AKS-74U: characteristics and purpose of the legendary model

The AKS-74U assault rifle is a folding shortened version of the famous Kalash, developed in the USSR in the late 1970s - early 1980s. The need for automatic short weapons arose during the Great Patriotic War: drivers of armored vehicles, pilots, paratroopers and gun crews needed to constantly have a reliable and trouble-free machine gun with them. The weapon was made on the basis of the standard AK-74, which used 5.45 mm cartridges. The first prototypes were handed over to units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and demonstrated excellent performance in confined spaces. After the collapse of the USSR, short assault rifles began to be actively used in security structures; they are still used in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, where they are often affectionately called “short guns” or “Ksyukhas.”

More details about the machine design

The AKS firearm ( stands for the abbreviation “ Kalashnikov assault rifle ”) is in many ways similar to the original model.

Main parts of aks 74u

• Short barrel
• gate
• gas tube with cover
• flame arrester
• return mechanism
• shop
• handguard
• belt.

Many main parts are unified, which simplifies the process of personnel training and repair work.

Main parts

The weapon package also includes:

• case
• care kit (including a brush, screwdriver, drift, spare clips, oiler and other items)
• stores – 3 pcs.
• pouch for the kit.

Reference! A drift and a screwdriver are used for cleaning and adjusting weapons. A drift is similar to a screwdriver, but without the extended part; it is used to press out the spring, squeeze out the bolt pin, and open latches in hard-to-reach places. Indispensable when carrying out complete and partial disassembly, lubrication , assembly and other actions to care for weapons.

What has changed compared to the full-size sample?

The ax 74u device has changed only in relation to those parts that required modification due to a reduction in size.

• The barrel and gas piston were reduced in length by 2 times.
• Instead of a flame arrester, there is a muzzle, which simultaneously serves as an expansion chamber.
• The receiver is closed with a lid secured with hinges at the front.
• The standard rear sight is for 350 and 500 m, switchable by flipping.
• The cutting pitch is smaller, this is due to the design.
• The front sight post is attached to the top of the gas chamber, the front sight width is reduced to 1.6 mm.
• The bayonet is not used with this weapon, nor are under-barrel grenade launchers (standard models are meant).

In all other respects, the folding Kalash is completely identical to the full-size assault rifle.

Weapon configurations

There are several weapon options that differ slightly. The device is identical to the main model, the differences relate to additional functions.

Night

AKS with additional designation H2 - the design includes a rail for attaching a night sight, NSPUM.

Silent

The machine gun is intended for special forces. It differs from standard models in the presence of a thread that allows the attachment of a muffler, as well as a grenade launcher. With them, this type of machine gun is a complex combat unit called the Canary.

Subsequent models were equipped with a side dovetail, which made it possible to use the Cobra and PSO/POSP.

Reference! Cobra is an open-type precision shooting system controlled by electronics. Particularly effective for hitting targets with high movement speeds that appear for short periods of time.

PSO/PSOP – combat and civilian sights, sniper optical sights. For accurate shooting at small and camouflaged targets. Equipped with illuminated reticles and rangefinder reticles. It is possible to make adjustments for wind and target speed.

Versions of the AKRM and a complex for combating terrorists were also produced.

The main parts of the weapon and its design

AKS-74U is easy to disassemble, and its components are reliable and durable.
Main parts of AKS-74U:

• Barrel with receiver;
• Sights;
• Folding stock;
• Pistol grip with a checkered design;
• Receiver cover;
• Flame arrestor;
• Trigger mechanism;
• Gate;
• Bolt frame with piston;
• Gas tube with receiver lining;
• Handguard;
• Return mechanism;
• Shop;
• Belt.

Standard sights for the AKS-74U consist of a rear sight and a front sight. For night shooting there is a special device: a folding rear sight with a wide slot and a large front sight with luminous dots. The rear sight does not separate during operation; during daytime shooting, it is simply moved downwards and fixed in this position.

Sighting device

Two parts: standard rotating rear sight with front sight.

The rear sight has 2 positions, depending on the firing range:

• "P" - at a distance of up to 350 m
• “5” - distance from 350 to a maximum of 500 m.

Additional device for shooting at night

The device is supplied separately. It is a self-luminous structure consisting of 2 parts:

• rear sight with extended folding slot
• front sight increased in width.

The rear sight does not replace the standard rotary one, but is mounted directly on it, like the front sight. Both components have markings that glow in the dark.

The device is installed on the machine once. To use the weapon during the day, it can simply be moved and locked.

Operation of parts and mechanisms of the Kalashnikov AK-74 (RPK-74) assault rifle during loading and firing

The automatic operation of an assault rifle (machine gun) is based on the use of the energy of powder gases diverted from the barrel bore into the gas chamber.

When fired, part of the powder gases following the bullet rushes through the hole in the barrel wall into the gas chamber, presses on the front wall of the gas piston and throws the piston and bolt frame with the bolt to the rear position. When the bolt frame moves back, the bolt is unlocked, the bolt removes the cartridge case from the chamber and throws it out, the bolt frame compresses the return spring and cocks the hammer (puts it on the self-timer).

The bolt frame with the bolt returns to the forward position under the action of the return mechanism, while the bolt sends the next cartridge from the magazine into the chamber and closes the barrel bore, and the bolt frame removes the self-timer sear from under the cocking of the self-timer trigger. The trigger is cocked. The bolt is locked by turning it around the longitudinal axis to the right, as a result of which the bolt lugs extend beyond the receiver lugs.

If the translator is set to automatic fire, then shooting will continue as long as the trigger is pressed and there are cartridges in the magazine.

If the translator is set to single fire, then only one shot will fire when the trigger is pulled; To fire the next shot, you must release the trigger and press it again.

Performance characteristics of the AKS-74U

The qualities of the short Kalashnikov assault rifle made it legendary. TTX ax 74u meets international standards and is a model for many analogues.

General characteristics

• Personal weapon for self-defense.
• Developed in the USSR, at a plant in Tula.
• Curb weight - 3 kg, weight of an unloaded machine gun - 2.7.
• 730/490 mm ready to use/folded.
• Short trunk – 20.65 cm.
• Caliber – 5.45x39
• It works on powder gases, partially removed from the barrel. Rotary shutter.
• The rate of fire is up to 700 per minute.
• The starting speed of the bullet is 725-750 m/sec.
• The target range is up to half a kilometer.
• The best results are at 200 m.
• Standard magazine holding 30 rounds. You can attach larger ones - up to 60 rounds.

The operating data of the machine gun is assessed according to the basic parameters of the firearm.

Range

The machine shows the best results at distances not exceeding 200 m. The maximum lethal effect is achieved at 100-150 meters. Fire will be effective against groups of people at distances of up to 500 m. A good shot at a single figure will be at a distance of up to 350 m.

Number of shots per period of time

Rated by the number of bullets per minute.

Short bursts – up to 100 shots

Individual sighting – up to 40.

Combat use for AK folding

1. Four hits fall within a diameter of 15 cm, that is, shooting from an AK 74u at a stationary target reveals a probable error not exceeding 5 cm. Only single shots are fired. The distance from the shooter to the target is 100 m, from the point of view, the fighter is lying down. The rear sight is set to "P".
2. Fire verification (short bursts) showed the dispersion of bullets at distances from 100 to 500 m - 5 positions in increments of 100 m. The shooter lies down, bursts are fired from the point of view. The AKS is brought to the standard combat position.

1. The bullets fall into a circle with a diameter of 10 cm from the shortest distance. Each change in the shooter’s position from the initial position of one hundred meters increases the spread by 10 cm.
2. If the shooter works while lying down, the spread increases vertically and horizontally by 3 and 3.5 times.
3. When standing and shooting from the hand, the spread increases by 5.5 and 6 times in two planes.

Aks 74u is an assault rifle that has proven itself more than once in real battles.

AKSu

Ammunition

The cartridges used with the AKS come in two main types.

• Ordinary ones - without special markings, in a steel shell, with a core in a lead jacket.
• Tracers - with a green head. They are used to adjust fire, point at the target and defeat enemy personnel. The core is installed in the head, the tracer compound is installed in the bottom of the cartridge.

A bullet fired from a shortened Kalash rifle pierces:

• steel sheets with a thickness of up to 5 mm, helmets - from 210 to 500 m
• body armor – up to 320 m
• ground parapet up to 2 decimeters thick – 400 m
• wooden walls – 400 m

The destructive power of a bullet lasts for more than a kilometer and can fly up to almost 3 km.

The history of the creation of the Kalashnikov AKS 74u assault rifle

The first copy of the Kalashnikov assault rifle is not ideal. Despite this, the emergence of new modifications is not associated with this. At that time, the Soviet army wanted to arm its soldiers with different types of effective weapons, so the developers constantly proposed new projects. Also, the reason was hidden in the recently ended war, which lasted so long precisely because Soviet soldiers were sorely lacking in good weapons. It was there, but in insufficient quantities.

The first result of the design work was the Kalashnikov 74-U assault rifle, but it was further refined over a long period of time. It was not possible to create a compact machine gun right away. This only happened when the 5.45x39 mm ammunition was adopted, which they began to arm the AKS with. The device became widespread in many military units of the Soviet Union and is still used today.

Model 74U was created as part of a special competition, in which the most famous designers who created devices for the Izhevsk plant took part. There was a serious problem of creating small-caliber automatic equipment in the USSR. At that time, the developers did not understand that some positions did not correspond to the real state of affairs, although they were theoretically correct.

They tried to make a small-sized machine that would work flawlessly in any conditions in different countries of the world from the 60s to the 70s. A high-quality copy was obtained only from Germany in 1975. they began producing the HK53 assault rifle. its length did not exceed half a meter, but the Soviet version surpassed the German device in many respects. Over the following years, developers tried to improve this type of weapon by making changes to the internal mechanisms.

In 1973 it was shortened by another 35 mm. Changes were also made to the stock. It was copied from AKM. An interesting decision was made regarding a number of internal mechanisms. I wanted to create an assault rifle that would have reduced dimensions, but would not be inferior in range and accuracy to its forefather. The 1976 model received an even shorter barrel, and it could be folded. To do this, you need to throw the butt to the right. It took on the appearance of a tubular figured shoulder rest. Thanks to this, the weight of the machine was reduced to 2.4 kg.

The final version, which was approved and accepted for mass production, is an updated version. The stock also folded to the left, but its appearance was more reminiscent of an AK-74. soldiers were able to pick up these weapons only in 1980. The brand name given is AKS-74U (6P26). Much later, already in the 90s, changes were made to the appearance of the weapon: the wooden inserts were completely removed. In their place they began to install parts made of glass-filled polyamide. Despite the fact that wood looked more beautiful, modern plastic increased wear resistance and slightly reduced the weight of the weapon.

Automation operating principle

The automatic part of the AKS uses powder gases. After the shot they go under pressure into the gas chamber. There, sufficient pressure is generated to drive the gas piston, which is thrown back, simultaneously with the shutter system.

This unlocks the bore, the spent cartridge case is pushed out by moving the bolt and removed. The hammer is cocked due to the compression of the return spring produced by the bolt frame.

It, together with the shutter, returns to its original position - the return mechanism is triggered. At the same time, the next cartridge goes into a ready state, sliding into the chamber. This locks the barrel channel after the bolt protrusions go behind the stops and the bolt is turned to the right. The trigger is transferred to the cocked state after its self-timer is released by the self-timer sear.

Partial and complete disassembly of the machine during maintenance

After each shooting, any firearm needs thorough cleaning.
The procedure for partial disassembly of the AKS-74U is carried out to clean, lubricate and inspect the general condition of the machine’s mechanisms. This operation is performed in a strictly defined order:

1. The equipped magazine is separated;
2. The bolt is jerked to make sure that there is no cartridge in the barrel;
3. The flame arrester is removed;
4. The receiver cover opens;
5. The return mechanism and bolt frame are separated;
6. The frame and shutter are separated;
7. The gas tube is disconnected from the receiver lining.

This completes the process of incomplete disassembly. It is recommended to completely disassemble the AKS-74U mechanisms only during repairs or when they are heavily soiled. Complete disassembly of the machine:

1. The magazine, bolt, return and firing mechanism are disassembled;
2. The forend is separated.

The machine is assembled in the reverse order. After each shooting, the machine gun must be cleaned using gun lubricant and a solution for cleaning barrels from carbon deposits. Before long-term storage, AKS-74U is covered with a special liquid solution and wrapped in inhibited and waxed paper.

Advantages and disadvantages when using

This is a convenient weapon , the advantages of which are appreciated by users:

• compact and lightweight
• it can be carried on you relatively unnoticed
• reliable and trouble-free
• cleaning and maintenance are quickly mastered and are not difficult
• excellent penetration capabilities, which are especially evident when compared with other types of standard weapons and combat units authorized for self-defense
• maximum bullet range for a weapon of this type
• high starting bullet speed, aerodynamic characteristics and flat trajectory, superior to those of pistols
• standardized ammunition and stores that solve the problem of supplying army and other paramilitary units armed with these units
• machine's components are also brought to the standard, which reduces the cost of the weapon and simplifies repairs.

Replacement

At the same time, with the stock folded, the AK-105 is 94 mm longer than the AKS74U, and the extra 94 mm of the barrel makes it possible to improve the ballistic characteristics of the weapon and somewhat reduce the heating of the barrel due to its greater mass. Compared to the full-size AK74M, the AK-105 is 119 mm shorter (with the stock unfolded).

The butt and fore-end of the new machine gun are made of impact-resistant glass-filled polyamide in black color. The base of the front sight and sight, the front and rear thrust rings of the receiver, the gas chamber, the lower swivel, the butt lock latch and some other parts are made by precision casting. Metal parts are also protected from corrosion by a special coating. The assault rifle is equipped with a modified (compared to full-size AK 100 series) sighting bar with markings up to 500 m, which is consistent with the standards of NATO countries.

The AK105 was not purchased by the Russian Army, but was adopted by private security forces and the FSUE Okhrana of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, as well as the FSSP of the Russian Federation. For now, the AKS74U remains the main automatic weapon of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, since a large number of these weapons have already been produced and their service life has not expired, and the ministry does not see the need to re-equip ordinary employees.

Also, as a replacement for the AKS74U, the army and law enforcement agencies of the Russian Federation use submachine guns.

Comparison of AKS74U with AK-105

Flaws

Aksu of qualities that can be considered as shortcomings:

• automatic shooting accuracy is quite low
• the range is also low - the reduced size
• caliber 39 reduces combat performance
• bursts quickly overheat weapons , for this 6 magazines in a row in automatic mode are enough
• in a hot machine gun , accuracy is reduced and the receiver is damaged (partially solved by a ventilated forend of a compatible design)
• bullet penetration often becomes a problem: when maintaining law and order, there is a high probability of accidental injury; this is also facilitated by frequent ricochet
• the weapon is quite wide - the cocking handle is visible on the right, plus the butt tilts to the left - concealed carrying requires additional measures
• the use of subsonic cartridges and PBS is less effective than that of models loaded with 9x39 cartridges.

From the history of AKS ! The trend towards creating small-sized personal weapons appeared in the 60s of the last century. Development was carried out in all countries, the basis was the existing samples of machine guns and rifles. Weapons created in Europe and America were increasingly approaching the submachine gun. The “Modern” competition was held in the USSR, in which many famous gunsmiths took part: Simonov S.G., Stechkin I.Ya. and others. But the palm was given to the Izhevsk model, developed on the basis of the military Kalashnikov.

Disassembly and assembly of the Kalashnikov AK-74 (RPK-74) assault rifle

Partial disassembly of the AK-74 assault rifle

Disassembling the machine can be:

1. Incomplete - for cleaning, lubricating and inspecting the machine;

2.Full - for cleaning when the machine is heavily soiled, after it has been exposed to rain or snow and during repairs.

The procedure for partial disassembly of the machine

1. Separate the store.

Holding the machine gun with your left hand by the neck of the butt or fore-end, grab the magazine with your right hand: pressing the latch with your thumb. push the bottom of the magazine forward and separate it. After this, check to see if there is a cartridge in the chamber by lowering the translator down. placing it in the “AB” or “OD” position; pull the bolt handle back, inspect the chamber, release the bolt handle and release the hammer.

2.Remove the accessory case from the stock socket.

Press the lid of the socket with the finger of your right hand so that the pencil case comes out of the socket under the action of the spring: open the pencil case and remove the wiper, brush, screwdriver and drift from it.

3. Separate the cleaning rod.

Pull the end of the cleaning rod away from the barrel so that its head comes out from under the stop on the base of the front sight, and remove the cleaning rod. If it is difficult to separate the cleaning rod, you can use a drift, which should be inserted into the hole in the head of the cleaning rod, pull the end of the cleaning rod away from the barrel and remove it.

4. Separate the muzzle brake-compensator from the machine gun, and the flame arrester from the machine gun.

Use a screwdriver to press in the muzzle brake-compensator clamp. Unscrew the muzzle brake-compensator from the threaded protrusion of the front sight base, rotating it counterclockwise. In case of excessively tight rotation of the muzzle brake-compensator, it is allowed to unscrew it using a drift inserted into the windows of the muzzle brake-compensator.

5. Separate the receiver cover.

With your left hand, grab the neck of the butt, with the thumb of this hand, press the protrusion of the guide rod of the return mechanism, with your right hand, lift up the rear part of the receiver cover and separate it.

6. Separate the return mechanism.

Hold the machine gun with your left hand by the neck of the butt, push the return mechanism guide rod forward with your right hand until its heel leaves the longitudinal groove of the receiver: lift the rear end of the guide rod and remove the return mechanism from the bolt frame channel.

7. Separate the bolt frame from the bolt.

Continuing to hold the machine gun with your left hand, with your right hand, pull the bolt frame back as far as it will go, lift it along with the bolt and separate it from the receiver.

8. Separate the bolt from the bolt frame.

Take the bolt frame in your left hand with the bolt facing up; With your right hand, pull the bolt back and turn it like this. so that the leading protrusion of the bolt comes out of the figured cutout of the bolt frame, and move the bolt forward.

9. Separate the gas tube from the receiver lining.

Holding the machine with your left hand, put the accessory case with a rectangular hole on the protrusion of the gas tube contactor with your right hand, turn the contactor away from you to a vertical position and remove the gas tube from the gas chamber pipe.

The procedure for assembling an assault rifle (machine gun) after partial disassembly

1.Attach the gas tube with the receiver lining.

2.Attach the bolt to the bolt frame.

3.Attach the bolt frame with the bolt to the receiver.

4.Attach the return mechanism.

5.Attach the receiver cover.

6. Decock the trigger and put the safety on. Pull the trigger and raise the translator up to full stop.

7. Attach a muzzle brake-compensator for the machine gun, and a flame arrester for the machine gun.

8.Attach the cleaning rod.

9.Insert the pencil case into the butt socket.

10.Attach the magazine to the machine.

When firing a machine gun with a night sight, after attaching the magazine, attach the NSPU sight.

Probable option for replacing the “shortening”

In 1994, assault rifle . It is based on the AK-74M model.

AK 105

Dimensions

The new model is intermediate between the main model and the shortened AKS . The dimensions were reduced, while the gas chamber remained in place, without being moved back.

When folded, the updated model is almost 10 cm (94 mm) longer than the short version.

Appearance

• Impact-resistant black polyamide is used.
• Cast parts.
• Careful treatment of metal surfaces against rust.
• The sighting bar complies with NATO standards, with markings for distances up to half a kilometer.

This sample was not officially accepted as a standard - there were no purchases of large quantities. It is used by the military forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, law enforcement and security agencies, and the FSSP.

The main standard weapon of most law enforcement officers is the folding AKS , since the ministry did not consider it appropriate to replace a high-quality Soviet model, the service life of which has not yet expired.

AKS-74U assault rifle cartridge caliber 5.45 mm. Device. Weight

AKS-74U - Kalashnikov folding shortened assault rifle (GRAU Index - 6P26) - a shortened modification of the AK-74 assault rifle, was developed in the late 1970s - early 1980s to arm the crews of combat vehicles, aircraft, gun crews, as well as paratroopers. It is also used in the Ministry of Internal Affairs and security structures due to its small size.

Other options

In parallel with the shortening, submachine guns with similar performance characteristics are also used. The tactical and technical characteristics are not inferior to the model.

• Developed on the basis of the short Kalashnikov OTs-12 “Tiss” ( cartridges ) and OTs-14 “Groza”
• "Veresk" is a model with the same accuracy as a compact Kalashnikov assault rifle , but with a shorter firing distance. Less weight, more compact, plus the possibility of attaching a collimator sight.

For several decades, AKS weapon , the shortened, reliable Ksyukha, has been the most popular in the country and in the territories of the former Union.

OTs-14 "Thunderstorm"

Notes

1. ↑. militaryparity.com. Retrieved August 30, 2010.
2. ↑ Guide to the 5.45 mm Kalashnikov Shortened AKS74U (AKS74UN2) (1992)
3. ↑
4. ruweapon.ru/aks-74u
5. (unavailable link). Retrieved March 3, 2014.
6. V. Korablin.
   Large caliber for the KGB // Weapons: magazine. - 2004. - No. 2. - P. 2–9.
7. Igor Alexandrov. AKS-74U: 20 years in service // Master Gun magazine, No. 73, 2003. pp. 26-29
8. ↑ Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
9. Decree of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 163 of February 17, 2003 “On approval of the norms and list of weapons and special means that employees of the financial police have the right to use”
10. (unavailable link). Retrieved April 13, 2014.
11. Alex Alekhine. Lair of the “lynx” // daily newspaper “Hour”, No. 113 (532) dated May 18, 1999
12. " 5.45 mm assault rifles AK-74 (6P20)
    , AKS-74 (6P21),
    AKS-74U (6P26)
    , AK-74M (6P34)
    " Appendix No. 2 to Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia No. 173 of February 17, 2001 " List of individual types and models of military hand-held small arms, service and civilian weapons, and cartridges for them, used by employees of paramilitary and private security guard units under the internal affairs bodies"
13. Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 776 of October 2, 2009 “On the provision of combat hand-held small arms and other weapons, ammunition for them, special means, equipment and supplies to the Federal Bailiff Service”
14. Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 1214 of November 22, 2012

Options available for civilians

• Guarded : “MA-AK-03” The shortest civilian carbine on the Russian arms market, manufactured according to the AKS-74U type. Essentially a remake of the AKM. From 28,000 rub.
• Empty : Unlike the first point, this will be AKSU. From 45,000 rub.
• Airsoft : The price starts from 10,000 rubles and varies greatly depending on the manufacturer and modification

Hunting carbine MA-AK-03

Operating countries

• USSR - originally developed as a weapon for the airborne troops, the first machine guns began to arrive in the army in 1980, but later became widespread in marine units, as a reserve weapon for certain categories of ground forces (officers in the combat zone, signalmen, grenade launchers, armored vehicle crews, helicopter and airplane pilots), as well as special forces of the USSR Ministry of Internal Affairs and the USSR KGB.
• Belarus - in service with certain categories of military personnel, employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the KGB
• Georgia
• Kazakhstan is in service with certain categories of military personnel, employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and financial police.
• Kyrgyzstan is in service with certain categories of military personnel, employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and customs service.
• Cuba is in service with the National Security Service.
• Latvia - despite receiving M16 assault rifles in 1997, it was in service with the Suga reconnaissance and airborne battalion at least until mid-1999.
• Lithuania - a number of AKS-74U remains in service with the police and border guards.
• Mongolia.
• Russia: in service with certain categories of military personnel,
• in service with the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, the FSSP of the Russian Federation, certain categories of employees of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, PJSC Sberbank of Russia, FSUE Main Center for Special Communications

• in service with certain categories of military personnel of the armed forces of Ukraine,
• in service with police officers, state security services and the National Guard of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.

Kalashnikov assault rifle Folding Shortened model 1974 / AKS-74U / “Ksyukha”

AK-74 review. A selection of detailed photographs of the AKS-74U. Selection-1.

AKS-74U, Kalashnikov Folding Shortened Automatic Model 1974 (GRAU index - 6P26) is a Soviet (later Russian) shortened automatic submachine gun chambered for 5.45x39 , developed by a team of designers at the Izhevsk Machine-Building Plant under the leadership of Mikhail Timofeevich Kalashnikov in 1976. The machine gun was intended to arm those soldiers and military formations for whom the ordinary full-size AK-74 is not authorized or is inconvenient.

Story

Along with the introduction of the AK series of assault rifles into service, Soviet industry completely stopped the production of PPSh and PPS-41 submachine guns. The problem of arming the crews of combat vehicles, helicopter and airplane pilots was supposed to be solved by the latest Stechkin APS automatic pistol. However, after a certain period of operation, an obvious drawback of this type of weapon became clear - the short range and effectiveness of fire at distances above 25-40 meters. Until the 1970s, Soviet designers were unable to resolve this issue. For pilots and crews of armored vehicles, the AKS or AKMS was too heavy and long, not allowing them to conveniently leave the vehicle if necessary. In 1974, the USSR transitioned its armed forces to the newly developed low-pulse 5.45x39 cartridge, manufactured as a response to the US Army's transition to the 5.56x45 cartridge. Due to the lighter weight of weapons and ammunition, it became possible to develop a fairly light and compact assault rifle suitable for arming fighters who were not allowed a full-size AK-74. For these reasons, in 1979, the Izhevsk Machine-Building Plant developed the AKS-74U, a shortened version of the AK-74. This weapon was intended to arm paratroopers, artillery crews, helicopter and airplane pilots, as well as crews of combat vehicles. In Western countries, the niche of shortened assault rifles or PDW (Personal Defense Weapon - personal self-defense weapons) is occupied by submachine guns. Among NATO this is the extremely popular MP-5; in Eastern Europe and the Balkans these are various modifications of the AKM. Compared to foreign analogues, the AKM-74U has both disadvantages and advantages. First of all, the advantages should include an automatic caliber, which provides the weapon with penetration and destructive power like its “big brother” AK-74. The second advantage is the ability to attach various devices to weapons, including an under-barrel grenade launcher, which is very atypical for this type of SMG. However, the machine also has disadvantages. First of all, it is weight and dimensions. Compared to the German MP-5, the AKS-74U is heavier (2.7 without cartridges; MP-5 - 2.5), but shorter (490 millimeters with the butt unfolded; MP-5 - 550 millimeters with the butt unfolded). In terms of ergonomic and operational characteristics, the MP-5 outperforms its domestic counterpart. Moreover, for this class of weapon, the AKS-74U has a high firing range, as well as good bullet penetration.

Design

Structurally, the AKS-74U is almost completely identical to the AKS-74. The automation operation scheme is exactly the same, that is, the removal of powder gases. This means that when fired, powder gases are removed from the barrel through a special gas outlet tube. Then, under their pressure, the return mechanism moves the bolt to the rear position, ejects the spent cartridge case and sends a new one into the chamber. After this, the bolt turns to the right and locks the barrel. This automation scheme is extremely reliable and trouble-free, which has been tested by several generations of the Kalashnikov assault rifle in the past. AKS-74U has a three-position switch-fuse switch. This device made it possible to install the machine gun on a safety lock that blocked the sear and bolt group, or to switch the fire mode. The machine allows both single and fully automatic shooting. However, when conducting intense automatic fire (1-2 magazines), the barrel overheats, causing “spitting” and delays, which does not allow full use of the machine gun. Trigger type trigger. The weapon has a skeleton-type metal frame stock, a wooden fore-end and gas tube cover, as well as a plastic pistol grip. In later modifications, the designers equipped the AKS-74U with a rail for mounting dovetail sights. It is possible to mount NSPU sights (Unified Night Rifle Sight), Cobra collimators, and PSO sights. The barrel has a thread for attaching a PBS-4 muffler. On the basis of the AKS-74U, the 6S1 “Canary” rifle-grenade launcher system was also developed. The complex included the AKS-74UB itself with the PBS-4 silent firing device, as well as the BS-1 grenade launcher, designed to combat automobile and lightly armored vehicles. In general, the complex was intended for reconnaissance and sabotage groups and special forces units of various law enforcement agencies. Unlike the AKS-74, the AKS-74U has a barrel and gas piston rod shortened by 206 millimeters. The muzzle device has also been changed, now serving as a flash suppressor and expansion chamber. The receiver cover was attached to a hinge at the front, and the designers also removed the rate of fire retarder, which is now 65-700 rounds per minute. The changes also affected the sighting devices: the rear sight is of a new design, folding, has only two o and “500”. The machine gun has a box magazine with 30 rounds (+1 in the barrel), but can also be fed with enlarged RPK-74 magazines with 45 rounds.

Ammunition nomenclature

The AKS-74U does not have the same wide selection of ammunition as the AK-74. This is due to the shortened barrel and lower bullet speed, which does not allow the use of armor-piercing bullets of special power.

• 7N6 is an armor-piercing steel bullet with a lead jacket and a mild steel core inside. From 500 meters it pierces a steel helmet. With a 50% probability it penetrates standard army body armor at a distance of 300 meters.
• 7T3 is a tracer bullet designed for target designation or correction of firing results. It is an ordinary bullet, the bottom of which is filled with a pyrotechnic charge, which burns with a bright green flame during the flight of the bullet.

Options and modifications

The AKS-74U has two different modifications designed to perform combat missions in different combat situations.

• AKS-74U-N2 is a modification of the assault rifle for night operations, equipped with a dovetail mount for installing NSPU night sights, operating in low natural light (moonlight, reflected light from clouds).
• AKS-74UB is a silent modification of the machine gun, which was equipped with a thread for attaching the PBS-4 silent flameless firing device, as well as a dovetail mount for installing Cobra or PSO sights.

Results

As a result, the machine turned out to be universal. It can act as a submachine gun, a carbine or a full-fledged machine gun. In addition to the armed forces and special forces of Russia, the AKS-74U is in service with the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs as a reinforcement of patrol or guard units, which, in addition to the AKS-74U, have only the Kedr PP and PM service pistols. However, this use has a significant disadvantage - since the machine gun cannot use a low-ricochet cartridge, there is a serious danger when shooting in confined spaces (entrances, offices, corridors). The 5.45 bullet can ricochet off concrete or metal walls and injure or kill civilians or co-workers. A significant drawback for employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs is the critical overheating of the barrel, but they use such weapons extremely rarely, and even less often - intensively and in automatic mode. The AKS-74U is also in service with the bailiff service, collectors of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation and Sberbank, as well as army units of the Airborne Forces, tank forces and the Russian Aerospace Forces. Despite significant design flaws, “Ksyukha” really took root among the troops, earning the respectful attitude of its users.

TTX Kalashnikov assault rifle Folding Short / AKS-74U