ℹ️ ➖➖➖ The AK-47, officially known as the Avtomat Kalashnikova (Russian: Автома́т Кала́шникова, lit. 'Kalashnikov's automatic [rifle]'; also known as the Kalashnikov or just AK), is a gas-operated assault rifle that is chambered for the 7.62×39mm cartridge. Developed in the Soviet Union by Russian small-arms designer Mikhail Kalashnikov, it is the originating firearm of the Kalashnikov (or "AK") family of rifles. There were many difficulties during the initial phase of production. The first production models had stamped sheet metal receivers with a milled trunnion and butt stock insert, and a stamped body. Difficulties were encountered in welding the guide and ejector rails, causing high rejection rates. Instead of halting production, a heavy[N 1] machined receiver was substituted for the sheet metal receiver. Even though production of these milled rifles started in 1951, they were officially referred to as AK-49, based on the date their development started, but they are much widely known in the collectors' and current commercial market as "Type 2 AK-47". This was a more costly process, but the use of machined receivers accelerated production as tooling and labor for the earlier Mosin–Nagant rifle's machined receiver were easily adapted. Partly because of these problems, the Soviets were not able to distribute large numbers of the new rifle to soldiers until 1956. During this time, production of the interim SKS rifle continued. The AK-47 was designed to be a simple, reliable fully automatic rifle that could be manufactured quickly and cheaply, using mass production methods that were state of the art in the Soviet Union during the late 1940s. The AK-47 uses a long stroke gas system that is generally associated with great reliability in adverse conditions. The large gas piston, generous clearances between moving parts, and tapered cartridge case design allow the gun to endure large amounts of foreign matter and fouling without failing to cycle. The AK fires the 7.62×39mm cartridge with a muzzle velocity of 715 m/s (2,350 ft/s). The cartridge weight is 16.3 g (0.6 oz), the projectile weight is 7.9 g (122 gr). The original Soviet M43 bullets are 123 grain boat-tail bullets with a copper-plated steel jacket, a large steel core, and some lead between the core and the jacket. The AK has excellent penetration when shooting through heavy foliage, walls or a common vehicle's metal body and into an opponent attempting to use these things as cover. The rifle received a barrel with a chrome-lined bore and four right-hand grooves at a 240 mm (1 in 9.45 in) or 31.5 calibers rifling twist rate. The gas block contains a gas channel that is installed at a slanted angle in relation to the bore axis. The muzzle is threaded for the installation of various muzzle devices such as a muzzle brake or a blank-firing adaptor. The gas block of the AK-47 features a cleaning rod capture or sling loop. Gas relief ports that alleviate gas pressure are placed horizontally in a row on the gas cylinder. The fire selector is a large lever located on the right side of the rifle, it acts as a dust-cover and prevents the charging handle from being pulled fully to the rear when it is on safe. It is operated by the shooter's right fore-fingers and has 3 settings: safe (up), full-auto (center), and semi-auto (down). The AK-47 uses a notched rear tangent iron sight calibrated in 100 m (109 yd) increments from 100 to 800 m (109 to 875 yd). The front sight is a post adjustable for elevation in the field. Horizontal adjustment requires a special drift tool and is done by the armory before issue or if the need arises by an armorer after issue. The sight line elements are approximately 48.5 mm (1.9 in) over the bore axis. The standard magazine capacity is 30 rounds. There are also 10, 20, and 40-round box magazines, as well as 75-round drum magazines.

▪️ Designer Mikhail Kalashnikov
▪️ Designed 1946–1948
▪️ Manufacturer Kalashnikov Concern and various others including Norinco
▪️ Produced 1948–present
▪️ Mass Without magazine: 3.47 kg (7.7 lb)
▪️ Magazine, empty: 0.43 kg (0.95 lb) (early issue); 0.33 kg (0.73 lb) (steel); 0.25 kg (0.55 lb) (plastic)
0.17 kg (0.37 lb) (light alloy);
▪️ Length Fixed wooden stock: 880 mm (35 in); 875 mm (34.4 in) folding stock extended; 645 mm (25.4 in) stock folded;
▪️ Barrel length Overall length: 415 mm (16.3 in)
▪️ Rifled bore length: 369 mm (14.5 in)
▪️ Cartridge 7.62×39mm
▪️ Action Gas-operated, rotating bolt
▪️ Rate of fire Cyclic rate of fire: 600 rds/min
▪️ Combat rate of fire: Semi-auto 40 rds/min; Bursts 100 rds/min;
▪️ Muzzle velocity 715 m/s (2,350 ft/s)
▪️ Effective firing range 350 m (380 yd)
▪️ Feed system 20-round, 30-round detachable box magazine
There are also 40-round, 75-round drum magazines available
▪️ Sights 100–800 m adjustable iron sights
▪️ Sight radius: 378 mm (14.9 in)

Ref: Wikipedia.