AKS-74U
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| AKS-74U (Bulgarian version shown) | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Type | Assault rifle |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union/Russian Federation |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1975 – |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Mikhail Kalashnikov |
| Designed | 1974 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 2.71 kg |
| Length | 735 mm (490 mm with folded buttstock) |
| Barrel length | 210 mm |
|
|
|
| Cartridge | 5.45 x 39 mm M74 |
| Action | Gas operated, rotating bolt with 2 lugs |
| Rate of fire | 650-735 rounds per minute |
| Effective range | about 200 meters |
| Feed system | 30 round detachable box magazine) |
| Sights | Adjustable Iron sights, optional mount required for Telescopic sight |
The AKS-74U (also referred as AKSU-74 or AK-74SU ) is a Soviet-designed assault rifle which went into production in 1975 and went into service soon after. The AKS-74U (the "U" suffix means Укороченный, "Ukorochennyj" in Russian, and "Shortened" in English) was developed in the late 1970s from the AKS-74 as a shortened carbine version. The AKS-74U has the size and effective range of a typical submachine gun, and parts are interchangeable with the more general issue AK-74, including the relatively powerful 5.45mm ammunition. A notable distinguishing feature is its conical flash suppressor, which is employed in lieu of a muzzle brake. This flash suppressor at the end of the barrel functions as an expansion chamber to bleed off gases that would otherwise cause violent recoil and a muzzle flash.
It was intended for use by vehicle crews, artillery teams and Special Forces, which needed a small and lightweight weapon. A special version of the AKS-74U had been developed for Spetsnaz, which could be fitted with quickly detachable sound suppressor and a special 30mm silenced grenade launcher model BS-1 "Tishina" ("silence"). The launcher uses special HE-DP grenades, which are launched using special blank cartridges, stored in the box magazine, contained in the launcher pistol grip. The rear sight is a flip-type U-notch, while the front sight is a cylindrical post and can be fitted with night sights.
Contents |
[edit] Non-Russian Users
The AKSU-74 has been and is still being employed in former USSR countries by various security, military and insurgent forces. It was popular in many of the countries of the Warsaw Pact, and had been produced in some of these countries. Also, Yugoslavia manufactured the weapon as the Zastava M85 and it saw service with the various countries that resulted from the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s. In the West, the name "Krinkov" has become quite popular to descibe the AKSU (the term actually originates from the Afghan War).
Indonesian Army's Combat Recon Platoon uses a variant of AKS-74U chambered in 5.56mm cartridge. The guns were made in Bulgaria, China and Russia. Osama bin Laden has also been photographed and videotaped with an AK-74SU.
[edit] Differences with AKS-74
The AKS-74U has only a few differences from the basic AKS-74 assault rifle.
The AKS-74U has a severely shortened barrel, with the gas chamber moved back and appropriately cut down gas piston rod. Since the portion of the barrel after the gas port is very short, a special muzzle device was designed, which is used as a flash hider and the gas expansion chamber (to achieve reliable gas operated action). The front sight base is lowered, and the standard adjustable rear sight is replaced by the flip-up rear (marked for 200 and 400 meters distance), mounted on the receiver cover. The receiver cover is hinged to the receiver at the front and flips up when opened (original AK-74 receiver cover is detachable). Otherwise the AKS-74U is similar to the AKS-74, it has similar controls, folding buttstock, and uses same magazines. AKS-74U cannot be fitted with bayonet. Some versions had a standard side-mounted rail for the night or red-dot scopes, and are known as AKS-74U-N.
[edit] Features
- Caliber: 5.45×39 mm (the AK-47 uses a 7.62x 39mm round)
- Length: 735 mm with stock opened
- Magazine: 30 rounds
- Range: 300 m
- Rate of fire: 730 rounds per minute
- Attachable GP-5 Grenade Launcher
