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History of the Kalashnikov Submachine Gun

The AK47 has the well-deserved reputation as one of the most reliable battle rifles ever produced. There are currently over 30 million of these rifles in service around the world, making it the most widely distributed battle rifle. This firearm was designed by Russian inventor and soldier Mikhail Timofeevich Kalashnikov, who was born in 1919 and is still alive. The number of various Kalashnikov models, clones and copies could fill a book. No matter what the variations on the basic models are, the firearm's function remains the same.
The AK47 evolved into what is called the AKM by virtue of improved production & design and was further enhanced to become the current production model, the AK74 in 5.45 x 39mm.

Many different countries use the AK or a newer variant such as the Galil, R4 as well as different Finish models. These can all be identified by appropriate markings on the receiver.

Manufacturer	Avtomat Kalashnikov
Designation	AK47
Country	Soviet Union
Production	1947 - present
Cartridge	7.62 x 39mm Soviet
Magazine Capacity	20, 30 or 100 rounds
Length (gun)	34.2"
Length (barrel)	16.34"
Weight (gun)	9.5 Lbs
Rifling	6 groove right hand
Cyclic Rate	700 rpm

Modernization of the Kalashnikov Submachine Gun

1947 Base model for all AK's entered service. This submachine gun have been manufactured up to 1959. In several countries it is being manufactured modernized to some extent nowadays.

In 1959 there was a modernization of the submachine gun aimed to increase its technical and operating characteristics. At the same time there were developed the light machine guns with a fixed and folding butt on the basis of the submachine gun "RPK-47".

In 1961 the complex of Kalashnikov machine guns was addopted in Army:

PKS - a heavy machine gun
PKB - an armoured carrier machine gun
PKT - a tank machine gun.

At the end of 60th - beginning of 70th years the works on creation of the submachine guns for cartriges of reduced calibre began. It was aimed to increase the battle efficiency and operational characteristics of the weapon. After a number of experiments the cartrige 5.45x39 with a steel bullet slug was chosen.

In 1974 the complex of submachine guns and light machine guns for such type of cartrige was developed and addopted in armament.

In 1990 the Army was equipped with the modernized Kalashnikov submachine gun AK-74M, having folding plastic butt with the accessory placed in it and a plate for mounting optical and night sights.

In 1991 the same modernization was carried out with a light machine gun. And so the modernized Kalashnikov light machine guns RPK-74M (5.45 mm) was addopted in armament. It replaced four modification of light machine guns.

Nowadays Kalashnikov submachine guns, the series 100, are developed with the purpose of expansion of their nomenclature for various types of cartriges and export.

AK101 - the 5,56 mm Kalashnikov submachine gun for cartrige 5,56x45 NATO
AK102 - the same but with a short barrel
AK103 - the 7,62 mm Kalashnikov submachine gun for cartrige 7,62x39
AK104 - the same but with a short barrel
AK105 - 5,45 mm Kalashnikov submachine gun with a short barrel for cartrige 5,45x39.

In 1993 within the framework of conversion of a defensive industry of "IZHMASH" Open Joint Stock Company developed the self-loading hunting carbine "Saiga" on the basis of the Kalashnikov submachine guns.

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