The original assault rifle and history
The AK-47, officially known as the Avtomat Kalashnikova or ‘Kalashnikov’s automatic rifle’; also known as the Kalashnikov or just AK, is a gas-operated assault rifle that is chambered for the 7.62×39mm cartridge. Developed in the Soviet Union by Russian small-arms designer Mikhail Kalashnikov, it is the originating firearm of the Kalashnikov (or “AK”) family of rifles. After more than seven decades, the AK-47 model and its variants remain the most popular and widely used rifles in the world.
The number “47” refers to the year the rifle was finished. Design work on the AK-47 began in 1945. It was presented for official military trials in 1947, and, in 1948, the fixed-stock version was introduced into active service for selected units of the Soviet Army. In early 1949, the AK was officially accepted by the Soviet Armed Forces and used by the majority of the member states of the Warsaw Pact.
The AK-47 was designed to be a simple, reliable fully automatic rifle that could be manufactured quickly and cheaply, using mass production methods that were state of the art in the Soviet Union during the late 1940s. The AK-47 uses a long stroke gas system that is generally associated with great reliability in adverse conditions. The large gas piston, generous clearances between moving parts, and tapered cartridge case design allow the gun to endure large amounts of foreign matter and fouling without failing to cycle.
The AK fires the 7.62×39mm cartridge with a muzzle velocity of 715 m/s (2,350 ft/s). The cartridge weight is 16.3g (0.6 oz), the projectile weight is 7.9g (122gn). The original Soviet M43 bullets are 123 grain boat-tail bullets with a copper-plated steel jacket, a large steel core, and some lead between the core and the jacket. The AK has excellent penetration when shooting through heavy foliage, walls or a common vehicle’s metal body and into an opponent attempting to use these things as cover.
Why are they so dangerous? The AK family of weapons are simple, reliable, easy to manufacture and they work. Their long-stroke gas piston design might not be the lightest or most elegant design, but it works. Yes, there are more accurate and better engineered guns out there these days. However, the AK is legendary simply because of its reliability. The rifle has a reputation of being able to keep running no matter what its owners put it through.
TV and film
The AK47 is an extremely well known rifle and pops up everywhere it seems, some of my favourites include Casino Royale, The Abyss, The Fourth Protocol, Safe House and The Fury.
- Calibre: 7.62x39mm
- Capacity: 20 or 30 round box magazines or 40 and 75 round drum magazines
- Weight: 3.7kg
- Length: 880mm
The CO2 replica
Cybergun did the AK47 proud with this iconic replica. The stock is real wood, the metal receiver is pressed steel mostly, just like the original. I have read many reports that some of the parts are from the real firearm and looking closely I would tend to concur on this – even the charging bolt has the connecting rod that would go to the gas piston, the piston is missing of course. Other genuine parts include the steel receiver and the woodwork.
It would seem they used the later type 3 AK47 model as a source, there is no cleaning rod under the barrel being one indicator. Visually, this is a breathtaking replica I think. Sadly the charging bolt is totally cosmetic although it does move, there is no blowback action here.
The sling is not included, i found one on eBay for pennies and it looks to be original, even has some Russian markings.
I did have a double-take when I unboxed the AK, as can be seen below there are some scratch marks around a rivet hole on the action. After calming down and doing some intense research, these marks are put there deliberately – they can be found on all the replicas I have seen, both in stills and in video reviews – total attention to detail.
The 12g CO2 cartridge is held in the magazine – the plastic curved magazine holds a metal insert. Depress the little button and slide the insert out, loading CO2 is easy and fast, no tool needed.
BB’s are loaded in the front face of the magazine insert. The plunger is well designed and easy to withdraw but BB loading is done through the ejection port and takes a little practice to learn the knack.
In use, the AK47 is accurate, comfortable to hold and great fun to fire. It will let loose the BB’s as fast as you can work your trigger finger. Not having blowback on the action is a little bit of a loss but does increase the shot count. This is one replica I think that would land you in serious trouble or worse in no time if seen in public – be careful!
- Calibre: 4.5mm BB
- Capacity: 18 rounds
- Weight: 3.3kg
- Length: 890mm
- CO2 Usage: 50 to 60 shots