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- Designer: Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov
- Designed: 1947
- Type: Sporting Rifle, Assault Rifle
- Length: 870 mm (34¼ in)
- Place Of Origin: Soviet Union
- Cartridge: 7.62x39mm
- Variants: AK47, AKS, AKM, AK74
- Appears on the Mozambique flag.
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The AK47 is a gas operated rifle named for it's designer, Mikhail Kalashnikov, and is one of the most wide spread rifles with over 100 million made. The Automatic Kalishnikov is known for it's reliability, ease of maintenance and long-lasting performance. These factors have made it the preferred assault rifle of numerous militaries around the world. The AK has seen major action in most world conflicts since it's invention, including the Korean War, Vietnam War and the War on Terror.
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7.62x39mm Ammunition
The ammunition fired by the AK47 typically weighs about 8 grams and is fired with a velocity of 710 meters per second. This gives the projectile an average muzzle energy of 2,000 Joules.Controversy
AKs and AK variants have gained infamy over the years and are constantly the subject of legislation. They were previously outlawed in the federal assault weapons ban that expired in 2004 and are still illegal in some states.




