The main parts of the Kalashnikov assault rifle - the structure of the AK-74

The Kalashnikov assault rifle was and remains the most famous automatic weapon today. For defense, it is used not only in the Russian army, but also by the armed forces of other countries around the world. The production of this unique weapon began in the 50s of the last century. It is believed that in total more than 50 million of these weapons were produced, using various modifications. Today we will get acquainted with the history of the Kalashnikov assault rifle and find out why its popularity is manifested.

History and description of the Kalashnikov assault rifle

It is no secret that the Great Patriotic War was very difficult for the Soviet people. Unfortunately, there were not enough weapons, and what was in use did not meet the requirements of the time. Therefore, there was a need to create a new small arms weapon that would be quite simple and functional to use, and at the same time, would have good destructive power from a long distance.

At that time, machine guns already existed, but, unfortunately, they were so heavy and heavy that they left the fighter with more problems than benefits.

After the 7.62 mm intermediate caliber cartridge was created, the need arose to develop small arms. Then all the largest designers of the Union united and tried to create the ideal weapon. Then the little-known designer Kalashnikov took part in the competition and presented his design.

She was noticed, despite the fact that they initially doubted her success.

After this, work began to improve the presented modification.

In 1947, Kalashnikov was finally able to create the ideal version, which is a modified development of a new machine gun. The jury liked it, after which a decision was made to produce such weapons. It first entered service with the army in 1949.

The very first machine created had only two modifications. It had a wooden stock that did not fold and was called the AK-47. There was also a modification of the AKS-47, which was equipped with a folding stock. At the same time, the system of such a folding stock was not new, but was adopted from German developers who created the MP-40 submachine gun.

The external layout of a weapon like the AK-47 seems quite simple, but this automatic device had serious innovations for that period. The weapon was recognized as reliable and new. Another merit of Kalashnikov is that he provided a single model, according to which other types of guns were subsequently created, for example, the American Granat rifle.

The weapon has been in use since 1949. However, it gained mass popularity only in the sixties.

Then another Degtyarev machine gun appeared on the market, which began to displace the Kalashnikov.

Soon Kalashnikov provided an improved version of the weapon, after which he returned again and acquired the laurels of the main weapons supplier.

In the early seventies, a new cartridge caliber of 5.45 mm was developed. Such cartridges were much more convenient to use.

New modifications have appeared, and the first deliveries abroad of this legendary Russian weapon have begun.

About 60 years have passed since the creation of this legendary machine. But at the same time, the assault rifle is popular, and in the largest military universities they teach military affairs, starting with the legendary assault rifle.

The Kalashnikov assault rifle is popular in every country, and this is our memory that must be honored and preserved.

Modifications

Modifications of the AK-74
The AK-74 has several main modifications:

• The AKS-74 has a left-folding metal stock, designed for airborne troops;
• The AK-74N is equipped with a side rail for attaching 1P78 type night sights;
• AKS-74N - night version of assault rifles for airborne troops;
• AK-74M is a modernization of the basic version, featuring a folding polymer stock and a universal dovetail rail for mounting sights.

The modernized version immediately replaced all previous modifications. Corrosion-resistant materials were used in the design. The muzzle brake received open chambers, which made it possible to clean it without removing it.

To protect against mechanical damage, the fastening of the receiver cover was strengthened. A retainer was added to the design of the return spring guide rod. This ensured firing from the GP-25 or GP-30 underbarrel grenade launcher without the use of additional fasteners. The upgraded version allows the use of PK-A, PK-01, COBRA, 1P78 collimator sights. The new machine gun entered service in 1991 and is still produced today.

Separately, there is a modification of the AK-74M3. The encoding is conditional and has no relation to the modernized version. The machine was created as an exhibition version. Changes include a hinged mount for the receiver cover, a Picatinny rail for sights, and the use of a GP-34 under-barrel grenade launcher.

Other countries, mainly in Eastern Europe, also developed their own versions of rifles based on the AK-74:

• Arsenal AR-M - Bulgaria;
• Kbk wz. 88 Tantal - Poland, there was a Kbs wz.96 Beryl variant chambered for 5.56x45 mm;
• ČZ 2000 - Czechoslovakia, was not accepted for service;
• K-3 - Armenia;
• MPi AK-74N - GDR, had its own modifications with a shortened barrel and a folding butt;
• NGM-81 - Hungary;
• PA md. 1986 - Romania;
• AK-101-105 - export version with different barrel lengths and for different cartridges, created on the basis of the AK-74M.
• Khazri is an export option for Azerbaijan;
• Vepr - Ukraine, development suspended.

Also, several variants of specialized weapons have been developed based on the AK-74. AKS-74U is a shortened version for police and armored vehicle crews. The AK-107 and 108 models are distinguished by balanced automatics, borrowed from the AEK-971. RPK-74 is a light machine gun based on the AK-74. The machine also has a training mass-dimensional mockup (MMG).

AK-74 - characteristics

Let's look at the most popular versions of the AK-74

Design Features

Comparison of several AK assault rifles
The design of the AK-74 largely repeats its predecessor; 9 components and 52 parts are unified with the AKM. The key innovation of the rifle was the two-chamber muzzle device, which simultaneously performs the functions of a brake, compensator and flash suppressor.

Its use made it possible to reduce the recoil of the weapon, and accordingly the accuracy of fire and its accuracy when firing in bursts or fast single shots increased. In this case, the shock sound wave is directed to the sides, which is uncomfortable for neighboring fighters.

Already with the start of mass production, additional changes were made to the design of the machine gun. The wooden stock and fore-end were replaced with plastic ones, which lightened the weight of the weapon. Also, some changes have been made to external and working units.

The AK-74 is powered by a sector-type plastic magazine with staggered cartridges. Ammunition capacity is 30 rounds. However, the machine gun allows the use of RPK-74 magazines with a reserve of 47 rounds.

The device of the Kalashnikov assault rifle

The Kalashnikov assault rifle consists of several components.

It is designed to correctly direct the bullet towards the target.

1. Compensator. Allows you to increase the accuracy of the battle, if the shooting is carried out directly in bursts, while the machine gun has a stable position, for example, shooting is carried out while running.
2. Base for the front sight. This is a hole that allows you to protect the front sight and the retainer with the spring. Prevents screwing.
3. Gas chamber. Simply necessary in order to direct the powder gases.
4. Coupling. It connects two important components: the machine gun and the forend.
5. Receiver. Allows you to connect several parts and mechanisms of the machine.
6. Aim. Necessary in order to aim the machine gun directly at specific targets.
7. Aim. Includes sight block, rail and clamp.
8. Front sight. It is installed in a special tray, which is fixed directly to the base of the barrel.
9. Receiver cover. A necessary element that allows you to avoid contamination of mechanisms that are located directly in the receiver.
10. Bolt frame. It is connected to a gas piston and is necessary so that the shutter is directly actuated.
11. The bolt is necessary in order to send the cartridge into the chamber.
12. Drummer. Has access to a small stud.
13. Trigger with mainspring. Necessary for striking directly at the striker.
14. Trigger retarder. It is necessary to measure the movement of the jacket before it hits the target in order to improve accuracy.
15. Autostart. Necessary in order to automatically release the cocked hammer.
16. Translator. Necessary for installing the machine gun on single fire.
17. Shop. It absorbs all the cartridges, which then go into the receiver.
18. Bayonet knife. An accessory that is connected directly to the machine gun and is necessary in order to hit the enemy if hand-to-hand combat ensues.
19. Sheath. They store the bayonet, which is placed directly on the belt.
20. Lever. It is necessary so that the machine gun and the bayonet knife are in good contact with each other.
21. Blade. It has a special cutting edge, a saw, and also a special cutting edge, which allows you to use such a device also as scissors.

AKM and AKMS

The modernized Kalashnikov assault rifle (AKM) was put into service 10 years after the AK-47 - in 1959. It turned out to be lighter, longer-range and easier to use.

“We, and especially the main customer, were not satisfied with the accuracy when shooting from stable positions, lying down from a rest, standing from a rest. A solution was found by introducing a trigger retarder, which increased the inter-cycle time, Kalashnikov wrote in the book “Notes of a Weapon Designer.” “Later, a muzzle compensator was developed, which made it possible to improve the accuracy of combat during automatic shooting from unstable positions, standing, kneeling, lying down from the hand.”

The retarder allowed the bolt frame to stabilize in the extreme forward position before the next shot, which affected the accuracy of fire. The muzzle compensator in the form of a petal was installed on the barrel thread, and was one of the obvious distinctive features of the AKM. Due to the compensator, the trunk cut was not vertical, but diagonal. By the way, mufflers could be attached to the same thread.

Improving the accuracy of fire made it possible to increase its sighting range to 1000 meters, as a result, the aiming bar also changed, the range scale consisted of numbers from 1 to 10 (on the AK-47 - up to 8).

The butt was raised upward, which brought the resting point closer to the firing line. The external shape of the wooden forend has changed. On the sides it received rests for the fingers. The phosphate-varnish coating, which replaced the oxide coating, increased the anti-corrosion resistance tenfold. Monetchikov notes that the store, made not from steel sheets, but from light alloys, has also undergone radical changes. To increase reliability and protect against deformation, the side walls of its body were reinforced with stiffeners.

The design of the bayonet-knife, attached under the barrel, was also new. A sheath with a rubber tip for electrical insulation allowed the knife to be used for cutting through barbed wire and live wires. The combat power of the AKM increased significantly due to the possibility of installing the GP-25 Koster under-barrel grenade launcher. Like its predecessor, the AKM was also developed in a folding version with the letter “C” in the name.

The principle of operation of the Kalashnikov assault rifle

The operating principle of the Kalashnikov assault rifle is extremely simple.

1. It is based on a process in which a portion of all taken powder gases is removed, which exit through special holes located directly in the barrel wall. And then it directs them into the piston.
2. In order to fire a shot, the shooter must pull a special trigger. At the same time, the trigger must carefully go beyond the cordon to the front sear.
3. At this time, the capsule heats up, and the projectile itself begins to ignite. The gases from the gunpowder begin to expand and the bullet moves along the channel through all the cuts.
4. After the bullet passes through all the direct gas outlet holes, which create speed for it along the barrel wall, the powder gases begin to gradually enter the gas chamber. The gases begin to throw powder gases to the rear. At the same time, the bolt frame begins to rest directly on the barrel channel, splitting the lugs and engaging the receiver. Then, the joint movement of both the shutter and the funnel begins.
5. The spent cartridge case falls out of the chamber and is removed outside the machine gun. At the same time, the trigger mechanism is carried out. Under its influence, all the moving parts that were placed in the rear position begin to move to the front. The cartridge simultaneously begins to charge in the chamber and the barrel bore is simultaneously locked.

This is how the machine gun, which is so often used in combat, functions.

Advantages and disadvantages of the model

Such a well-known weapon as the Kalashnikov assault rifle, of course, has its advantages and disadvantages. You need to familiarize yourself with them in advance before giving your preference to him.

Advantages and disadvantages

A simple design, although at the same time it is more complex than that of a number of machine guns and machine guns.

High technology of the shooting process.

High reliability, which protects the fighter from various negative influences. The machine can be used in almost any climatic conditions, from cold snowy places to hot tropics.

Convenient to use.

A low-power intermediate cartridge that does not have a very high speed of movement compared to other modern assault rifles.

Low bullet speed directly leads to increased dispersion, which means the risk of hitting the target is reduced.

The gas engine has too much power, which directly leads to high shaking of the machine, which can cause physical harm to yourself.

Inconvenient fire translator. The sighting line is quite short. Of course, in subsequent models, if the AK-47 is re-released, this will be reviewed and, most likely, corrected.

There are large gaps that are identified next to moving parts. This allows you to increase the high speed of movement of the units, and also allows you to make the machine insensitive to various types of contamination.

AK equipment

When purchasing such a machine, many do not know that a kit also comes with it.

1. So, as an accessory to the machine there is a special cleaning rod. It is simply necessary in order to promptly clean and lubricate the barrel, as well as other parts of the weapon.
2. Wiping. This is a product that is used to clean or lubricate the bore.
3. A brush is simply necessary in order to clean the canals from the inside thoroughly enough.
4. The kit includes a special screwdriver, which is also called a hairpin. It is simply necessary if the machine is disassembled.
5. And finally, a penalty. It is simply necessary in order to carefully store cleaning cloths, brushes, hairpins, screwdrivers, and other important components.
6. Well, of course, an oil can, which is needed to lubricate the elements

How to make an AK-47 out of paper?

Over time, as a seasoned hardball player, I was visited by the desire to collect something hardball. Although there are already ready-made wooden toys of machine guns on the market, like ]]>here]]> delivered from Russia, which have undergone hard and Counter-Strike, there is no particular doubt about the choice - you need to assemble some kind of Kalashnikov. The choice fell on the AKM model from some Paper Manufacturing. In general, that’s all, from the costs - 18 sheets of A4 thick paper, I took a liter of PVA (there was still a lot left), and a month of sitting in the evenings. Actually, if I collected it more often, it would take less time, and the model itself would turn out better. But what happened, happened. I’m posting my three-dimensional model of the AKM, don’t judge harshly.

Disassembling a Kalashnikov assault rifle

It is considered correct to partially disassemble the weapon for cleaning. Let's consider how to do this in order not to damage the weapon and not spoil its components.

1. First, carefully remove the magazine.
2. Be sure to check if there is a cartridge left in the cartridge compartment. If it is missing, you need to carefully move the bolt and then smoothly release the trigger.
3. If you are using a night vision scope, you will need to remove it carefully. Then, remove the pencil case in which the accessories are stored from the buttstock.
4. Then take a brush, a hairpin and a special wipe. You need to unfasten the cleaning rod and use it.
5. Remove the compensator by carefully turning it clockwise.
6. Remove the cover from the barrel box. To do this, you need to press on the special protrusions and lift the back part.
7. Remove the return mechanism, while carefully securing the weapon by the butt with your hand.
8. Pull the rod until everything comes out of the grooves. In this case, the bolt frame must be pulled back all the way.
9. Remove the shutter.
10. Remove the gas tube using a pencil case.
11. Remember that all parts that you carefully remove must be laid out in the order in which you removed them. Otherwise, in the future you will probably not be able to assemble it in a timely manner, and most importantly, correctly without problems for the operation of the machine in the future.

Briefly about the types of models

And the paper modeling itself is also different. Different types of origami also fall under this direction, and this is already a whole warehouse of directions. In this article I would like to show three-dimensional (3D, 3D) paper modeling. To this day I doubt the correctness of the formulation of this direction, but oh well. In general, you will see and understand everything. Models vary in size and difficulty. The key factor here is the number of sheets of drawings in A4. What you need to start with is paper (the “snow maiden” is allowed, sometimes you need something thicker - cardboard), scissors, a ruler (two are better), a pencil, glue (various ones are suitable, but the PVA one turned out to be more familiar to me). That's probably all. We search the Internet for “download paper models” sites, download the models, print and get to work. For starters, I would recommend the Canon Creative Park website. There, the models are presented with clear instructions “for dummies” and other beginners. Actually, this is where I started, here are a couple of my endeavors:

My beast