From Russia with Love, Syria’s AK-74Ms

bellingcat ^ | February 19, 2015 | Oryx

[Perseverando]

Quite a few more pics at the site, but too many to cut and paste.

[Jimmy Valentine]

Is it chambered for 7.62? hat is the best round in my opinion for this weapon.

[caligatrux]

"When you absolutely, positively, got to kill every mother#*%er in the room... accept no substitutes."

[Obadiah]

What does the “M” variation represent?

[OKSooner]

I believe it’s a 5.45xsomethingorother, similar to the 5.56 Nato.

[Trailerpark Badass]

AK-74 is 5.45x39.

[C19fan]

The AK-74M uses the Soviet/Russian equivalent of the 5.56 MM NATO; 5.45 X 39 MM. It is an update of the AK-74. Kalashnikov was not happy when the Red Army came to and wanted a AK version of the M-16 firing the smaller round.

[SampleMan]

5.45×39mm

[Lurkinanloomin]

5.45x39

[Trailerpark Badass]

AK-74 with plastic side-folding buttstock and scope mount rail on left side of receiver.

[C19fan]

M = Modernizirovanniy or Modernized in English. For most ubiquitous version of the AK-47 is the AKM-47 introduced in 1959.

[Roman_War_Criminal]

No...5.45x39 which has much better range & accuracy than the 7.62x39.

[smokingfrog]

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:AK-74_with_magazines.jpeg#mediaviewer/File:AK-74_with_magazines.jpeg

[Roman_War_Criminal]

Apparently steroids are big in the ISIS camp....

[Kartographer]

The AK-74 is an adaptation of the 7.62×39mm AKM assault rifle and features several important design improvements.[12] These improvements were primarily the result of converting the rifle to the intermediate-caliber high velocity 5.45×39mm cartridge, in fact, some early models are reported to have been converted AKMs, re-barreled to 5.45×39mm.[16] Compared to the preceding AKM the AK-74 has better effective range, firing accuracy (a main development goal) and reliability. The AK-74 and AKM share an approximate 50% parts commonality (interchangeable most often are pins, springs and screws)

[Obadiah]

Thanks.

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

It’s chambered in something like 5.6 ish. Very long skinny bullet and high velocity hence the compensator. It’s very unruly after it enters the human body.

[smokingfrog]

In 1991 the Izhmash factory in the city of Izhevsk began full scale production of a modernized variant of the AK-74—the AK-74M (M—Russian: Модернизированный; Modernizirovanniy or "modernized") assault rifle that offers more versatility compared to its predecessor. Apart from several minor production improvements, such as a lightened bolt and carrier assembly, the rifle features a new synthetic stock made from a black, glass-filled polyamide that is shaped like the AK-74 fixed stock, but also side-folds like in the AKS-74. Additionally the AK-74M features an improved muzzle device, a reinforced smooth dust cover and a redesigned guide rod return spring retainer that allows firing the GP-25, GP-30 and GP-34 under-slung grenade launchers without having to use the previously necessary additional receiver cover fastener. 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 with some AK-74Ms featuring a Picatinny rail for easier mounting of optics.

[Kartographer]

My Bulgarian AK74. Don't leave home without it.

[onedoug]

Give me the simplicity of the AK-47. Best combat rifle in the world for my money.