AKM

AKM
Both sides of the AKM
TypeAssault rifle
Place of originSoviet Union
Service history
In service1959–1974
Used bySee Users
WarsSee Conflicts
Production history
DesignerMikhail Kalashnikov
Designed1950s
Manufacturer
Produced1959–1977[1]
No. built10,278,300[2]
VariantsSee Variants
Specifications
Mass
  • AKM: 3.3 kg (7.28 lb)
  • AKMS: 3.5 kg (7.7 lb)
  • 30-round magazine: 0.33 kg (0.73 lb)
  • 6H4 bayonet: 0.32 kg (0.71 lb)
Length
  • AKM, AKML: 880 mm (34.6 in)[3]
  • AKMS, AKMSN: 920 mm (36.2 in) stock extended / 655 mm (25.8 in) stock folded
Barrel length415 mm (16.3 in)[3]

Cartridge7.62×39mm
ActionGas-operated, long-stroke piston, closed rotating bolt
Rate of fire
  • Cyclic rate of fire:
    600 rounds/min[3]
  • Practical rate of fire:
    • Semi-automatic:
      40 rounds/min[3]
    • Fully automatic:
      100 rounds/min[3]
Muzzle velocity715 m/s (2,346 ft/s)[3]
Effective firing range350 m (383 yd)[3]
Feed system10-, 20-, or 30-round detachable box magazines. Also compatible with 40-round box magazines and 75-round drum magazines from the RPK
Sights
  • Rear sight notch on sliding tangent, front post
  • 100–1,000 m sight adjustments
  • Sight radius: 378 mm (14.9 in)[3]

The AKM (Russian: Автомат Калашникова модернизированный, romanized: Avtomat Kalashnikova modernizirovanny, lit. 'Kalashnikov's Automatic Rifle Modernised') is an assault rifle designed by Soviet small arms designer Mikhail Kalashnikov in 1959. It was developed as the successor to the AK-47 adopted by the Soviet Union a decade prior.

Introduced into service with the Soviet Army in 1959, the AKM was the most prevalent variant of the Kalashnikov rifles in the Warsaw Pact. The rifle was produced at the Tula Arms Plant and Izhmash factories in Russia. It was eventually replaced by the AK-74 in 1974.

The AKM maintains the AK-47's wood stock, but has simpler individual parts that are favorable for mass production. Like the AK-47, many variants of the AKM exist such as the AKMS, AKML, and AKMP.

  1. ^ Stott, Rob (August 15, 2013). The AK47 catalog volume 1. Lulu.com. ISBN 9781300588283 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ Rottman 2011, p. 23.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "IZHMASH JSC official site". July 18, 2011. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011.