The AK-47 has become the most famous automatic rifle on the planet. What many people may not know is that the AK-47 has a kind of sequel in the form of the AK-74. The author compares the AK-47 and the AK-74, but in the end leaves doubts about his professional qualifications: the AK-47 has never had a cylindrical magazine.
Mikhail Kalashnikov, a simple tank sergeant, changed the world when he created the AK-47.
The AK-47 has become the most widely used infantry assault rifle on the planet. I'm not telling you anything new, because everyone knows what an AK-47 is. Housewives, teenagers, and vegan hippies all know this slot machine.
What many may not realize is that the AK-47 had a kind of sequel in the form of the AK-74. Most gun fans know all about the AK-74, but they may not know the differences between the two guns.
Today we will delve into the differences and conduct a small test of the qualities of the AK-47 against the AK-74.
The AK-47 appeared, as you might have guessed, in 1947 and entered production in 1949. The machine gun quickly became the main small arms of the Soviet troops and was better known as the AKM.
Mikhail Kalashnikov and the Soviet military developed firearms based on the world's first STG 44 assault rifle. This was in line with the Russian view of modern warfare, in which most infantry battles took place within a 300-meter radius. Because of this, the AK-47 and 7.62×39 mm cartridges were designed for a 300-meter range.
AKM served his country well and was supplied to the filthy communists all over the world. From Eastern Europe and Asia to the Middle East and South America, the AK-47 penetrated every possible crevice. It is still in service with the military and police forces, as well as serving criminals and terrorists. If a country has a conflict, it has an AK-47.
The AK-74 appeared in 1974 and quickly replaced the AK-47 as the main rifle in the Soviet military. The AK-74 was developed by the design group of A.D. Kryakushin under the direct supervision of Mikhail Kalashnikov.
It should be noted that the AK-74 uses the main AK-47 system. These submachine guns are brothers, which makes the AK-47 versus AK-74 battle much more tragic.
The AK-74 received its baptism of fire in the Soviet-Afghan war. Americans first saw this machine gun in an issue of Soldier of Fortune magazine.
The AK-74 took its cue from the M16 rifle and reduced the caliber to a more average 5.45×39 mm cartridge. The days when 7.62 caliber rifles dominated the battlefield are over, and the Russians have recognized the potential of a smaller, more average caliber.
Advantages of the AK-47
The older brother of the AK-47 can teach the younger 74 a few lessons in this AK-47 versus AK-74 skirmish. First of all, his larger .30 caliber projectile absolutely destroys obstacles. He breaks through brick, wood, glass and more, almost without slowing down. 7.62 × 39 hits hard and breaks through barriers very well.
Also, when it comes to rifles, larger bullets often work better in shorter barrels. Modern shooters have found that 7.62×39 caliber bullets work well with short barrels without loss of speed or power, as previously assumed. The bullet still hits hard and provides excellent penetration from barrels up to 10 inches (25.4 cm) long.
In terms of civil responsibility, we need to consider unification and logistics in our deadly AK-47 versus AK-74 duel. If you are in the United States and want to own a Kalashnikov assault rifle, then an AK-47 would make more sense. Ammunition is cheaper and more common, as are magazines and AK 47 modifications.
Advantages of the AK-74
While the old man still has enough strength, the upstart we call AK-74 can take 47 to school in several subjects.
When we talk about medium-caliber automatic rifles, it is important to remember that size is not everything. In this AK-47 versus AK-74 firefight, we also have to consider ballistics. The lighter and smaller 5.45 cartridge tends to yaw and splinter when it hits the body, while the 7.62 variant punches straight holes.
In addition, the AK-74 increases the effective range to 500 meters. A lighter cartridge also means easier recoil. The lighter recoil means that the weapon is easier to handle, especially in close combat. Not to mention that, from a military point of view, the AK-74 provides more controlled automatic fire to suppress counteraction.
Ammunition is lighter, which allows soldiers to carry more of it. The AK-74 platform is becoming more and more popular in the United States, but it still cannot match the popularity of the vintage 47.
So who's winning?
It's time to announce the winner in the crucial AK-47 vs AK-74 match. So who will it be? The classic 47th or the young and bold 74th? Well, that's not an easy answer.
If I was going to war and I was offered to choose any of them, I would most likely choose the AK-74. I would like to have additional firing range, increased handling, and lighter ammunition.
If I were an ardent American small arms enthusiast, then the AK-47 would be my choice, because I like cylindrical magazines, cheap ammunition, and spare parts that are easy to find.
