Kalashnikov AK-74

The AK-47, of course, is and will remain a benchmark among modern assault rifles. However, it has spawned many upgraded versions, of which the AK-74 is one. It was developed in 1974 by the famous gun designer of the AK-47, Mikhail Kalashnikov. The rifles chambers 5.45 x 39 mm rounds, unlike the AK-47, which fires 7.62 x 39 mm ammunition. The development of this complex full metal jacket round may have been inspired by those that the Americans used in Vietnam. It has rather special properties, because it has a tendency to tilt when it strikes a resilient target. This increases the surface area upon impact and causes some serious damage on human targets. This fact more than compensates for its relatively puny size and power.

The selective fire AK-74 is fundamentally an advanced variant of the legendary assault rifle, and is also manufactured by the Russian gun manufacturing company Izhevsk Mechanical Works. The Russian Federation went on to adopt the most recent version of the AK-74 - namely the AK-74M - as its primary service rifle, contrary to the belief that the rifle would be manufactured only on a limited basis. Other variants are the AKS-74, the AKS-74U and the RPK-74. The AK-74 went through various production cycles, which is typical of the Russian gun industry's tendency to upgrade its most successful weapons every few years.

At it pre-production stage in 1973-75, this assault rifle looked very different from the standardized version which appeared between 1975-1976. The AK-74 Type 2 appeared between 1977 and 1978, featuring a new 90-degree gas port design. This design change was necessitated by the fact that previously used 45-degree angled gas port tended to shear rounds. The AK-74 Type 3 appeared between 1979 and 1981 and immediately made its mark in the Afghan War. This version was called the AK-74N and featured a new optics plate that made the mounting of night vision devices possible for the first time. Thereafter, the AK-74 Type 4 was introduced between 1982 and 1985, followed by the AK-74 Type 5 between 1986 and 1991. The AK-74M was developed between 1989 and 1992 and then standardized in 1992. It continues to be in production to the present day.

Most of the most defining features of the basic AK-47 have been retained, since the design is such that little can be done to enhance it. The AK-74 is also gas-operated, which means that some of the pressurized gas generated by the firing of a cartridge is used to eject the spent case and insert a new cartridge. It weighs 3.3 kilograms in an unloaded condition and is 943 mm long, with a barrel length of 415 mm. It has a muzzle velocity of 900 meters per second and can discharge its load at a firing rate of 600 to 650 rounds per minute from its 30 round detachable box magazine. It incorporates adjustable iron sights, which can be substituted by a telescopic sight with the addition of an optional mount for such a device. Its effective range is approximately 500 meters.

The most current models of the AK-74, presently in use by Russian Special Forces such as SPETSNAZ of the former KGB, OMON and Groups of Rapid Deployment of the Ministry of Interior, feature adaptability to the specially developed 40 mm GP-25 under-barrel grenade launcher. This deadly device, designed by the Russians for purposes of 'dynamic entry' and 'territory clearing', can also be fitted without prior adjustments to other full-sized assault rifles such as the AKM, the AKMS, the AK101, the AK103 and the AN-94. It discharges 40 mm caliber VOG-25 and VOG-25P grenades and measures approximately 323 mm in length.

The AK-47 has seen widespread acceptance around the world - unfortunately also by groups such as the mujahadeen, Taliban, Al-Qaeda and militant wings associated with noted terrorist Osama Bin Laden. In the United States, the only recourse for prospective buyers seem to be semi-automatic models of the AK-74 because of prevailing firearms restrictions.