Where the Kalashnikov was born.Izhevsk, Tula and Molot, from the first milled AK-47 to the AK-100 series.
1The Russian Kalashnikov
The Soviet Union adopted the AK-47 in 1949 and built it at Izhevsk. The first rifles of 1948 to 1951 used a stamped receiver, a milled receiver followed from 1951, and in 1959 the lighter stamped AKM replaced both. In 1974 the AK-74 moved the family to the small 5.45×39 cartridge.
After the Soviet era the AK-100 series covered every caliber: the AK-101 and AK-102 in 5.56 NATO, the AK-103 and AK-104 in 7.62×39, and the AK-105 in 5.45×39. Molot in Vyatskie Polyany built the RPK and the Vepr sporters, and Izhevsk built the Saiga line for the civilian market.
2Russian Varieties
| Model | Notes |
|---|---|
| AK-47 (1948-51) | 7.62×39. The earliest rifles used a stamped sheet metal receiver. Now rare. |
| AK-47 (1951-59) | 7.62×39. Milled receiver, wood stock and handguard, chrome lined barrel and chamber. About 4.2 kg. |
| AKS-47 | The AK-47 with a metal stock that folds under the receiver. |
| AKM | 7.62×39. Lower cost stamped and riveted receiver and a slant muzzle brake. About 3.6 kg. |
| AKMS | The underfolding stock AKM for airborne troops. |
| AK-74 and AKS-74 | 5.45×39. The smaller, faster cartridge and a large muzzle brake. |
| AK-74M | 5.45×39 with a side folding polymer stock. |
| AKS-74U | Short barrel carbine with a folding stock, nicknamed the Krinkov in the United States. |
| AK-100 Series | AK-101 and AK-102 (5.56 NATO), AK-103 and AK-104 (7.62×39), AK-105 (5.45×39). |
| SVD Dragunov | 7.62x54R semi-auto marksman rifle designed in 1958 by Yevgeny Dragunov at Izhevsk. |
| RPK and RPK-74 | Squad automatic versions with a heavier, longer barrel and a bipod. |
| Saiga and Vepr | Civilian sporters from Izhevsk (Saiga) and Molot (Vepr), including Saiga shotguns. |
3Rifles in the Archive
From the original AK-47.us rifle pages, 2005 to 2008.
AK-47
Cartridge: 7.62 x 39 mm Milled Receiver.
AK-103
7.62×39 Cartridge. Stamped Receiver.
AK-USA AK-101
5.56 NATO Cartridge. Stamped Receiver.
AK-USA AK-103
7.62×39 Cartridge. Stamped Receiver.
AK-USA AK-103k
7.62×39 Cartridge. Stamped Receiver.
AK-USA AK-105
5.56 NATO Cartridge. Stamped Receiver.
AKM-47
AKMS-47
AKS-47
Cartridge: 7.62 x 39 mm Stamped Receiver.
AKS-74U – Krinkov
Ewbank Saiga 12 Conversion
RAA Saiga .223
THE SAIGA IS AN AUTOLOADING RIFLE with a hunting buttstock and fore end (plastic).
RAA Saiga .308
THE SAIGA 308 IS AN AUTOLOADING RIFLE with a hunting wooden buttstock and fore end.
RAA Saiga 7.62
THE SAIGA IS AN AUTOLOADING RIFLE with a hunting buttstock and fore end (plastic).
RAA Saiga 12
It features a 12-gauge barrel with chamber, providing for shooting shot and slugs, including magnum, with a shotshell length of 2 ¾" and 3".
RAA Saiga 20
RAA Saiga 100 .30-06
The saiga 100 is an autoloading rifle with a plastic buttstock.
RAA Saiga 100 .308
The saiga 100 is an autoloading rifle with a plastic buttstock.
RAA Saiga 410
THE SAIGA 410 IS AN AUTOLOADING SHOTGUN with a synthetic hunting buttstock and fore-end.
RAA Saiga ver 9-02
THE SAIGA 9-02 IS AN AUTOLOADING RIFLE with a synthetic buttstock and fore-end. This rifle chambers the 9x53R cartridge.
RPK
RPKs-74
5.45×39 Cartridge. Stamped Receiver.
SA RPK-7
7.62×39 Cartridge, milled receiver
SA RPK-7 (Ban Style)
7.62×39 Cartridge, milled receiver
SA RPK-7 R
7.62×39 Cartridge, milled receiver
Saiga
Cartridge: 7.62 x 39 mm and .223 Rem Stamped Receiver.
Saiga 5.6
Cartridge: 5.6х39mm Stamped Receiver.
Saiga 7.62
The first semiautomatic AK-47 type rifles imported from Russia were the Saiga 7.62x39mm imported by B-West Tucson, AZ USA in 1994.
Saiga 9
Cartridge: 9x53R Stamped Receiver.
Saiga 12
Cartridge: 12 guage Stamped Receiver.
Saiga 12K
Cartridge: 12 guage Stamped Receiver.
Saiga 12S
Cartridge: 12 guage Stamped Receiver.
Saiga 12S EXP-01
Cartridge: 12 guage Stamped Receiver.
Saiga 308
Cartridge: 7.62х51 (.308Win) Stamped Receiver.
Saiga 410
It is exactly the same as the Saiga 7.62x39mm rifle except it is chambered for the 3 inch .410 shotgun shell.
Saiga M
Cartridge: 7.62 x 39 mm and .223 Rem Stamped Receiver.
Saiga MK
Cartridge: 7.62 x 39 mm and .223 Rem Stamped Receiver.
SVD Dragunov
The Dragunov sniper rifle is intended for engaging fleeting, moving, open and masked single targets.
SVDS Dragunov
The Dragunov sniper rifle is intended for engaging fleeting, moving, open and masked single targets.
VEPR Carbine
The VEPR rifle and carbine were the same except for the barrel length. The rifle has a 23.25" barrel and the carbine has a 20.50" barrel.
VEPR II (Vepr 2)
Cal 7.62x39mm, .223 Rem, 5.45x39mm, .308 Win, Stamped Receiver, scope rail on the left side of the receiver.
VEPR II 20 inch barrel
VEPR II 7.62×39 with 20.5" Barrel. Comes with one 30 round magazine. Caliber: 7.62x39mm. Receiver: RPK type receiver.
VEPR K – 7.62×39 – 16 inch
VEPR K 7.62×39 with 16.5" Barrel. Comes with one 30 round magazine. Caliber: 7.62x39mm. Receiver: RPK type receiver.
VEPR K .223 w/ 16 inch
VEPR K .223 with 16.5" Barrel. Comes with one 30 round magazine. Caliber: .223 Remington (5.56 NATO Chamber). Receiver: RPK type receiver.
VEPR K 5.45 w/ 16 inch
VEPR K 5.45×39 with 16.5" Barrel. Comes with one 30 round magazine. Caliber: 5.45x39mm. Receiver: RPK type receiver.
VEPR K Folder
Cal 7.62x39mm Stamped Receiver, scope rail on the left side of the receiver. The rail will accept a variety of scope mounts.
VEPR Standard
The VEPR rifle and carbine were the same except for the barrel length. The rifle has a 23.25" barrel and the carbine has a 20.50" barrel.
VEPR Super
Cal .308, Stamped Receiver, All parts are made in Russia
| Model | Years | Length | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| AK-74M | 1990’s | 1103 mm | 3447 g |
| AK-101 | – | 943 mm | 3400 g |
| AK-102 | – | 824 mm | 3000 g |
| AK-104 | – | 824 mm | 3000 g |
| AK-105 | – | 824 mm | 3000 g |
4Factory Markings
Arrow in triangle mark (Izhevsk factory)
(arrow pointing upwards to the top point of triangle) seen on Russian red/orange and dark plum (commonly referred to as black) synthetic 30 rnd AK74 (5.45×39) mags.
Arrow in shield mark (Izhevsk factory)
(trade mark…former bow and arrow) seen on Izhevsk products like pistol grips, etc.
Arrow in circle mark
seen on Russian Makarov pistols.
Star mark (Tula arsenal)
(5 pointed, outlined star) seen on Russian brown synthetic 30 rnd AK74 (5.45×39) mags.
Star in triangle mark (Tula arsenal)
Russia
Star in shield mark (Polyany arsenal)
(5 pointed outlined star in shield) seen on RPK drum mags and bakelite RPK 74 (5.45×39) 45 rnd synthetic mags.
5Military Model List
Models listed on the 2014 AK-47.us Kalashnikovs by Country page.
6Bayonets, Kits and Buying
Bayonets
Russian AK-47, AKM Type I, AKM Type II and AK-74 bayonets. In the archive: AK-47 First Model Russian, AK-74 Russian Black, AK-74 Russian HB-5 Exp, AK-74 Russian Plum, AKM Type I Russian, AKM Type I Transitional Russian, AKM Type II / early AK74 Russian, AKM Type II Russian For Export, AKM Type II Russian Modified Pommel.
AK47 Bayonets