AK History

History of the AK rifle

1943-1946: Early Concepts and Prototypes

• In 1943, the Soviet Union began developing an intermediate cartridge, resulting in the 7.62x39mm M43 round. This new ammunition required a suitable weapon to fully exploit its capabilities.
• Mikhail Kalashnikov, while recovering from a wound sustained in World War II, began working on a self-loading carbine. Though his initial design was not adopted, it showcased his potential as a weapons designer.
• In 1946, Kalashnikov submitted a prototype automatic rifle, which was a significant step toward what would become the AK-47. His design was selected for further development in a competitive trial against other submissions.

1947-1948: AK-47 Type 1

• The AK-47 was officially adopted by the Soviet Armed Forces in 1947, hence its name. The first mass-produced version, known as the Type 1, featured a stamped sheet-metal receiver. The rifle was simple, rugged, and effective.
• However, issues with the stamping process arose. The technology of the time led to difficulties in maintaining consistent quality, with the receivers often warping or failing during production. As a result, production was briefly halted to address these issues.

1951-1953: AK-47 Type 2

• To solve the problems with the stamped receiver, Soviet engineers, with Kalashnikov’s guidance, switched to a milled receiver made from a solid block of steel. This design became known as the Type 2.
• The Type 2 featured a distinctive rear trunnion with a fixed wooden stock, and it was heavier but more robust compared to the Type 1. This version allowed for more consistent production and durability, albeit at the cost of increased weight and production complexity.

1953-1959: AK-47 Type 3

• The Type 3 version of the AK-47 introduced further refinements to the milled receiver. The manufacturing process was streamlined, making it more efficient while maintaining the rifle’s ruggedness.
• The Type 3 is often considered the “classic” AK-47 and was the most widely produced of the early models. It retained the overall design characteristics but optimized the production process, making it the standard rifle for Soviet forces and their allies throughout the 1950s.

Between the Type-1, Type-2, and Type-3 they had the standard rifle and one with an underfolding stock. The more traditional rifle is known as the A while the underfolder is known as the B. So a Type-1 underfolder would be a Type-1B.

1959: Introduction of the AKM Type 4

The AKM (Avtomat Kalashnikova Modernizirovanniy)(Kalashnikov Modernized) was introduced in 1959 as a modernized version of the original AK-47. It marked a significant evolution of the design, incorporating advancements in both technology and manufacturing processes that had developed since the initial introduction of the AK-47. Key Improvements in the AKM:

• Stamped Receiver: The most notable change was the return to a stamped sheet-metal receiver, which was lighter, easier, and cheaper to manufacture compared to the milled receiver of the Type 2 and Type 3 AK-47s. By 1959, the Soviet Union had mastered the technology for producing reliable stamped receivers, solving the issues that plagued the original Type 1 design.
• Weight Reduction: The use of a stamped receiver and other design optimizations reduced the overall weight of the AKM to approximately 3.1 kg (6.8 lbs), compared to the heavier milled versions of the Type 2 and Type 3.
• Improved Muzzle Brake: The AKM introduced a slant-cut compensator on the muzzle, designed to counteract muzzle climb and reduce recoil during automatic fire. This addition helped to improve controllability, especially during rapid fire.
• Trigger Group Changes: The new trigger featured a rate reducer that slowed the rate of fire for better control in automatic fire.
• Bayonet and Accessories: The AKM was equipped with a new type of bayonet (6H4), which was designed to double as a wire cutter when used with its scabbard. This was part of the modernization effort to enhance the rifle’s utility beyond just being a shooting weapon.

Mass Production and Global Influence

The AKM became the standard service rifle for Soviet and Warsaw Pact forces from the 1960s onward. With the help of the Soviet Union it was able to me mass produced in massive numbers by almost 40 different countries from around the world. It is estimated from its introduction in 1948 to the early 2000s, some 100 million AKs in some variation or another have been made.