Posted on 02/24/2015 8:46:08 AM PST by Perseverando
The AK-74M has slowly earned its place as the most popular assault rifle currently in use with the various factions fighting for control over Syria. While originally acquired only in small numbers by Syria, recent deliveries ensured a now solid presence of this rifle in the war-torn country. The AK-74M is not only popular with forces of the Syrian Arab Army and the Republican Guard, but also with various other groups fighting for control of the country.
Syia acquired its first batch of AK-74Ms in the late 90s, albeit in very small numbers. This very first batch was believed to have been part of a deal struck with Russia in 1996, which would renew the military and technological cooperation with Russia after this had dwindled due to the collapse of the Soviet Union.
The deal envisaged the delivery of a wide selection of small arms, anti-tank missiles, night vision equipment and ammunition for weaponry already in use by Syria. Included in the package were large numbers of AKS-74Us, smaller numbers of AK-74Ms, RPG-29s, PG-7VR warheads for the RPG-7 but also 9M113M Konkurs anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) and even 9M117M Bastion gun-launched anti-tank guided missiles for use by Syria’s at that point recently upgraded T-55MVs.
Disagreements over Syria’s insistence on lower prices and extended payment schemes for future purchases and its debt to Russia led to the failure of a deepened relationship between the two countries. Nonetheless, much of the ordered weaponry did ultimately reach Syria.
The first public appearance of the AK-74M in was in 2000, when it was spotted being carried by a guard in front of the National Progressive Front (NPF) headquarters in Damascus. This AK-74M belonged to the first batch, and these along with AKS-74Us were mainly distributed to special units and personnel guarding places of high value. The amount of AK-74Ms was still too small to allow a wider distribution.
The second attempt to acquire AK-74Ms (at a more ambitious scale this time) took place in the years leading up to the Syrian Civil War. The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) launched an ambitious modernisation programme aimed at improving the protection and firepower of a part of its infantry force during this time.
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Each round has it’s purpose. One has close-quarter knock-down and penetrating power (7.62) and the other has better accuracy & range (5.45). There’s no such thing as an all-purpose round.
The problem with 7.62x39 is that its a heavy round, too heavy to carry the proper amount of ammo that an assault rifle user should carry. Its also a bit slow, but it penetrates barriers better. The 5.45 is faster, has less barrier penetration ability but creates nasty wounds on soft targets. The 5.45 is really what the AKM should have been made for in the first place, its a true assault rifle cartridge. The whole “knock down power” of certain cartidges is a small arms myth, its shot placement that matters most.
The .300 Blackout was developed as an ideal round to fire out of suppressed/short barrel AR platform rifles. Its not intended as a general service cartridge, but it shows promise as a bodyguard/private security, home-defense, and truck-gun cartridge.
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