July 5th, 2022
6minute read
The war in Ukraine is unique in modern times.
More than 20,000 troops answered the call.
Now that the West has gotten tooled up in its support, Ukraine is a melting pot of weapons.
A Ukrainian SOF Operator fires an AK-74 Assault Rifle during training with U.S. SOF in Ochakiv, Ukraine, July 18, 2017. Photo bySpc. Jeffery Lopez/SOCEUR
Small arms from all over Europe and the U.S. can be seen in news footage.
Most of the weapons used by Ukrainian-aligned fighters, however, are still AK-74 variants.
The Kalashnikov assault rifle is one of the most significant mechanical contrivances ever devised by man.
The AK-74M has seen widespread issue among modern Russian forces. Image: Vitaly V. Kuzmin
Since then, the Kalashnikov has undergone a variety of upgrades.
That rifle went on to become the most-produced firearm in human history.
It is simply ubiquitous.
Deployed in 1959, the stamped receiver 7.62x39mm AKM served as the foundation for the subsequent5.45x39mm AK-74.
Throughout the war in Vietnam, the Soviets watched and schemed.
First introduced into series production in 1976, the upgraded AK-74 orbited around an entirely new cartridge.
The AK-74s radical new M74 5.45x39mm round was a rimless bottlenecked design that incorporated a variety of novel features.
The AK-74M is a lightweight 5.45x39mm version of the venerable Kalashnikov rifle.
The original 7N6 5.45x39mm cartridge propelled a long boat-tail 52.9-gr.
bullet to around 2,900 feet per second out of a standard AK-74 barrel.
The bullet included a 22.1-gr.
Today’s AK-74M spawned from this earlier forged receiver AK-47. However, there are many differences between the AK-47 andthe AK-74.
mild steel penetrator encased within a jacket made from gilding metal.
Most commonly this ratio runs about eight to one.
The Berdan-primed steel cases were finished with a brown lacquer.
From left to right is the 7.92x33mm Kurz for theGerman StG44, the AK-47’s 7.62x39mm, the AK-74’s 5.45x39mm and the M16’s 5.56x45mm.
The recoil energy of the 7N6 5.45x39mm round was 3.39 Joules.
The American M193 5.56x45mm round produced 6.44 Joules.
That of the Combloc M43 7.62x39mm cartridge was 7.19 Joules.
A Ukrainian soldier shows U.S. Marines rifle techniques with the AK-74 weapon system during Exercise Sea Breeze 21 on June 29, 2021. Image: Lance Cpl. J. Arre/U.S.M.C.
The end result is exceptionally controllable.
The AK-74
The Soviets designed a family of weapons around their new 5.45x39mm round.
The AKS-74U fills the submachine gun role, while theRPK-74 is used as a squad-level light machine gun.
The complicated muzzle brake on the AK-74M (right) represented a substantial improvement over the simple slant brake on the AKM (left).
Today, the most common AK-74 infantry rifle is the AK-74M.
Introduced in 1991, the AK-74M includes a side-folding polymer buttstock and black synthetic furniture.
About half of the parts of the AK-74M are compatible with the previous AKM.
The AK-74M is an exceptionally controllable firearm. It offers less recoil impulse than the AK-47/AKM, plus has an improved muzzle brake.
Both rifles utilize the same uber-reliable long-stroke, gas piston-driven action.
The chromed-bore barrel of the AK-74M is 16.3 long with a 1-in-7.87 twist rate.
Both the front sight base and gas block were redesigned over the previous AK.
Original rifle magazines hold 30 rounds and are formed in two halves cemented together with epoxy resin.
Subsequent versions were molded from ABS plastic.
There are two major types of AK-74 muzzle brakes in service.
Only the geekiest of gun nerds can tell them apart.
It is a superb design.
Range Time
The manual of arms is timeless Kalashnikov.
The charging handle reciprocates rigidly with the bolt.
Magazines must be hooked in front and rocked back to seat.
The resulting leverage allows a full a magazine to be loaded easily with the bolt closed.
The right-sided fire selector is clunky but effective.
Up is safe, and down is semi.
The middle position is rock and roll.
Just reading these two paragraphs will tell you everything you better know to get the gun into action.
Recoil on the AK-74M is not a real thing, and the rifle is great fun on the range.
In the hands of Ukrainian fighters, it is exacting a terrible butchers bill among invading Russian forces.
AK-74 FAQ
Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about the AK-74 rifle.
What Is an AK-74?
The AK-74 is an assault rifle designed by the former Soviet Union.
It first entered production in 1976 as an evolution of the AK-47 platform.
What Does the AK-74 Shoot?
The AK-74 is chambered for the 5.4539 cartridge.
The original 7N6 load used a 52.9-grain boattail bullet with a muzzle velocity of about 2,900 fps.
Inside the bullet was a 22.1-grain mild steel penetrator.
Who Made the AK-74
Originally, the Soviet Union (USSR) designed and manufactured the AK-74.
Since that time, manufacturing expanded to other Communist Bloc countries.
