The Kalashnikov assault rifle consists of the following main ones. All Kalashnikov assault rifles and their tactical and technical characteristics. About the main parts and mechanisms

The Kalashnikov assault rifle is very popular all over the world. Thanks to reliability and high performance he became a symbol Soviet weapons. In addition, the AK served as the basis for the creation of Saiga carbines, which were highly appreciated by many hunters.

All technical components of the machine are worthy of attention, but judging by the reviews, it is of greater interest firing mechanism AK-74. Information about the design and purpose of the trigger for this rifle model is contained in the article.

Acquaintance

The Kalashnikov assault rifle is an individual small weapon with the help of which enemy personnel are destroyed. AKs are also used to disable enemy fire weapons. In addition, you can eliminate the enemy hand-to-hand, using a machine gun equipped with a bayonet. It is possible to install universal night rifle sights on weapons. The ammunition used is an ordinary cartridge containing a steel core, and variants for which tracer bullets are provided. With full ammunition and without a bayonet, the machine gun weighs no more than 3.6 kg. Within one minute, up to 600 shots can be fired from the weapon.

About the main parts and mechanisms

The design of the Kalashnikov assault rifle has the following elements:

• receiver and barrel;
• sighting devices;
• butt;
• pistol grip;
• bolt carrier;
• gas piston;
• shutter and return mechanism;
• gas tube and receiver lining;
• handguard and magazine;

The AK-74 is also equipped with a bayonet. The weapon is equipped with special accessories, a belt and a bag for ammunition. The shooting unit, which has a folding stock, comes with a special case with a pocket for a clip.

About the design of the Kalashnikov assault rifle trigger

USM AK-74 consists of the following spare parts:

• spring-loaded sear, providing single firing;
• trigger;
• spring-loaded triggers and their retarders;
• a translator whose task is to change the fire mode;
• self-timer.

The location of the AK-74 trigger was the receiver. The technical unit is fastened using three interchangeable axes.

About purpose

USM AK-74 performs the following functions:

• Removes the trigger from the self-timer or from cocking.
• Keeps the trigger cocked.
• Provides automatic or single shooting. The trigger mechanism is also responsible for the ceasefire.
• Using the trigger in the AK-74, the impact is exerted on the firing pin.
• Prevents shots from being fired unless the bolt is locked.
• Sets automatic weapon safety.

About the Kalash trigger

The impact on the striker is carried out through a spring-loaded trigger. It can be cocked and self-timer. Equipped with rectangular protrusions, a shank, trunnions and holes that are equipped with the AK-74 USM axle. The trigger is driven by a mainspring, which is attached to the trunnions and is made in the form of a loop. The second end of the spring is connected to rectangular protrusions on the trigger.

About the trigger retarder

In order to improve the accuracy of combat during automatic shooting, the trigger is decelerated by means of a special spring-loaded element in the AK-74 USM device, which is called a retarder. It is equipped with front and rear lugs, an axle hole, a spring and a latch that is connected to the rear lug with a pin.

About single-shot shooting

After the shot has been fired, the trigger moves to the rear position and is held in place by a sear. This element is located on the same axis as the trigger. The sear is equipped with a special cutout for the translator sector, a spring and an axial hole. If the translator is on safety, its rotations are limited due to the cutout.

How is burst shooting carried out?

The trigger is released from cocking thanks to a spring-loaded self-timer. Using this trigger element, the trigger is prevented from being pulled if the barrel channel of the machine gun is not closed or the bolt is not locked. The self-timer is equipped with:

• A sear with which the trigger is cocked.
• A special lever that rotates the self-timer by a protrusion in the bolt frame when it is in the forward position.
• Spring. It is located on the same axis as the self-timer. The long end of the spring crosses receiver and is inserted into the annular groove on the axes where the self-timer and trigger are located.

About the translator

With the help of this element of the trigger mechanism, the machine gun is set to fire in single bursts and in bursts. The translator is equipped with special trunnions. Their location was made by special holes in the receiver. If the translator is in the lower position, the Kalashnikov assault rifle is configured to fire single shots. In the middle position - automatic fire. If the translator is moved all the way up, then the AK is set to safety.

Reasons for misfires

When using a Kalashnikov assault rifle, misfires sometimes occur. In this case, the ammunition is sent into the chamber, the bolt moves to the forward position, and after the trigger is pulled, the shot is not fired. There may be several reasons for misfires. Most likely the cartridge is faulty. The firing pin, which is jammed in the bolt, or the trigger mechanism may also be faulty. According to experts, misfires occur when the mechanical unit is dirty or the lubricant has frozen in it. In this case, the machine is recharged. If the delay occurs again, then disassembling the AK-74 trigger can correct the situation. This unit may be broken or completely worn out.

How to remove the mechanical trigger assembly?

Judging by the reviews, some carbine owners are interested in how to remove the trigger on the AK-74. Automatic weapons are disassembled as follows:

• First you need to disconnect the clip from the machine gun. To do this, hold the weapon by the fore-end with one hand, grasp the magazine with the other and, pressing the locking latch, gently pull it down. The locking bar is equipped with special protrusions that are pressed in with an awl or a screwdriver.
• There is a cleaning rod under the barrel of the carbine in a special hole. It needs to be removed.
• Then the cover is removed from the receiver. Guide tube in return mechanism equipped with a small protrusion. To dismantle it, you need to press on it and lift the cover itself.
• Afterwards, you can begin to remove the impact-return mechanism. This will be easy to do if its tube is pushed forward until its heel goes beyond the longitudinal groove of the box. To get the tube, you need to pry it off by the end.
• Disconnect the bolt carrier. The weapon is pre-set to fire automatically. Dismantling the bolt frame consists of retracting it all the way, lifting it and moving it back.
• To remove the shutter, you need to pull it back and turn it. If the actions are performed correctly, a protrusion should appear in the groove of the bolt frame. After this, the shutter is moved forward and removed. Using a special drift, a pin is knocked out, which is necessary to hold the striker on the axis in the ejector, which is also dismantled along with the strikers.
• Before dismantling the gas tube, the flag that closes it must be set in a vertical position. One end of the tube is connected to the pipe. To disconnect it, you need to pry it off by the edge.

How to disassemble the trigger in a carbine?

After dismantling the trigger mechanism, you can begin to disassemble it. You should start with the trigger compartment. To remove it, you need to press the special lever in the self-timer.

Using any pointed object, the mainspring is raised by both edges and wound at both ends by the protrusions of the trigger, the axis of which must be moved to left side. It is then rotated until its trunnion is facing the chamber. After this, the trigger and mainspring are removed. Having completed these steps, using a drift, they begin to dismantle the trigger and sear. When removing the axis previously shifted to the left, the sear is held in single-shot firing mode. A drift is also used to dismantle the self-timer (AS), the axis of which, as in the previous case, is shifted to the left before removal. During the work, you need to hold the speaker and its spring. In the machine for the ammunition clip there is a special opening through which the self-timer is removed. You can begin dismantling the translator after it is positioned perpendicular to the receiver. Before removal, the axis of this element moves to the right.

The Kalashnikov assault rifle is the most common automatic weapon in the world. Despite the fact that the first samples of these weapons were adopted into service in the post-war years, the AK 47 and its modifications are still used in the Russian army as the main weapon.

How the first Kalashnikov assault rifle AK-47 appeared

There are many legends about the Kalashnikov assault rifle, most of which say that the design of the Kalashnikov assault rifle was invented by its author from scratch. Few people know that the development of the AK 47 began after the capture of a rare model of the German MKb.42(H) carbine.

At the end of 1942, the Soviet command was preoccupied with the creation of automatic weapons capable of firing at a distance of about 400 meters. The Shpagin submachine guns (PPSh), popular at that time, did not allow effective fire at such distances. The captured German MKb.42(H) rifles forced us to urgently start developing our own weapons for 7.62 caliber. The second sample for study was the American M1 carbine.

The development of the new model began with solving the problem of producing new cartridges with a caliber of 7.62x39. Cartridges of this type were developed by Soviet designers Semin and Elizarov. As a result of research, it was decided to create cartridges of lower power than rifle cartridges, since at a distance of about 400 meters, cartridges for carbines were too powerful, and their production was quite expensive. Although other calibers were announced during development, 7.62x39 was recognized as the optimal type of cartridge for the new weapon.

Having created the cartridges, the military command began work on creating new weapons. Development began in three directions:

1. Machine;
2. Automatic rifle;
3. Carbine with manual reloading.

The story goes that the development took two years, after which it was decided to choose an automatic rifle designed by Sudarev for further improvements. Despite the fact that this machine gun had quite impressive performance characteristics, its weight was too large, which made dynamic combat difficult. The modified machine was tested in 1945, but its weight was still too high. A year later, repeated tests were scheduled, where the first prototype of the machine gun, developed by the young sergeant Kalashnikov, appeared.

Diagram and purpose of parts of the Kalashnikov AK-47 assault rifle

Before you begin reviewing different AK models, you should understand the purpose of each part of the machine.

1. Barrel - designed to set the direction of the bullet, equipped with a rifle (that’s why the weapon is called rifled), the caliber depends on its diameter;
2. Receiver - serves to connect the mechanisms of the machine gun into one whole;
3. Receiver cover - serves to protect against dirt and dust;
4. Front sight and sight;
5. Butt - its purpose is to ensure comfortable shooting;
6. Bolt carrier;
7. Gate;
8. Return mechanism;
9. The handguard is intended to protect the shooter’s hands from burns. It also provides a more comfortable grip on the weapon;
10. Shop;
11. Bayonet knife (not found on early AK copies).

All machines have a similar design; parts of different models may differ in appearance from each other.

Kalashnikov assault rifle model 1946

Kalashnikov developed his first model of a submachine gun during treatment in the hospital, after which he decided to connect his life with the design of weapons. After being discharged from the hospital, the young designer was sent for further service to the test site small arms, where in 1944 he showed his new experimental model of an automatic carbine, the dimensions and main parts of which resembled the American model of the M1Garand carbine.

When a competition for an assault rifle was announced, Kalashnikov entered it with a project for the AK 46 model. This project was approved and, together with other projects, was sent to the Kovrov plant for the production of prototypes.

Technical characteristics of AK 46

The parts and mechanisms of the Kalashnikov assault rifle model 1946 had fundamental differences from all production models known at that time Soviet weapons. It had a separate fire mode switch, a detachable receiver and a rotary bolt.

In the competition for the best machine gun, which took place in December 1946, the AK 46 lost to its competitors AB-46 and AB. The production of the Kalashnikov assault rifle was considered inappropriate and it was removed from testing.

Despite the fact that later modifications of the Kalashnikov assault rifle are considered a model of reliability and ease of operation, the AK 46 did not have these characteristics and was a rather capricious and complex weapon.

Creation of AK 47

Kalashnikov, thanks to the support of some members of the commission with whom he served at the shooting range, managed to achieve a review of the decision and obtain permission to carry out further modifications to his machine gun. As a result of further improvements, using the help of designer Zaitsev, and copying the most successful solutions from the design of its main competitor, the Bulkin assault rifle (AB), the AK 47 was created, which was more structurally similar not to the AK 46, but to the AB.

It is worth clarifying that copying the solutions of other designers should not be considered plagiarism, since in order to make all these solutions work flawlessly in conjunction, a huge design work is needed. Nobody accuses the Japanese of plagiarism, although all Japanese technology is the result of copying the best world developments and then honing them to perfection.

The history of the AK 47 begins in January 1947. It was at this time that a combat model of the Kalashnikov assault rifle won the competition and was selected for mass production. The first batch of AK 47 was assembled in the second half of 1948, and at the end of 1949, the AK 47 was adopted by the USSR Army.

Despite the simplicity of the design, the AK 47 had one big drawback - the Kalashnikov assault rifle shot did not have sufficient accuracy, although the caliber of the cartridge and its power had sufficient destructive power.

Serial production in the first years was quite problematic. Due to problems in assembling the receiver (which was assembled from a stamped body and an insert made by milling), the defect rate was huge. In order to eliminate this problem, it was necessary to make the receiver one-piece, from one forging, using the milling method. Although this increased the price of the machine, the sharp reduction in defects made it possible to save quite a lot a large sum. Already in 1951, all new machine guns were equipped with a solid receiver. Until 1959, changes were made to the design of the AK 47 significant changes, lightweight models were produced for various purposes. In 1959, the AK 47 was replaced by the modernized Kalashnikov assault rifle (AKM).

Tactical and technical characteristics of the AK-47, how much the Kalashnikov assault rifle weighs

AK 47 has the following characteristics:

• The caliber is 7.62 mm;
• Length 870 mm (with bayonet 1070 mm);
• The AK 47 magazine holds 30 7.62x39 cartridges;
• The total weight of the machine gun with a bayonet and a full magazine is 5.09 kg;
• The rate of fire is 660 rounds per minute;
• Shot range – 525 meters.

As for the weight of the AK 47 without a bayonet and with an empty magazine, it is 4.07 kg, with a full magazine - 4.7 kg.

Modernized Kalashnikov assault rifle (AKM)

In 1959, new modernized assault rifles began to be produced to replace the AK 47. The number of innovations was so significant that it made it possible to talk not about another modification, but about the creation of a new model of the machine gun. The AKM even differs in appearance from the AK 47. The barrel of the machine gun was equipped with a muzzle compensator, and the surface of the magazine was ribbed. The butt of the machine gun was installed at a smaller angle.

Many design innovations in the AKM were borrowed from the best world and Soviet models of those years. For example, the firing pin and trigger are completely copied from the Czech Holek rifle, the safety lever in the shape of the bolt window cover is from Remington 8. Much was borrowed from the Soviet AC 44 assault rifle.

AK-47 Kalashnikov assault rifle bayonet

The history of the knife bayonet has its roots in rifle bayonets. Wanting to create a more advanced weapon model, Kalashnikov Once again used someone else’s to create on its basis a knife that had a universal purpose, which could simultaneously act as a bayonet and serve as a household knife. He succeeded brilliantly; the bayonet knife was able to displace the HP 40. All bayonet knives can be divided into three groups:

1. Bayonet knife 6X2, early model, which is very similar to rifle bayonets and HP 40;
2. Bayonet knife model 1959, it is based on the knife of naval reconnaissance scuba divers;
3. Bayonet knife model 1974.

The history of the development of bayonets is inextricably linked with the emergence of new models of the Kalashnikov assault rifle.

Kalashnikov assault rifle 1974 (AK 74)

In 1974, a 5.45 mm rifle system was adopted, which consisted of the new AK 74 and RPK 74. The USSR began to use small-caliber cartridges following the example of the United States, which had long switched to this caliber. Such a reduction in caliber made it possible to reduce the mass of cartridges by one and a half times. The overall accuracy of fire increased, since the bullet now flew with a higher initial speed, and the flight range increased by 100 meters. The drawings of the new Kalashnikov assault rifle were developed by the best designers from Izhmash, TsNIItochmash, and the Kovrov Mechanical Plant.

The new model of the machine gun used the following cartridges:

• 7N6 (1974, the bullet of which had a steel core in a lead jacket);
• 7N10 (1992, bullet with enhanced penetration);
• 7U1 (silent bullet);
• 7N22 (armored bullet 1998);
• 7N24 (bullet with increased accuracy).

The AK 74 was initially produced in four versions, and later the AK-74M was added to it. The latter variant could replace all four variants of the AK 74, and could be equipped with an under-barrel grenade launcher.

General misconceptions about Kalashnikov assault rifles

Kalashnikov assault rifles, despite the huge variety of types of automatic weapons in the world, are the most popular. Undoubtedly, they rightfully deserve this fame, but at the same time there are many legends that circulate even among professional military personnel.

1. The first legend says that the AK 47 is a complete copy of the German Sturmgever rifle. Although samples of German weapons were used in the development of the AK, the basis for the AK 47 was rather the Bulkin assault rifle. The first Kalashnikov assault rifle was more like German weapons. The design genius of Kalashnikov lies precisely in the fact that he was able to combine the most successful technical solutions different models in one machine. For decades, the designer has been tracking all the improvements in various models machines all over the world, and modified his own taking into account new trends;
2. The second misconception is that the Kalashnikov assault rifle entered service with the army in 1947. Many weapon models that have the designation of the year of manufacture of the first model in their name enter service only several years later. After a weapon is accepted for service, it must be produced in large quantities before being sent to the army. This takes more than one month. Thus, two years passed from the moment the AK 47 was adopted into service until its appearance in the army. The first batch of Kalashnikov assault rifles was recorded in the army only in 1949. Some ordinary people are sure that AKs were already at the end of the war and took part in the hostilities of that time. In fact, Kalashnikov assault rifles first took part in combat operations only in 1956. Ordinary citizens of the USSR saw these machine guns in the film “Maxim Perepelitsa,” which was released a year earlier;
3. The reliability of the design and ease of assembly of the AK have indeed become household names, but the assault rifle began to possess these characteristics only in 1959, when it was already called the AKM. The AK 47 was expensive to manufacture and quite difficult to assemble. During production, a huge number of defects occurred. Only after numerous upgrades, the main one of which was the creation of a new AKM model, did the machine gun truly become the standard of reliability;
4. The AK was produced in huge quantities. In fact, due to the difficulty of producing AK 47s, there was a huge shortage of them in the army. Many fighters were armed with rifles. Only the modernization of the receiver made it possible to simplify assembly and quickly saturate the army with machine guns;
5. Each new model AK was superior to its predecessor in everything. This is practically true, in only one way is the AK 74 superior to the later AKM: the AK 74 can easily install a silencer, so in the Airborne Forces it still serves as the main weapon for silent operations;
6. The Kalashnikov assault rifle is a unique model that has no analogues. In fact, the USSR provided military assistance to any state that agreed to take the “bright road to socialism” and generously shared with them weapons and drawings for them, so only the most backward countries did not begin to produce their own copies of the AK. This circumstance, years later, significantly undermined the monopoly of the USSR. There was at least one machine gun that was extremely similar to the AK, but was made independently of it. This is the CZ SA Vz.58 Cermak assault rifle, which was put into service in 1958;
7. AKS74U is the best assault rifle, as it is used by paratroopers. In fact, this model is designed for tankers, artillerymen and other similar units that are not rifle infantry, so using a short machine gun is a great option for them.

In 1982-83, a huge number of AKS74U were transferred to airborne units that were sent to Afghanistan. It was here that all the shortcomings of the weapon manifested itself, which was unable to conduct a long and many-hour battle. In 1989, when the war ended, AKS74U were withdrawn from service and were subsequently used only by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, where they can still be seen. By the way, there is an interesting fact about this model - the AKS74U was produced in Tula and was the only model of the Kalashnikov assault rifle that was not produced in Izhevsk.

Currently, any civilian, having received a hunter's certificate and permission to purchase rifled weapons, can purchase a hunting version of the AK, called the Saiga. A novice hunter can purchase a smooth-bore modification of the saiga.

The AK has become the most popular assault rifle, firing in all corners of the globe.

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The Kalashnikov assault rifle is the main type of automatic small arms. It was created by an outstanding Soviet designer M. T. Kalashnikov. The machine received wide recognition. It is simple in design and has high combat and operational qualities. Based on this machine gun, they were created and put into service Soviet army light machine gun Kalashnikov (RPK) and other types of small arms with the most effective combat properties.

The honor of primacy in the creation of automatic weapons belongs to our Motherland. The world's first automatic pistol - the prototype of an automatic weapon - was designed by the outstanding Russian gunsmith V. G. Fedorov. V. A. Degtyarev and G. S. Shpagin made a great contribution to the development of automatic weapons.

Purpose, combat properties, general design of the machine gun

The modernized Kalashnikov assault rifle (Fig. 25) is an individual weapon and is designed to destroy enemy personnel. IN hand-to-hand combat A bayonet is attached to the machine gun.

The machine gun fires automatic (AB) or single (OD) fire (firing with single shots). Automatic fire is the main type of fire.

General view of the Kalashnikov assault rifle: a - with a wooden butt (AKM);

b - with folding stock (AKMS)

The combat properties of the machine gun are characterized by the data given in the table

Purpose, arrangement of parts and mechanisms of the machine

The machine gun consists of the following main parts and mechanisms: 1-barrel with receiver, sighting device and butt; 2-receiver covers; 3-bayonet-knife; 4-return mechanism; 5-bolt frame with gas piston; 6-gas tube with receiver lining; 7-shutter; 8-foreend; 9-magazine; 10-shock trigger mechanism. The machine kit includes accessories, a belt and a bag for magazines. The automatic operation of the machine gun is based on the use of the energy of powder gases diverted from the barrel bore to the gas piston of the bolt frame.

Trunk serves to direct the flight of the Bullet. The inside of the barrel has a channel with four rifling, winding from left to right. The rifling serves to impart rotational motion to the bullet. The spaces between the rifling are called fields, the distance between two opposite fields is called the caliber of the barrel.

At the breech, the bore is smooth and shaped like a cartridge case; this part of the bore is called the chamber. The transition from the chamber to the rifled part of the bore is called the bullet entrance.

The gas chamber communicates with the barrel bore through a gas outlet.

Barrel: a - general form; b - sectional view of the breech; c - trunk section; 1 - sight block; 2 - coupling; 3 - gas chamber; 4 - gas outlet; 5 - front sight base; 6 - thread; 7 - chamber; 8 - recess for the barrel pin; 9 - bullet entrance; 10 - threaded part; 11 - field; 12 - rifling

Receiverserves to connect the parts and mechanisms of the machine gun, ensure the closure of the barrel bore with the bolt and lock the bolt. The trigger mechanism is placed in the receiver.

Receiver: 1 - transverse groove; 2 - longitudinal groove; 3 - bends; 4 - guide protrusion; 5 - jumper, 6 - reflective protrusion; 7 - cutouts; 8 - magazine latch

Receiver coverprotects the parts and mechanisms of the machine gun placed in the receiver from contamination.

Receiver cover: 1 - hole; 2 - stiffeners; 3-step cutouts

Sighting device serves for aiming the machine gun when shooting at targets at various distances and consists of a sight and front sight.

The sighting bar has a mane with a slot for aiming and cutouts for holding the clamp in position using a latch with a spring. On the sighting bar there is a scale with divisions from 1 to 10 and the letter “P”. The numbers on the scale indicate the corresponding firing range in hundreds of meters, the letter “P” indicates the constant setting of the sight, which corresponds to sight 3.

Sighting device: a - sight; b - the base of the front sight; 1 - sight block; 2 - leaf spring; 3 - sighting bar; 4 - clamp; 5 - skid with front sight; 6 - front sight fuse

Bolt carrier with gas piston designed to activate the bolt and trigger mechanism.

Bolt frame with gas piston: 1 - channel for the bolt; 2 - safety ledge; 3 - protrusion for lowering the self-timer lever; 4 - groove for bending the receiver; 5 - handle; 6 - groove for the reflective protrusion; 7 - figured cutout; 8 - gas piston

Gateserves to send the cartridge into the chamber, close the barrel bore, break the primer and remove the cartridge case (cartridge) from the chamber.

Shutter: a - shutter core; b - drummer; c - ejector. 1 - leading protrusion; 2 - hole for the ejector axis; 3 - cutout for ejector; 4 - cutout for the bottom of the sleeve; 5 - combat ledge; 6 - longitudinal groove for the reflective protrusion; 7 - ejector spring; 8 - ejector axis; 9 - hairpin

Return mechanismdesigned to return the bolt carrier with the bolt to the forward position

Return mechanism. 1 - return spring; 2 - guide rod. 3 - movable rod; 4 - coupling

Gas tube with barrel lining serves to direct the movement of the gas piston and protect hands from burns when shooting.

Gas tube with receiver lining: 1 - gas tube; 2 - guide ribs for the gas piston; 3 - front coupling; 4 - receiver pad; 5 - rear coupling; 6 - protrusion

Stock and pistol gripprovide ease of shooting from a machine gun.

Trigger mechanism designed to release the hammer from the combat cocking or from the self-timer cocking, striking the firing pin, ensuring automatic or single fire, stopping firing, preventing shots when the bolt is unlocked, and putting the safety on the machine gun.

The trigger mechanism consists of a hammer with a mainspring, a hammer retarder with a spring, a trigger, a single fire sear with a spring, a self-timer with a spring and an interpreter.

The trigger with a mainspring is designed to strike the firing pin. The trigger has a combat cock, a self-timer cock, trunnions and a hole for the axle. The mainspring is put on the trigger pins and acts with its loop on the trigger, and with its ends on the rectangular protrusions of the trigger. The trigger retarder serves to slow down the forward movement of the trigger in order to improve the accuracy of the fire when conducting automatic fire. The trigger is designed to hold the hammer cocked and to release the hammer; single-fire sear - to hold the trigger after a shot in the rearmost position, if the trigger was not released when firing a single fire. The purpose of a self-timer with a spring is to automatically release the trigger from the self-timer cocking when firing in bursts, as well as to prevent the trigger from being released when the barrel is open and the bolt is unlocked. The translator is used to set the machine gun to automatic and single fire or to the safety.

Bayonet: 1 - blade; 2 - cutting edge; 3 - hole; 4 - saw; 5 - hook; 6 - belt; 7 - latch; 8 - safety ledge; 9 - longitudinal groove; 10 - tip screw; 11 - handle; 12 - ring

A sheath is used to carry a bayonet-knife on the waist belt. If necessary, they are used together with a bayonet-knife for cutting wire.

Sheath: 1 - pendant with carabiners; 2 - plastic body; 3 - emphasis; 4 - protrusion-axis

The first damn thing is lumpy. This saying fully reflects the beginning of the path along which the Kalashnikov model 47 assault rifle went. In 1946, the Soviet government announced a competition for the development of automatic weapons chambered for 7.62 caliber.

At the first stage of the competition, drawings of the future weapon were presented. Among many drawings, the commission selected three candidates for further testing, among them were the drawings of Mikhail Timofeevich Kalashnikov.

Kalashnikov assault rifle AK-47 (photo)

The history of the creation of the Kalashnikov assault rifle

“There are wonderful weapons, so beautiful that you want to pick them up and hug them.”
“Mikhail Kalashnikov is a soldier who knows how to draw”

Suzanne Viau, 1991

To participate in the second stage, which took place in November 1946, Kalashnikov produced 5 samples, called AK-46. Three copies had different properties, AK-47 with a wooden stock and two with a metal folding stock. The cocking trigger and the bolt cocking hook were located on the left side of the receiver, there was also a fire mode switch and, separately, a fuse.

The machine consisted of two main parts:

• first- barrel with fore-end, receiver and magazine socket;
• second- trigger box with butt, pistol grip and trigger guard.

During assembly, the parts were connected with a pin passing through the holes in the receiver and trigger boxes. When testing the AK-47 without a stock, none of the competition participants satisfied the conditions for reliability and accuracy of fire.

All subjects were sent for revision.

The AK-46 has undergone a radical redesign.

The cocking hook was moved to the right side. The fire mode switch and safety have been combined and also moved to the right side.

When in the “on safety” position, the switch closed the cutout on the receiver cover for moving the cocking hook and prevented dust and dirt from getting inside. The receiver cover began to completely cover the trigger mechanism. The machine gun stock and bolt frame were combined with a rod. The barrel length was reduced by 80 mm.

In this form, the AK-46 entered final testing. Thanks to the changes made, it was possible to increase the reliability of the weapon and reduce firing failures, but the accuracy of fire remained below the requirements. Despite this, the commission decided to allow the AK-46 into production, and in the future solve the problem of high accuracy of fire.

a decree was issued Decree of the Council of Ministers of the USSR on the adoption of the AK-47 and AKS-47

On July 18, 1949, a Decree of the Council of Ministers of the USSR was issued on the adoption of the AK-47 and AKS-47 (with a folding stock). The cost of manufacturing the first batches was very high, since the receiver was made by milling and there was a large percentage of defects.

Subsequently, the receiver began to be stamped, which had a positive effect on production costs. Changes were regularly made to the design of the AK-47 to improve its performance characteristics. And in 1959, production of AKM began (Kalashnikov assault rifle AK-47, modernized).

Performance characteristics of the AK-47

AK-47 weight

The first AK-47 models , those produced before 1959 were significantly heavier than subsequent ones. This was due to the technology of manufacturing the receiver.

• weight without bayonet and magazine was 3.8 kg;
• weight with attached empty magazine 4.3 kg;
• weight with loaded magazine - 4.876 kg;
• weight with attached bayonet and loaded magazine 5.09 kg.

AKM had the following weight indicators:

• with an attached empty magazine - 3.1 kg;
• without a bayonet, with a loaded magazine - 3.6 kg (AKMS - 3.8 kg)

Depending on the model of the machine, its weight also changes. Short barrel models are lighter than regular models. The use of plastic instead of wood in the manufacture of the butt and fore-end, as well as the replacement of the steel magazine with a plastic one, significantly reduced the weight of the machine and the ease of use. However, the AKS47 and AKMS models weighed a little more due to the presence of a steel folding stock.

The device of the AK-47 assault rifle

The combat AK-47 consists of the following main parts:

• trunk;
• receiver;
• sighting device;
• receiver cover;
• butt and pistol grip;
• bolt carrier with gas piston;
• gate;
• return mechanism;
• gas tube with receiver lining;
• trigger mechanism;
• forend;
• shop;
• bayonet knife.

The modernized AK-47 differs from the design of the AKM and subsequent models in the absence of a muzzle brake-compensator, a greater arc curvature of the magazine and a low position of the butt heel in relation to the line of the weapon.

Trunk

The barrel is fixedly fixed to the receiver without the possibility of its detachment. The barrel is rifled, with 4 rifling, running from left to top to right, which serve to impart rotational movement to the bullet. There is a chamber in the breech of the barrel, and at the opposite end there is a stand with a front sight. In the center of the barrel there is a hole for removing powder gases.

Receiver

The receiver serves to collect all parts and mechanisms into a single whole. The trigger mechanism is placed inside the receiver.

Sighting device

Serves to point the weapon at the target when firing.

Receiver cover

Serves for protection internal parts receiver from contamination.

Stock and pistol grip

Serve for ease of handling weapons.

Bolt carrier with gas piston

Necessary for actuating the bolt and trigger mechanism

Gate

It sends a cartridge into the chamber, locks the barrel during a shot, breaks the primer and removes the cartridge case from the chamber after the shot.

Return mechanism

Using a spring, it returns the bolt carrier and bolt to the forward position.

Gas tube with barrel lining

The tube serves to direct the movement of the gas piston, and the pad protects your hands from burns.

Trigger mechanism

It is placed inside the receiver and serves to release the bolt and strike the firing pin. Provides firing in single or burst modes. Allows you to put the weapon on safety.

Handguard

Protects hands from burns and provides convenience when using weapons.

Shop

Serves to place cartridges in it and feed them into the receiver.

Bayonet knife

In a closed state, it is used to defeat enemy personnel in hand-to-hand combat. When unfastened, it's like a knife.

Operating principle

To understand the principle of operation of the AK-47, it is necessary to understand three stages in the operation of the mechanisms of this machine gun.

Stage 1: position of parts and mechanisms before loading

The firing mode switch is in the “on safety” position and closes the cutout in the receiver cover along which the bolt hook moves. The gas piston with the bolt frame and bolt, under the action of the return spring, are in the extreme forward position. The bore is locked with a bolt. The trigger is in the extreme forward position.

Stage 2: position of parts and mechanisms during loading

To load a weapon, you need to attach a magazine with cartridges, move the fire mode switch to the “automatic fire” position, and move the bolt to the rearmost position by hand. At the same time, the bolt unlocks the barrel bore, the trigger is positioned on the firing trigger.

The bolt, which is pulled back all the way, should be released; under the action of a spring, it moves forward from its rearmost position, with its lower plane it pushes the upper cartridge out of the magazine, sends it into the barrel bore and locks it there.

Stage 3: firing a shot

The shot is fired by pressing the tail of the trigger. The trigger, under the action of the mainspring, strikes the firing pin, which breaks the cartridge primer with its striker. The energy from the broken primer ignites the gunpowder in the cartridge case. From the sudden ignition of gunpowder, the bullet begins to move along the barrel. As soon as it passes the gas outlet hole, part of the energy of the powder gases goes into this hole, where they press on the piston, which moves the bolt frame back, dragging the bolt along with it.

Moving back, the bolt ejects the empty cartridge case and releases the chamber.

Shots in the "automatic fire" mode will continue as long as the trigger is pressed or until the cartridges run out.

To fire shots in the " single shooting“It is necessary to press the tail of the trigger for each shot.

AK modifications

As already mentioned, in 1949, two types of assault rifles were adopted - AK-47 and AKS-47. The second option was equipped with a metal stock folding down.

These modifications were replaced in 1959 by the AKM - a modernized Kalashnikov assault rifle. It was lighter, more reliable and easier to handle. Due to changes in the production technology of the receiver it is also cheaper.

Which was modified, which made it possible to improve the characteristics of the Kalashnikov in terms of such a parameter as accuracy of fire. At the end of the barrel there was a thread for installing a compensator or muffler. A mount for an under-barrel grenade launcher has also appeared.

Among the varieties was, as before, the Kalashnikov AKS-47 assault rifle with a folding metal butt. These models, equipped with night vision devices, were called AKMN and AKMSN.

In 1974, the AK-74 chambered for 5.45 mm caliber was adopted. The design of the AK-47 has changed to accommodate a smaller caliber cartridge, which has a positive effect on the tactical and technical characteristics of the weapon. When firing a lighter bullet, weapon vibrations decreased, which, along with the use of a new muzzle brake-compensator, increased shooting accuracy.

For firing from the AK-74 assault rifle, 5.45 mm 7n6 and 7n10 cartridges with ordinary (steel core), tracer and armor-piercing incendiary bullets are used.

Automatic or single fire is fired from the machine gun. Automatic fire is the main type of fire from a machine gun. It is fired in short (up to 5 shots), long (up to 10 shots) bursts and continuously. When firing, cartridges are supplied from a box magazine with a capacity of 30 rounds.

The most effective fire from an AK-74 assault rifle is fired at a distance of up to 500 m.

Tactical and technical characteristics of AKM and AK-74

The machine consists of the following main parts and mechanisms:

barrel with receiver, with sighting device, butt and pistol grip;

receiver covers;

bolt frame with gas piston;

• return mechanism;

  gas tube with receiver lining;

  trigger mechanism;

• store.

Main parts and mechanisms of the machine

IN machine gun kit includes:

accessories (cleaning rod and pencil case with accessories)

• shopping bag.

Affiliation

Belt and shopping bag

The automatic action of the AK-74 is based on the use of the energy of powder gases diverted from the barrel to the gas piston of the bolt frame.

Interaction of machine parts and mechanisms.

When fired, part of the powder gases following the bullet rushes through the hole in the upper part of the barrel into the gas chamber, presses on the front wall of the gas piston and throws the piston and bolt frame with the bolt to the rear position. When moving back, the bolt turns, unlocks and opens the barrel, removes the cartridge case from the chamber and throws it out, and the bolt frame compresses the return spring and cocks the hammer (puts it on the self-timer).

The bolt frame with the bolt returns to the forward position under the action of the return mechanism, the bolt sends the next cartridge from the magazine into the chamber and, turning, closes and locks the barrel, and the bolt frame removes the self-timer protrusion (sear) from under the self-timer cocking of the trigger. The bolt is locked by turning it to the left and inserting the bolt lugs into the cutouts of the receiver.

Purpose and design of machine parts and mechanisms.

Trunk serves to direct the flight of the bullet. The inside of the barrel has a channel with four rifling, winding from left to right.

Muzzle brake compensator serves to increase the accuracy of combat when firing bursts from unstable positions (on the move, standing, kneeling), as well as to reduce recoil energy.

Front sight base has a stop for a ramrod and a bayonet-knife handle, a hole for a front sight slide, a front sight safety device and a retainer with a spring.

Gas chamber serves to direct powder gases from the barrel to the gas piston of the bolt frame.

Sighting device serves to aim the machine gun when firing at targets at various distances. It consists of a sight and a front sight.

Stock and pistol grip serve for convenience of automatic operation.

Coupling serves to attach the forend to the machine gun. It has a forearm lock, a sling swivel and a hole for a cleaning rod.

Receiver serves to connect the parts and mechanisms of the machine gun, ensure that the barrel bore is closed by the bolt and the bolt is locked; the trigger mechanism is placed in the receiver. It is closed with a lid on top.

Receiver cover protects parts and mechanisms placed in the receiver from contamination.

Bolt carrier with gas piston serves to activate the bolt and trigger mechanism.

Gate serves to send a cartridge into the chamber, close and lock the barrel bore, break the primer and remove the cartridge case (cartridge) from the chamber. The bolt consists of a frame, a firing pin, an ejector with a spring and an axis, and a pin.

Trigger mechanism serves to release the hammer from the combat cocking or cocking the self-timer, strike the firing pin, ensure automatic or single fire, stop firing, prevent shots when the bolt is unlocked, and put the safety on the machine gun.

Trigger mechanism is placed in the receiver, where it is attached with three interchangeable axes, and consists of a hammer with a mainspring, a hammer retarder with a spring, a trigger, a single fire sear with a spring, a self-timer with a spring and an interpreter.

Trigger with mainspring are used to strike the striker. The trigger serves to keep the hammer cocked and to release the hammer. The single-fire sear serves to hold the trigger in the rearmost position after firing, if the trigger was not released when firing a single fire.

Self-timer with spring serves to automatically release the trigger from cocking the self-timer when firing in bursts, as well as to prevent the trigger from being released when the barrel is open and the bolt is unlocked. The translator is used to set the machine gun to automatic or single fire mode, as well as to put the safety on.

Return mechanism serves to return the bolt frame with the bolt to the forward position. It consists of a return spring, a guide rod, a movable rod and a coupling.

Gas tube with barrel lining consists of a gas tube, front and rear connecting couplings, a barrel lining and a metal half ring. The gas tube serves to guide the movement of the gas piston. The barrel guard serves to protect the machine gunner’s hands from burns when shooting.

Shop serves to place cartridges and feed them into the receiver. It consists of a body, a cover, a locking bar, a spring and a feeder.

Bayonet knife attaches to the machine gun before an attack and serves to defeat the enemy in hand-to-hand combat.

Sheath used for carrying a bayonet-knife on a waist belt. In addition, they are used in conjunction with a bayonet for cutting wire.

Affiliation serves for disassembling, assembling, cleaning and lubricating the machine. Accessories include: cleaning rod, cleaning rod, brush, screwdriver, drift, pin, pencil case and oiler.

Purpose, combat properties And general device PM.

The 9 mm Makarov pistol is a personal weapon of attack and defense, designed to defeat the enemy at short distances.