Ak-47 FAQs

Wheelguner05 · Nov 28, 2010

Welcome to the SUPER AK THREAD.
Feel free to add a comment with info on the ak47 or you can answer a question and have it answered. Also please note I will make new additions to this thread in red. And add them to the bottom

Inventor: Mikhail Kalashnikov
Country: USSR
Usual Caliber: 7.62
Firing modes: Usually select fire
Used in the military:

Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Angola
Armenia
Bangladesh
Benin
Botswana
Bulgaria
Cambodia
Cape Verde
Central African Republic
Chad
Comoros
Congo-Brazzaville
Cuba
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Egypt
Namibia
East Germany
Equatorial Guinea
Ethiopia
Greece
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Hungary
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Israel
Laos
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Macedonia
Madagascar
Mali
Malta
Morocco
Mongolia
Mozambique
North Korea
Pakistan
People's Republic of China
Peru
Poland
Qatar
Romania
Sao Tome and Principe
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Somalia
Soviet Union
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Syria
Tanzania
Togo
Turkey
Vietnam
Yemen
Yugoslavia
Zambia
Zimbabwe

Wheelguner05 · Nov 28, 2010

Ak 47 Pros and cons
Pros: The ak47 is very reliable as mentioned. Stories have reported some military members picking up the ak off dead foes.
Also when cleaning the ak, a crude method is to dip a shoe lace in motor oil then run it through the barrel.
Another Pro is stopping power. The soviet 7.62 is a very powerfull round. The ak can also be dressed up as much as you like and there many after market options to not only make the weapon more visually apealing but to make it more user friendly.
Here are some pictures of "souped up aks"

This is a picture of an ak47 with a walnut stock, very classy.

A painted ak 47 with a folding stock.

a gold ak47.

Note: If you want to duracoat a firearm a good video is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBvDJzweGPo

Cons: Acurracy (only some aks).
reloading, on an ak47 can be tricky as you have to rock the magazine into place.
Unlike its rival the M16/AR15. Due to the magazine well and catch.

Reloading an ak:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7hi20TI_jA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQCq8xdz3VI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvhtKUf7ffM&feature=related

Wheelguner05 · Nov 28, 2010

Feel free to share info on this weapon. OR you can ask a question if you want.

Spec ops Grunt · Nov 28, 2010

Video about what to look for in an AK:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHyixxEat6c

Kymasabe · Nov 29, 2010

This should be a sticky !!

GunTech · Nov 29, 2010

Left out Finnland: 7.62 Rk 95

nalioth · Nov 29, 2010

GunTech said:
Left out Finnland: 7.62 Rk 95

I believe he's sticking to actual AK-47s, not their derivatives.

kaferhaus · Nov 29, 2010

AKs are NOT used by the Philippine's military. They in fact manufacture M-16s under license from Colt.

India's rifle while based on the AKs principle design is very much a totally different rifle.....

Wheelguner05 · Nov 29, 2010

Kymasabe said:
This should be a sticky !!

Thanks

Wheelguner05 · Nov 29, 2010

This is correct

Wheelguner05 · Nov 29, 2010

Note: the flag I talked about that has the ak47 is the Flag of Mozambique

Wheelguner05 · Nov 29, 2010

Hey every one our member sarduy, send me a link to the ak47 picture thread. It has lots of pictures to look at.
AK picture thread
http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=517343

I also came across this thread which is interesting,
If the soviets had the ak in ww2
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=557596

GunTech · Nov 29, 2010

Since Israel is listed as an AK user (Galil) and the Galil is a derivative of the Finnish Valmet M62, I'd think that the Rk 95 qualifies.

If we accept the Galil as an AK, then you can add South Africa (R4 and R5), Columbia, Portugal (paras), Estonia, Trinidad and Tobago

nalioth · Nov 29, 2010

GunTech said:
Since Israel is listed as an AK user (Galil) and the Galil is a derivative of the Finnish Valmet M62, I'd think that the Rk 95 qualifies.

Israel also used standard AKs.

sappyg · Nov 29, 2010

sticky

Wheelguner05 · Nov 29, 2010

Ok Tommorrow I am going to add all the counrtys viariants and what not. Also some one said something about the R4. I Have ethnic orgins from SA (south africa) and my relitives say the R4 is a FN FAl variant. So would you say the FN FAL is related to the Ak-47.

Also how do we get the moderators to make this a sticky.

Dionysusigma · Nov 29, 2010

Wheelguner05 said:
Tomorrow, I am going to add all the countries' variants and whatnot. Also, someone said something about the R4--I have ethnic origins from SA (South Africa) and my relatives say the R4 is a FN FAL variant. So, would you say the FN FAL is related to the AK-47?

The R4 is a Galil. A bit longer in the stock, but that's really about it. It replaced the FAL, but aside from similarities common to most military rifles since 1945, they don't have much in common. The only swappable component between the two is the soldier.

Wheelguner05 · Nov 29, 2010

Oh ok.

BTW I just made one for the ar15

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=557720

benEzra · Nov 29, 2010

AK manual of arms (video) - best I've found: Basic AK Manual of Arms

He demonstrates all kinds of techniques, but I strongly prefer charging with the left (support) hand from under the rifle when doing anything other than administrative loads, as does he.

How to Fix a Broken Kobra (from personal experience, alas...)

InkEd · Nov 29, 2010

AK-47: The Grim Reaper by Frank Iannamico

Covers everything you'll ever want to know about the AK-47 and it's variants. If you like the platform you should read this book. Period. I got it last year for Christmas and highly recommend this book.

sturmgewehr · Nov 29, 2010

One minor correction, Mikhail Kalashnikov didn't "invent" the AK he lead the team of engineers that designed it. It was actually a joint effort between a couple of teams, not just Kalashnikov's. The notion he invented it is was Soviet propaganda to give the people a hero.

SpentCasing · Nov 30, 2010

The AK-47: 'The Gun' That Changed The Battlefield

Interesting NPR interview of author C.J. Chivers, discussing AK47 history up to modern warfare.
Link: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130493013

Tirod · Nov 30, 2010

The AK-47 uses the 7.62x39, an intermediate caliber very similar in ballistics to the .30-30. It is far from a very powerful round, but it is effective in the limits of it's use. The AK was downsized to the 5.45x39 and adopted in 1974. The -47 is dropping out of use by upper tier nations who send their older firearms to third world countries.

Because various nations manufacture to their specifications without holding to one design, parts are often only interchangeable among those specific weapons. Some countries did not adhere to tight quality control, and those weapons tend to be the ones imported most often. The legend of AK reliability is actually one of simplicity and durability, based on a superior magazine design that resists damage and feeds consistently. Owners rate mags and weapons into classes of reliability, yet the gun as a whole is more highly regarded than the actual collective experience of owners seems to indicate.

Operator controls and ergonomics are it's shortest suit, no other makers emulate them unless they are slavishly copying the design. Upgrades include putting the cocking handle on the left, adding a thumb operated safety, attempting to apply a better rear sight mount over the loose action cover, and accurizing the weapon, usually accomplished by simply choosing commercial grade hunting ammo. Most upgrades are M4 based marketing carryover, and the origin of the design is apparent. Newer designs based on the bolt group, like the Galil or Sig 556, tend to use improved control layouts pioneered by the M16.

Most foreign countries that adopt the AK are politically aligned with the old Soviet Union. Nations that have their own industrial complex and allow civilian ownership of weapons tend to have better competing designs. Israel now uses M16's as a choice of weapon, which they bought and paid for, not lend lease. Where choice exists, other weapons are still strong competitors, and surplus FN's, HK's and others remain in service because of it. Portugal imported many HK G3's into Africa where they are considered the #1 rifle to use by poachers. At least the AK doesn't suffer that distinction.

The Kalashnikov design team considered the limited technology of the Iron Curtain countries in the fabrication of the parts, which created the simplicity of manufacture and it's robustness. Along with the near flawless functioning of the magazine, the weapon has created a reputation of high reliability. In reality, they suffer from all the same ills of poor maintenance, lack of cleaning, and bad ammunition as many others. Part of it is overcome by the limited issue of a few magazines to each soldier, rather than the wholesale distribution of mags to a unit. Since the soldier is entirely responsible for the care and upkeep of properly functioning magazines, the associated lack of malfunctions is an enhanced result. It is at least made easier by the rugged construction. Aside from that, the piston still needs periodic cleaning, and failure to do so will jam it in it's cylinder, requiring a gunsmith to extract. The overall design is like that, offering very little modularity and using old school, old world methods of fastening and fabrication. Building your own AK from a kit is far less popular than the AR. Also competing is the inexpensive sale of lower quality rifles, which tend to appeal to the market buying on low price and cheap ammo. When compared to American industry quality standards and monetary exchange rate, an AK built here to M16 standards would cost the same, and be nearly as accurate. Those don't sell well here as the standard of competition is much higher. Operator controls and caliber also figure in.

A straight up evaluation of the rifle is difficult to accept by some, as so many misconceptions and ignorance of military needs is common. The AK is not a modern design and not accepted by modern countries as viable. Discussing that tends to leave the realm of fact, and comments based on fact become controversial issues to some - usually those who have no military background as a volunteer and combat arms user. The reaction is commonly based on a rejection of what is used in this country, based on personal reasons, not tactical application or use. The adoption of the underdog is a common theme in American folklore. As experienced in Vietnam and SW Asia, soldiers equipped with AK's generally lack the ability to press home the attack unless numerically superior, and often using surprise. In straight up conflict, they take much larger casualties, as reported daily for decades. That fact is largely decried and ignored, but the obvious use of IED and other long distance standoff weapons underlines that an AK equipped soldier and his command won't go even up against most other countries using anything else if they plan to fight another day.

Be that as it may, the weapon shoots bullets, and that alone demands consideration and respect.

wishin · Dec 7, 2010

Good job wheelguner05. Thanks.

Hizzie · Dec 8, 2010

Good thread. You Sir are a true master of the search function.

Ak-47 FAQs

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