Kalashnikov AK-74 (M1974)

History of the Kalashnikov AK-74 (M1974)

In the 1970s, the Soviet military was looking for a new infantry assault weapon system that would complement the AK-74's Rifled bullets are fitted with intermediate cartridges. The famous Kalashnikov AK-47 and its successor - AKM (both 7.62x39mm). Mikhail Kalashnikov began working on this solution in 1974 and returned with his AK-74 weapon, which was loaded with a 5.45x39mm cartridge, while many other aspects of the design remained faithful to its original product.

Production officially began in 1975, and the weapon was first shown at the Red Square military parade in November 1977, with Soviet airborne troops in the west. Shortly thereafter, the AK-74 became the standard assault rifle for Soviet ground forces.

Since then, it has achieved notable success in export and local licensed production programs in the Soviet Union and Allied countries around the world. In fact, some 5,000,000 were eventually produced, many of which are still in circulation in the world's armed forces today.

In addition to the new cartridge, the weapon uses a new bolt assembly and chrome barrel assembly, as well as a new plastic and steel 30-round detachable magazine. However, muzzle up is fully automatic via the muzzle compensator/muzzle brake - which makes the firing platform more stable than previously seen. All other parts are mostly inherited from the AKM - the 1959 version of the 1949 AK-47. The weapon weighs 3.3 kg, is 37 inches long (barrel length 16.3 inches), and is equipped with a pneumatic system rifle (like AKM) with rotating bolt action. The rate of fire is approximately 650 rounds per minute and the muzzle velocity is 2,950 feet per second.

Effective range is up to 1,000 yards, and the sight is controlled by an adjustable rear notch and front post assembly. The AK-74 can also be fitted with a GP-25 series 40mm Lower Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) to extend the tactical value of the standard infantry.

The main, initial variant of the series is the AK-74, known for its solid wood stock. The AKS-74 is a variant that uses a skeletal metal stock that folds sideways for compactness and is primarily used by special forces such as airborne.

The AKS-74U becomes a proportionally closed automatic carbine that can also serve specialists who do not need full-length service rifle facilities. The AKS-74UB is a special silenced version of the AKS-74U, chambered for a 5.45x39mm subsonic cartridge. The AK-74M is a modernized version from 1991 that supports the new generation of UBGLs as they were introduced into the Russian army and various optical systems.

This version became the new standard Russian service rifle.

Several full-length variants with specialized optics modified for nighttime operation were given an "N" designation to denote their role, including the AK-74N, AKS-74N, and AKS-74UN.

The AK-74M eventually evolved into a more modern form of combat (with increased use of plastic) as the AK-100 series brought the AK-101 rifle and AK-102 assault carbine to the AK-108 rifle im Calibre 5.56x45mm NATO.

AK-74 operators (other than USSR/Russia) become Afghanistan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Jordan, North Korea, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine (among others - see operator list for full description ). The AK-74 remains the standard service rifle in Armenia. Azerbaijan produces this weapon locally, as do Bulgaria (eg AR-M1), North Korea (eg Type 88/98-1) and Romania (eg PA md. 86).

The Syrian Air Force continues to be widely deployed. Poland wz. The 1988 Tantal was a localized version of the AK-74, but has been removed from front-line service since 2005. US Special Forces use the AK-74 under the local designation "M1974".

The AK-74 has been fighting since the Soviet-Afghan War from 1979 to 1989 and during the Nagorno-Karabakh War (1988-1994), the Georgian Civil War (1991-1993) and the First Chechen War Encounter (1994-1996), Second Chechen War (1999-2000), South Ossetia War (2008) and many smaller regional conflicts. Also, it can be seen time and time again in the ongoing war in Afghanistan (since 2001).

Specification

Base

Years in Service

1978

Origins

Soviet Union

Categories

Assault Rifle

Manufacturer

Izhmash / Kalashnikov - USSR

Operator

Afghanistan; Armenia; Azerbaijan; Belarus; Bulgaria; Cyprus; Georgia; East Germany; Iraq; Jordan; Kazakhstan; Kyrgyzstan; Moldova; Mongolia; Namibia; North Korea; Pakistan ; Poland; Romania; Russia; former Soviet Union; Syria; Tajikistan; Turkmenistan; Ukraine; Uzbekistan

Roles

Auto function

Has mechanical features to automate the firing process.

Assault Rifle

A modern class of long guns with selected fire characteristics, automatic internals and magazine feeding.

Special Forces

The quality of this weapon has proven its value to Special Forces who need a versatile and reliable solution to the rigors of special operations.

Dimensions and Weight

Overall Length

943mm

37. 13 inches

Run Length

415mm

16. 34 inches

Cured weight

7.28 lbs

3.30 kg

Attractions

Front and rear irons; optional optics.

Action

Gas powered; rotating bolt

Pivot

This system uses an internal mechanism to lock the breech or rear barrel assembly prior to firing.

Gas Power

proposes a pneumatic system that typically consists of a cylinder and a rear drive piston that directs power to the bolt assembly.

Cartridges and Paper Feeds

Caliber*

5.45x39mm

Circle/Feed

Removable 30-round magazine

Performance

Rate of fire

650

Number of revolutions

Mile speed

2,952 ft/s

(900m/s)

VARIANTS

AK-74 - Original production model; solid wood stock. AKS-74 - Side Folding Skeleton Metal Stock AKS-74U - Assault Carbine Form AK-74M - A modernized version of the 1991AK-100 - A modernized line of firearms that evolved from the AK-74 line. M1974 - US stock designation AR-M1 - Bulgarian variant type 88 - North Korean native variant type 98-1 - North Korean native variant Kbk wz.

1988 "Tantal" - Polish Army variant; since retirement. MPi-AK-74N - DDR name MPi-AKS-74N - DDR name MPi-AKS-74NK - DDR name PA md. 86 - Romanian local variant