Illustrated Guide to the AK Platform
September 22, 2017
The AK-47 and subsequent models are the most common small arms in the world. The AK platform is also arguably the second-most popular airsoft platform after the AR platform. This illustrated guide reviews the different AK-style rifles available from a historical perspective. Similar variants produced in other countries, e.g., China and Warsaw Pact nations, are not included. The airsoft gun pictures below the description are provided to help you identify a particular variant.
A guide to airsoft replicas of that variant is listed for your convenience but this is not intended to be a complete list. Some replicas may have been discontinued.
Contents
1. AK Nomenclature
2. Magazines
3. AK-47/AKM Series
4. AK-74 Series
5. Hundred Series
6. AK-12 / AK-15
7. LMG (RPK) Series
8. Sniper Rifle Variants
9. Airsoft-only versions
10. Airsoft buyer’s guide
11. References
1. AK Nomenclature:
N: “N” versions of the AKs have a left side-mounted scope rail for optics or a night sight. “N” is for night-fighting. All versions of the AK from the AK-74M have a scope rail as standard equipment.
M: “M” versions of AKs are updated or a modernization.
S: “S” refers to folding stock versions. The “S” is for Skladnoy, or “folding” in Russian. This applies to variants up to the AK-74M when a solid, side-folding stock became standard.
U: “U” versions of AKs have a very short barrel and are intended for tank crews, etc. The “U” is for “"Ukorochennya" or “shortened” in Russian.
2. Magazines
Nearly all AK rifles have a 30-round curved detachable box magazine. AK-47s and AKMs were equipped with metal magazines while AK-74 and later models have plastic magazines. The plastic magazines often have ribbing molded into the front of the magazine to strengthen it. Magazines that were not 30-round include the sniper and RPG variants. The sniper variants (SVD/SVU) have a ribbed 10-round box magazine. The LMG (RPK) series are equipped with either a higher capacity box or drum magazines.
3. AK-47/AKM Series
AK-47 / AK-47S (1947)
Caliber: 7.62x39mm
Barrel: 415mm
Stock: Fixed Wood (AK-47), Under Folding Metal (AK-47S)
Airsoft versions (AK-47): TM (AEG), CYMA (CM042), LCT (LCK47)
Airsoft versions (AK-47S): TM (AEG), CYMA (CM042S), LCT (LCK47S)
The design of the AK-47 (Avtomat Kalashnikov) was based on guns captured during World War II, mainly the German StG44. The AK-47 design is renowned for its ruggedness, simplicity and reliability at the expense of accuracy and ergonomics. The AK-47 had wood furniture as well as the famous curved 30-round box magazine.
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AK-47
AKM / AKMS (1959)
Caliber: 7.62x39mm
Barrel: 415mm
Stock: Fixed Wood (AKM), Under Folding Metal (AKMS)
Airsoft Versions:
The AKM (“AK Modernized”) was an update to the existing AK-47 design. The major change was to a stamped steel receiver making production easier. External changes include a re-design of the pistol grip and buttstock. The most noticeable change may be the addition of a slanted muzzle compensator to reduce muzzle rise. Finger grooves were added to the lower part of the handguard as well as a recess above the trigger guard. The folding stock version has a metal under-folding stock similar to the AK-47S.
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AKM – note slanted muzzle brake as well as grooves on handguard and buttstock
4. AK-74 Series
AK-74 / AKS-74 (1974)
Caliber: 5.45x39 mm
Barrel: 415mm
Stock: Fixed Wood (AK-74), Side Folding Metal Skeletal (AKS-74)
Following the adoption of the 5.56mm round by Western nations, the Russian military changed to a smaller caliber, higher-velocity round as well. The AK-74 was an AKM modified to use the new 5.45x39mm cartridge. One exterior difference is that the AK-74 has horizontal finger groove along the buttstock. The stock on the AKS-74 also differs by having a side-folding skeletal stock rather than an under-folding one.
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AKS-74 with side folding skeletal stock
AKS-74U (AKSU-74) / (1982)
Caliber: 5.45x39 mm
Barrel: 207mm
Stock: Side Folding Metal Skeletal
Airsoft versions: TM (Next Gen), CYMA (CM045), E&L (A104), GHK (GKS74U)
The AKS-74U (or AKSU-74) is a shortened version of the AK-74 issued to vehicle crews and special forces. The length was reduced by shortening the barrel and adding a folding stock. The flash hider is bell-shaped rather than slanted. Often classified as a submachine gun, it sacrifices accuracy for size.
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AKS-74U
AK-74M (AK-74MN) (1987)
Caliber: 5.45x39 mm
Barrel: 415mm
Stock: Side-folding solid nylon
Airsoft versions: TM (Next Gen), CYMA (CM040C), E&L (A106), LCT (LCK74MN), GHK (GK74MN)
The AK-74M is the latest version of the AK-74. Much like the “Hundred Series”, it has a higher level of finish, black nylon furniture and a folding solid stock. The handguard has horizontal ribbing to improve the grip. A side-mounted rail has been added for optics or night sights as well as a base for grenade launchers. Airsoft replicas may be named AK-74MN. This terminology is redundant as all versions of the AK-74M have a rail system.
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AK-74M with solid side-folding nylon stock
5. Hundred Series (1994)
Caliber: Varies – see below
Barrel: 415mm or 314mm
Stock: Synthetic, side folding solid
The AK-100 series is composed of updated versions of AK-74M chambered in different calibers. The exception is the AK-105, which is chambered in 5.45x39mm but has a shorter barrel than the AK-74M. Like the AK-74M all have a side-folding solid synthetic stock and the handguard has horizontal ribbing. Note that the Tokyo Marui and CYMA replicas use an incorrect folding skeletal stock.
AK-101/AK-102 (1994)
Caliber: 5.56mm NATO
Barrel: 415mm (AK-101) or 314mm (AK-102)
Airsoft versions (AK-102): TM (Next Gen), CYMA (CM047D)
The AK-101 and AK-102 are export versions chambered in 5.56mm NATO.
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AK-101 with accessories
AK-103/AK-104 (1994)
Caliber: 7.62x39mm
Barrel: 415mm (AK-103) or 314mm (AK-104)
Airsoft versions (AK-104): CYMA (CM040D), E&L (A103)
The AK-103 and AK-104 are export versions chambered in 7.62x39mm (AKM). These variants were produced for the many countries who still have ammunition used in the AK-47/AKM.
AK-105 (1994)
Caliber: 5.45x39mm
Barrel: 314mm
Airsoft versions: CYMA (CM031B), E&L (A108), LCT (LCK105), GHK (GK105)
As mentioned above, the AK-105 is a shorter barrel version of the AK-74M. The barrel is not as short as the AKS-74U.
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AK-105
6. AK-12 / AK-15
AK-12 / AK-15 (2010)
Caliber: 5.45x39mm (AK-12), 7.62x39mm (AK-15)
Barrel: 415mm
Stock: Collapsible
Airsoft Version: NPO
The AK-12 is the next generation of AK assault rifles and is currently undergoing trials. Improving accuracy was a major goal of the re-design. A major exterior change is the use of a collapsible stock rather than a side-folding one. The AK-15 uses the legacy 7.62x39mm cartridge.
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AK-12
7. LMG Series
RPK / RPK-S (1961)
Caliber: 7.62x39mm
Barrel: 591mm
Stock: Fixed wood
Magazine: 40 round box or 75 round drum
Airsoft Versions:
The RPK is the light machine gun version of the AKM. It has been modified with a longer and heavier barrel as well as adding a bipod and accepting a drum magazine.
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RPK with drum magazine
RPK-74 / RPK-74S (1974)
Caliber: 5.45x39mm
Barrel: 616mm
Stock: Fixed wood (RPK-74) / Side-folding wood (RPKS-74)
Magazine: 45 round plastic box
Airsoft Versions:
Similar to the RPK, the RPK-74 is a heavy barrel version of the AK-74 and a bipod at the front of the barrel. The RPK-74S has a side-folding wooden stock. Unlike the RPK, there is no drug magazine available. Gunners are issued eight box magazines that can be clipped together.
RPKN3 / RPKSN3 (RPK-74MN)
Caliber: 5.45x39mm
Barrel: 616mm
Stock: Fixed nylon (RPKN3) / Side-folding nylon (RPKSN3)
Magazine: 45 round plastic box
Airsoft Versions:
The RPKN3 as well as the RPKSN3 are updated versions of the RPK-74. Based on the AK-47M, the N3 versions have a higher level of finish as well as black nylon furniture. A side-mounted rail for optics or a night sight was added. Airsoft replicas may be designated as the RPK-74M or RPK-74MN.
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RPKN3 with mounted scope
8. Sniper Rifle Variants
SVD Dragunov (1963)
Caliber: 7.62x54mm
Barrel: 622mm
Stock: Fixed Skeletonized Wood
Magazine: 10-round box magazine
Airsoft versions:
The SVD (Snaiperskaya Vintovka Dragunova) is a sniper rifle based on the standard AK-47 action. It is chambered in a different caliber than the AK-47 and has a longer heavy barrel to make it accurate to 800 meters. The SVD has a side-mounted rail with a detachable PSO-1 (4x24) scope. Later versions of the SVD had polymer furniture instead of wood.
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SVD with PSO-1 scope
SVU / OTs-03AS (1994)
Caliber: 7.62x54mm
Barrel: 520mm
Stock: Flat metal plate
Airsoft versions: ASP OTS03
Magazine: 10-round box magazine
The SVU (Snaiperskaya Vintovka Ukorochennya) originated from a need for a more compact sniper rifle for the Russian special forces. The major design change was to a bullpup format that allowed the rifle to be made shorter without greatly reducing barrel length. The buttstock was also replaced with a flat metal plate and there is a unique cylindrical muzzle brake at the end of the barrel. Like the SVD, it is chambered in 7.62x54mm and has a PSO-1 scope. Interestingly, the designation SVU is used for a version with iron sights while scoped versions are designated as OTs-03AS.
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SVU with PSO-1 scope and suppressor
8. Airsoft Only Versions
There are many versions of airsoft AKs that do not exist in real life. Two common models are listed below:
Beta Spetsnaz
Airsoft versions: TM (AEG), CYMA (CM037)
Originally produced by Tokyo Marui, the Beta Spetsnaz version has a fixed stock and shortened barrel. The Beta Spetsnaz has been cloned by other airsoft companies.
Tactical, PMC or Contractor Models
Airsoft versions: Multiple
The desire to have rails and a modernized look has resulted in airsoft “tactical” models. With synthetic furniture and multiple rails, these models are easier to add accessories than replicas of actual AK rifles.
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AK PMC with railed front handguard and crane stock
10. Airsoft Buyer’s Guide
I have listed model numbers of the AKs listed above for Tokyo Marui, CYMA, E&L, LCT and GHK. These are manufacturers with a broad selection of AK models. This list is not meant to be exhaustive as other models exist, e.g., JG, but provided for your convenience.
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11. References:
Gander, Terry J. Jane’s Infantry Weapons. 1999-2000. Surrey:Jane’s Information Group. 1999.
Dougherty, Martin. Small Arms. Amber Books. 2006.
http://modernfirearms.net/assault/rus/
https://kalashnikov.com/en/product/firearms/mle/