AK-74

Name	AK-74
Caption	AK-74
Origin
Type	Assault rifle
Is ranged	yes
Service	1974–present
Variants	AKS-74, AKS-74U, AKS-74UB, AK-74M, AK-101, AK-102, AK-103, AK-104, AK-105
Weight	AK-74: AKS-74: AKS-74U: AK-74M:
Length	AK-74: AKS-74 (stock extended): AKS-74 (stock folded): AKS-74U (stock extended): AKS-74U (stock folded): AK-74M (stock extended): AK-74M (stock folded):
Part length	AK-74, AKS-74, AK-74M: AKS-74U:
Cartridge	5.45x39mm
Action	Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate	600 rounds/min (AK-74, AKS-74, AK-74M) 650-700 rounds/min (AKS-74U)
Velocity	(AK-74, AKS-74, AK-74M) (AKS-74U)
Range	600 m, 100–1,000 m sight adjustments 350–500 m sight adjustments (AKS-74U)
Feed	30-round or 45-round RPK-74 detachable box magazine
Sights	Adjustable iron sights, front post and rear notch on a scaled tangent Flip-up sight and front cylindrical post (AKS-74U)

The AK-74 (Russian: Автомат Калашникова образца 1974 года or "Kalashnikov automatic rifle model 1974") is a 5.45mm assault rifle developed in the early 1970s in the Soviet Union. It was developed from the earlier AKM (itself a refined version of the AK-47) and introduced in 1974.

The rifle first saw service with Soviet forces engaged in the Afghanistan conflict. Presently, the rifle continues to be used by the majority of countries of the former USSR. Additionally, unlicensed copies were produced in Bulgaria (AK-74 and AKS-74U), China (Type 88), the former East Germany (MPi-AK-74N, MPi-AKS-74N, MPi-AKS-74NK) and Romania (PA md. 86).

Design details

The AK-74 is an adaptation of the 7.62mm AKM assault rifle and features several important design improvements. The result is a more accurate and reliable rifle than the AKM. After ignition of the cartridge primer and propellant, rapidly expanding exhaust gases are diverted into the gas cylinder above the barrel through a vent near the muzzle. The build-up of gases inside the gas cylinder drives the long-stroke piston and bolt carrier rearward and a cam guide machined into the underside of the bolt carrier rotates the bolt approximately 35° and unlocks it from the barrel extension via a camming pin on the bolt. The moving assembly has about of free travel which creates a delay between the initial recoil impulse of the piston and the bolt unlocking sequence, allowing gas pressures to drop to a safe level before the seal between the chamber and the bolt is broken. Like previous Kalashnikov-pattern rifles, the AK-74 does not have a gas valve; excess gases are ventilated through a series of radial ports in the gas cylinder. Since the Kalashnikov operating system offers no primary extraction upon bolt rotation, the AK-74 bolt has a larger extractor claw than the 7.62mm AKM for increased extraction reliability. Other minor modifications were made to the bolt and carrier assembly.

Barrel

The rifle received a new barrel with a chrome-lined bore and 4 right-hand grooves at a 200 mm (1:8 in) rifling twist rate. The front sight base and gas block were redesigned. The gas block contains a gas channel that is installed at a 90° angle in relation to the bore axis. A pair of support brackets are cast into the gas block assembly and are used to attach a BG-15 or GP-25 under-slung 40 mm grenade launcher. The forward section of the front sight base features a threaded collar that is used to screw in a newly-designed multifunction muzzle device (performing the role of a muzzle brake, recoil compensator and flash suppressor) or a blank-firing adaptor. The muzzle device is held in place by a spring-loaded button and is quickly detachable. The distinctive muzzle brake features a large expansion chamber, two symmetrical vertical cuts at the forward end of the brake and three vent holes positioned to prevent muzzle climb and lateral shift to the right (for right-handed shooters). A flat plate near the end of the brake produces a forward thrust when emerging exhaust gases strike its surface, eliminating nearly all felt recoil. The muzzle brake prevents backblast from reaching the firer, although it is reported to be harsh on bystanders as the muzzle gases are dispersed to the sides.

New features

The AK-74 was equipped with a new stock, handguard (which retained the AKM-type finger swells) and gas cylinder. The stock has a different shoulder pad than the AKM, which is rubber and serrated for increased traction. In addition, there are weight-reducing lightening cuts on each side of the buttstock. These also function to distinguish externally by sight and touch between the AKM and the AK-74, preventing the accidental loading of the wrong ammunition in the AK-74. The stock, lower handguard and upper heatguard were first manufactured from laminated wood, this later changed to a synthetic plum and then a black-colored polymer.

The AK-74 gas tube has a spring washer attached to its rear end designed to retain the gas tube more securely. The lower handguard is fitted with a leaf spring that reduces play in the rifle's lateral axis by keeping the wood tensioned between the receiver and the handguard retainer. The receiver remains nearly identical to that of the AKM; it is a thick sheet steel pressing supported extensively by pins and rivets. The internal guide rails on which the bolt carrier travels are stamped and spot welded to the inside of the receiver housing. Minor changes were made to the front barrel and rear stock trunnions as well as the magazine well. All external metal surfaces are coated with a glossy black enamel.

Magazines

The original AK-74 magazine was identical to that of the AKM, except for minor dimensional changes required by the 5.45x39mm cartridge. These rust-colored magazines are often mistakenly identified as being made of Bakelite (a phenolic resin), where in reality, they were fabricated from a two-part glass-reinforced polyethylene plastic molding, assembled using an epoxy resin adhesive. Noted for their durability, the magazines did however compromise the rifle's camouflage. Very little is known about this model.

AK-74M

grenade launcher.]]

In 1991 the Izhmash factory in the city of Izhevsk began full scale production of an improved variant of the AK-74 – the AK-74M (M – Russian: Модернизированный; Modernizirovanniy or "modernized") assault rifle. Apart from several minor production improvements the rifle also features a new synthetic stock made from a black, glass-filled polyamide that is shaped like the AK-74 fixed stock, but also folds like in the AKS-74. Additionally the AK-74M uses a reinforced muzzle device and dust cover. Each AK-74M is fitted with a side-rail bracket for mounting optics. The AK-74M would have been adopted by the Soviet Union as the standard service rifle, and has been accepted as the new service rifle of the Russian Federation.

AK-100 series

The AK-74 was also the basis for the new Russian family of Kalashnikov firearms: the 5.56 mm AK-101 standard rifle and 5.56 mm AK-102 carbine (both use the NATO-standard 5.56x45mm cartridge), 7.62 mm AK-103 assault rifle and 7.62 mm AK-104 (both chambered for the 7.62x39mm M43 round) and the 5.45 mm AK-105 carbine (adapted to use 5.45x39mm M74 ammunition). The AK-101, 102, 103 and 104 are destined primarily for export, while the AK-105 is slated to replace the AKS-74U with the Russian Armed Forces. In 2010 a new variant, the AK-200 series, was unveiled. It differs in weight and has enhanced modularity.

Users

displaying an AKS-74U.]]

: Manufactured locally.

References

References

External links

Izhmash—manufacturer's website

Tula Arms Plant—makers of the AKS-74U carbine

Modern Firearms

Category:5.45 mm firearms Category:Assault rifles Category:Cold War infantry weapons Category:Cold War rifles Category:Cold War weapons of the Soviet Union Category:Kalashnikov derivatives Category:Weapons of Russia