Among the most significant weapons that thoroughly and irreversibly influenced the conduct of battles and changed warfare is the mega-popular “Kalashnikov,” or AK-47. Officially named “Avtomat Kalashnikova,” it is an automatic assault rifle of Soviet origin, whose appearance in the mid-20th century had a revolutionary impact on skirmishes and wars around the world.
Due to its simplicity, reliability, efficiency, availability, and flawless operation in harsh weather conditions, the Kalashnikov quickly became the most popular light firearm, produced in tens of millions of units. The AK-47 enabled complete outsiders like the Viet Cong/North Vietnam and the mujahideen/Taliban to triumph over military superpowers like the Soviet Union and the United States. Although 78 years have passed since its invention, the AK-47 remains one of the most popular rifles.
Origins
The weapon emerged as a direct consequence of World War II. During the war, the Germans inflicted severe losses on the Soviets thanks to their automatic rifles, the StG 44 and earlier variants MP 43 and MP 44. These were superior to the Soviet light machine gun PPSh-41. During the war, the Soviets developed the RPD light machine gun, which could rival the Germans, but it had drawbacks such as more complex maintenance, lower magazine capacity, and less practicality in close combat compared to the German StG 44 rifles. Although the RPD was reliable, the Soviets realized the need to develop a completely new assault rifle that would be precise, powerful, and practical.
Russian general, military engineer, and inventor Mikhail Kalashnikov found the solution. He began his career as a weapon designer in 1941 while recovering from a shoulder wound sustained during the Battle of Bryansk. From 1942, he worked in the army’s firearms development department. In 1945, he constructed a prototype of an automatic rifle of 7.62 mm caliber, which he continued to refine, finally completing the final version in 1947. The new rifle was named the AK-47. In 1947, it was used in Red Army military exercises, and the following year it was introduced into active service in some units. Finally, from 1949 onward, the Kalashnikov became the official weapon of the Red Army and the armies of Eastern Bloc countries.
Technical Specifications
The rifle with a fixed stock is 880 mm long. The steel barrel is 415 mm in length. The rifle has a caliber of 7.62 × 39 mm. It uses M43 ammunition of the same dimensions. The AK-47 operates on a gas-operated system with a rotating bolt – a simple mechanism. It can be set to automatic or semi-automatic fire mode. The standard magazine capacity is 30 rounds, but magazines of 10, 20, 40, and 75 rounds are also available. The rate of fire is 600 rounds per minute. It has an effective range of 300 to 400 meters and a maximum range of up to 1,500 meters. The rifle is literally lightweight – weighing 4.3 kg with a full magazine and 3.8 kg with an empty one.
The main advantage of the Kalashnikov is its ease of use. It stands out for its reliability in adverse conditions involving dirt, mud, moisture, and extreme temperatures. Its parts and ammunition are widely available, and the cost is low due to overproduction. The AK-47 has moderate recoil, making shooting easy. The bullets don’t jam. The rifle is easy to disassemble and reassemble, which facilitates maintenance even for inexperienced users (military amateurs).
A major advantage of the AK-47 is its durability. Even after prolonged use, it rarely fails its user. There are numerous versions of the Kalashnikov. The AKM is a modernized version of the AK-47 – lighter and produced with improved manufacturing techniques. It was also invented by Mikhail Kalashnikov in 1959. In 1974, he introduced the AK-74 version with a smaller caliber (5.45 × 39 mm). In addition to Russia, various licensed and unlicensed copies of the AK-47 were produced around the world.
Kalashnikov Defies Skeptics
Initially, American intelligence officers mocked the AK-47, believing it to be of rough and primitive design compared to their more sophisticated light weapons, such as the M14 rifle. They considered its precision and build quality to be far inferior to American models and did not believe it would remain in use for long. They were wrong. Although initially ridiculed by American intelligence officials, the unusual new weapon quickly proved all skeptics wrong and revolutionized warfare.
As the Cold War intensified during the 1960s, the Soviets encouraged Eastern Bloc countries to mass-produce the AK-47 to prepare for potential NATO invasion. Overproduction led to revolutionary anti-colonial movements across the Third World acquiring this revolutionary weapon. Much of this supply was no accident, as the Kremlin deliberately armed anti-imperialist movements in Africa, Asia, and South America that were fighting against colonial powers or authoritarian regimes aligned with the U.S.
Successes Across the Third World
By the late 1960s, due to its success in the Vietnam War (where it was used by the communist Viet Cong against the Americans and their South Vietnamese allies), even the Americans had to admit that the AK-47 was extremely reliable, easy to maintain, and effective in adverse conditions. The Kalashnikov outperformed more sophisticated but less resilient American rifles such as the M16. When the AK-47 reached the hands of the Viet Cong, it enabled them to succeed in combat against American and South Vietnamese forces. The rifle was exceptionally reliable in jungles and humid conditions, while American rifles frequently suffered from malfunctions. Since the AK-47 was easy to maintain, durable, and relatively inexpensive, the Viet Cong could quickly arm their fighters, making them far more effective in surprise guerrilla attacks. Thanks to the Kalashnikov, Viet Cong fighters inflicted terrible losses on American soldiers, especially in the jungle at night or in low-visibility conditions.
During the Cold War, the rifle came to symbolize resistance against colonialism and capitalist imperialism, spreading the political influence of the USSR across the globe. The weapon was used from the Sahara Desert to the jungles of the Congo. Besides the Viet Cong, the Russians also supplied the AK-47 to the Algerian National Liberation Front (FLN) in its fight against the French, the People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) against Portugal, the African National Congress (ANC) in its struggle against apartheid in South Africa, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the Marxist-Leninist FARC in Colombia, the Sandinistas in Nicaragua, and numerous other anti-colonial and (pro-)communist movements.
The Weapon of the Outsiders
The popularity of the AK-47 is best illustrated by the fact that the rifle and its variants have been used in virtually every major conflict over the past 60 years. The accessibility of the Kalashnikov has made many wars much harder to fight. The AK-47 is a weapon that actually serves guerrillas and the weaker side in a conflict far more effectively than superior armed forces. With the AK-47, outsiders receive a “God-given” tool that enables them to effectively fight against a much stronger enemy. It could be described as a weapon used by David against Goliath. Of course, all soldiers like the AK-47, but because of its characteristics, the weapon is much more beneficial to weaker sides (e.g. guerrilla fighters) than to the military of any state.
Due to the specific Afghan terrain, which is dominated by mountain ranges reaching altitudes of over 7,000 meters and desert areas, the Kalashnikov has become a hallmark of Afghan villages over the past 40 years. It was widely seen during the 1980s when the mujahideen fought against the Soviets, and again from 2001 to 2021 when the rebranded mujahideen, i.e., the Taliban, fought against the Americans. Although the Americans have left Afghanistan, the Kalashnikovs certainly have not. They are still being used by the Taliban and their enemies, such as the National Resistance Front (NRF).
A Symbol of Anti-Imperialism
In 1983, the Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO) adopted a new national flag that included the AK-47 alongside other national symbols. Seven years later, the rifle was added to the national coat of arms as well. The reason was its vital role in securing independence. Even after democratic changes, the famous weapon was never removed from national symbols. Mozambique is not the only case. The rifle appears in the coats of arms of East Timor and Zimbabwe, and it was once featured in the emblems of Angola and Burkina Faso. Today, it can still be found in the insignia of groups such as Hezbollah and FARC.
Over time, even though it was never Mikhail Kalashnikov’s intention, the weapon became a symbol of anti-imperialism and, in the 21st century, undoubtedly of anti-Americanism — a symbol of resistance to Western hegemony. Enemies of the U.S. and the European Union have embraced the weapon wholeheartedly, while Westerners reject it. In movies, series, and books produced in the West, the AK-47 is regularly portrayed as the weapon of major criminals like drug lords, mafiosi, and terrorists. On the other hand, in portrayals coming from Russia, China, Iran, and developing countries, the Kalashnikov is romanticized as a weapon of freedom and resistance. In Russia, the AK-47 is one of the most revered patriotic symbols and one of the greatest Soviet achievements.
AK-47 – A Weapon That Doesn’t Fade into History
In May 2012, Mikhail Kalashnikov wrote a letter to Russian Patriarch Kirill. He described the “spiritual pain” he bore and asked whether he, as a Christian, bore moral responsibility for the deaths caused by his invention. He signed the letter as “the servant of God, designer Mikhail Kalashnikov.” He wrote the letter a year before his death in 2013 at the age of 94. The Patriarch responded by saying that the Church supports weapons used in defense of the homeland. Despite the death of its creator and the moral dilemmas surrounding it, the AK-47 remains in use.
Because of its advantages, the AK-47 continues to be the most recognizable assault rifle, particularly beloved by guerrilla fighters. At the beginning of the 21st century, out of an estimated 500 million firearms worldwide, about 100 million belonged to the Kalashnikov family — three-quarters of which were AK-47s. Today, it is still believed that there are over 100 million Kalashnikov variants in circulation. By all accounts, this is a weapon that will not disappear from history — at least not anytime soon.
Author: Matija Šerić
Featured image: www.warhistoryonline.com
