Kalashnikov AKS (AK-S)

Assault Rifle / Assault Carbine

Soviet Union | 1950

"The Kalashnikov AKS Assault Rifle followed the classic AK-47 series into service with its defining feature being a steel folding shoulder stock - the weapon otherwise retained its basic usefulness and lethality."

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 03/15/2022 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

The Kalashnikov AKS was an assault rifle design derived from the classic AK-47 assault rifle series with the only major difference being a folding steel butt. This feature added a tactical flexbility to the design as the butt could be folded under the receiver as a space-savings measure. The quality was highly-valued for airborne and vehicle troopers (as well as general infantry on-the-march) where a more compact weapon was desired. The original AK-47 used a fixed wooden stock to go along with its wooden furniture at the forend.

The physical difference did not reduce the functionally and effectiveness of the weapon and the gun more or less retained its easy-to-use value and lethality. Feeding of the M1943 7.62x39mm cartridge was still by way of a 30-round curved detachable box magazine inserted ahead of the fixed pistol grip. The cocking mechanism remained set along the right side of the receiver.

The AKS appeared in 1950 and went on to be used by various services including SPETSNAZ operatives.

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Physical
The physical qualities of the Kalashnikov AKS (AK-S). Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

869 mm
34.21 in
O/A Length

9.48 lb
4.30 kg
Weight

Gas-Operated; Selective Fire
Action

7.62x39mm M1943
Caliber(s)

30-Round Detachable Box Magazine
Feed

Iron Front and Rear.
Sights

Performance
Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Kalashnikov AKS (AK-S). Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

775
Rounds-Per-Minute
Rate-of-Fire

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Kalashnikov AKS (AK-S) Assault Rifle / Assault Carbine family line.

AK-47 - Base Model Series Designation

AK-M - "Modernized" AK47; reintroduction of steel stamping production process.

AKM-S - Folding Butt

AKS-47 - Folding Butt

Tabuk - Iraq Model of the AK47

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Kalashnikov AKS (AK-S). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national small arms listing.

Contractor(s): Kalashnikov / State Factories - Soviet Union

[ Soviet Union ]

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Design Qualities
Some designs are single-minded in their approach while others offer a more versatile solution to requirements.

AUTOMATIC FUNCTION

ASSAULT RIFLE

Recognition
Some designs stand the test of time while others are doomed to never advance beyond the drawing board; let history be their judge.

Military lapel ribbon representing modern aircraft

Military lapel ribbon for the Ukranian-Russian War

Going Further...
The Kalashnikov AKS (AK-S) Assault Rifle / Assault Carbine appears in the following collections:

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