To the reader

Due to a few personal reasons including time constraints in my schedule I was not able to blog about weaponry. But now with my schedule clear, I am considering to blog more about the weaponry. Stuff to come are Sniper Rifles, LMGS and Assault rifles. I will be taking requests.
Tell me if you want this blog to continue.
-Mr.Waulrus

RPK and RPK-74

RPK

RPK( Kalashnikov LMG) is a light weight machine gun designed for support infrantry by Kalashinov team. The RPK is simply an AK-47 with a heavier and longer non-detachable barrel, bipod and redesigned buttstock. RPK can be fed from special 40 rds box or 75 rds drums magazines, as well as from standart AK-47 type 30 rds box magazines.
caliber 7,62x39 mm
weigth 5 kg on tripod
Length 1040 mm
Length of barrel 591 mm
feeding box magazine 40 rounds, drum 75 rounds
rate of fire 600 rounds per minute

RPK with a special 75 round drum.

RPK with a regular AK-47 magazine.

RPK-74

RPK-74 is and upgrade of the RPK design, much like the AK-74 is to AK-47. The standard features of previous RPK models(longer, non-removable barrel and redesigned buttstock) are included. The RPK-74 uses 75 round drums(Extremely rare) or 45 round clips. It can also use regular AK-74 clips as well.
caliber 5.45x39 mm
weigth 5 kg on bipod
Length 1060 mm
Length of barrel 590 mm
feeding box magazine 45 rounds or drum 75 rounds (rare)
rate of fire 600 rounds per minute

RPK-74 with a 45 round magazine

PKM

After the creation of the AK weapons, a team of weapon developers led by Kalashnikov himself received a request to produce a new Machine Gun. The team did just that. They created a replacement called PKM, a belt fed multi-purpose automatic weapon. The LMG configuration of PKM features a 100 round barrel opposed to the 200 or 250 MG version(MG=Mounted Gun). The PKM version adopted in the early 70's was a lighter, faster and with a shorter flash hider than it's predecessors. The PKM is still produced in countries such as Russia, Romania and so on.
Caliber 7,62x54R
Weight 8,99kg on bipod (PK), 16,48kg on tripod (PKS)
Length 1173 mm
Length of barrel 658 mm
Feeding belt 100, 200 or 250 rounds
Rate of fire 650 rpm

The LMG version of PKM featured with a light-weight tripod.

To the Reader

Well, as you have noticed, I have been posting a lot in the last few days. That is true, simply because I have the time to. Now soon the posting will slow down. If you have any suggestions, please notify me by leaving a comment on this post. I appreciate that you took your time and read these articles.
What to expect in the future:
I will add Sniper Rifles, pistols, rifles such as M1 Garrand, Rocket Launchers, Explosives, Assault Rifles and more. If you have a favorite weapon, please post it in a comment and I will see to it being put up.

Makarov P(PM)

Makarov PM. Probably the most important reason that explains why I posted this is very simple. The creator,Nikolai Fyodorovich Makarov, has the same exact last name as me. As simple as that.It was adopted by the Soviet Rifle in 1951 and remained it's official sidearm until 2003. The reason the design was accepted over many other competitors was simple. It had few moving parts, economy, ease of manufacture, accuracy, and reasonable power. Due to that, many label the Makarov as the best self defense pistols of it's time.

Caliber 9x18mm PM; 9x18mm improved (PMM)
Type: Double action
Overall length 161mm (165mm PMM)
Weight unloaded 730g (760g PMM)
Barrel length 93,5 mm
Magazine capacity 8 rounds (12 rounds PMM)
Range: It's lethal at 20ft. or closer.


The PM in all it's glory.(Makarov's Pistol)

The cut-out view of PM

Grenade Launchers-Underbarrel

GP-30

An underbarrel grenade launcher developed by the Russians in 1989 for use with the AK weaponry. It was a simpler and cheaper launcher than it's predecessor. It was also much more combat effective. The launcher used VOG grenades which featured a caseless design, meaning it would leave nothing in the barrel after being fired. Each grenade launcher was issued with rubber recoil pad for host rifle, and a special return spring guide with receiver cover catch for use on early production Kalashnikov rifles. It is, like almost every other underbarrel launcher a single shot launcher.
Caliber: 40mm
Overall length: 320 mm GP-25, 276mm GP-30
Weight: 1.5 kg unloaded GP-25, 1.3 kg unloaded GP-30
Effective range: up to 150 meters

The close-up on GP-30

GP-30 mounted on AK-74. Look at the stock to see the rubber pad issued with every launcher.

M203

It was developed in 1967 as a replacement of the ineffective M79 launcher. Unlike it's predecessor, the M203 was an underbarrel grenade launcher that fired standard 40mm ammunition. It was created as an attachment to the M16 rifles, in order to increase the rifle's capabilities and was produced, like most American weapons by Colt. Colt also introduced a smaller version of M203 called the M203A2 for use with the M4 rifle. Both versions of the M203 are single shot and feature the same loading mechanism.Unlike the other underbarrel launchers, this one can be mounted on shoulder-stock or pistol grip assemblies, also created by Colt.

Caliber: 40mm (40x46)
Overall length: 380 mm
Weight: 1.36 kg unloaded
Effective range: up to 150 meters point target, up to 350 meters area target

M203 Close-up

The loading guide of the M203

HK-79

The HK79 underbarrel grenade launcher has been developed by the famous company Heckler-Koch from Germany. This add-on launcher was mounted on 7.62mm G3 and 5.56mm HK33 and G41 rifles, developed by the same company. It is a single shot grenade launcher capable of firing any type of a 40mm grenade.
Caliber: 40mm (40x46)
Overall length: n/a
Weight: 1.5 kg unloaded
Effective range: up to 150 meters point target, up to 350 meters area targets

The HK-79

The Two M16s

M16A1

The M16A1 is just military's improved version of the AR-15 rifle. It was first introduces as the XM16E1 but was soon renamed to M16. Just after it was created it was shipped off to the Vietnam war. It was known as the Black Death ever since. It came in two modes, single fire and auto fire. As great as it was there were major issues with the rifle that cause death of many troops in Vietnam. It was prone to jamming. There were three major reason for that. The first one was that the rifle lacked chrome-lined bore and chamber unlike it's predecessors. The chrome lining protected the rifle from rust, a problem frequently encountered in Vietnam due to the humidity. The rifle also came with the message that no cleaning was necessary, which was of course a false statement as proven in Vietnam war. Due to it coming without even a cleaning kit it began to jam in firefights and was impossible to use after that event occurred. Realizing the problem, the army issued cleaning kits and cleaning guides to the M16. The last and most important problem that made this rifle probably the least favored rifle of the time was the 5.56 mm projectile's instability under arctic conditions, and the fact that large quantities of 5.56 mm ammunition required for immediate service were not available at the time. This rifle became the symbol of the lost Vietnam war and was unloved by many.

Caliber, mm:. 5.56x45mm (.223 Remington), M193
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt
Length, mm overall:986 mm
Barrel Length, mm:508 mm
Sighting range,m: 460 meters
Machine gun weight, kg: 2.89 kg / 3.6 kg
Magazine capacity, rds: 30 round magazine
Rate of fire, rds/min: 650 - 750 rounds per minute

M16A2

Even though the M16A1 was quite flawed, the weapon was indeed a powerful one. In the 1970's, a new version of the M16 rifle was about to be developed. After seeing the potential of the M16, may NATO countries wanted a rifle just like the M16, but NATO standardized. The effort of a NATO standardized weapon also called for a standardized round. There were many different types of ammo from different countries but the final design was finally introduced by Belgium. It was a 5.56x45mm caliber round with a steel tip to increase the penetration of the rifle. After many tests, the SS109 round replaced the M193 round in the M16a1 thus increasing the rifle potential. After the creation of the round, modifications were made and the M16A2 was introduced in 1982. The rifle's auto fire feature was replaced with a much more accurate three round burst one in order to preserve ammunition.The rifle also featured a heavier barrel with
with faster 1:7 rifling, a different type rear sights (adjustable for both range and windage)and round hand guards instead of triangular ones. It became the US official military rifle and is still in use today.

Caliber, mm:. 5.56x45mm NATO / M855
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt
Length, mm overall:1006 mm
Barrel Length, mm:508 mm
Sighting range,m: 550 meters
Machine gun weight, kg: 3.77 kg / 4.47 kg
Magazine capacity, rds: 30 round magazine
Rate of fire, rds/min: 800 rounds per minute

The M4A1

M4A1

This is a variant of M16A2 rifle meant for special forces much like the AK74U. This rifle is used by many NATO and US special force units. The rifle features 3 fire modes. Auto, 3 round burst and single shot. Due to it's auto fire capability it comes with a heavier barrel in order to withstand the heat produced while firing.The M4A1 carbines fire 5.56 x 45 mm NATO ammunition and are gas-operated, air-cooled, magazine-fed, selective fire firearms with a telescoping stock. The standard Special Operation rifles come with a SOPMOD kit. It includes Rail Interface System (RIS) hand guard developed by Knight's Armament Company, a shortened quick-detachable M203 grenade launcher and leaf sight, a KAC sound suppressor, a KAC back-up rear sight, an Insight Technologies AN/PEQ-2A visible laser/infrared designator, along with Trijicon's ACOG and Reflex sights, and a night vision sight. This kit was designed to be configurable (modular) for various missions, and the kit is currently in service with special operations units (though many soldiers have changed the Trijicon reflex sight for M68 CCO red dot sights and EOTech holographic sights).

Caliber: 5.56mm NATO
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt
Overall length: 838 mm (stock extended); 757 mm (stock fully collapsed)
Barrel length: 370 mm
Weight: 2.52 kg without magazine; 3.0 kg with magazine loaded with 30 rounds
Rate of fire: 700 - 950 rounds per minute
Maximum effective range: 360 m
Clip Size: 30 rounds(max)

This is the so-called SOPMOD package.

AR-15

This is the rifle that served as a prototype of the M16 rifle currently used by the US military. The rifle was an improved version of the AR-10 and after the license to produce it was bought by Colt, it became a widely produced civilian and law enforcement rifle.Unlike the later version of the rifle, also known as the M-16, the AR-15 did not feature the flash hider, a very important feature which in theory would keep the shooter stealthy because nobody would see the flash of the gun. The rifle was created in 1963 and is still widely in use by law enforcement. However few of the versions of the rifle(there were many) are not allowed to be sold to regular citizens.(Such as the bayonet version for example)

Caliber, mm:.223 Remington, 5.56 NATO
Action: Direct impingement / Rotating bolt
Length, mm overall:986 mm
Barrel Length, mm: 20 in (508 mm) standard
Sighting range,m: 550 m (600 yd)
Machine gun weight, kg: 2.27 kg - 3.9 kg (5.5 - 8.5 lb)
Magazine capacity, rds: 30 round magazine
Rate of fire, rds/min: 800 round/min

The 3rd and probably last installement of the AK series until further updates

With the current technological advancements in weaponry, weapons such as the AK-47 and even AK-74 are becoming a thing of the past, used only by rebel forces or terrorist groups because they are becoming military surplus. The time has come for and upgrade in the Kalashnikov series and I will show you some of the things that are either currently being used in the Russian military or things to come.

AK-101

Caliber, mm: 5.56
Cartridge: NATO, 5.56x45
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt with 2 lugs
Magazine capacity, rds: 30
Length, mm: overall: 943; w/folded stock: 700;
Barrel lenght: 415 mm
Sighting range,m: 1000
Weight, g: 3,400
Rate of fire, rds/min: 600
Unlike it's predecessors it uses standard NATO rounds because this AK is designed to be used not by only Russian military, but by NATO armies as well.

AK-102(also variants available are AK103-105)

Caliber, mm: 5.56x45 (5.56mm NATO); 7.62x39; 5.45x39
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt with 2 lugs
Length, mm: overall: 824; w/folded butt 586
Barrel Length, mm: 314
Sighting range,m: 1000
Machine gun weight, kg: 3,0 w/o magazine
Magazine capacity, rds: 30
Rate of fire, rds/min: 600
This is the continuation of the U-series(U stands for ukorochennya which means "shortened") of the AK rifles. It is the long avaited improvement over the AK-74U system for the special ops teams and personnel who would not usually carry a gun.(Pilots, Tank crews...)

AK-107(108 in development)

Caliber, mm: 5,45x39 (5,56NATO for AK108)
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt with 2 lugs, balanced bolt-carrier/bolt group to reduce recoil jumping
Length, mm: overall: 943; w. stock folded 700;
barrel lenght: 415 mm
Sighting range,m: 1000
Weigth, g: 3,400
Magazine capacity, rds: 30
Rate of fire, rds/min: 850 . (900 for AK108)
This is the newly introduced upgrade of the AK-101, this time it uses the balanced bolt technology which greatly decreases muzzle jump and increases the rifle's accuracy. This model also features a grenade launcher attachment, which I think by the picture looks like a GP-30 underbarrel grenade launcher, used by Russians since the early 80's. I, of course, could be wrong.

The 2nd Installement of the AK-Series

This is the second part of the AK series. This time around I will talk about two weapons that replaced the AK-47 in Russian military. The AK-74 and AK-74U mostly used by special force

The AK-74 was a great upgrade to the AK-47. It was lighter, shot farther and faster and it was much more accurate. The late version of the AK-74 created in the late 80's and issued to troops in the early 90's were made even lighter because the butt stock was replaced with low-weight plastics and a scope mounting rail.

Caliber: 5.45x39 mm
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt with 2 lugs
Weight: 3,3 kg (with empty magazine without bayonet); 3,6 kg (with loaded magazine)
Length: 943 mm (AKS-74 with folded butt - 690 mm)
Barrel length: 415 mm
Magazine capacity: 30 rounds standard
Effective range: 500 meters
Rate of fire: 600 - 650 rounds per minute

After the creation of AK-74,the creators due to high demand began working on a SMG version of their rifle that was to be used by pilots,tank crews and special forces who needed a small, yet powerful gun to fulfill their duties. The AK-74U was just that. It was powerful, small and light. It was also interchangeable with the parts of it's elder brother, the AK-74. Unlike it's predecessors the AK-74U used assault rifle parts and ammunition which made it better than the SMGs of it's time.

Caliber: 5,45x39 mm
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt with 2 lugs
Overall length: 735 mm (490 mm with folded buttstock)
Barrel length: 210 mm
Magazine capacity, 30 rounds standard
Weight empty: 2,71 kg
Effective range: about 200 meters
Rate of fire: 650-735 rounds per minute

This is the variant of 1974, the one that replaced AK-47

This is the latest variant of the AK-74

The AK-74U.

The AK-74U with a 30mm silent grenade attachment. Just one of the many uses AK-74U had.

The 1st Installement of the AK series.

Who has not heard of the most known assault rifle series ever created? Avtomat Kalashinikova, at least that is how the Russians call it. The assault rifle first appeared in Russia in 1947. It was called the AK-47 and came as the replacement of Fedorov's assault rifle. The AK-47 was unlike any of it's kind at that time. It was fast, powerful and had good clip size. Even to this day, it's still widely used by mostly terrorist groups because it is an outdated weapon and is very cheap compare to other weapons. One of the things that made AK-47 so popular is how easy to maintain the gun. Unlike the other assault rifles, this one was not so complex, thus it was very easy to take it apart and clean it.

The reason the rifle is called AK-47 is very simple. The number that comes after the letters AK simply tell you the year it was first introduced in. With later versions such as AK-107, it means that this is an AK rifle created in 2007.

Caliber 7.62x39 mm
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt with 2 lugs
Overall length: 870 mm
Barrel length: 415 mm
Weight, with empty magazine: AK 4.3 kg
Magazine capacity 30 rounds
Cyclic rate of fire 600 rounds per minute
Maximum effective range: about 400 meters

Day 1(02/23/07)

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