Kalashnikov AKM
Overview
AKM
Left side view of AKM assault rifle.
Source: Swedish Army Museum -
© Public domain
Mikhail Kalashnikov
Soviet Union - TOZ
6P4 (GRAU index for AKMS)
Description
Introduction
The AKM is an assault rifle of Soviet origin. The AKM is a modernized version of the AK-47 developed in the 1950's. It was meant as a product improved version of the famous Kalashnikov design while being far more cost effective to produce at the same time.
Design
The AKM is a gas operated assault rifle using a short stroke gas piston and rotating bolt. The main difference between AK-47 and AKM is the use of stamped sheet metal for the receiver. This makes the AKM both lighter and less costly to produce than the machined receiver of the AK-47.
Firepower
The AKM fires the 7.62x39mm Soviet round from a curved 30 round magazine. The 40 round magazines of the RPK can also be used. The AKM is a select fire weapon that is capable of semi-automatic fire and automatic fire at 600 rounds per minute. The effective range is about 300 meters.
Users
The AKM was produced in large numbers in the USSR. Over 10 million of these were produced. Furthermore, the AKM is the version of the Kalashnikov that proved to be the most common to be produced with or without license abroad. This makes the AKM and its derivatives the most common and prolific version of the Kalashnikov family.
Variants
AKM
Standard fixed stock version of the modernized Kalashnikov assault rifle.
AKMS
Folding stock version of the modernized Kalashnikov assault rifle. Features an underfolding stock.
Details
Media
AKMS
Iraqi soldier training with AKMS type assault rifle in 2010.
Source: US Army
Copyright: Public domain
AKMS
Left side view of AKMS with stock in stowed position and an older style wooden pistol grip. Note the RPK drum magazine and PBS-1 suppressor alongside.
Source: KardeN
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
AKM
Chadian soldier with AKM type assault rifle during French 2014 parade.
Source: Pierre-Yves Beaudouin
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
AKMS
Kalashnikov AKMS assault rifle.
Source: Unknown author
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
AKM
US soldier firing an AKM type assault rifle in Iraq.
Source: US army
Copyright: Public domain
AKM
Chadian soldier with AKM type assault rifle at the firing range in 2017.
Source: US Army
Copyright: Public domain
AKMS
Left side view of AKMs assault rifle with wooden pistol grip.
Source: Swedish Army Museum
Copyright: Public domain
Foreign production models
Zastava M70
The M70 is the Yugoslav variant of the AKM. Instead of being a direct copy it has several distinct features, such as the longer three slot handguard, thicker receiver and ability to launch muzzle grenades.
PM md. 63
The PM md 63 and PM md 65 are the Romanian variant of the AKM and AKMS. These feature a distinct wooden vertical grip. Large numbers were exported as the AIM and AIMS.
Related articles
Kalashnikov AK-47
The AKM is an improved AK-47. The earlier model was notably heavier and more costly to produce due to the milled receiver.
Kalashnikov RPK
The RPK is the light machine gun variant of the AKM assault rifle. These weapons were meant to be used side by side and thus benefit from similar ammunition supply and manual of operations.
Kalashnikov AK-74
The AK-74 was developed to replace the AKM as the standard issue rifle in Soviet military service. The AK-74 is similar to the AKM, but is chambered for the new high velocity 5.45x39mm cartridge.