Replies

AK-74

Description: The AK-74 is basically an AKM rechambered and rebored to fire a 5.45-mm cartridge. Externally, it has the same general appearance as the AKM, with two noticable differences. It has a distinctive, two-port muzzle brake, giving it a slightly greater overall length than the AKM. It also has a smooth plastic magazine which is slightly shorter and is curved to a lesser extent than the grooved metal AKM magazine. It uses the same type of bayonet as the AK-series weapons.

There is also a folding stock version, designated AKS-74, which has a Y-shaped tubular stock. The stock has an extremely narrow buttplate, as opposed to the T-shaped, stamped-metal buttstock of the AKMS.

Capabilities: The AK-74 fires 5.45 x 39-mm ball, ball-tracer, and incendiary-tracer rounds. The 5.45-mm round of the AK-74 has a considerably higher muzzle velocity than the 7.62-mm round of the AKM; this eliminates the range-limiting drawback of it predecessor. Like the AKM, the AK-74 has a maximum sight setting of 1,000 meters, but the effective range is 500 meters (versus 300 meters for the AKM).

The muzzle brake of the AK-74 a fluidic device to minimize recoil and muzzle climb. Although the AK-74 is somewhat heavier than the AKM when empty, its loaded weight is slightly less than that of the AKM; this is due primarily to the plastic magazine and its smaller-caliber ammunition. Like the AK and the AKM, the AK-74 can mount a grenade launcher and a passive image intensifier night sight.

Limitations: The gas cylinder, like the cylinders on the AK and AKM, is in a valunerable position; if dented, it may cause weapon mulfunction. The reddish-brown or orange color of the plastic magazine does not lend itself to camouflage.

Remarks: The Soviets fielded the AK-74 in 1974, as indicated by the weapon's designation. The folding-stock AKS-74 was first seen with Soviet airborne troops in November 1977. The Ak-74 is also the basis for other 5.45-mm small arms, including the AKSU-74 submachine gun and the RPK-74 light machine gun.

The following data comes from Janes Infantry Weapons 1995 - 1996.

Cartridge: 5.45 x 39 mm Operation: gas, selective fire Locking: rotating bolt Feed: 30-round plastic box magazine Weight: 3.3 kg unloaded; 3.9 kg loaded Length: 943 mm Barrel: 415 mm Rifling: 4 grooves, rh, 1 turn in 196 mm Sights: fore, post; rear, U-notch Muzzle velocity: 900 m/s Rate of fire: cyclic, 600-650 rds/min Effective range: ----

The AK-74 is a newer version of the AK-47. The AK-47 fires a heavy larger round: 7.62 x 39 mm While reliable the AK-47 had problems with competing with the accuracy of the American Made M-16's and it's 5.56 x 45 MM round (.223) The 5.56 x 45 MM round in the M-16 used a smaller bullet that had a very flat trajectory and great accuracy. It was designed to tumble when it hit flesh and cause a great deal of damage. The AK-74 was developed with the 5.45 x 39MM round to acheive better results with .223 like ammuntion in the old AK-47 design.

The following extract comes from US Army Field Manual 100-2-3 - The Soviet Army; Troops Organisation and Equipment published in June 1991. The publication was approved for public release with unlimited distribution (ie may be freely used). The entry provided covered the AK-74 and the AKS-74 military assault rifles.

Description:

The AK-74 is basically an AKM rechambered and rebored to fire a 5.45-mm cartridge. Externally, it has the same general appearance as the AKM, with two noticable differences. It has a distinctive, two-port muzzle brake, giving it a slightly greater overall length than the AKM. It also has a smooth plastic magazine which is slightly shorter and is curved to a lesser extent than the grooved metal AKM magazine. It uses the same type of bayonet as the AK-series weapons.

There is also a folding stock version, designated AKS-74, which has a Y-shaped tubular stock. The stock has an extremely narrow buttplate, as opposed to the T-shaped, stamped-metal buttstock of the AKMS.

Capabilities:

The AK-74 fires 5.45 x 39-mm ball, ball-tracer, and incendiary-tracer rounds. The 5.45-mm round of the AK-74 has a considerably higher muzzle velocity than the 7.62-mm round of the AKM; this eliminates the range-limiting drawback of it predecessor. Like the AKM, the AK-74 has a maximum sight setting of 1,000 meters, but the effective range is 500 meters (versus 300 meters for the AKM).

The muzzle brake of the AK-74 a fluidic device to minimize recoil and muzzle climb. Although the AK-74 is somewhat heavier than the AKM when empty, its loaded weight is slightly less than that of the AKM; this is due primarily to the plastic magazine and its smaller-caliber ammunition. Like the AK and the AKM, the AK-74 can mount a grenade launcher and a passive image intensifier night sight.

Limitations:

The gas cylinder, like the cylinders on the AK and AKM, is in a valunerable position; if dented, it may cause weapon mulfunction. The reddish-brown or orange color of the plastic magazine does not lend itself to camouflage.

Remarks:

The Soviets fielded the AK-74 in 1974, as indicated by the weapon's designation. The folding-stock AKS-74 was first seen with Soviet airborne troops in November 1977. The Ak-74 is also the basis for other 5.45-mm small arms, including the AKSU-74 submachine gun and the RPK-74 light machine gun.

The following data comes from Janes Infantry Weapons 1995 - 1996.

Cartridge: 5.45 x 39 mm Operation: gas, selective fire
Locking: rotating bolt Feed: 30-round plastic box magazine
Weight: 3.3 kg unloaded; 3.9 kg loaded Length: 943 mm
Barrel: 415 mm Rifling: 4 grooves, rh, 1 turn in 196 mm
Sights: fore, post; rear, U-notch Muzzle velocity: 900 m/s
Rate of fire: cyclic, 600-650 rds/min Effective range: ----