What Does the AK Mean in AK-47?

Most people have heard of an AK-47. Most gun enthusiasts have fired an AK-47. But, does everyone know what the AK stands for in AK-47? Here is some information about this popular weapon.

What is an AK-47?

It is a Russian assault rifle first used in 1949. It is possibly the most widely used should weapon in the world today. It was based on the STG 44 assault rifle from Germany.

Why is it named AK-47?

The AK stands for Avtomat Kalashnikova or Automatic Kalashnikov. The designer was Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov.

The 47 in AK-47 stands for the Kalashnikov Model 1947. Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov designed the accepted version of the weapon in 1947.

Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov was born November 10, 1919, and died on December 23, 2013, at the age of 94. He was a Russian Lieutenant-General, inventor, military engineer, writer, and small arms designer.

Kalashnikov developed the AK-47 assault rifle, the AKM, AK-74, the PK machine gun, and RPK light machine gun.

Popular

The AK-47 became famous quickly and spread all around the world because it was simple to fire, clean and maintain, and also because of its reliability, meaning that it can be fired for a long time without jamming. Many of the world's armies today use the AK-47. It uses gas-operated reloading.

What is the range?

The maximum effective range which is the maximum distance from firer to target that you can reasonably expect to hit a man-sized enemy target torso is 400 meters.

What at the parts?

An AK-47 is made up of Buttstock, pistol grip, grip bolt, receiver, magazine, forend, forend cap, rear sight block, carrier spring, bolt carrier with piston, bolt, dust cover, upper handguard, gas tube retaining pin, gas tub, gas block, and front sight block

How many bullets?

The AK-47 can hold up to 30 bullets in one magazine. It uses a 7.62 mm cartridge and a 30 round feed system. The AK-47 can also use a 40 round box or 75 round drum magazine.

The AK-47 weapon can fire about 600 rounds per minute at full cyclic rate with a practical rate of about 100 rounds per minute fully automatic or 40 rounds per minute semiautomatic. The AK can mount a grenade launcher and has a passive image intensifier night sight. 

What country has the AK-47 on its flag?

Mozambique has a flag that was adopted on May 1, 1983, which includes the image of an AK-47 with a bayonet attached to the barrel. Two other UN member states feature a firearm on their country’s national flag. They are Guatemala and Haiti.

American-made AKs?

There are a  few companies making 100-percent made-in-the-U.S. AKs. Two of the companies are  Century Arms and Inter Ordnance, Inc.

Thermold Magazines sells the AK-47/30 and AK-47/47 for AK-47 rifles.

Thermold Magazines produces weapons magazines and has become the product of choice among military personnel, law enforcement officers and sport shooters around the world with their products proudly made in the US. Time-tested quality and reliability. That's Thermold. Call 877-548-4062 and/or contact us.