The main parts of ak 47 and their purpose. AK74: purpose, combat properties and general arrangement of the machine gun, the principle of operation of automation; order of incomplete disassembly and assembly. Purpose, combat properties and general device of the PM

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Components of the AK-74 assault rifle

and their purpose of the part

CONTENT

1. 1947 KALASHNIKOV AUTOMATIC………………………………...

2. KALASHNIKOV AK-74 AKS-74 AK-74M (USSR - RUSSIA) ………..

CONCLUSION ……………………………………………………………………………..

INTRODUCTION

Decision on the need to translate the main small arms for an intermediate cartridge was adopted in the USSR during the Great Patriotic War. Such a cartridge was created by 1943, and under it, the development of a whole family of small arms was started, including a self-loading carbine (SKS), an assault rifle and light machine gun(RPD). Several designers and teams were involved in the development of automatic weapons on a competitive basis, and among them was the young sergeant M. T. Kalashnikov, who worked at the Izhevsk Machine-Building Plant (IZHMASH). In 1946, Kalashnikov, along with other participants, submitted his own model of an assault rifle to the competition, where he showed good results. For the second stage of the competition, held in 1947, Kalashnikov pretty much redesigned his machine gun, and in a modified form it was recommended for adoption. After initial military trials in 1949, the Kalashnikov assault rifle was officially adopted as the "7.62mm Kalashnikov assault rifle, model 1947", or simply AK (sometimes also referred to as AK-47).

1. 1947 Kalashnikov assault rifle

Creation

One of the myths associated with the AK says that Kalashnikov "copied" the AK from the German MP-43, also known as the Stg.44. Indeed, at first glance, the external layout of the AK and MP-43 is similar, as is the concept of automatic weapons chambered for an intermediate cartridge. Similar outlines of the barrel, front sight and gas outlet tube are due to the use of a similar gas outlet engine (invented long before Schmeisser and Kalashnikov). Disassembly of AK and MP-43 differs fundamentally: the cover is removed from the AK receiver, in the MP-43, the trigger box folds down on the pin along with the fire control handle. The device for locking the barrel is also different (a rotary shutter for AKs against a skewed shutter for the MP-43) and trigger mechanisms. It is likely that Kalashnikov knew about the MP-43, but it is obvious that when creating his machine gun, he was more guided by other well-known models and systems. The main merit of Kalashnikov (or rather, of his entire team involved in the development and debugging of the machine gun) is precisely the optimal layout of already known and proven solutions into a single sample that meets the set requirements.

early production version of the AK with a combined stamped/milled receiver

Modified AK arr. 1947 (mid-1950s issue) with a fully milled receiver.

2. KALASHNIKOV AK-74 AKS-74 AK-74M (USSR - RUSSIA)

The development of individual small arms over the past 200 years has been accompanied by a periodic but steady decrease in the caliber of these weapons, associated with the development of technologies in the production of both weapons and ammunition for them. So, by the middle of the 19th century, 0.4 - 0.5 inches (10 - 12.7 mm) was considered a common caliber for long-barreled weapons. In the last twenty years of the 19th century, a transition began to weapons of reduced caliber, usually on the order of 0.3 inches (7.62mm or so, in the 7-8mm range). Already in the first half of the 20th century, repeated attempts were made to further reduce the caliber of weapons to 7 millimeters or less, as well as to reduce the power of regular rifle ammunition, especially after the appearance of automatic weapons. Starting from the Second World War, ammunition of reduced power (intermediate) began to appear in the armies of the world, however, having a standard rifle caliber of 7.62 - 8 mm (German 7.92x33mm, Soviet 7.62x39mm). The Americans were the first to seriously tackle the problem of reducing the caliber of their rifles, adopting in the mid-1960s assault rifle M16A1. As soon as the practical experience of the Americans confirmed the possibility and usefulness of a further reduction in calibers (theoretically, this need had been repeatedly justified before), full-scale work in this direction began in other countries, including the USSR. Since the second half of the 1960s, based on the standard 7.62x39mm cartridge, 5.6mm caliber cartridges have been developed, and by the beginning of the 1970s, a new 5.45mm caliber cartridge was developed, which had an elongated bullet with a combined steel and lead core and a cavity in the nose. The initial velocity of the bullet was about 900 m / s, the total mass of the cartridge was 10.2 grams, 6 grams less than the mass of the cartridge 7.62x39mm (16.2 g), which, with a portable ammunition load of only 8 magazines (240 rounds), gives a weight saving of 1 .4 kg. The new cartridge also had a significantly flatter bullet trajectory, which provided a greater range of almost 100 meters for a direct shot. Due to the design features of the bullet, when it hit the body, it should have begun to tumble, inflicting more severe wounds than usual, but according to some reports, this does not always happen.

As the initial weapon for the new cartridge, it was decided to use the Kalashnikov assault rifle and light machine gun already tested and mastered in production and service with the minimum necessary changes, and in the future to develop and adopt a more advanced weapon system for the new cartridge. In 1974, the USSR Armed Forces adopted a 5.45 mm caliber weapon system, consisting of an AK-74 assault rifle (basic version), an AKS-74 assault rifle (version with a folding butt for the Airborne Forces) and an RPK-74 light machine gun. In the late 1970s, the shortened AKS-74U assault rifle was also adopted.

General form Kalashnikov assault rifle: a - with a permanent butt (AK-74); b - with a folding butt and an underbarrel grenade launcher (AKS-74); in - with a folding butt, shortened (AKS-74U)

Being an individual weapon, the Kalashnikov assault rifle is designed to destroy manpower and destroy enemy fire weapons. Automatic or single fire is carried out from the machine gun. Automatic fire is the main type of fire: it is carried out in short (up to 5 shots) and long (up to 15 shots) bursts and continuously. To defeat the enemy in hand-to-hand combat a bayonet-knife is attached to the machine. For shooting and observation at night, a night shooting sight is attached to the machine gun. The machine gun can be used in combination with the GP-25 underbarrel grenade launcher. The Kalashnikov assault rifle has received wide recognition, it is simple in design and has high combat and operational qualities.

The combat properties of the AK-74 assault rifle:

Barrel caliber, mm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.45

Sighting range shooting, m. . . . . . . . . . . .1000

The initial speed of the bullet, m / s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 900

Bullet lethal range, m. . . . . . . . . . 1350

Combat rate of fire, rds / min:

when shooting bursts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . up to 100

when firing single shots. . . . . . . .up to 40

Rate of fire, rds / min. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .600

Direct shot range, m:

on the chest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 440

running figure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 625

Magazine capacity, cartridges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . thirty

Weight with equipped magazine, kg. . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.6

Weight of a bayonet-knife with a scabbard, g. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .490

General device. The assault rifle consists of the following main parts and mechanisms: a barrel with a receiver, sighting device, stock and pistol grip; receiver covers; bolt carrier with gas piston; shutter; return mechanism; gas tube with handguard; trigger mechanism; forearm; shop. In addition, the machine has a muzzle brake-compensator and a bayonet-knife. The machine kit includes accessories, a belt and a bag for magazines.

The automatic action of the machine is based on the use of the energy of powder gases discharged from the bore into the gas chamber. When fired, part of the powder gases following the bullet rushes through the hole in the barrel wall into the gas chamber, presses on the front wall of the gas piston and throws the piston and the bolt carrier with the bolt to the rear position. When the bolt frame moves back, the bolt is unlocked, with its help the sleeve is removed from the chamber and thrown out, the bolt frame compresses the return spring and cocks the trigger.

The main parts and mechanisms of the AK-74 assault rifle: 1 - barrel with receiver, sighting device and butt; 2 - muzzle brake compensator; 3 - receiver cover; 4 - return mechanism; 5 - bolt carrier with a gas piston; 6 - shutter; 7 - gas tube with a handguard; 8 - ramrod; 9 - forearm; 10 - store; 11 - accessory case; 12 - bayonet

The bolt frame with the bolt returns to the forward position under the action of the return mechanism, with the help of the bolt the next cartridge is sent from the magazine to the chamber and the barrel bore is closed, and the bolt frame removes the self-timer sear from under the cocking of the self-timer trigger. The trigger becomes on a combat platoon. The shutter is locked by turning around the longitudinal axis to the right, as a result of which the lugs of the shutter go beyond the lugs of the receiver.

If the translator is set to automatic fire, then the shooting will continue as long as the trigger is pulled and there are cartridges in the magazine.

If the interpreter is set to single fire, then only one shot will fire when the trigger is pulled; to make the next shot, you must release the trigger and pull it again.

Trunkserves to direct the flight of the bullet. Inside the barrel has a channel with four rifling, winding from left to right. The rifling serves to give the bullet a rotational motion.

Trunk: a - general view; b - section of the trunk; 1 - sight block; 2 - coupling; 3 - gas chamber; 4 - gas outlet; 5 - front sight base; 6 - thread; 7 - field; 8 - rifling

Outside, the barrel has a front sight base with a thread for screwing in a muzzle brake-compensator and bushings for firing blank cartridges, a gas outlet, a gas chamber, a coupling, a sight block and a cutout for the ejector hook on the breech section.

Muzzle brake compensatorserves to increase the accuracy of the battle and reduce the recoil energy. It has two chambers: front and rear (with a round hole in them for the bullet to fly out).

Receiverdesigned to connect the parts and mechanisms of the machine, close the bore with a bolt and lock the bolt. A trigger mechanism is placed in the receiver. The top of the box is closed with a lid.

receiver coverprotects parts and mechanisms placed in the receiver from contamination.

sighting deviceserves to aim the machine at a target when firing at various distances and consists of a sight and a front sight. The sight includes a sight block, a lamellar spring, an aiming level and a collar. On the aiming bar of the sight there is a scale with divisions from 1 to 10 and the letter "P". The numbers on the scale indicate the required firing range in hundreds of meters, and the letter "P" indicates the constant setting of the sight, which corresponds to the sight 3. The front sight is screwed into the slide, which is fixed at the base of the front sight.

Stock and pistol gripprovide comfort when shooting.

Bolt carrier with gas pistondesigned to actuate the shutter and trigger mechanism. The shutter serves to send the cartridge into the chamber, close the bore, break the primer and remove the cartridge case (cartridge) from the chamber.

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

Gas tube with handguarddirects the movement of the gas piston and protects the submachine gunner's hands from burns when firing.

With the help of a trigger mechanism, the trigger is released from the combat cocking or from the self-timer cocking, strikes the striker, provides automatic or single fire, and stops firing; in addition, it is designed to prevent shots when the shutter is unlocked and to set the machine to safety.

handguardserves for convenience of actions with the machine gun and for protection of hands of the machine gunner from burns.

Shopdesigned to place cartridges and feed them into the receiver.

Bayonet knifeattaches to the machine to defeat the enemy in battle, and can also be used as a knife, saw (for cutting metal) and scissors (for cutting wire). A scabbard is used to carry a bayonet-knife on a belt. If necessary, they are used together with a bayonet-knife for cutting wire.

live cartridgeconsists of a bullet, cartridge case, powder charge and primer. 5.45mm cartridges are available with regular and tracer bullets. The head of the tracer bullet is painted in green color. To simulate shooting, blank (without a bullet) cartridges are used, which are fired using a special sleeve.

Cartridge: a - cartridge with a bullet with a steel core; b - cartridge with a tracer bullet; c - blank cartridge; g - training cartridge

AK-74M. The newest version, adopted Russian Army in the early 1990s. It differs from the later AK-74s with a side-folding plastic buttstock and a rail for mounting sights on the left side of the receiver.

CONCLUSION

The advantages of AK are known to all. This is exceptional reliability even in the most difficult operating conditions, unpretentious maintenance, ease of use and maintenance, low cost.

In general, the AK can be described as an ideal weapon, which is not surprising - it was created on the basis of a very harsh experience of the Great Patriotic War.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Babak F.K. Fundamentals of small arms / Series: Arsenal. St. Petersburg: Publisher: Polygon, 2003 - 254 p.

2. Blagovestov A. I. That, from which they shoot in the CIS. Handbook of small arms. M.: Harvest, 2004 - 656 p.

3. Volkovsky N. L. Encyclopedia modern weapons and military equipment. M.: AST, Polygon, 2005 - 952 p.

4. Günter Wollert, Rainer Lidshun, Wilfried Copenhagen Small arms today. Illustrated encyclopedia. / Series: Weapons of the XX century. 1945 - 1985. M.: Potpourri, 2003 - 464 p.

5. Zhuk A. B. Encyclopedia of small arms. M.: AST, Ermak, 2004 - 800 p.

6. Hogg Jan. IN., Vicks John WITH. Encyclopedia small weapons. / Military Small Arms of the 20th Century.M.: AST, Astrel, 2005 - 416 p.

Even during the First World War, it became clear that the fire density of the rifle squad, created with the help of rifles and carbines, was insufficient.

There was a need for individual infantry soldiers to have personal rapid-fire weapons.

This problem was solved with the creation of submachine guns and machine guns. Second World War spawned many various designs automatic weapons, among which it should be noted.

However, by the end of the war, there was a need to create a new weapon, which was solved by the introduction of the Kalashnikov assault rifle.

How did the first Kalashnikov assault rifle appear?

In 1943, the Technical Council conducted a study of the German machine gun MKb.42 (H), created under the Wehrmacht cartridge 7.92 × 33 mm. The German experience and the experience of the American designers who created the M1 Carbine carbine were recognized as successful.

Before Soviet designers the question of creating a similar weapon was raised.

After several attempts to create a universal cartridge, the specialists settled on the 7.62 × 39 caliber. Its creators were the designers N.M. Elizarov and B.V. Semin. Under this cartridge, the designer Sudayev developed the AS-44 assault rifle, which went into a small series.

The assault rifle passed army tests, but the military recommended that the design be finalized by reducing the overall weight of the assault rifle. The death of Sudayev stopped work on this design.

The need to create weapons required a new round of the competition, in which in 1946 the first Kalashnikov assault rifle was shown. Following the results of two stages, this machine was declared unusable, but the designer managed to achieve the right to refine it.

After completion in 1947, the machine still did not meet the necessary requirements, but it was better than the others presented in the competition.

Kalashnikov was sent to Izhevsk, where, after refinement, the famous machine gun of the 1947 model of the year appeared, which determined the development of automatic weapons on the planet for decades.

The question of who invented the Kalashnikov assault rifle does not have such an unambiguous answer as it seems.

It is hard to believe that a not very literate Komsomol member was able to create an effective military weapon.

Designer Mikhail Timofeevich Kalashnikov claimed that the idea of ​​​​creating a new machine gun came to him after reading a book about small arms. But it is one thing to think, and quite another to create it.

On the other hand, as a Komsomol leader, Mikhail Timofeevich was quite suitable for the role of a wedding general.

Recall that this was Alexei Stakhanov earlier, to whom the entire production of the brigade was recorded.

The layout scheme and technical solutions used in the Ak-47 Kalashnikov assault rifle are in many ways similar to the German submachine gun, as well as the MP-40 created by a group of German specialists.

Automatic model 1946

The Kalashnikov AK-46 assault rifle itself was a very crude and intermediate version.

It was rather a transitional model from the Shpagin submachine gun, which was most common at that time in the Soviet (Red) Army, to the weapon that became familiar to everyone under the name AK-47.

It contained many shortcomings, but it was a necessary step towards the subsequent constructive breakthrough. Consider this weapon in more detail.

What was the scheme and device

Since the original automaton was quite different from the sample we are used to, it is interesting to know what these differences were:

1. The cocking handle was located on the left, not on the right. The location was changed at the suggestion of the state commission, since when crawling, the handle would rest against the stomach;
2. The presence of a separate fuse;
3. The lever for transferring fire from single to firing bursts was a separate device;
4. Folding trigger mechanism on a hairpin.

The bolt carrier with a rigidly fixed gas piston appeared during refinement at the Kovrov plant before the second round of the competition.

Her appearance dramatically improved the tactical specifications, so to the question of how the Kalashnikov assault rifle works, the answer is simple - due to the energy of the discharged powder gases.

A similar device could have been copied from the Bulkin assault rifle that participated in the competition.

The structure of the machine gun for firing in bursts was changed - the fuse was combined with the transfer lever, which greatly simplified the design, making it clearer to the fighters.

What technical characteristics did the AK-46 have

1. Cartridge caliber 7.62 × 41 sample 1943;
2. Barrel 450 mm long;
3. The total length of the machine is 950 millimeters;
4. Magazine with a capacity of 30 rounds + 1 round in the barrel;
5. The mass of the machine without taking into account the mass of cartridges is 4.328 kilograms;
6. Sighting range of 0.8 kilometers.

How the AK-47 and AKS were created

After the second round, held in 1946, the commission made a decision that said that none of the automata submitted for the competition, even after improvements, does not meet the required characteristics.

In terms of performance characteristics (TTX), the automatic machine created by the designer Bulkin came closest to the necessary requirements. However, for reasons of simplicity and affordability of manufacture, and perhaps for some other reasons, it was decided to finalize the Kalashnikov assault rifle.

To bring the weapon to the desired characteristics, the Kalashnikov-Zaitsev design team was sent to Izhevsk. Then a group of well-known German designers worked at the Izhevsk arms factory.

Among them was the famous Hugo Schmeisser, who at one time designed many models of automatic and assault weapons. His weapons were successfully used by the Wehrmacht on various fronts of the Second World War.

It is not known whether the Germans collaborated with the creators of the new machine gun, but it was very different from the one provided earlier.

The machine itself was originally produced with a wooden butt. However, for special troops it was inconvenient, primarily because of the length of the weapon, so a modification was created for them that reduced the dimensions of the product.

The wooden butt was replaced with a metal one, the latter being able to fold. This modification of weapons was called the Kalashnikov folding assault rifle (AKS). It was possible to go into battle with this weapon right after a parachute jump, without laying out the butt.

What performance characteristics did the AK-47 have

Consider TTX machine Kalashnikov model 1947. It should be noted here that the table itself is given for the base model. The folding version practically does not differ from it, with the exception of the mass. It is lighter by 400 grams and shorter by 2 millimeters.

1. The caliber of the weapon is 7.62 mm.
2. The cartridge used for firing is 7.62x39 mm;
3. The total length of the machine is 870 millimeters;
4. The length of the stem part is 415 millimeters;
5. The weight of the machine, excluding cartridges, is 4.3 kilograms;
6. The total mass of cartridges - 576 grams;
7. Total weight with cartridges - 4.876 kilograms;
8. Maximum firing range - 0.8 kilometers;
9. Rate of fire - 600 rounds per minute;
10. Burst rate - 400 rounds per minute;
11. Rate of fire with single shots - from 90 to 100 rounds per minute;
12. The initial speed of the bullet is -715 m / s (2500 km / h);
13. The number of cartridges in the store - 30 pieces.

How did the modernized Kalashnikov assault rifle (AKM) appear?

In the early fifties, the designer German Korobov presented to the court of specialists and the army leadership new pattern infantry weapons automatic TKB-517.

This weapon had better accuracy, less weight compared to the AK-47. The mere fact that the production of TKB-517 was cheaper meant a lot. Considering the best technical and tactical characteristics of the newly presented model, it was clear that the time had come for a new weapon.

However, the army leadership and government Soviet Union decided not to radically change the production technology (as well as to debunk the designer's exaggerated glory) and made it possible for Kalashnikov to modernize his version of the weapon.

This is how the modernized AKM Kalashnikov assault rifle appeared.

In the new version, the buttstock turned out to be slightly raised compared to the original, which brought the point of emphasis of the butt against the shoulder closer to the line of the shot. Sighting range was increased to one kilometer.

In addition, on the basis of AKM, a light machine gun unified with it, called the RPK, was created.

Is it possible to install a bayonet-knife

On the first models of the AK-47, the installation of a bayonet-knife was not provided. This fact indirectly proves the participation of German weapons designers in the work on weapons.

The fact is that during the Second World War, the Nazi weapons did not provide for the possibility of attaching additional edged weapons. The German infantryman had to be able to use weapons in such a way as to hit the enemy with a bullet.

Infantry soldiers were simply practically not trained in hand-to-hand combat.

However, in the future, AK received a blade two hundred millimeters long, which was attached to the gas chamber. He possessed a double blade and fuller.

The appearance of AKM also changed the design of additional weapons.

Instead of a double blade, a single blade appeared with a file on the other side.

The length of the blade has decreased to 150 millimeters. The bayonet-knife itself received more opportunities for use in the economic field for the needs of the soldier.

How the 1974 AK-74 came about

In the early seventies of the last century, the armies of potential opponents (NATO) began to massively switch in their automatic weapons from the usual rifle caliber to a lightweight unified cartridge with a caliber of 5.56 mm.

There was an urgent need for the armies of the Warsaw Pact countries and the Soviet Union to take a step in the same direction. The 5.45 mm caliber was called to replace the rifle cartridge.

He had sufficient lethal force, but had less weight and was less expensive to manufacture. The total weight of eight wearable ammunition has decreased by 1400 grams.

The new version of the assault rifle has a 100-meter long direct-shot range, a magazine made of durable plastic. Thanks to the new muzzle brake, the grouping and accuracy of combat increased.

What myths and misconceptions are pursued by the Kalashnikov assault rifle

Main myth regarding this type of weapon, it is talk that this machine gun is the best on Earth. In fact, on the planet, and in Russia, there are many types of small arms that are superior in their characteristics to the Kalash, we can recall the same Abakan.

The second myth is that the machine was designed personally by Mikhail Timofeevich. In reality, the help of the designer Zaitsev was simply invaluable, in addition to this, a whole group of designers also worked on the weapon. We cannot exclude the work of German specialists led by Hugo Schmeisser.

Be that as it may, the Kalashnikov assault rifle was, is and will remain a legend glorifying the Russian designers who created one of the most trouble-free assault rifles of the 20th century and, without a doubt, it is the most common.

Kalashnikov is still in service with a huge number of states. It is depicted on the coats of arms of 4 states and the flag of Mozambique. Yes, new weapons are coming, but it is unlikely that anyone else will achieve such mass distribution as the AK.

Video

QUESTIONS

ON FIRE PREPARATION:

VUS-093500

Question number 1: "Purpose, performance characteristics and main parts of the Kalashnikov assault rifle (AK-74)"

Answer:

Kalashnikov assault rifle AK-74 is an individual firearm, automatic small arms and is used to destroy enemy manpower with single fire and a burst at a distance of up to 1000 meters.

TACTICAL AND TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE AK-74 AUTOMATIC.

MAIN PARTS OF THE KALASHNIKOV AK-74

1. Barrel with receiver and sight, pistol grip and stock.

2. Shop.

3. Pencil case with accessories.

4. Cover of the receiver.

5. Return mechanism.

6. Bolt carrier with gas piston.

7. Shutter.

8. Gas tube with handguard.

10. bayonet

Question number 2: "Appointment, performance characteristics and main parts of the Makarov pistol (PM)"

Answer:

9mm Makarov pistol(Fig. 1) - self-loading pistol compact class. It is an individual weapon of attack and defense and serves to defeat the enemy at short distances.

Rice. 1. General view of the 9mm Makarov pistol

PERFORMANCE AND TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

MAIN PARTS OF THE GUN

1. Frame with barrel and trigger guard.

2. Bolt with striker, fuse and ejector .

3. Return spring.

4. Handle with screw.

5. Shutter lag.

6. Shop.

7. Trigger mechanism (trigger, trigger rod with cocking lever, sear with spring, trigger, mainspring, mainspring valve).

Question number 3: "The purpose of the parts and mechanisms of the Kalashnikov assault rifle (AK-74)"

Answer:

Purpose of parts and mechanisms Kalashnikov assault rifle (AK-74).

Trunk- serves to direct the flight of the bullet and give it rotational motion.

Flash hider (muzzle brake-compensator)- serves to reduce the fire effect on the muzzle cut.

gas chamber- serves to direct the powder gases to the gas piston.

Receiver- serves to connect the parts and mechanisms of the machine, their interaction, closing the bore with a bolt and locking the bolt.

sighting device- serves to aim the machine at the target.

receiver cover- serves to protect the trigger mechanism from mechanical damage.

Bolt carrier with gas piston- serves to actuate the shutter and trigger mechanism.

Bolt with striker and ejector- serves to send a cartridge into the chamber, lock the bore when fired, eject the spent cartridge case and strike the primer.

Return mechanism- serves to return the bolt carrier with the bolt to the extreme forward position.

Gas tube with handguard- serves to direct the movement of the gas piston and protect hands from burns during firing.

trigger mechanism- serves to pull the trigger from a combat platoon; striking a striker; providing automatic or single fire; stop shooting; prevention of shots when the bore is not locked and the safety is on.

handguard- serves to hold weapons and protect hands from burns.

Shop- serves to place and feed cartridges into the receiver.

Trigger- serves to hold the trigger on the cocking and its descent.

fire translator- serves to install the machine on automatic or single fire or on the fuse.

Introduction

The 5.45-mm Kalashnikov assault rifle is an individual weapon and is designed to destroy enemy manpower. To defeat the enemy in hand-to-hand combat, a bayonet-knife is attached to the machine gun. For shooting and observation in conditions of natural night illumination, the AK-74N, AKS-74N assault rifles are equipped with a universal night shooting sight (NSPU).

An additional letter at the abbreviated name of the machine means: "H" - with a night sight; "C" - with a folding butt.

For firing from a machine gun, cartridges with ordinary (with a steel core) and tracer bullets are used.

Automatic or single fire is carried out from the machine gun. Automatic fire is the main type of fire: it is short (up to 5 shots) and long - up to 10 shots, in bursts and continuously. The supply of cartridges during firing is made from a box magazine with a capacity of 30 rounds.

Question number 1. The performance characteristics of the AK-74 assault rifle

Ballistic and structural data of the 5.45 mm Kalashnikov assault rifle (AK-74 and AKS-74) and the 5.45 mm cartridge for it are shown in Table 1.

Beginning of table 1

Tactical and technical characteristics of the AK-74 assault rifle

End of table 1

Conclusion: in this issue, the ballistic and design data of the 5.45-mm Kalashnikov assault rifle were considered.

Question number 2. The device and purpose of the main elements of the AK-74 assault rifle

The device of the Kalashnikov assault rifle AK-74

The main parts and mechanisms of the machine and its accessories are shown in fig. 1.

Rice. 1. The main parts and mechanisms of the machine and its accessories

The machine consists of the following main parts and mechanisms:

receiver covers;

shutter;

return mechanism;

Shop.

In addition, the machine has a muzzle brake-compensator and a bayonet-knife. The machine kit also includes:

Affiliation;

Shopping bag.

The rifle with a folding butt also includes a case for the rifle with a pocket for the magazine, and the rifle with a night sight also includes a universal night sight.

The purpose of the main elements of the AK-74

2.2.1. Trunk(Fig. 2) serves to direct the flight of the bullet. Inside the barrel has a channel with four rifling, winding from left to right. The rifling serves to give the bullet a rotational motion. The gaps between the grooves are called fields. The distance between two opposite fields (in diameter) is called the caliber of the bore. In the machine it is equal to 5.45 mm. In the breech, the channel is smooth and made in the shape of a cartridge case. This part of the channel serves to place the cartridge and is called the chamber. The transition from the chamber to the rifled part of the bore is called the bullet entry.

Rice. 2. Barrel:

A- external view; b- breech section; c - section of the trunk;

1 - threaded part; 2 - pool entrance; 3 - chamber; 4 - carving;

5 - the base of the front sight; 6 - gas chamber; 7 - coupling;

8 - sight block; 9 - notch for the barrel stud

Outside the trunk has:

Thread on the muzzle;

Fly base;

Gas outlet;

gas chamber;

Coupling;

Sight block;

Cutout for the ejector hook on the breech section.

The base of the front sight, the gas chamber and the block of the sight are fixed to the barrel with pins.

The thread (left) on the muzzle serves to screw on the compensator and bushing when firing with blank cartridges. To protect the thread from damage, it is screwed onto the barrel barrel sleeve.

Muzzle brake compensator serves to increase the accuracy of combat when firing bursts from unstable positions (on the move, standing, kneeling). He has cylindrical part for screwing the compensator onto the barrel. At the back of the cylindrical part there is a groove into which the latch enters, holding the compensator on the barrel in a predetermined position. A groove is made inside the protrusion, forming a compensation chamber and a shoulder. After the bullet leaves the bore, the powder gases, entering the compensation chamber, create excess pressure, which deflects the muzzle of the machine towards the protrusion (left - down). Outside, the ledge has a T-slot for holding the canister cover while cleaning the barrel.

Front sight base(Fig. 3) has:

Emphasis for the ramrod and the handle of the bayonet-knife;

Hole for the front sight;

Front sight safety;

Spring retainer.

Rice. 3. Front sight base with barrel sleeve:

1 - emphasis for a ramrod and a bayonet-knife;

2 - polozok with a front sight; 3 - fuse fuse; 4 - retainer;

5 - barrel sleeve

The latch keeps the sleeve for firing blank cartridges, the compensator and the barrel sleeve, as well as the canister cover from turning when cleaning the barrel bore, from screwing off the barrel.

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

She has:

Branch pipe with a channel for a gas piston and holes for the exit of powder gases;

Inclined gas outlet;

Emphasis for the handle of a bayonet-knife.

A ramrod is placed in the lug of the stop.

Coupling serves to attach the forearm to the machine. She has:

Forend lock;

Antab for a belt;

Hole for a ramrod.

The barrel is connected to the receiver by means of a pin and is not separated from it.

2.2.2. Receiver(fig. 4) serves for:

Connections of parts and mechanisms of the machine;

Ensuring the closing of the bore with a shutter;

Shutter lock.

Rice. 4. Receiver:

1 - cutouts; 2 - reflective ledge; 3 - bends; 4 - guide ledge;

5 - jumper; 6 - longitudinal groove; 7 - transverse groove; 8 - store latch;

9 - trigger guard; 10 - pistol grip; 11 - butt

A trigger mechanism is placed in the receiver. From above it is closed with a lid.

The receiver has:

1. Inside:

Cutouts for locking the shutter, the rear walls of which are lugs;

Bends and guides for guiding the movement of the bolt carrier and bolt;

Jumper for fastening the side walls;

Protrusion for the hook of the store;

One oval ledge on the side walls to guide the store.

2. Back top:

Longitudinal groove - for the heel of the guide rod of the return mechanism;

Transverse groove - for the cover of the receiver;

Tail with a hole for mounting the butt in the receiver.

3. In the side walls - four holes, three of them for the axes of the firing mechanism, and the fourth for the pins of the translator.

4. On the right wall - two fixing recesses for setting the translator on automatic (AB) and single (OD) fire. The machine with a folding buttstock also has holes for the connecting sleeve and holes for the protrusions of the butt locks.

5. Below - a window for the store and a window for the trigger.

Attached to the receiver is a buttstock, a pistol grip and a trigger guard with a magazine latch.

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

Aim(Fig. 5) includes:

Sight block;

leaf spring;

aiming bar;

Clamp.

Sight block It has:

Two sectors to give the aiming bar a certain height;

Eyelets for attaching the aiming bar;

Holes for the pin and the gas pipe contactor;

Inside - a socket for a leaf spring and a cavity for the bolt carrier;

On the back wall there is a semicircular cutout for the receiver cover.

The sight block is put on the barrel and secured with a pin.

leaf spring is placed in the socket of the sight block and holds the aiming bar in the given position.

Rice. 5. Sight:

1 - chapel block; 2 – sector; 3 - aiming bar; 4 - clamp;

5 - mane of the aiming bar; 6 - clamp latch

The aiming bar has:

Mane with a slot for aiming;

Cut-outs to hold the collar in the installed position by means of a latch with a spring.

On the aiming bar there is a scale with divisions from 1 to 10 and the letter "P". The scale numbers indicate firing ranges in hundreds of meters; "P" - permanent setting of the sight, corresponding to sight 3.

Clamp put on the aiming bar and held in position by a latch. The latch has a tooth, which, under the action of a spring, jumps into the cutout of the aiming bar.

front sight screwed into the runner, which is fixed at the base of the front sight. On the track and on the base of the front sight there are risks that determine the position of the front sight.

The latest releases of assault rifles are equipped with devices for shooting at night (self-luminous nozzles). Each device consists of a folding rear sight with a wide slot, mounted on the mane of the aiming bar, and a wide front sight, put on the front sight of the weapon from above. Luminous dots are applied on the rear sight and front sight of the device.

Devices for shooting at night are installed on machine guns when they enter the troops and are not separated from them during operation.

2.2.4. receiver cover(Fig. 6) protects parts and mechanisms placed in the receiver from contamination.

Rice. 6. Receiver cover:

1 – stepped cut; 2 - hole; 3 - stiffening rib

On the right side, it has a stepped cutout for the passage of ejected shells and for the movement of the bolt carrier handle. Behind - a hole for the protrusion of the guide rod of the return mechanism.

The cover is held on the receiver using a semicircular cutout on the sight block, the transverse groove of the receiver and the protrusion of the guide rod of the return mechanism.

2.2.5. Stock and pistol grip(Fig. 7) serve for the convenience of automatic operation.

Rice. 7. Stock and pistol grip:

A- permanent butt; b- folding butt;

1 - swivel for a belt; 2 - socket for accessories; 3 - butt plate;

4 - lid; 5 – a spring for pushing out a case with accessories;

6 - pistol grip;

2.2.6. Bolt carrier with gas piston serves to actuate the shutter and trigger mechanism (Fig. 8).

Rice. 8. Bolt carrier with gas piston:

1 – shutter channel; 2 - safety ledge; 3 - lowering protrusion

self-timer lever; 4 - a groove for bending the receiver; 5 - handle;

6 - figured cut; 7 - a groove for a reflective protrusion; 8 - gas piston.

The shutter frame has:

Inside - channels for the return mechanism and for the shutter;

Behind - a safety ledge;

On the sides - grooves for the movement of the bolt frame along the limbs of the receiver;

On the right side - a ledge for lowering (turning) the self-timer lever and a handle for reloading the machine gun;

Below - a figured cutout for placing the leading protrusion of the shutter in it and a groove for the passage of the reflective protrusion of the receiver;

In the front is a gas piston.

2.2.7. Gate(fig. 9) serves for:

Sending a cartridge into the chamber;

Closing the bore;

Breaking the capsule;

Extraction from the chamber of the sleeve (cartridge).

The shutter consists of a core, a drummer, an ejector with a spring and an axis, and a stud.

shutter frame It has:

1. On the front cut:

Two cylindrical cutouts for the bottom of the sleeve and for the ejector;

Two lugs that, when the bolt is locked, go into the cutouts of the receiver.

2. Above - a leading ledge for turning the shutter when locking and unlocking.

3. On the left side - a longitudinal groove for the passage of the reflective protrusion of the receiver (the manhole at the end is expanded to ensure the rotation of the bolt when locking).

4. In the thickened part of the shutter frame there are holes for the ejector axis and studs.

5. Inside the channel for placing the drummer.

Rice. 9. Shutter:

A- shutter frame; b- ejector;

1 - cutout for the sleeve; 2 – cutout for the ejector; 3 - leading speech;

4 – an opening for an ejector axis; 5 - combat ledge; 6 - longitudinal groove

for a reflective protrusion; 7 – ejector spring;

8 - the axis of the ejector; 9 - hairpin

Drummer has a striker and a ledge for a hairpin.

Spring ejector serves to extract the sleeve from the chamber and hold it until it meets the reflective ledge of the receiver. The ejector has a hook for gripping the sleeve, a socket for the spring and a cutout for the axle.

Hairpin serves to secure the drummer and the ejector axis.

2.2.8. Return mechanism(Fig. 10) serves to return the bolt carrier with the bolt to the forward position.

Rice. 10. Return mechanism:

1 – return spring; 2 - guide rod;

3 - movable rod; 4 – clutch

It consists of a return spring, a guide rod, a movable rod and a clutch.

guide rod has a spring stop at the rear end, a heel with protrusions for connection with the receiver and a protrusion for holding the receiver cover.

Movable rod at the front end has bends for putting on the clutch.

2.2.9. Gas tube with handguard(Fig. 11) consists of a gas tube, front and rear couplings, a handguard and a metal half ring.

Rice. 11. Gas tube with handguard:

1 - gas pipe; 2 - guide ribs for the gas piston;

3 – front coupling; 4 - barrel pad;

5 – back coupling; 6 - protrusion

gas tube serves to guide the movement of the gas piston. It has guide ribs. The front end of the gas tube is put on the branch pipe of the gas chamber.

barrel pad serves to protect the submachine gunner's hands from burns when firing. It has a groove in which a metal semi-ring is fixed, which presses the handguard from the gas tube (this eliminates the appearance of the rocking of the lining when the wood dries out).

barrel pad mounted on the gas pipe by means of front and rear couplings; the rear coupling has a protrusion against which it abuts against the gas pipe contactor.

2.2.10. trigger mechanism(fig. 12) serves for:

Release the trigger from the combat cocking or self-timer cocking;

Striking a striker;

Ensuring automatic or single fire;

Cessation of shooting;

To prevent shots when the shutter is unlocked;

To put the machine on the fuse.

trigger mechanism is placed in the receiver, where it is attached with three interchangeable axles, and consists of:

Hammer with mainspring;

trigger retarder with spring;

Trigger;

Whispered single fire with a spring;

Self-timer with spring;

translator.

Hammer with mainspring serves to strike a striker. The trigger has a combat cocking, self-timer cocking, trunnions and a hole for the axis. The mainspring is put on the trunnions of the trigger and acts on the trigger with its loop, and with its ends - on the rectangular ledges of the trigger.

Rice. 12. Parts of the firing mechanism:

A- trigger; b- mainspring; V- trigger; G- whisper of a single fire;

d- self-timer; e- self-timer spring; and- axes; h- the spring whispered a single fire;

And- trigger retarder; To- trigger retarder spring;

1 - combat platoon; 2 - self-timer platoon; 3 - curved ends 4 - a loop;

5 - figured protrusion; 6 - rectangular ledges; 7 - tail; 8 - cutout;

9 - whispered; 10 - lever arm; 11 - latch; 12 - front protrusion

trigger retarder serves to slow down the movement of the trigger forward in order to improve the accuracy of the battle during automatic fire.

He has:

Front and rear protrusions;

Axle hole;

spring;

A latch attached to the rear ledge with a stud.

Trigger serves to hold the trigger on the cocking and

to pull the trigger. He has:

Figured ledge;

Axle hole;

Rectangular ledges;

A tail that holds the trigger on the cocking with a curly ledge.

Single Fire Whisper serves to hold the trigger after a shot in the rearmost position, if the trigger was not released during single fire. It is on the same axis as the trigger.

The sear of a single fire has:

spring;

Axle hole;

The cutout, which includes the sector of the translator when conducting automatic fire and stops the sear.

In addition, the notch limits the sector to rotate forward when the translator is on the safety lock.

Self-timer with spring serves 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 bore is not closed and the bolt is not locked.

He has:

Sear for holding the trigger on the self-timer cocking;

A lever for turning the self-timer with a projection of the bolt carrier when it approaches the forward position;

spring.

On the same axis with the self-timer is its spring. Its short end is connected to the self-timer, and its long end runs along the left wall of the receiver and enters the annular grooves on the axes of the self-timer, trigger and trigger, keeping the axes from falling out.

Translator serves to install the machine:

On automatic fire;

On a single fire;

To the fuse.

It has a sector with trunnions, which are placed in the holes in the walls of the receiver. The lower position of the translator corresponds to setting it to a single fire (OD), the middle position to automatic fire (AB) and the upper position to the fuse.

2.2.11. handguard(Fig. 13) serves for ease of operation and to protect the submachine gunner's hands from burns. It is attached to the barrel from below with a coupling and to the receiver by means of a protrusion that enters the socket of the receiver. In the forearm groove there is a metal gasket to support the barrel, and on the sides there are finger rests. The cutouts on the handguard and handguard form windows for cooling the barrel and gas tube when firing.

Rice. 13. Handguard:

1 - finger rests; 2 - ledge; 3 – cutouts

2.2.12. Shop(Fig. 14) serves to place cartridges and feed them into the receiver.

Rice. 14. Shop:

1 - frame; 2 - lid; 3 - locking bar; 4 - spring;

5 - feeder; 6 - support ledge; 7 - hook

Shop includes:

retaining bar;

spring;

Feeder.

The store case connects all parts of the store. Its side walls have bends to keep the cartridges from falling out and ledges that limit the rise of the feeder. There is a hook on the front wall, and a support ledge on the back, through which the magazine is attached to the receiver. On the back wall of the case at the bottom there is a control hole for determining the completeness of the magazine's equipment with cartridges. The body walls are ribbed for strength. From below the case is closed by a cover. The cover has a hole for the protrusion of the locking bar. A feeder and a spring with a locking bar are placed inside the housing. The feeder is held at the upper end of the spring by means of an internal fold on the right wall of the feeder. The feeder has a protrusion that provides a staggered arrangement of cartridges in the magazine. The locking bar is permanently attached to the lower end of the spring and, with its protrusion, keeps the magazine cover from moving. Some machines have plastic magazines that do not differ from metal ones in terms of design.

2.2.13. Bayonet knife(Fig. 15) is attached to the machine before the attack and serves to defeat the enemy in hand-to-hand combat. The rest of the time it is used as a knife, saw (for cutting metal) and scissors (for cutting wire). The wires of the lighting network must be cut one at a time, after removing the belt from the bayonet-knife and the pendant from the sheath. When cutting the wire, make sure that your hands do not touch the metal surface of the bayonet-knife and scabbard. Making passages in electrified wire fences with a bayonet-knife is not allowed.

Rice. 15. Bayonet:

1 - blade; 2 - handle; 3 - latch; 4 - ring; 5 - saw; 6 - hole;

7 - cutting edge; 8 - belt; 9 - hook; 10 - safety ledge;

11 – tip screw; 12 - longitudinal grooves

The bayonet-knife consists of a blade and a handle.

The blade has:

cutting edge;

A cutting edge that, in combination with a sheath, is used as scissors;

The hole into which the protrusion is inserted is the axis of the scabbard.

The handle serves for the convenience of action when the bayonet-knife is attached to the machine. The handle has:

1. Front:

Ring for putting on a compensator or barrel sleeve;

The protrusion with which the bayonet-knife enters the corresponding groove on the stop of the front sight base;

Belt hook.

Longitudinal grooves with which the bayonet-knife is put on the corresponding protrusions on the stop of the gas chamber;

Latch;

Safety ledge;

Belt hole;

plastic cheeks;

Belt for easy handling of the bayonet.

2.2.14. Sheath(Fig. 16) are used to carry a bayonet-knife on the waist belt. In addition, they are used together with a bayonet-knife for cutting wire.

Rice. 16. Scabbard:

1 - pendant with carabiners; 2 – plastic case;

3 - protrusion-axis; 4 - emphasis

The scabbard has:

Pendant with two carabiners and clasp;

Ledge-axle;

An emphasis to limit the rotation of the bayonet-knife when it acts like scissors;

Rubber tip for electrical insulation;

Inside the scabbard there is a leaf spring to keep the bayonet-knife from falling out.

Currently, plastic scabbards are made without rubber tips, since plastic is an electrical insulator. In addition, the suspension has been changed, in which the upper carabiner has been replaced with a loop for putting on a waist belt.

Belonging to the machine

Accessory (Fig. 17) is used for disassembly, assembly, cleaning and lubrication of the machine.

Rice. 17. Affiliation:

1 - ramrod; 2 - rubbing; 3 - brush; 4 - screwdriver; 5 - punch; 6 - hairpin;

7 - pencil case; 8 - lid; 9 - oiler

Accessories include:

Rubbing;

Screwdriver;

punch;

Hairpin;

Butter dish.

Ramrod used for cleaning and lubricating the bore, channels and cavities of other parts of the machine.

The ramrod has a head with a hole for a punch, a thread for screwing a wipe or a brush, and a slot for rags or tow.

The ramrod is attached to the machine under the barrel.

Wiping is used to clean and lubricate the bore, as well as the channels and cavities of other parts of the machine.

The brush is used to clean the bore with a special cleaning and lubricating solution.

Screwdriver, drift and hairpin used for disassembly and assembly of the machine. The cutout at the end of the screwdriver is designed for screwing in and unscrewing the front sight, and the side cutout is for fixing the wipe on the ramrod. For ease of use, a screwdriver is inserted into the side holes of the case. When cleaning the bore, a screwdriver is inserted into the case over the head of the ramrod. The pin is used in the assembly of the firing mechanism. It holds the single-fire sear and the trigger retarder with a spring on the trigger.

Pencil case serves to store a wipe, a brush, a screwdriver, a punch and a hairpin. It is closed with a lid.

The case is used as a ramrod clutch for cleaning and lubricating the barrel bore, as a screwdriver handle for screwing in and unscrewing the front sight and for turning the gas tube lock.

The pencil case has:

Through holes into which the ramrod is inserted when cleaning the machine;

Oval holes for a screwdriver;

Rectangular hole for turning the gas tube connector when disassembling and assembling the machine.

The cap is used as a muzzle pad when cleaning the bore. It has a hole to guide the movement of the ramrod, internal protrusions and cutouts for mounting on the compensator or on the barrel sleeve. The side holes on the canister cover are designed for a punch used to remove the canister cover from the barrel or from the canister.

butter dish serves to store lubricant and is carried in the pocket of a shopping bag.

Conclusion: the machine consists of the following main parts and mechanisms:

Barrel with receiver, sighting device, stock and pistol grip;

receiver covers;

Bolt frame with gas piston;

shutter;

return mechanism;

Gas tube with handguard;

trigger mechanism;

Shop.

In addition, the machine has a muzzle brake-compensator and a bayonet-knife. The machine kit also includes: accessories; belt; shopping bag.

Conclusion

The lesson examined ballistic and structural data, the composition and purpose of the main parts and mechanisms of the AK-74 assault rifle.

Questions for self-control

1. List the main performance characteristics of the Kalashnikov AK-74 assault rifle.

2. List the main parts and mechanisms of the machine.

3. Appointment of the barrel with the receiver and sighting device.

4. Purpose of the receiver cover.

5. The purpose of the bolt carrier with a gas piston and the bolt.

6. The purpose of the return mechanism and the gas tube with the handguard.

7. Appointment of the trigger mechanism.

8. Appointment of the forearm, magazine and accessories.

Literature

1. Manual on shooting. M .: Military Publishing House, USSR Ministry of Defense, 1984. - 344 p.

2. Stepanov I.S. Fire training. Tutorial. M.: "Armpress", 2002. - 80 p.

3. Silnikov M.V., Salnikov V.P. Small arms and ammunition. Tutorial. St. Petersburg: University of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, 2001. - 535 p.

4. Timofeev F.D., Benda V.N. Fire Training: Textbook. S.-Pb.: GUAP, 2004. - 86 p.

5. Fire training - Ed. V.N. Mironchenko - M .: Military Publishing House, 2009 - 416 p.: ill.

6. Posters for fire training. M.: Military Publishing House, 1992

Head of the cycle - senior lecturer

military training center

lieutenant colonel A. Leontiev

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

How did the first Kalashnikov assault rifle AK-47

There are many legends about the Kalashnikov assault rifle, most of which say that the device 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 carbine MKb.42(H).

At the end of 1942, the Soviet command was concerned 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 were forced to urgently engage in their own development of weapons for caliber 7.62. The second model for study was the American M1 carbine.

The development of a new model began with solving the problem of manufacturing new cartridges with a caliber of 7.62 × 39. Cartridges of this type were developed by Soviet designers Semin and Elizarov. As a result of research, it was decided to create cartridges of less power than rifle cartridges, since at distances of about 400 meters cartridges for carbines were too powerful, and their production was quite expensive. Although other calibers were also announced during development, 7.62 × 39 was recognized as the optimal type of cartridge for the new weapon.

Having created cartridges, the military command began work on the creation of new weapons. Developments began to be carried out in three directions:

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

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

The scheme and purpose of the parts of the Kalashnikov AK-47

Before proceeding with the review of different AK models, it is necessary to analyze the purpose of each part of the machine.

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

All machines have a similar design, parts of different models may look different 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 small arms test site, 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 joined it with a project for the AK 46 model. This project was approved and, along with other projects, sent to the Kovrov plant for the manufacture of prototypes.

Specifications AK 46

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

In the competition for the best assault rifle, 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 deemed inappropriate and 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 get a review of the decision and get permission to carry out further improvements 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 lot of design work is needed. No one accuses the Japanese of plagiarism, although all Japanese technology is the result of the same copying of the best world developments, followed by honing them to perfection.

The history of the AK 47 begins in January 1947. It was at this time that the 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 shot of the Kalashnikov assault rifle did not have sufficient accuracy, although the caliber of the cartridge and its power had sufficient lethal force.

Serial production of the first years was quite problematic. Due to problems in assembling the receiver (which was assembled from a stamped body and a milled liner), the reject 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, but a sharp decrease in marriage made it possible to save quite a bit. a large sum. Already in 1951, all new machines were supplied with a one-piece receiver. Until 1959, the design of the AK 47 was made significant changes, lightweight models were produced with various purposes. In 1959, the modernized Kalashnikov assault rifle (AKM) replaced the AK 47.

The performance 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 870mm, (with bayonet 1070mm);
• The AK 47 magazine holds 30 rounds of 7.62x39 cartridges;
• The total mass of the machine 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 the next revision, but about the creation of a new model of the machine. The AKM even outwardly differs 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 was installed at a smaller angle.

Many design innovations in AKM were borrowed from the best world and Soviet models of those years. For example, the striker and trigger are completely copied from the Czech Cholek rifle, the safety lever in the form of a shutter window cover is from the Remington 8. Much was also borrowed from the Soviet AS 44 assault rifle.

Bayonet-knife of the Kalashnikov assault rifle AK-47

The history of the knife bayonet has its roots in rifle bayonets. Wishing to create a more advanced model of weapons, Kalashnikov in Once again used someone else's to create on its base 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 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 of the 1959 model, it is based on the knife of marine 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.

1974 Kalashnikov assault rifle (AK 74)

In 1974, a 5.45 mm rifle complex 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 since switched to this caliber. Such a decrease 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 at a higher initial speed, the flight range increased by 100 meters. The drawings of the new Kalashnikov assault rifle were developed by the best designers of Izhmash, TsNIItochmash, and the Kovrov Mechanical Plant.

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

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

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

Common 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, this fame is rightfully deserved by them, but at the same time there are many legends that go around even among professional military men.

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 Bulkin assault rifle served as the basis for the AK 47. The first Kalashnikov assault rifle was more like a German weapon. The design genius of Kalashnikov lies precisely in the fact that he was able to combine the most successful technical solutions of different models in one machine gun. For decades, the designer has tracked all the improvements in various models of machines around the world, and finalized his own, taking into account new trends;
2. The second misconception says that the Kalashnikov assault rifle entered service with the army in 1947. Many models of weapons, which have the designation of the year of manufacture of the first model in their name, enter service only after a few years. Once weapons are adopted, they must be produced in large batches before being sent to the army. It takes more than one month. Thus, two years have passed since the adoption of the AK 47 for service and before its appearance in the army. The first batch of Kalashnikov assault rifles was recorded in the army only in 1949. Some residents are sure that AKs were already at the end of the war and took part in the hostilities of that time. In fact, for the first time, Kalashnikov assault rifles took part in hostilities only in 1956. Ordinary citizens of the USSR saw these machines in the film "Maxim Perepelitsa", which was released a year earlier;
3. The reliability of the design and ease of assembly of the AK really became a household name, but the machine began to possess these characteristics only from 1959, when it was already called AKM. The AK 47 was expensive to manufacture and rather difficult to assemble. During production, there was a huge amount of marriage. Only after numerous upgrades, the main of which was the creation of a new AKM model, did the machine really become the standard of reliability;
4. The release of AK went in huge batches. In fact, due to the difficulty of producing AK 47s, there was a huge shortage of them in the army. Many soldiers were armed with rifles. Only the modernization of the receiver made it possible to simplify the assembly and quickly saturate the army with machine guns;
5. Each new AK model surpassed the previous one in everything. This is practically true, only in one AK 74 it surpasses the later AKM: a silencer is easily installed on the AK 74, 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 aid to any state willing to take the “bright road to socialism” and generously shared weapons and drawings for them with them, therefore only the most backward countries did not begin to produce their copies of AK. This circumstance, years later, significantly undermined the monopoly of the USSR. There was at least one assault rifle that was very similar to the AK, but made independently of it. This is the Cermak CZ SA Vz.58 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, gunners and other similar units that are not infantry, so using a short machine gun is a great option for them.

In 1982-83, a huge number of AKS74Us were transferred to units of the Airborne Forces, which were sent to Afghanistan. It was here that all the shortcomings of the weapon appeared, which was unable to conduct a long and many hours of battle. In 1989, when the war ended, the AKS74U were withdrawn from service and subsequently used only in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, where they can still be seen today. By the way, there is a curious fact about this model - 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 acquire rifled weapons, can purchase a hunting version of the AK called "Saiga". A novice hunter can purchase a smooth-bore modification of the saiga.

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

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