AKS-74U: Difference between revisions
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The '''AKS-74U''' (nicknamed the '''Krinkov'''{{cite web |
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| last = Hunter |
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| first = Steven |
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| authorlink = Steven Hunter |
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| title = Dressed To Kill: From Kabul to Kandahar, It's Not Who You Are That Matters, but What You Shoot |
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| work = |
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| publisher = [[The Washington Post]] Online Edition |
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| date = 2001-11-26 |
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| url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&contentId=A14195-2001Nov25¬Found=true/ |
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The AKS-74U ("U" for "Укороченный"/"Ukorochennyj" [shortened]) was developed in the late 1970s from the [[AKS-74]], a folding-stock variant of the [[AK-74]]. The earliest known models were produced and dated by the [[Izmash]] and [[Tula]] Arsenals beginning in 1981. The AKS-74U is the size of, and has the effective range of a [[submachine gun]], due to the shorter barrel. Only a few parts are interchangeable with the AK74, although it does utilize the same [[5.45_x_39_mm_M74|5.45 mm]] ammunition. A notable distinguishing feature is the conical gas expansion chamber developed to control [[recoil]] and [[muzzle flash]] as well as to facilitate cycling of the weapon given the shorter barrel. |
The AKS-74U ("U" for "Укороченный"/"Ukorochennyj" [shortened]) was developed in the late 1970s from the [[AKS-74]], a folding-stock variant of the [[AK-74]]. The earliest known models were produced and dated by the [[Izmash]] and [[Tula]] Arsenals beginning in 1981. The AKS-74U is the size of, and has the effective range of a [[submachine gun]], due to the shorter barrel. Only a few parts are interchangeable with the AK74, although it does utilize the same [[5.45_x_39_mm_M74|5.45 mm]] ammunition. A notable distinguishing feature is the conical gas expansion chamber developed to control [[recoil]] and [[muzzle flash]] as well as to facilitate cycling of the weapon given the shorter barrel. |
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The rifle was intended for [[Armoured fighting vehicle|vehicle]] and [[artillery]] |
The rifle was intended for [[Armoured fighting vehicle|vehicle]] and [[artillery]] crews, as well as for [[special forces]] soldiers needing particularly small, lightweight weapons. Today the AKS-74U is found primarily amongst police, private sector guards and rear-echelon military units, being superseded among front-line military units by the compact versions of the [[AK-101|AK-100]] family. |
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The AKS-74U is capable of being fitted with the detachable PBS5 [[suppressor]], as well as the suppressed 30 mm BS-1 "Tishina" [[grenade launcher]] firing [[high explosive]] dual purpose (HEDP) grenades. The grenades from the BS-1 are launched by blank cartridges stored in a pistol grip box magazine; the launching cartridges are cycled by bolt action. It has a flip-type U-notch rear sight and a cylindrical post front sight. Variants with a side-mounted optics plate can fit [[night vision]] scopes or other compatible optics, and have an added "N" designation to signify the existence of the optics plate. These AKS-74UN variants are rather rare from the factory, as most were produced without an optics plate. |
The AKS-74U is capable of being fitted with the detachable PBS5 [[suppressor]], as well as the suppressed 30 mm BS-1 "Tishina" [[grenade launcher]] firing [[high explosive]] dual purpose (HEDP) grenades. The grenades from the BS-1 are launched by blank cartridges stored in a pistol grip box magazine; the launching cartridges are cycled by bolt action. It has a flip-type U-notch rear sight and a cylindrical post front sight. Variants with a side-mounted optics plate can fit [[night vision]] scopes or other compatible optics, and have an added "N" designation to signify the existence of the optics plate. These AKS-74UN variants are rather rare from the factory, as most were produced without an optics plate. |
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The AKS-74U 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 several of these countries, or used as inspiration for other weapons such as the Mini [[Beryl]]. [[Zastava Arms]] in former [[Yugoslavia]] manufactured a short-barreled AK variant 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 describe the AKS-74U (the term has murky origins, as it is not a Russian term and is in fact unfamiliar to most native Russian speakers). In Russia the AKS-74U is affectionately called the "Little Bitch" (''Suchka'') because of the loud muzzle blast, lack of control compared to the full-sized Kalashnikov variants, and its relatively small size. |
The AKS-74U 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 several of these countries, or used as inspiration for other weapons such as the Mini [[Beryl]]. [[Zastava Arms]] in former [[Yugoslavia]] manufactured a short-barreled AK variant 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 describe the AKS-74U (the term has murky origins, as it is not a Russian term and is in fact unfamiliar to most native Russian speakers). In Russia the AKS-74U is affectionately called the "Little Bitch" (''Suchka'') because of the loud muzzle blast, lack of control compared to the full-sized Kalashnikov variants, and its relatively small size. |
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The AKS-74U has also achieved notoriety as a favored weapon of [[Osama bin Laden]]; in numerous public statements made by bin Laden and released by [[Al-Qaeda]] on videotape, an AKS-74U is visible either in bin Laden's hands or leaning against a wall in the background. |
The AKS-74U has also achieved notoriety as a favored "prestige weapon" of [[Osama bin Laden]]; in numerous public statements made by bin Laden and released by [[Al-Qaeda]] on videotape, an AKS-74U is visible either in bin Laden's hands or leaning against a wall in the background. The rifle is recognized as a symbol of high rank and prestige in the "Kalashnikov culture" of irregular guerrilla groups, largely due to it's rarity as compared to more commonly encountered AK-variants.{{cite web |
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| last = Hunter |
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| first = Steven |
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| authorlink = Steven Hunter |
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| title = Dressed To Kill: From Kabul to Kandahar, It's Not Who You Are That Matters, but What You Shoot |
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| work = |
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| publisher = [[The Washington Post]] Online Edition |
|||
| date = 2001-11-26 |
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| url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&contentId=A14195-2001Nov25¬Found=true/ |
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| format = |
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| doi = |
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| accessdate = 2007-11-01}} |
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==Comparison with the Russian AKS-74== |
==Comparison with the Russian AKS-74== |
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Revision as of 08:06, 1 November 2007
| AKS-74U | |
|---|---|
 Bulgarian version shown | |
| Type | Assault rifle |
| Place of origin |  Soviet Union |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1981 – |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Mikhail Kalashnikov, Izmash and Tula design teams |
| Designed | Late 1970s |
| Produced | 1980s - 1991 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 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 firing range | about 200 meters |
| Feed system | 30 round detachable box magazine) |
| Sights | Adjustable Iron sights, optional mount required for Telescopic sight |
The AKS-74U (nicknamed the KrinkovHunter, Steven (2001-11-26). "Dressed To Kill: From Kabul to Kandahar, It's Not Who You Are That Matters, but What You Shoot". The Washington Post Online Edition. Retrieved 2007-11-01.) is an ultra-compact assault rifle designed in the Soviet Union that was in production from the early 1980s until circa 1991.
The AKS-74U ("U" for "Укороченный"/"Ukorochennyj" [shortened]) was developed in the late 1970s from the AKS-74, a folding-stock variant of the AK-74. The earliest known models were produced and dated by the Izmash and Tula Arsenals beginning in 1981. The AKS-74U is the size of, and has the effective range of a submachine gun, due to the shorter barrel. Only a few parts are interchangeable with the AK74, although it does utilize the same 5.45 mm ammunition. A notable distinguishing feature is the conical gas expansion chamber developed to control recoil and muzzle flash as well as to facilitate cycling of the weapon given the shorter barrel.
The rifle was intended for vehicle and artillery crews, as well as for special forces soldiers needing particularly small, lightweight weapons. Today the AKS-74U is found primarily amongst police, private sector guards and rear-echelon military units, being superseded among front-line military units by the compact versions of the AK-100 family.
The AKS-74U is capable of being fitted with the detachable PBS5 suppressor, as well as the suppressed 30 mm BS-1 "Tishina" grenade launcher firing high explosive dual purpose (HEDP) grenades. The grenades from the BS-1 are launched by blank cartridges stored in a pistol grip box magazine; the launching cartridges are cycled by bolt action. It has a flip-type U-notch rear sight and a cylindrical post front sight. Variants with a side-mounted optics plate can fit night vision scopes or other compatible optics, and have an added "N" designation to signify the existence of the optics plate. These AKS-74UN variants are rather rare from the factory, as most were produced without an optics plate.
Non-Russian users
The AKS-74U 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 several of these countries, or used as inspiration for other weapons such as the Mini Beryl. Zastava Arms in former Yugoslavia manufactured a short-barreled AK variant 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 describe the AKS-74U (the term has murky origins, as it is not a Russian term and is in fact unfamiliar to most native Russian speakers). In Russia the AKS-74U is affectionately called the "Little Bitch" (Suchka) because of the loud muzzle blast, lack of control compared to the full-sized Kalashnikov variants, and its relatively small size.
The AKS-74U has also achieved notoriety as a favored "prestige weapon" of Osama bin Laden; in numerous public statements made by bin Laden and released by Al-Qaeda on videotape, an AKS-74U is visible either in bin Laden's hands or leaning against a wall in the background. The rifle is recognized as a symbol of high rank and prestige in the "Kalashnikov culture" of irregular guerrilla groups, largely due to it's rarity as compared to more commonly encountered AK-variants.Hunter, Steven (2001-11-26). "Dressed To Kill: From Kabul to Kandahar, It's Not Who You Are That Matters, but What You Shoot". The Washington Post Online Edition. Retrieved 2007-11-01.
Comparison with the Russian AKS-74
The AKS-74U has many differences when compared to 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 as a gas expansion chamber (to achieve reliable gas operated action). The front sight base is lowered, and the standard adjustable rear sight is replaced by a flip-up rear sight (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 (the original AK-74 receiver cover is fully detachable). The AKS-74U has similar controls, a similar folding buttstock, and uses the same magazines. The AKS-74U cannot be fitted with bayonet, unlike the AK-74, as it lacks bayonet lugs.
See also
External links
- SovietArmy.com (Link no longer works)
- AK-47.net
- World.Guns.ru