TTX of the Kalashnikov assault rifle, device and purpose

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

This article will discuss weapons with a worldwide reputation, the development of which marked the beginning of a whole era in the field of domestic weapons design. The performance characteristics of the Kalashnikov assault rifle were improved from one model to another, but the principle of operation remained unchanged. The traditions laid down by the creator himself in his model remained inviolable: quality, reliability, simplicity and long service life.

History of Creation…

The prerequisites for the development of a new weapon model were the results of a meeting of the technical council under the People's Commissariat of the USSR in July 1943, where the captured prototype of the German StG-44 and the American M1 Carbine carbine were dismantled.

About a month later, a new experimental cartridge of caliber 7.62 x 41 mm was created, subsequently the cartridge was adjusted, as a result, the caliber was converted to 7.62 x 39 mm.

Later, a number of design competitions were announced, as a result of which andthe famous machine gun was developed.

In 1947, it was decided to start the production of the machine gun in Izhevsk. And two years later, two samples were put into service: a standard AK with a caliber of 7.62 mm and a model with a folding stock - AKS - of the same caliber.

1959 was marked by the release of a modernized version of the machine. The flaws identified during operation were corrected, on the basis of the already used TKB-517 assault rifle, new performance characteristics of the Kalashnikov assault rifle were compiled and the first machine gun based on the AKM was released.

Automatic

The Kalashnikov assault rifle, performance characteristics and main parts were refined from one version of the product to another to increase efficiency, reliability and improve quality. However, the design features remained unchanged.

From the moment the AK (Kalashnikov assault rifle) 74 entered service, the performance characteristics established at that time became the starting point for the non-stop development of design ideas. The types and forms of butts, the shape of the handle, the length of the barrel changed. Models of the 100th series (in addition to the protrusions for mounting the bayonet-knife) have a socket for mounting an underbarrel grenade launcher. The fifth-generation assault rifle (for example, the AK-12) has Picattini rails designed to mount various types of equipment, such as optical or collimator sights, laser designators or a flashlight. The quality, purpose, performance characteristics of the Kalashnikov assault rifle are constantly improving.

Designation of the main parts of the product

Now we should dwell directly on each component,in order to make out which part is used for what.

Barrel - designed to set the direction of the bullet's flight directly when fired.

Receiver - acts as a connector for all parts and mechanisms of the machine, ensures the barrel is closed with a bolt and the latter is locked.

Receiver cover - helps protect the internal parts of the product (placed in the receiver) from contamination and penetration of foreign objects.

Sighting device - consists of a front sight and a sight. Designed to point the barrel of the machine gun at the target to produce the most effective shooting.

Stock - provides comfortable shooting together with the handle.

Bolt frame - actuates the shutter and trigger mechanism. The shutter, in turn, sends the cartridge into the chamber, locks the bore, breaks the shell of the capsule, removes the sleeve.

Return mechanism - brings the bolt carrier and bolt to the original (front) position.

Gas tube and handguard - protect the shooter's hands from burns, and also set the direction of movement of the gas piston.

Trigger mechanism - pulls the trigger, which is in the cocked (combat) position. It strikes the striker, thereby providing automatic fire in bursts or single fire. Serves to stop firing, set the safety lock, and also prevents shots when the shutter is locked.

Handguard - serves for a comfortable girth of the body of the machine gun when firing. Together with a gas tube, it protectsthe palm of the arrow from the burn.

Shop - serves for storing and transporting machine gun cartridges, as well as feeding into the chamber for firing in a different position.

Bayonet-knife - in the position attached to the machine gun, it is used in a bayonet attack or any other form of close contact combat. Can be used as a knife, saw and wire cutter.

TTX of the Kalashnikov assault rifle AK-74 and not only

The modern model of the AK-74M Kalashnikov assault rifle has the following characteristics: the weight of the product is 3.6 kg without cartridges, 3.9 kg - equipped, 5.8 kg - without cartridges, but with the installed night vision sight of the NSPUM model, the sight of the NSPU-3 type is a little lighter - only 0.1 kg.

The empty magazine weighs 0.23 kg, and the bayonet-knife out of the scabbard weighs only 0.32 kg.

The length of the machine is 940 millimeters, and with the attached bayonet - 1089 mm. With the stock unfolded, this figure already has a value of 943, and with the stock folded - 704 millimeters. With the advent of new models, the performance characteristics of the Kalashnikov assault rifle are undergoing changes.

The barrel length is 415 mm with the installed muzzle brake-compensator and only 372 mm without it.

Width is also an integral part of the performance characteristics of the Kalashnikov assault rifle. It is 70 millimeters for a standard product. Height - 195 mm.

The principle of operation for all models is the same - the system for removing gases of burnt gunpowder and the butterfly valve - despite the performance characteristics of the Kalashnikov assault rifle changing from one model to another.

5, 45 -caliber of modern AK-74M.

TTX of the Kalashnikov assault rifle AKS-74U and some interesting things

Kalashnikov assault rifle folding shortened - this is how the abbreviation of the name of this weapon is deciphered. It is a shortened version of the standard AK-74, designed to conduct combat missions in a small enclosed space: to equip military transport crews in peaceful or combat conditions (for example, BTR-80), crews of various guns, as well as landing units. It is in service in security structures, has established itself in such structures due to its compactness and low weight.

It weighs about 3 kg with cartridges and 2.7 kg without them. The weight of the magazine is 0.21 kg, mounting of the NSPUM sight weighing 2.2 kg is provided.

The length of the product is 730 millimeters with the butt unfolded, 490 - respectively, with the butt folded. The length of the barrel itself is 206 mm.

The rate of fire varies from 600 to 700 rounds per second. Sighting range 500 meters, but effective - only 300.

A bullet fired from the AKS-74U is capable of developing an initial velocity of 735 m/s.

Features of AKS-74U

In view of the global trend towards the creation of shortened versions of existing assault rifles, the designers of the USSR in the 70s also took care of creating a compact sample of an existing assault rifle.

Compared to the original version, "drying" (sometimes there are versions with the letter "h" instead of "sh") has the followingfeatures:

• significantly shortened barrel with a mounted muzzle, which in turn serves as a flash hider;
• gas-piston rod shortened by almost half;
• removed the system of slowing down the rate of fire;
• improved bullet flight stabilization system with a shortened barrel.

Dignity

The main feature is the relatively high firing range for this type of weapon. But this is far from the only plus. Also to be mentioned:

• due to its small size, concealed carrying is possible;
• reliable, easy to disassemble, clean and reassemble;
• high penetration.

Flaws

Despite the high popularity of the AKS-74U, the product also has a number of disadvantages. Some of them lead to the refusal to use this weapon, some require getting used to. It all depends on the desire and capabilities of the owner.

• First of all, a significantly lower accuracy is noticeable to the naked eye compared to the original version of the product.
• The effective range is similarly low compared to the classic version of the assault rifle.
• Low stopping power. This term refers to the parameter of the bullet, which determines the ability of the enemy to take any further actions after being hit by a bullet. In this case, the low indicator of this parameter is associated with the use of caliber 5, 45.
• The model overheats quickly due to its small size.

Kalashnikov assault rifle in popular culture

In a number of African countries, newborn boys are given the name "Kalash". There are many versions of this name.

One theory says that it is named after the hero of the film "22 Minutes" - a Somali pirate who helped the main character.

According to another version, it is stated that the name has no semantic link to the Kalashnikov assault rifle, but means something in local dialects.

And there is also a religious interpretation, rooted in totemic religions based on the cult of patron ancestors. About 16% of the population of all of Africa holds such views.

According to this interpretation, the Kalashnikov assault rifle is so famous all over the world that it is difficult to name a country that it would not have influenced. In particular, this weapon was also used in a number of armed conflicts and in Africa.

In the end, it got to the point that a number of African tribes who used the famous Kalash identified this weapon with the spirit of a great ancestor, capable of both harming and protecting. Therefore, when a boy was born, and, consequently, a warrior, he was called "Kalash", meaning, thereby, that the future protector, support and hope of the whole family is growing.

But that's just one theory.

On the albums of many musical groups of different directions, images of the Kalashnikov assault rifle are used.

The song "Dragunov" by the Swedish Industrial band Raubtier mentions a Kalashnikov assault rifle in the following context:

Dragunov and Stolichnaya

Smirnoff andKalashnikoff.”

Here is such an unusual application for a Kalashnikov assault rifle. The device, purpose, performance characteristics are not involved in any way.

"Kalashnikov" on the coats of arms of the countries of the world

The famous automaton is present or was present at different times on the coats of arms of a number of countries. For example, it is used on the emblem and flag of Mozambique (with an attached bayonet-knife), in the heraldry of the state of Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso from 1987 to 1997.

Since 2007, the outline of "Kalash" has been used on the coat of arms of East Timor.

Also used in the emblem of the Vanguard of the Red Youth, a communist Bolshevik organization widespread in the states of the former USSR.

The coat of arms of the Ukrainian volunteer paramilitary association, formed to eliminate the local conflict in the territory of Donbass, also includes a Kalashnikov assault rifle.