AK-47

The AK-47 (shortened from Avtomat Kalashnikova 1947) is a gas-operated assault rifle designed by Mikhail Kalashnikov, and produced by Russian manufacturer Izhevsk Mechanical Works and used in many Eastern bloc nations during the Cold War. It was adopted and standardized in 1947. Compared with the auto-loading rifles used in World War II, the AK-47 was generally more compact, with a shorter range, a smaller 7.62 × 39 mm cartridge, and was capable of selective fire. It was one of the first true assault rifles and remains the most widely used. The AK-47 and its numerous variants and descendants have been produced in greater numbers than any other assault rifle and are in production to this day.
Type: Assault rifle Place of origin: Soviet Union Service history: In service 1949—Pres. Used by: Soviet Union, many othersProduction history: Designer Mikhail Kalashnikov Designed 1947Number built: Over 100 million[1] Variants: AK-47, AKS, AKM, AKMS, RPK, AK-74, AK-101, AK-102, AK-103, AK-107, AK-108(See table below for national-production variants) Specifications Weight 4.3 kg (9.5 lb) Length 870 mm (34¼ in) Barrel length 415 mm (16.3 in)--------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------- Cartridge 7.62 × 39 mmAction Gas-operated, rotating bolt Rate of fire 600 rounds/min Muzzle velocity 710 m/s (~2,330 ft/s) Effective range 300 m (330 yd) Feed system 30-round detachable box; compatible w/ RPK 40-round box, 75-round drum magazine. Sights Adjustable iron sights, optional mount required for optical sights