After fire-lance, many types of actions were invented for firearms. From flint action, which creates sparks that then detonate the powder so firing 1 bullet, to full-auto machine guns that automatically load and fire 30 rounds in just 1-2 seconds. But all these guns had a very big con - narrow focus. There was no gun for middle-range engagements on which the whole WW2 went. Back in the '40s, there were 2 main types of guns:
During ww2, 3rd reigh engineers constructted stg 43, 1st prototype of modern style assault rifle in the world, but it wasnt perfect. Since 1945, Mikhail Kalashnikov has launched the project of his rifle chambered in the 7.62 caliber which was used in the soviet army back in those days. In 1947, the Kalashnikov assault rifle(known as AK model 1947) won the competition. In March 1948, Marshal NN Voronov invited Mikhail Kalashnikov to the Izhevsk Factory plant so Kalashnikov would make the first experimental batch of AK rifles. The gun was so perfect, that China, Yugoslavia and other 104 countries made their variations based on the original AK platform. Mikhail Kalashnikov made a rifle that features a powerful rifle cartridge from a rifle, and a rate of fire from SMG's. That was a revolution in gun world which was a legendary, but he didn't stop at that point. Later on, a bunch of AK variants and attachments for them was created. Below, you can see the AKM equipped with the night vision scope and a special muzzle brake that hide flash so the soldier will not be seen due to the flash and it will be easier for him to scope on the enemy because there will be no that big flash.
Many people think that any AK is AK, but not any AK is exactly AK model 1947 that is so popular, so in order to see the difference, I added the table of differences in their specs. Let's compare!
| Model | Rate of fire | Weight w/out magazine | Effective firing range | technology |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AK | ~600 rpm | 3,8 kg | 800m | milling |
| AKM | ~600 rpm | 3,1 kg | 1000m | stamping |
Now, I hope that you've seen the differences between those 2 legends. Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov died 23 December 2013, at age 94 from gastric hemorrhage, so I'll say Rest in peace for this(in my opinion) hero who gave his invention in order to protect soviet people. RIP.....
FACT: AK is considered as the deadliest weapon of ALL time world exist.