Kalashnikov AK-74 (M1974) Assault Rifle

The 5.45mm Kalashnikov AK-74 replaced the 7.62mm AKM as the standard Soviet infantry assault rifle in 1978.

 Updated: 7/11/2017; Authored By Dan Alex; Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com

During the 1970s, the Soviet military sought a new infantry assault weapons system chambered for an intermediate cartridge apart from the rifle round fired by the famous Kalashnikov AK-47 and its successor - the AKM (both 7.62x39mm). Mikhail Kalashnikov began work on such a solution in 1974 and returned with his AK-74 weapon chambered for the 5.45x39mm cartridge while many other facets of the design remained faithful to his original offering. Production began in earnest by 1975 and the weapon was first displayed to the West during the November 1977 Red Square Parade with Soviet airborne troops. Shortly thereafter, the AK-74 went on to become the standard-issue assault rifle of Soviet Army ground forces. From there, it saw considerable success in export and local license production initiatives by Soviet states and allies worldwide. Indeed some 5,000,000 were eventually produced with many still in circulation with world forces today.

In addition to the new cartridge, the weapon brought about use of a new bolt component and chrome-lined barrel assembly as well as a new 30-round plastic-and-steel construction detachable box magazine. Though was given to muzzle climb on full automatic by way of a muzzle compensator/brake - making for a more stable gunnery platform than previously seen. All other components were largely carried over from the AKM - a 1959 revision of the original AK-47 of 1949. The weapon weighed in at 3.3 kilograms with a 37 inch length (barrel of 16.3 inches long) and featured a gas-operated system with rotating bolt action (same as found on the AKM). Rate-of-fire was approximately 650 rounds per minute with a 2,950 feet-per-second muzzle velocity. Effective firing ranges reached out to 1,000 meters with sighting handled through an adjustable rear notch and front post arrangement. The AK-74 could also mount the GP-25 series 40mm Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) to broaden the tactical value of the standard infantryman.