AK Family
Experimental Designs AK-46 - automatic rifle developed by Kalashnikov in 1944 and submitted in 1946 to participate in the competition for the machine. The design has similarities to the device, the American Rifle M1 Garand (automatics with a short course based on a barrel and gas piston rotary shutter, similar to that of the Garand). Recognized by the Commission unfit for further improvement of the second round of testing. After a radical process to participate in the next round of testing a new machine (a prototype AK) received a minimum meaningful similarity to the predecessor.
AKM Series
In 1959, adopted by the new model of the machine - AKM ( "Automat Kalashnikova Modernized", index Grau - 6P1). In AKM attack range increased to 1000 m, changes aimed at increasing the reliability and ease of use.
Receiver made AKM stamped, thereby reduced the mass of the machine. Butt lifted up, to bring the point it stops the machine to the line of fire. Changes in the trigger mechanism - added retarder actuation hammer, which descend in automatic firing hammer occurs a few milliseconds later. This delay is virtually no effect on the rate of fire, it simply allows the frame to stabilize the slide in the most forward position before the next shot. Despite a number of measures to improve accuracy, as described in the memoirs Kalashnikovs, according to NCC grouping AKM worse than that of AK.
Muzzle of the barrel weapons is the thread on which the removable muzzle compensator in the form of petal (the so-called "bin compensator"), intended to compensate for the "slip" aimpoint up-right when shooting in bursts through the use of pressure tried to escape from the barrel of powder gases at lower projection compensator. At the same thread instead of compensator can be installed mufflers PBS or PBS-1, for the use of which must be applied to the cartridges 7.62 U.S. subsonic initial velocity bullets. Also at the AKM was the installation of under-barrel grenade launcher GP-25.
AKMS (index Grau - 6P4) - Option AKM with folding butt. Butt mounting system was changed on the ACU (formed down-forward, a receiver). The modification is specially designed for paratroopers.
AKMSU - a shortened version of AKM with folding butt, designed for special forces and airborne troops. It was released in very small numbers and wide distribution in the troops had not received. Adopt has not been formally reported.
AKMN (6P1N) - version with night sights.
AKMSN (6P4N) - changed AKMN with folding metal butt.