Kalashnikov rifle
Kalashnikov rifles, also known as the AK platform, AK rifles, or simply the AK, are a family of assault rifles based on Mikhail Kalashnikov's original design. They are officially known in Russian as avtomat Kalashnikova, and informally as kalash in Russian.
Background
AK rifles were originally manufactured in the Soviet Union by Kalashnikov Concern. Rifles similar to the Kalashnikov and its Soviet variants were later produced in many countries friendly to the Soviet Bloc, with rifles based on its design such as the Galil ACE and the INSAS also being produced. The Kalashnikov is one of the most widely used firearms in the world, with an estimated 72 million rifles in global circulation.List of AK rifles
The original Kalashnikov rifles and their derivatives, as produced in the Soviet Union and later the Russian Federation.Rifles derived directly from the original AK
The rifle's simple design makes it easy to produce, and the Soviet Union readily leased plans of the firearm to friendly countries, where it could be produced locally at a low cost. As a result, the Kalashnikov rifles and their variants have been manufactured in many countries, with and without licenses. Manufacturing countries in alphabetical order include:Albania
Aside from the ASH-78, the ASH-82, the Albanian AKS-47 copy, was in production.Several other versions of the AKMS have been produced mainly with short barrels similar to Soviet AKS-74U for special forces, tank and armored crew and for helicopter pilots and police.
There have also been modified ASh-82 with SOPMOD accessories, mainly for Albania's special forces RENEA and exports.
Armenia
Azerbaijan
The AK-74M is locally produced under license in Azerbaijan as the Khazri.Bulgaria
China
Croatia
Cuba
The AKM is locally produced under license in Cuba.East Germany
Egypt
Ethiopia
The Et-97/1 is a locally manufactured AK-103 variant at the State-run Gafat Armament Engineering Complex.Finland
Hungary
| Model | Description |
| AK-55 | Domestic manufacture of the 2nd Model AK |
| AKM-63 | Also known as AMD-63 in the US; modernized AK-55 |
| AMP-69 | Rifle grenade launcher |
| NGM-81 | 5.56×45mm NATO; fixed and under-folding stock |
Iraq
| Model | Description |
| Tabuk Assault Rifle | With fixed or underfolding stock, outright clones of Yugoslavian M70 rifles series |
| Tabuk Short Assault Rifle | Shortened Tabuk Assault Rifle variant |
Nigeria
The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria has been producing AK rifles as the OBJ-006.North Korea
North Korea has been producing AK rifles as its standard issue weapons.Pakistan
Aside from Khyber Pass copies, Pakistan has been producing AK rifles as the PK-10.Poland
| Model | Description |
| pmK | The name has changed from pmK to the kbk AK in mid-1960s; copies of the AK/AKS |
| pmKS | The name has changed from pmK to the kbk AK in mid-1960s; copies of the AK/AKS |
| kbkg wz. 1960/72 | Modernised variant |
| kbk AKM / kbk AKMS | AKM/AKMS |
Romania
Sudan
The MAZ is the Sudanese licensed copy of the Chinese Type 56 made by Military Industry Corporation.Turkey
The SAR 15T/308 is a locally produced and modernized version of the AK platform by defense contractor Sarsilmaz.Ukraine
United States
Vietnam
- AKM-1
- AKM-VN assault rifle
- TUL-1 light machine gun
Venezuela
Yugoslavia/Serbia
Similar rifles
The following rifles were either based on the Kalashnikov design, or have a different design but are superficially similar in appearance:Argentina
Bulgaria
China
Czechoslovakia
India
Israel
South Africa
Accessories
Sights
- PSO-1
Silencer
- PBS-1 silencer
Bayonets
- 6KH2 bayonet
- 6KH3 bayonet
- 6KH4 bayonet
- 6KH5 bayonet
- 6KH9 bayonet
Grenade launcher
- GP-25
Comparative characteristics of AK rifles
In the United States
The Kalashnikov weapon design has become increasingly more popular in the American firearms industry. There are specific competitive shooting matches that require the use of its weapon variants like the Red Oktober match held just outside of St. George, Utah. It is a match designed for the use of ComBloc style weapons, but the Kalashnikov design is extremely heavy within the participants' arsenals.Due to sanctions to Russia preventing the import of arms, a number of companies started producing clones of the Kalashnikov family of weapons. In particular, the company Kalashnikov USA was created specifically for this purpose. Companies such as Palmetto State Armory and Century Arms also produce Kalashnikov clones.