AK74M – AK 74M

The Soviet Union introduced the AK74M – AK 74M, an assault rifle, into service in 1974 to replace the AKM with a smaller caliber weapon (5.45×39mm M74). It could offer the same advantages as the American M16.

Description and history 

The Soviet Army designed the AK-74, a new weapon, as an interim solution to quickly utilize the new 5.45×39mm M74 ammunition before they adopted a more modern rifle.

More description about AK74M

An almost entirely plastic muzzle brake, fittings and magazine distinguished this rifle, instead of the traditional metal. The first prototype was born in 1970, under the designation AK74M   ; it is exactly like the AKM-59 in sheet metal and wood but has a metal magazine of a prototype of 5.45 ammunition. It was later that we decided on the real model in plastic and metal. A more modern rifle, the Nikonov AN-94 only appeared twenty years later and only received confidential distribution within elite units, due to its very high cost.

Therefore, the AK-74 remains the most common weapon that chambers the new 5.45 ammunition. The rifle’s design for this specific ammunition prevented any adoption issues. Curiously enough, the AK-74 retains the shortcomings of the AKM , notably the awkward fire selector and spinning start, which force the operator to keep his index finger out of the trigger guard during non-fire phases.

AK74M

AK 74M

The engineer Kalashnikov designs any weapon with excellent serviceability, and sand or water cannot hinder its operation. Most AK-74s feature a hook on the stock for easy storage to some extent. This rifle, as shooting instructors call it, is idiot-proof  : anyone can, without training or knowledge of weapons and after a short training, stock it, cock it and fire it. The simplicity of its mechanism often allows people to make or maintain it by hand. The whole thing makes the AK-74 the most common assault rifle, leaving the FAL far behind.

3d models

Starting in 1976, mass production began on the AK-74. The AKS-74, a version for paratroop troops, features a folding metal butt along the weapon. The night-fighting version, the AK-74N, includes a side rail for mounting an infrared scope. In 1991, they will put a new version equipped with the folding stock and the side rail for mounting a scope into service under the designation of AK-74M.

Versions Variety

Additionally, producers have created derivative versions, such as the AKS-74U, a very short version with the dimensions of a submachine gun, and the RPK-74, which is the submachine gun version. Other derivative models chamber other ammunition like the 5.56 NATO but not used in the Russian army.