04/ 13/ 000016406_20070413145045/ Rendered/ PDF/ wps4202.pdf) [3] "AK-47 Inventor Doesn't Lose Sleep Over Havoc Wrought With His Invention" (http:/ / www.foxnews.com/ story/ 0,2933,288456,00. html). Foxnews.com. 2007-07-06. . Retrieved 2010-04-03. [4] Bidwell, Shelford. The Encyclopedia of land warfare in the 20th century , p. 199. Spring Books, 1977. [5] Poyer, Joe. The AK-47 and AK-74 Kalashnikov Rifles and Their Variations . North Cape Publications. 2004. [6] "Weaponomics: The Economics of Small Arms" (http:/ / www.csae.ox.ac.uk/ workingpapers/ pdfs/ 2006-13text.pdf). . [7] Bellamy RF, Zajtchuk R. The physics and biophysics of wound ballistics. In: Zajtchuk R, ed. Textbook of Military Medicine, Part I: Warfare, Weaponry, and the Casualty, Vol. 5, Conventional Warfare: Ballistic, Blast, and Burn Injuries. Washington, DC: Office of the Surgeon General, Department of the Army, United States of America (1990) pp. 146 –155 [8] U.S. Military Small Arms Ammunition Failures and Solutions, GK Roberts, NDIA Dallas, Texas, 21 May 2008, DTIC.mil (http:/ / www. dtic.mil/ ndia/ 2008Intl/ Roberts.pdf) [9] Wounding Effects of the AK-47 Rifle Used by Patrick Purdy in the Stockton, California, Schoolyard Shooting of January 17, 1989, Fackler, Martin L. M.D.; Malinowski, John A. B.S.; Hoxie, Stephen W. B.S.; Jason, Alexander B.A., American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology, September 1990 [10] "AK-47 Inventor Doesn't Lose Sleep Over Havoc Wrought With His Invention" (http:/ / www.foxnews.com/ story/ 0,2933,288456,00. html). Foxnews.com. 2007-07-06. . Retrieved 2009-06-26. [11] Bolotin, D.N, "Soviet Small-Arms and Ammunition", pp 68. [12] Bolotin, pp 69 –71. [13] J.F.S. (July 1983). "IMI Galil" (http:/ / web.archive.org/ web/ 20080323110816/ http:/ / www.ak-47.net/ ak47/ galil.html). Soldier of Fortune (AK-47.net). Archived from the original (http:/ / www.ak-47.net/ ak47/ galil.html) on March 23, 2008. . Retrieved 2008-10-19.
AK-47 [14] "Firearm Model History – Remington Model 8" (http:/ / web.archive.org/ web/ 20080615193132/ http:/ / www.remington.com/ library/ history/ firearm_models/ centerfire/ model_8.asp). Remington.com. Archived from the original (http:/ / www.remington.com/ library/ history/ firearm_models/ centerfire/ model_8.asp) on June 15, 2008. . Retrieved 2008-10-19. [15] "AK-47 Inventor Says Conscience Is Clear, Mikhail Kalashnikov Blames Politicians For Millions Of Deaths Involving His Assault Rifle" (http:/ / www.cbsnews.com/ stories/ 2007/ 07/ 06/ world/ main3025193. shtml?source=RSSattr=World_3025193). CBS News. July 6, 2007. . Retrieved 2008-10-19. [16] Edward Clinton Ezell (1986-03). The AK47 story: evolution of the Kalashnikov weapons (http:/ / books.google.com/ ?id=cUKbQAAACAAJ). ISBN 978-0-8117-0916-3. . [17] Val Shilin; Charlie Cutshaw. "Mikhail Kalashnikov" (http:/ / www.powercustom.com/ AKPages/ MikhailKalashnikov.htm). Power Custom. . Retrieved 2008-10-19. [18] Bolotin, pp 64. [19] Poyer, 8 [20] Poyer, 9 [21] Ezell, 36 [22] Poyer, 11 [23] Poyer, 2 [24] "An AK for Every Market by James Dunnigan April 23, 2003" (http:/ / web.archive.org/ web/ 20070325171640/ http:/ / www. strategypage.com/ dls/ articles/ 20030423. asp). Web.archive.org. Archived from the original (http:/ / www.strategypage.com/ dls/ articles/ 20030423. asp) on 2007-03-25. . Retrieved 2009-06-26. [25] Rivas, Oswaldo (2007-06-14). "Soldiers from special force unit "COE" take part in a military training exercise at the military base, near Managua" (http:/ / blogs.reuters.com/ oddly-enough/ 2007/ 06/ 14/ mimes-fighting-to-be-heard/ ). Reuters. . Retrieved 2008-12-09. [26] "Handbook for firearms use and maintenance: Kalashnikov 7.62 mm modernized assault rifle (AKM and AKMS). USSR Ministry of Defence, revised, 1983. In Russian; e-book" (http:/ / talks.guns.ru/ forummessage/ 18/ 502015.html). . [27] "Manual: Kalashnikov 5.45 mm modernized assault rifle (AK-74, AKS-74, AK-74N, AKS-74N) and Kalashnikov 5.45 light machine gun (RPK-74, RPKS-74, RPK-74N, RPKS-74N). USSR Ministry of Defence, revised, 1982. In Russian; e-book" (http:/ / talks.guns.ru/ forummessage/ 18/ 502015.html). . [28] Maxim Popenker; Anthony G. Williams (2005-03-28). Assault Rifle (http:/ / books.google.com/ ?id=TNwgAAAACAAJ). Crowood Press. ISBN 978-1-86126-700-9. . [29] Department of the Army. Operators Manual for AK-47 Assault Rifle. 203d Military Intelligence Battalion [30] http:/ / i50.photobucket.com/ albums/ f301/ kagemushamu/ Page1-1/ SmallArms01-001. jpg [31] Advertisement flyer for manufacturing capabilities of the GAEC – Gafat Armament Engineering Complex. (http:/ / ethiopiabook.com/ galleryimg/ l/ print-advert-371. jpg) Retrieved on October 8, 2010. [32] "Assault Rifle 7,62mm page on the Indian Ordnance Factory Board website. (http:/ / ofbindia.nic.in/ products/ data/ weapons/ wsc/ 21. htm) [33] Nigeria to mass-produce Nigerian version of AK-47 rifles. (http:/ / english.peopledaily.com.cn/ 200610/ 02/ eng20061002_308128. html) Retrieved on October 5, 2008. [34] US Department of Defense, North Korea Country Handbook 1997, Appendix A: Equipment Recognition, PPSH 1943 SUBMACHINEGUN (TYPE-50 CHINA/MODEL-49 DPRK), p. A-79. [35] US Department of Defense, North Korea Country Handbook 1997, Appendix A: Equipment Recognition, TYPE-68 (AKM) ASSAULT RIFLE, p. A-77. [36] Russia confronts Pakistan, China over copied weapons. (http:/ / www.upiasia.com/ Security/ 2009/ 11/ 16/ russia_confronts_pakistan_china_over_copied_weapons/ 5776/ ) Retrieved on October 16, 2010. [37] "MAZ" (http:/ / mic.sd/ images/ products/ wepons/ en/ MAZbn.html). Military Industry Corporation. . Retrieved 2009-02-08. [38] Martin Sieff (August 15, 2007). "Defense Focus: Venezuela's Kalashnikovs" (http:/ / www.upi.com/ International_Security/ Industry/ Analysis/ 2007/ 08/ 15/ defense_focus_venezuelas_kalashnikovs/ 1273/ ). UPI.com. . Retrieved 2008-10-19. [39] "Восточная Европа захватила рынок продаж автоматов Калашникова" (http:/ / www.lenta.ru/ news/ 2006/ 06/ 13/ rifles/ ). Lenta.ru. . Retrieved 2006-07-19. [40] "'Ижмаш' подсчитал контрафактные автоматы Калашникова" (http:/ / lenta.ru/ news/ 2006/ 04/ 15/ fake). Lenta.ru. . Retrieved 2006-07-19. [41] "Carnegie Council. ''ILLICIT: How Smugglers, Traffickers, and Copycats Are Hijacking the Global Economy''. Moisés Naím, Joanne J. Myers. November 9, 2005" (http:/ / www.cceia.org/ resources/ transcripts/ 5279.html). Cceia.org. 2005-11-09. . Retrieved 2009-06-26. [42] "The AK-47: The World's Favourite Killing Machine". ControlArms Briefing Note. Internet, available from Controlarms.org (http:/ / www. controlarms.org/ en/ documents and files/ reports/ english-reports/ the-ak-47-the-worlds-favourite-weapon/ at_download/ file). Retrieved 2008-11-02. Archived (http:/ / web.archive.org/ 20080813072407/ http:/ / www.controlarms.org/ en/ documents and files/ reports/ english-reports/ the-ak-47-the-worlds-favourite-weapon/ at_download/ file) August 13, 2008 at the Wayback Machine [43] "Worldbank. Post-Conflict Transitions Working Paper No. 10. ''Weaponomics: The Global Market for Assault Rifles''. Phillip Killicoat, Economics, Oxford University. April 2007" (http:/ / www-wds.worldbank.org/ servlet/ WDSContentServer/ WDSP/ IB/ 2007/ 04/ 13/ 000016406_20070413145045/ Rendered/ PDF/ wps4202.pdf) (PDF). . Retrieved 2010-04-03.
13
AK-47 [44] "United Nations. ''United Nations Conference to Review Progress Made in the Implementation of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects.'' New York, 26 June – 7 July 2006" (http:/ / www.un.org/ events/ smallarms2006/ pdf/ rc.6-e.pdf) (PDF). . Retrieved 2010-04-03. [45] AK-47: The Weapon Changed the Face of War (http:/ / www.npr.org/ templates/ story/ story.php?storyId=6539945) by Andrea Seabrook, NPR Weekend Edition Sunday, November 26, 2006 [46] "Chinese Type-56 Assault Rifle" 5th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment Association website (http:/ / www.5rar.asn.au/ weapons/ type_56.htm) [47] Michael R. Gordon, "Burst of Pride for a Staccato Executioner: AK-47" The New York Times, March 13, 1997. [48] Muessig, Ben. "Narcocorridos: The Songs of Mexico's Drug War" (http:/ / www.aolnews.com/ 2010/ 08/ 10/ narcocorridos-the-songs-of-mexicos-drug-war/ ). AolNews. . Retrieved 9 August 2011. [49] Latorre, Héctor (2006-01-24). "Escopetarras: disparando música" (http:/ / news.bbc.co.uk/ hi/ spanish/ misc/ newsid_4644000/ 4644028. stm). BBC World. . Retrieved 2007-01-31. [50] Chivers, C.J. http:/ / travel.nytimes.com/ 2007/ 02/ 18/ travel/ 18heads.html The New York Times 2007-02-18 [51] Kahaner, Larry (2006-11-26). "Weapon Of Mass Destruction" (http:/ / www.washingtonpost.com/ wp-dyn/ content/ article/ 2006/ 11/ 24/ AR2006112400788. html). Washingtonpost.com. . Retrieved 2010-04-03. [52] Janes; Leland S. Ness (2009-12). Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009-2010 (http:/ / books.google.com/ ?id=A5ngPgAACAAJ). Jane's Information Group. ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5. . [53] 5.56mm AR-M1 & AR-M1F (http:/ / www.arsenal-bg.com/ defense_police/ 5.56_arsenal_assault_rifle_ar-m1_ar-m1f.htm) [54] 7.62mm AR-M1 & AR-M1F (http:/ / www.arsenal-bg.com/ defense_police/ 7,62ar-m1-m1f.htm) [55] Terry J. Gander (1995-05). Jane's Infantry Weapons 1995-96 (http:/ / books.google.com/ ?id=qSL8AAAACAAJ). ISBN 978-0-7106-1241-0. . [56] Modern Firearms – AK-47 AKM (http:/ / world.guns.ru/ assault/ as01-e.htm). World.guns.ru (2011-01-24). Retrieved on 2011-03-14. [57] "Georgian Army Bids Farewell to Soviet Guns" (http:/ / www.mod.gov.ge/ files/ ijwtsgknrxgeo.pdf). Today Defence (7). January 2008. . [58] Milosevic, Milan (2005). "Trojanski Konj za Teroriste" (http:/ / www.kalibar.rs/ code/ navigate.php?Id=74) (in Serbian). Kalibar. Archived (http:/ / www.webcitation.org/ 5rzTsOf8X) from the original on 2010-08-14. . Retrieved 2009-04-04. [59] "Greece Ministry of Public Order Press Office: Special Anti-Terrorist Unit" (http:/ / www.webcitation.org/ 5rOg1WIHo). http:/ / astynomia.gr – Official Website of the Hellenic Police. July 2004. Archived from the original (http:/ / www.astynomia.gr/ images/ stories/ DOCS/ Attachment11480_ENHMEROTIKO_EKAM_ENGL.pdf) on 2010-07-21. . Retrieved 2009-09-27. [60] "Maha's elite counter terror unit Force One becomes operational" (http:/ / www.business-standard.com/ india/ news/ maha\s-elite-counter-terror-unit-force-one-becomes-operational/ 377563/ ). Business Standard. . Retrieved 2010-07-05. [61] Macedonian military police, US National Guard conduct joint manoeuvres (http:/ / www.setimes.com/ cocoon/ setimes/ xhtml/ en_GB/ features/ setimes/ features/ 2006/ 10/ 12/ feature-03). SETimes.com. Retrieved on 2011-03-14. [62] Pakistan Military Consortium (http:/ / www.pakdef.info/ pakmilitary/ army/ regiments/ ssg.html). www.PakDef.info (1989-05-29). Retrieved on 2011-03-14. Archived (http:/ / www.webcitation.org/ 5yoL5lFaR) 19 May 2011 at WebCite [63] D. M. O. Miller (2001-08-31). Illustrated directory of twentieth century guns (http:/ / books.google.com/ ?id=GgpRPgAACAAJ). ISBN 978-1-84065-245-1. . [64] "Santiago city forms SWAT team to combat crime" (http:/ / www.pia.gov.ph/ ?m=12&sec=reader&rp=1&fi=p060902. htm&no=3& date=09/ 02/ 2006). Philippine Information Agency. 2006-09-02. . Retrieved 2010-02-01. [65] Western Sahara – In the unforgiving deserts of south west Algeria, Nick Ryan meets the nomads fighting a 25 year battle. (http:/ / www. nickryan.net/ articles/ sahara.html)
References • Valerii N. Shilin; Charlie Cutshaw (2000-03-01). Legends and reality of the AK: a behind-the-scenes look at the history, design, and impact of the Kalashnikov family of weapons (http:/ / books.google.com/ ?id=U3kIAAAACAAJ). Paladin Press. ISBN 978-1-58160-069-8. • Ezell, Edward Clinton (1986-03). The AK-47 Story: Evolution of the Kalashnikov Weapons . Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0-8117-0916-3. Before his death, Ezell was the curator of military history at the Smithsonian Museum • Ezell, Edward Clinton; R. Blake Stevens (2001-12-01). Kalashnikov: The Arms and the Man. Cobourg, ON: Collector Grade Publications. ISBN 978-0-88935-267-4. • {{cite book| author = managing editor, Claire Folkard.| title = [[Guinness Book of Records| date = 2004-08| publisher = Guinness World Records| location = London| isbn = 978-1-892051-22-6 }} • Michael Hodges (2007-01). Ak47: The Story of the People's Gun (http:/ / books.google.com/ ?id=j82yAAAACAAJ). Hodder & Stoughton. ISBN 978-0-340-92104-3.
14
AK-47
15
• Larry Kahaner (2007). AK-47: the weapon that changed the face of war (http:/ / books.google.com/ ?id=oBAhAQAAIAAJ). John Wiley & Sons Inc. ISBN 978-0-471-72641-8. • Mikhail Timofeevich Kalashnikov; Elena Joly (2006). The gun that changed the world (http:/ / books.google. com/ ?id=CY2HlLDiaNwC). Polity Press. ISBN 978-0-7456-3691-7. • Poyer, Joe (2004-08). The AK-47 and AK-74 Kalashnikov Rifles and Their Variations (Paperback) . Tustin, CA: North Cape Publications. ISBN 978-1-882391-33-2. • Edward Clinton Ezell; with research assistance of Thomas M. Pegg.; Thomas M. Pegg, Walter Harold Black Smith (1983). Small Arms of the World . New York: Barnes & Nobles. ISBN 978-0-88029-601-4. • John Walter (1999-09-04). Kalashnikov: machine pistols, assault rifles, and machine-guns, 1945 to the present (http:/ / books.google.com/ ?id=XnybC2qSORAC). Greenhill Books/Lionel Leventhal. ISBN 978-1-85367-364-1.
External links • • • •
Manufacturer's Official Site (http:/ / www.izhmash.ru/ eng/ product/ akm.shtml) AK Site – Kalashnikov Home Page (http:/ / kalashnikov.guns.ru/ ) US Army Operator's Manual for the AK-47 Assault Rifle Nazarian's Gun's Recognition Guide (MANUAL) AK 47 Manual (.pdf) (http:/ / www.nazarian.no/ images/ wep/ 284_US_Army_AK47.pdf) • The Timeless, Ubiquitous AK-47 (http:/ / www.time.com/ time/ photogallery/ 0,29307,1964810,00.html) – slideshow by Time magazine • How the AK-47 Rewrote the Rules of Modern Warfare (http:/ / www.wired.com/ magazine/ 2010/ 11/ ff_ak47/ all/ 1) – Three-part article by C. J. Chivers, Wired Magazine, 2010-11-01
Audio • AK-47: The Weapon Changed the Face of War (http:/ / www.npr.org/ templates/ story/ story. php?storyId=6539945) – audio report by NPR • The AK-47: The Gun That Changed The Battlefield (http:/ / www.npr.org/ templates/ story/ story. php?storyId=130493013) – audio report by NPR
Video • History of the AK-47 (http:/ / www.emtain.tv/ playlist/ show/ 14509) • TOP 10 Combat Rifles: AK-47 (http:/ / www.youtube.com/ watch_popup?v=KvrG4T2K4sE) by the Discovery Channel
• AK-47 Documentary: Part 1 (http:/ / www.youtube.com/ watch_popup?v=na2_Nw31BBI) & Part 2 (http:/ / www.youtube.com/ watch_popup?v=PB1VuBWTyvY) by Al Jazeera English • AK-47 Full Auto, U.S. Army in Iraq (http:/ / www.archive.org/ details/ AkmAk-47TypeFullAutoIraqU.s. Army) from the Internet Archive • Tales of the Gun: AK-47 Part 1 (http:/ / www.youtube.com/ watch_popup?v=68HSnr69sPw) - 2 (http:/ / www. youtube.com/ watch_popup?v=J6c3DLlM9KA) - 3 (http:/ / www.youtube.com/ watch_popup?v=DFLHCenoi0w) - 4 (http:/ / www.youtube.com/ watch_popup?v=G-FRXN-kKbs) - 5 (http:/ / www.youtube.com/ watch_popup?v=075YUx2ujK4) by The History Channel
Assault rifle
16
Assault rifle An assault rifle is a selective fire (selectable between semi-auto and fully automatic) rifle (capable of being fired from the shoulder) that uses an intermediate cartridge and a detachable magazine.[1] [2] [3] [4] Assault rifles are the standard infantry weapons in most modern armies. Assault rifles are categorized in between light machine guns, which are intended more for sustained automatic fire in a light support role, and submachine guns, which fire a pistol cartridge rather than a rifle cartridge.
The AK-47 was first adopted in 1949 by the Soviet Army. It fires the 7.62x39mm M43 round.
Examples of assault rifles include the Kalashnikov family,[5] M16 rifle, SA80, G36, FN F2000, and the Steyr AUG.
Definition
The M16 was first introduced into service in 1964 with the United States Air Force. It fires the high velocity 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge.
The term assault rifle is a translation of the German word Sturmgewehr (literally "storm rifle", as in "to storm a position"). The name was coined by Adolf Hitler[6] to describe the Maschinenpistole 43, subsequently re-named Sturmgewehr 44, the firearm generally considered the first assault rifle that served to popularise the concept and form the basis for today's modern assault rifles. The translation assault rifle gradually became the common term for similar firearms sharing the same technical definition as the StG 44. In a strict definition, a firearm must have at least the following characteristics to be considered an assault rifle:[7] [8] [9] • • • • •
It must be an individual weapon with provision to fire from the shoulder (i.e. a buttstock); It must be capable of selective fire; It must have an intermediate-power cartridge: more power than a pistol but less than a standard rifle or battle rifle; Its ammunition must be supplied from a detachable magazine rather than a feed-belt. And it should at least have a firing range of 300 meters (984 feet)
Rifles that meet most of these criteria, but not all, are technically not assault rifles despite frequently being considered as such. For example, semi-automatic-only rifles like the AR-15 (which the M16 rifle is based on) that share designs with assault rifles are not assault rifles, as they are not capable of switching to automatic fire and thus are not selective fire capable. Belt-fed weapons or rifles with fixed magazines are likewise not assault rifles because they do not have detachable box magazines. The term "assault rifle" is often more loosely used for commercial or political reasons to include other types of arms, particularly arms that fall under a strict definition of the battle rifle, or semi-automatic variant of military rifles such as AR-15s. The US Army defines assault rifles as "short, compact, selective-fire weapons that fire a cartridge intermediate in power between submachinegun and rifle cartridges."[10]
Assault rifle
Assault rifles vs. "Assault weapons" The term assault weapon is a United States political and legal term used to describe a variety of semi-automatic firearms that have certain features generally associated with military assault rifles. The 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban, which expired on September 13, 2004, codified the definition of an assault weapon. It defined the rifle type of assault weapon as a semiautomatic firearm with the ability to accept a detachable magazine containing more than 10 rounds, and two or more of the following: • Folding or telescoping stock • Primary pistol grip • Forward grip • Threaded barrel (for a muzzle brake or a suppressor, commonly called a silencer) • Barrel shroud The assault weapons ban did not restrict weapons capable of fully automatic fire, such as assault rifles and machine guns, which have been continuously and heavily regulated since the National Firearms Act of 1934 was passed. Subsequent laws such as the Gun Control Act of 1968 and the Firearm Owners Protection Act of 1986 also affected the importation and civilian ownership of fully automatic firearms, the latter fully prohibiting sales of newly manufactured machine guns to non-law enforcement or SOT (special occupational taxpayer) dealers.
History The changing face of infantry combat From ancient times, light infantry had fought in dispersed formations, while heavy infantry had fought in tightly packed formations. This continued as the sling and spear were replaced by musket and bayonet. Bright coloured uniforms (German: Blue, Russian: Green; British: Red, French: White) became a standard for unit cohesion in the midst of clouds of black powder smoke. Muskets were inaccurate at distances greater than 50 to 100 meters (164 to 328 feet) and were slow to reload, which lead to formation-style war as multiple ranks maximised firepower and guaranteed that at least part of the unit would be ready to fire at all times. Tight formations also aided officers in controlling their men during combat and repelling infantry or cavalry charges. The adaptation of rifled muskets for military use in the mid-19th century increased range and power of guns and made battle from dense formations an extremely bloody affair, as witnessed by the high level of casualties in the American Civil War. Skirmisher tactics were given greater emphasis as gunpowder weapons increased in reliability, accuracy, and rate of fire. Cavalry adapted by dismounting, and using skirmisher tactics with breechloading rifles (which could be reloaded from a prone position, reducing vulnerability to enemy fire). After the American Civil War, further developments such as the adaptation of magazine-fed rifles, rapid-fire machine guns and high explosive shells for the artillery, spelled the end of the dense infantry formation during World War I. What this meant in practice was that infantry units no longer engaged each other at long range in open fields; the high power of relatively unwieldy bolt-action rifles of the day (which had been tripled by the adaptation of smokeless powder, along with a corresponding increase in recoil and report) was no longer suited to the close-range engagement of modern warfare. Military leaders and arms manufacturers thus began grasping for a new type of weapon for this new era.
17
