Information & Specifications
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Price & Availability
| Price: | € 599.00 |
| Availability: | In Stock |
| Ships: | 14 business days |
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Detailed Description
The AK-74 is a 5.45 mm assault rifle adapted in the early 1970s in the Soviet Union by Mikhail Kalashnikov from the earlier AKM. It was introduced in 1974 and first saw service with Soviet forces engaged in the Afghanistan conflict. The weapon’s name is an abbreviation for (Avtomat Kalashnikova model 1974, Russian: ??????? ??????????? ??????? 1974 ????; “Kalashnikov automatic rifle model 1974”). Currently the weapon is in use by the majority of countries of the former USSR. Additionally, unlicensed versions were produced in Bulgaria (AK-74 and AKS-74U), China (Type 88), the former East Germany (MPi-AK-74N, MPi-AKS-74N, MPi-AKS-74NK), Poland (wz. 1988 Tantal, wz. 1989 Onyks) and Romania (AKS-74).
One of the rifle’s main versions is the AKS-74 (S – So skladnym prikladom) equipped with a side-folding metal stock. This variant, designed mainly for use with air assault infantry was introduced alongside the AK-74. Unlike the AKMS, the AKS-74 stock has a triangular shape and lacks the folding shoulder pad of the AKMS (which increases the stock’s rigidity) and is folded to the left side of the receiver. The hinged stock is securely locked in place in its extended position by a latch mechanism at the rear of the receiver. The latch release button is located on the left side of the receiver. When folded, the stock is held by a spring-loaded capture in the forward barrel trunnion. A rear sling swivel is also provided and placed on the right side of the lower stock frame.
The AK-74 is an adaptation of the 7.62 mm AKM assault rifle that features several notable design improvements. These modifications were primarily the result of adapting the weapon to the intermediate-caliber 5.45x39mm cartridge. The result is a more accurate and reliable weapon than the AKM. The AK-74 and AKM share an approximate 50% parts commonality (interchangeable are most often pins, springs and screws).
The rifle has a new strengthened barrel with a chrome-lined bore and 4 right-hand grooves at a 200 mm (1:8 in) rifling twist rate. The front sight base and gas block was also redesigned.
The gas block contains a gas valve that is installed at a 90° angle in relation to the bore axis. A pair of support brackets are cast into the gas block assembly and are used to attach a WG-15 or GP-25 under-slung 40 mm grenade launcher. The forward section of the front sight base features a threaded collar that is used to screw in the new multifunction muzzle device (performing the role of a muzzle brake, recoil compensator and flash suppressor) or a blank-firing adaptor. The muzzle device is quite efficient at reducing recoil, although it is reported to be harsh on bystanders, as the muzzle gases are redirected to the side. The barrel is mounted in a redesigned receiver housing (changes to the receiver include the front barrel and rear stock trunnions as well as the magazine socket). Further modifications were done to the bolt carrier assembly and bolt; new synthetic 30-round magazines were introduced, made initially from Bakelite. The magazines can be quickly recharged from stripper clips.
The AK-74 was also equipped with a new stock, handguard and gas cylinder. The stock has a different shoulder pad than the AKM, which is rubber and serrated for increased traction. In addition, there are weight-reducing lightning cuts on each side of the buttstock. These also function to distinguish externally by sight and touch between the AKM and the AK-74, to prevent the accidental loading of the wrong ammunition in an AK-74.
The handguard and gas cylinder are both fitted with tension springs that reduce play in the lateral axis. The stock, lower handguard and upper heatguard were initially manufactured from wood and then laminated, this later changed to a synthetic plum or black-colored polymer.
Accessories supplied with the rifle include: a 6H4-type bayonet, a quick-loading device, three spare magazines, four 15-round stripper clips, maintenance kit, cleaning rod and sling. The bayonet is installed by slipping the muzzle ring around the flash hider and latching the handle down on the bayonet lug under the front sight base. The weapon fires the intermediate 5.45x39mm M74 rifle ammunition that includes the jacketed, steel-core 7N6 cartridge, 7T3 tracer round and blank bullet. The ammunition was developed by a team of designers led by Victor Sabelnikov.
The weapon’s operation during firing and reloading is identical to the AKM.