AK 74


   The AK-74 assault rifle is a modernized version of the AK-47, which was developed in 1974 and is 5.45 mm smaller than its predecessor. Its series production began that same year. The AK-74 has other AKM differences, the most notable being the elongated compensator which reduces the deviation of the bullets during automatic fire. The cylinder head, the guardamano, the pistolete and the loader are of plastic. In its first appearance, it was assumed that the AK-74 would be a limited production version to equip special forces. In fact, the Soviet Union was going to massively produce this rifle to replace the inventory of AKM weapons en masse. Like AK-47s and AKMs, the AK-74 is a selective fire assault rifle, a 30-liter magazine made of semi-translucent polyamide, a rigid piston gas system and a rotating bolt. There are two versions of the AKS-74: the motorized infantry and the version for the parachutists. Versions have also been developed for both the Russian Army and its police and special units such as the FSB, OMON and some anti-terrorist agencies.

   When the United States adopted the M16 in the mid-1960s, this drew the attention of the Soviets, who immediately began developing their own version, with the 5.45 x 39 cartridge. Despite its smaller caliber and weight, it is as lethal as 7.62 x 39. This is due to a higher speed and smaller diameter of the bullet itself, of dubious international legality, and causing aggravated damages. This was seen in the Afghanistan War (1978-1992), where the Mujahideen dubbed it "poisoned bullet" since the wounds it produced were so painful that they thought they were in fact poisoned. By not depending on more power and with the improved mouth brake, the AK-74 has a very manageable recoil. The defect of this cartridge, in addition to being more complex and therefore more expensive to produce, is that its length-weight ratio is worse than that of 5.56 x 45 NATO, which makes it less accurate. Although at a distance for which the weapon was designed, it works well.

   Its mechanism box is made with stamped steel sheet, being a loan from the AKM. The AK-74 has other features that distinguish it from the AKM, especially its distinctive mouth brake. This drastically reduces the already soft recoil and lift of the AKM barrel, but has the disadvantage of increasing the noise and the flash. Current versions of the AK-74 come equipped with a rail on the left side of the mechanism drawer, which allow telescopic or night vision sights, which in turn allows both optical and mechanical sights to not interfere with each other and even accuracy is maintained; AK-74 large capacity chargers are also currently manufactured. The operation of the rifle during firing and reloading is identical to that of the AKM. Upon ignition of the cartridge primer and the propellant, the rapidly expanding propellant gases are diverted to the gas cylinder above the barrel through a vent near the mouth of the barrel. The accumulation of gases inside the gas cylinder drives the long stroke piston and the reel holder back and a machined cam guide on the bottom of the reel holder together with an ejector spur in the reel holder guide, turn the bolt approximately 35 ° and unlocks it from the extension of the barrel by means of a cam pin on the bolt. The moving assembly has approximately 5.5 mm (0.2 in) of free travel which creates a delay between the initial piston recoil pulse and the bolt release sequence, allowing the gas pressures to drop to a safe level before the seal between the camera and the bolt is broken. Like the previous Kalashnikov rifles, the AK-74 does not have a gas valve; Excess gases are vented through a series of radial holes in the gas cylinder. Since the Kalashnikov operating system does not offer primary extraction when turning the bolt, the 5.45 x 39 mm AK-74 bolt has a larger drawbar claw than the 7.62 x 39 mm AKM for greater extraction reliability. Other minor modifications were made to the bolt and support assembly.

AK 74



AK 74


   The AK-74 assault rifle is a modernized version of the AK-47, which was developed in 1974 and is 5.45 mm smaller than its predecessor. Its series production began that same year. The AK-74 has other AKM differences, the most notable being the elongated compensator which reduces the deviation of the bullets during automatic fire. The cylinder head, the guardamano, the pistolete and the loader are of plastic. In its first appearance, it was assumed that the AK-74 would be a limited production version to equip special forces. In fact, the Soviet Union was going to massively produce this rifle to replace the inventory of AKM weapons en masse. Like AK-47s and AKMs, the AK-74 is a selective fire assault rifle, a 30-liter magazine made of semi-translucent polyamide, a rigid piston gas system and a rotating bolt. There are two versions of the AKS-74: the motorized infantry and the version for the parachutists. Versions have also been developed for both the Russian Army and its police and special units such as the FSB, OMON and some anti-terrorist agencies.

   When the United States adopted the M16 in the mid-1960s, this drew the attention of the Soviets, who immediately began developing their own version, with the 5.45 x 39 cartridge. Despite its smaller caliber and weight, it is as lethal as 7.62 x 39. This is due to a higher speed and smaller diameter of the bullet itself, of dubious international legality, and causing aggravated damages. This was seen in the Afghanistan War (1978-1992), where the Mujahideen dubbed it "poisoned bullet" since the wounds it produced were so painful that they thought they were in fact poisoned. By not depending on more power and with the improved mouth brake, the AK-74 has a very manageable recoil. The defect of this cartridge, in addition to being more complex and therefore more expensive to produce, is that its length-weight ratio is worse than that of 5.56 x 45 NATO, which makes it less accurate. Although at a distance for which the weapon was designed, it works well.

   Its mechanism box is made with stamped steel sheet, being a loan from the AKM. The AK-74 has other features that distinguish it from the AKM, especially its distinctive mouth brake. This drastically reduces the already soft recoil and lift of the AKM barrel, but has the disadvantage of increasing the noise and the flash. Current versions of the AK-74 come equipped with a rail on the left side of the mechanism drawer, which allow telescopic or night vision sights, which in turn allows both optical and mechanical sights to not interfere with each other and even accuracy is maintained; AK-74 large capacity chargers are also currently manufactured. The operation of the rifle during firing and reloading is identical to that of the AKM. Upon ignition of the cartridge primer and the propellant, the rapidly expanding propellant gases are diverted to the gas cylinder above the barrel through a vent near the mouth of the barrel. The accumulation of gases inside the gas cylinder drives the long stroke piston and the reel holder back and a machined cam guide on the bottom of the reel holder together with an ejector spur in the reel holder guide, turn the bolt approximately 35 ° and unlocks it from the extension of the barrel by means of a cam pin on the bolt. The moving assembly has approximately 5.5 mm (0.2 in) of free travel which creates a delay between the initial piston recoil pulse and the bolt release sequence, allowing the gas pressures to drop to a safe level before the seal between the camera and the bolt is broken. Like the previous Kalashnikov rifles, the AK-74 does not have a gas valve; Excess gases are vented through a series of radial holes in the gas cylinder. Since the Kalashnikov operating system does not offer primary extraction when turning the bolt, the 5.45 x 39 mm AK-74 bolt has a larger drawbar claw than the 7.62 x 39 mm AKM for greater extraction reliability. Other minor modifications were made to the bolt and support assembly.

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