Akm Istanbul Program

The AKM made its name for reliability, ruggedness, simplicity of operation and maintenance

In the mid 1950s Soviet Army issued new requirement for a lighter and more accurate assault rifle than their AK-47. These requirements were also complemented by a squad automatic weapon. Mikhail Kalashnikov submitted his new version of the AK-47 with some minor improvements. Eventually this improved rifle was adopted to service in 1959 as the AKM along with the RPK light machine gun. The AKM was a standard-issue infantry weapon until 1974. By 1985 all AKM assault rifles were replaced in service with the new AK-74. This assault rifle was widely exported. Also it was license produced in a number of countries. The AKM is currently in service with at least 35 countries worldwide.

The AKM is a gas operated, selective fire weapon, chambered for the Soviet 7.62x39 mm intermediate cartridge. It is 700 g lighter than the original AK-47 due to improved manufacturing methods and the use of plastics. Firing accuracy was slightly improved over its predecessor, due to a hammer release delay mechanism.

Despite all improvements, the AKM still had inferior accuracy to most Western assault or automatic rifles. However this weapon made its name for its unsurpassed reliability, ruggedness, simplicity of operation and maintenance. This weapon will not jam or misfire in worst conditions possible. Also it has reliable extraction even with dirty chamber and cases. This weapon can be field stripped in one minute without using any tools. Its design simplicity made it suitable for mass production. Unfortunately AKM has poor ergonomics and is badly balanced.

A combined safety and fire mode selector switch locks the bolt group and the trigger in the 'safe' position. It also serves as a dust cover. The middle position is for automatic fire and the bottom position is for single shots.

The AKM is fed from a 30 round box magazine. Late production models were completed with distinctive red plastic magazines. This assault rifle is compatible with magazines of the AK-47, as well as 40 round box magazines and 75 rounds drum magazines of the RPK light machine gun.

This assault rifle has a sighting range settings from 100 to 1 000 meters. However it is way too optimistic, since the effective range of fire is limited to 300 - 400 meters. Though it will hit a running man at a range of 500 m. The original AK-47 had a sighting range of up to 800 m and similar accuracy. Most likely that the sighting range was increased mainly due to psychological reasons in order to give soldier more confidence in his weapon.

The AKM was produced with a solid wooden stock, or underfolding metal stock (AKMS). This version was used by the airborne troops. Both weapons have similar design, except the buttstock. The AKMN and AKMSN versions are compatible with night vision sights.

A detachable multipurpose knife-bayonet of a new type can be attached. It was typically issued alongside with the assault rifle. A PBS-1 silencer was specially developed for this assault rifle. Silenced AKMs were used by the Soviet special forces. This silencer requires special sub-sonic ammunition. The AKM assault rifle can mount a 40 mm GP-25 underbarrel grenade launcher.

In 1974 the Soviet Army adopted a new AK-74 assault rifle, chambered for 5.45x39 mm ammunition. Though the AKM was never completely removed from service and it is still used by the Russian Army. Veterans claim that AK-47 and AKM chambered for the powerful 7.62x39 mm rounds are superior to the AK-74 in urban and forest battles, where trajectory of small-caliber 5.45x39mm bullet is heavily affected even by the leaves. In urban battles the 7.62 mm bullets have less tendency to ricochet, unlike the lighter 5.45 mm bullets.

Variants

AKMN is a 'Night' version, with a universal side mount for night vision sight. It used NSP-2, NSP-3 and NSPU night sights.

AKMS is a version with an underfolding metal stock. It was used by airborne troops and other units that required a more compact weapon. It was adopted in 1959, or 1962, depending on the source, and replaced in production the previous AKS (AKS-47).

AKMSN is a version with an underfolding metal stock and side mount for night vision sight.

AKMSU is a compact assault rifle. It has a wooden foregrip with a thumb hole. Actual status of this weapon is unclear. There is no evidence that it was produced in quantity.

RPK light machine gun. It is a heavy barrel version of the AKM, fitted with bipod. It is fed from 40 round box magazines or 75 round drum magazines. It was used as a squad support automatic weapon.

Direct copies and modified license-produced versions of the AKM are Bulgarian AKM, Cuban AKM, East German MPiKM, Egyptian Maadi Misr, Hungarian AKM, Iranian KL-7 and Polish AKM. Awc automatic wallpaper changer serial number search.