Differences in AKs
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You are currently reading a thread in /k/ - Weapons
Teach me about the different AK variants. Like, what's the difference between an AKM, a 47, a 74, ect. I honestly have no clue what the separates them. What are the most common ones private citizens own? If I wanted to get one, which should I get?
AK-47: first ak, 7.62x39
AKM: upgraded AK-47, most common AK variant worldwide. Still 7.62x39
AK-74 series: AK chambered in 5.45x39, current Russian infantry weapon. Smaller bullet, lighter recoil and longer range
Most people in america own AKM or AK-74 semi auto variants. The AKM 7.62x39 is more common than 5.45x39 74 variants in America. I'd recommend an AKM type 7.62 as a first AK, ammo and mags are easier to find.
>>29219807
>>29219846
So the only difference is the cartridge? That doesn't sound right.
>>29219849
2/?
>>29219807
This is easily googleable stuff but the majority of the market in the us are akm's built from parts kits from places like romania and hungary. You have 74's built from bulgarian kits and rarely any real 47's but most of them are polish.
>If I wanted to get one, which should I get?
You're looking at either an ak103, akm, ak74 and ak74m. If you had to own a single ak, 7.62x39 all the way. That being said, you're missing out if you don't own both one in 7.62 and an ak74
>>29219858
There are several differences, but the cartridge is the most noticeable difference. Compared to a standard AKM, the current Russian military AK-74M has a 90 degree gas block, black polymer handguard, a side-folding black polymer stock, and chambered in 5.45x39 obviously.
>>29219862
lol wrong pic
>>29219807
>>29219879
No my friend, that is the correct picture. Puppies are never wrong.
i'm glad we're discussing this gents
>>29219888
iirc they'res something in this pic that is incorrect but I'm not sure what it was again
that is the truth right there
>>29219888
That largely talks about furniture, but isn't all of that interchangeable?
>>29219932
Not always. Most stamped AKs can interchange most furniture (at least handguards), but milled receivers cannot interchange with stamped and vice versa. Also stocks are not always interchangeable. Just depends, a LOT of countries make AKs and there are small differences between all of them.
Alright, I have a second question. Why are there two dozen different AK variants, all with their own names, but all AR 15s are just called AR 15s? You just say, "this is a gas piston AR15" or "my AR is chambered in 5.56."
>>29219969
AR-15 parts are much more highly controlled in terms of dimensions and specs, that's how you can build an AR-15 from parts from different manufacturers.
AKs are far, far less controlled because they are build by different countries and there are differences and parts don't always match up so generally speaking you don't see frankenstein AKs made with the parts of 10 different countries. Most AKs are built largely from all the parts of one manufacturer or country.
>>29219969
The majority of ar15's in the civillian market are just modern ar pattern rifles. Right now, I can't explain it but the m16/m4/ar15 family shares the same amount of variants as the ak family does
>xm16e1
>m16a1
>colt 601
>colt 602
>colt 604
>xm117
>xm117e2
>colt 639
>colt m4a1
>m16a2
>m16a3
>m16a4
>>29219864
Both is the best option
>>29219807
Top one in pic is an AK-47. Note the downward slant of the stock and lack of a muzzle brake. These have a milled receiver (which you can spot due to the large rectangular lightening cuts on the sides of the receiver). It shoots 7.62x39.
The AKM replaced the 47. It has a receiver made of a piece of stamped sheet metal. This is almost every AK ever made. They'll have a slant-brake on the muzzle and a less extreme angle on the stock.
The AK-74 rolled out in the 70s. It shoots 5.45x39. Visually it's pretty similar to the AKM but with a different muzzle brake, a 90° gas block (as opposed to the 45° gas block of the AKM and -47), and a straighter magazine than on the older guns.
Then there's the 100 series which are newer, have polymer furniture, 90° gas blocks, and come in a bunch of different calibers, which you can differentiate by the shape of the magazine.
There are also a million national variations but those are the main categories.
>>29220051
Don't forget the XM607
>>29219969
I think it's because the military M16s and M4s have specific designation where the the AR that joe schmo down the street or even Chris Costa use don't have any cosmetic resemblance to the M16s and M4s
