The Kalashnikov rifle is a family of assault rifles based on Mikhail Kalashnikov 's original design . It is officially known in Russian as avtomat Kalashnikova ( Russian : автомат Калашникова , lit. ' Kalashnikov's automatic [rifle] ' ), and informally as kalash. AK rifles were originally manufactured in the Soviet Union by Kalashnikov Concern (formerly Izhmash ). Rifles similar to the Kalashnikov and its Soviet variants were later produced in many countries friendly to the Soviet Bloc , with rifles based on its design such as the Galil ACE and the INSAS also being produced. The Kalashnikov is one of the most widely used firearms in the world, with an estimated 72 million rifles in global circulation. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] List of AK rifles The original Kalashnikov rifles and their derivatives, as produced in the Soviet Union and later the Russian Federation. [ 4 ] [ 5 ] Rifles derived directly from the original AK The rifle's simple design makes it easy to produce, and the Soviet Union readily leased plans of the firearm to friendly countries, where it could be produced locally at a low cost. [ 2 ] As a result, the Kalashnikov rifles and their variants have been manufactured in many countries, with and without licenses. Manufacturing countries in alphabetical order include: Aside from the ASH-78, the ASH-82, the Albanian AKS-47 copy, was in production. Several other versions of the AKMS have been produced mainly with short barrels similar to Soviet AKS-74U for special forces, tank and armored crew and for helicopter pilots and police. There have also been modified ASh-82 ( AKMS ) with SOPMOD accessories, mainly for Albania's special forces RENEA and exports. [ 6 ] The AK-74M is locally produced under license in Azerbaijan as the Khazri. [ 7 ] The AKM is locally produced under license in Cuba. [ 8 ] The Et-97/1 is a locally manufactured AK-103 variant at the State-run Gafat Armament Engineering Complex . [ 10 ] The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria has been producing AK rifles as the OBJ-006. [ 12 ] [ 13 ] North Korea has been producing AK rifles as its standard issue weapons. [ 14 ] [ 15 ] Aside from Khyber Pass copies (near the border of Afghanistan), Pakistan has been producing AK rifles as the PK-10. [ 16 ] The MAZ is the Sudanese licensed copy of the Chinese Type 56 made by Military Industry Corporation . [ 18 ] The SAR 15T/308(V2) is a locally produced and modernized version of the AK platform by defense contractor Sarsilmaz (Sarsılmaz Silah Sanayi A.Ş.). [ 19 ] [ 20 ] AKM-VN (AKM) assault rifle TUL-1 (RPK) light machine gun The AK-103 is locally manufactured in Venezuela. [ 25 ] [ 26 ] Yugoslavia/Serbia The following rifles were either based on the Kalashnikov design, or have a different design but are superficially similar in appearance: Grenade launcher Comparative characteristics of AK rifles In the United States The Kalashnikov weapon design has become increasingly more popular in the American firearms industry. There are specific competitive shooting matches that require the use of its weapon variants like the Red Oktober match held just outside of St. George, Utah. It is a match designed for the use of ComBloc style weapons, but the Kalashnikov design is extremely heavy within the participants' arsenals. [ 27 ] Due to sanctions to Russia preventing the import of arms , a number of companies started producing clones of the Kalashnikov family of weapons. In particular, the company Kalashnikov USA was created specifically for this purpose. [ 28 ] Companies such as Palmetto State Armory and Century Arms also produce Kalashnikov clones. [ 29 ] [ 30 ] AK-100 (rifle family) ↑ Blair, David (2015-07-02). "AK-47 Kalashnikov: The firearm which has killed more people than any other" . Daily Telegraph . ISSN 0307-1235 . Archived from the original on 2022-01-12 . Retrieved 2019-09-26 . 1 2 Franko, Blake (2017-05-08). "The Gun That Is in Almost 100 Countries: Why the AK-47 Dominates" . The National Interest . Archived from the original on June 3, 2023 . Retrieved 2019-09-26 . ↑ McCarthy, Niall. "The Cost Of An AK-47 On The Black Market Around The World [ Infographic ] " . Forbes . Archived from the original on May 9, 2023 . Retrieved 2019-09-26 . ↑ "Концерн Калашников -- Официальный сайт" . kalashnikov.com . ↑ "200 series Kalashnikov assault rifle: AK-200, AK-201, AK-202, AK-203, AK-204, AK-205 (Russia)" . modernfirearms.net . 7 June 2018. ↑ "Albanian Small Arms" . Aftermath Gun Club. 20 April 2015. Archived from the original on 2017-10-14. ↑ Азербайджан приступил к серийному производству автоматов АК-74М по российской лицензии [ Azerbaijan began serial production of AK-74M assault rifles under Russian license ] . ЦАМТО (in Russian). Moscow: Centre for Analysis of World Arms Trade. 8 July 2011. Archived from the original on April 22, 2023 . Retrieved 8 July 2011 . ↑ Dimov, Roman. "Kalashnikov Arms Versions" . The AK Site . Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. ↑ "MPi-K / MPi-AK Assault Rifle Series" . Энциклопедия оружия и боеприпасов (in Russian). Archived from the original on April 27, 2023 . Retrieved 19 February 2013 . ↑ "Advertisement flyer for manufacturing capabilities of the GAEC – Gafat Armament Engineering Complex" . Archived from the original on July 10, 2011 . Retrieved 2014-01-23 . Retrieved on 8 October 2010. ↑ "Hungary. Assault Rifles" . Энциклопедия оружия и боеприпасов (in Russian). Archived from the original on April 27, 2023 . Retrieved 24 February 2013 . ↑ "Nigeria to mass-produce Nigerian version of AK-47 rifles" . Archived from the original on 14 January 2009 . Retrieved 5 October 2008 . ↑ "DICON – Defence Industry Corp. of Nigeria" . Archived from the original on 2013-12-27 . Retrieved 23 June 2012 . ↑ US Department of Defense, North Korea Country Handbook 1997, Appendix A: Equipment Recognition, PPSH 1943 SUBMACHINEGUN [sic] (TYPE-50 CHINA/MODEL-49 DPRK), p. A-79. ↑ US Department of Defense, North Korea Country Handbook 1997, Appendix A: Equipment Recognition, TYPE-68 (AKM) ASSAULT RIFLE, p. A-77 . ↑ Russia confronts Pakistan, China over copied weapons , 2009-11-16, archived from the original on 2011-07-17 , retrieved 2011-10-16 ↑ "Poland. Assault Rifles" . Энциклопедия оружия и боеприпасов (in Russian). Archived from the original on April 26, 2023 . Retrieved 19 February 2013 . ↑ "MAZ" . Military Industry Corporation . Archived from the original on 27 December 2008 . Retrieved 8 February 2009 . ↑ "SAR 15T" . www.sarsilmaz.com . Retrieved 2024-12-02 . ↑ Abdul, Kazim (2024-11-24). "Sudan Army fields Turkish-made SAR 308 assault rifle" . Military Africa - Insight . Retrieved 2025-01-08 . ↑ "Palmetto State Armory's Website" . ↑ "Kalashnikov USA Website" . 27 October 2022. ↑ Smith, Aaron (30 June 2015). "The first American-made Kalashnikovs are now for sale" . CNN.com. Archived from the original on July 1, 2023. ↑ Slowik, Max (August 10, 2015). "Kalashnikov USA prices out first wave of American AKs" . Guns.com. Archived from the original on February 1, 2016. ↑ "Primeros 3,000: Cavim inicia entrega de fusiles de asalto Kalashnikov AK-103 a la Fuerza Armada de Venezuela" . infodefensa.com. 3 June 2013. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022 . Retrieved 14 September 2015 . ( in spanish ) ↑ Sieff, Martin (15 August 2007). "Defense Focus: Venezuela's Kalashnikovs" . UPI.com. Archived from the original on 2008-06-04 . Retrieved 19 October 2008 . ↑ Reeder, David (6 October 2018). "Breach Bang Clear" . Archived from the original on October 17, 2018. ↑ "This Florida Warehouse Is Producing 'Made in America' Kalashnikovs" . Bloomberg.com . Archived from the original on 2025-09-03 . Retrieved 2025-10-19 . ↑ Borisenko, Adam (2023-07-19). "PSA AK-74 Review: American-Made Russian Thunder" . Gun Digest . Retrieved 2025-10-19 . ↑ E, Matt (2024-12-19). "TFB Review: Century Arms BFT556 Core AK" . thefirearmblog.com . Retrieved 2025-10-19 . General and cited references Gulevich, I. D., ed. (1967). НСД. 7,62-мм автомат АК [ 7.62 mm AK ] (in Russian) (3rd ed.). Moscow: Voenizdat . Monetchikov, Sergei Borisovich (2005). История русского автомата [ The History of Russian Assault Rifle ] . Entsiklopediya Russkoi Armii (in Russian). Izdatel'stvo "Atlant 44". ISBN 5-98655-006-4 . Archived from the original on 16 May 2013. Vilchinsky, I. K., ed. (1983). НСД. 7,62-мм автомат АКМ (АКМС) [ 7.62 mm AKM (AKMS) ] (PDF) (in Russian) (3rd ed.). Moscow: Voenizdat . Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 May 2023. Further reading Brayley, Martin J. (2013). Kalashnikov AK47 Series: The 7.62×39mm Assault Rifle in Detail . Ramsbury, Marlborough, Wiltshire, UK: Crowood Press. ISBN 978-1-84797-526-3 . OCLC 824183278 . Chivers, C. J. (2010). The Gun . New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 9780743270762 . OCLC 535493119 . At the Internet Archive ( registration required ) Ezell, Edward Clinton (1986). The AK-47 Story: Evolution of the Kalashnikov Weapons . Harrisburg, PA: Stackpole Books. ISBN 0811709167 . OCLC 12549027 . Hodges, Michael (2007). AK47: The Story of a Gun . San Francisco: MacAdam/Cage Pub. ISBN 978-1-59692-286-0 . OCLC 245302609 . Long, Duncan (1 September 1988). AK47: The Complete Kalashnikov Family of Assault Rifles . Boulder, Col.: Paladin Press. ISBN 978-0-87364-477-8 . OCLC 430510761 . Poyer, Joe (2006). The AK-47 and AK-74 Kalashnikov Rifles and Their Variations: A Shooter's and Collector's Guide . Tustin, Cal.: North Cape Publications. ISBN 978-1-882391-41-7 . OCLC 867174693 . Rottman, Gordon L. (2011). The AK-47: Kalashnikov-series Assault Rifles . Oxford: Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84908-835-0 . OCLC 651902408 . Vorobiev, Marco (2016). Gun Digest Shooter's Guide to AKs . Iola, WI: Gun Digest Book. ISBN 978-1-4402-4647-0 . OCLC 954541182 . [ permanent dead link ] Media related to Kalashnikov rifles at Wikimedia Commons Kbk AKM / Kbkg wz. 1960/72 AEK-971/972/973 AR-M1 ( Trichy ) IMI Galil ( Vektor R4 · FFV 890 · DI MA-1 ) IWI ACE ( Galil Córdova · STV ) Type 56 ( ASH-78 ) Saiga semi-automatic rifle WASR-series rifles Zastava PAP series AK-102 / AK-104 / AK-105 DRDO Close Quarter Battle carbine PA md. 86 Carbine PM md. 90 Carbine Truvelo Raptor C RPKM/RPK-74M/RPK-201/RPK-203 Type 80 machine gun Type 73 light machine gun PP-19-01 Vityaz Zastava Master FLG Fostech Origin 12 APS underwater rifle ASM-DT amphibious rifle ADS amphibious rifle ACE (assault rifle/carbine) AR (assault/battle rifle) ARM (machine gun) Galatz (sniper rifle) SR-99 (sniper rifle) M70 (assault rifle) M72 (machine gun) M76 (sniper rifle) M77 (machine gun/battle rifle) M80 (assault rifle) M90 (assault rifle) M91 (sniper rifle) M21 (assault rifle/carbine) RK 62/RK 62 76 (assault rifle) RK 71 (assault rifle) M78 (machine gun) M82 (bullpup assault rifle)

RK 95 TP (assault rifle) Petra/Hunter (hunting rifle) FB Beryl (assault rifle) FB Mini-Beryl (short-barreled rifle) FB Tantal (assault rifle) FB Onyks (short-barreled rifle) Radom Hunter (civilian rifle) Radom Sport (civilian rifle) List of modern Russian small arms and light weapons Breechloader vs. muzzleloader Combination weapons Combination Multigun Long gun Carbine Musket Takedown Multiple-barrel ( list ) Underwater firearm Semi-automatic pistol list Pistol caliber Personal defence weapon Submachine gun Personal defence weapon Hunting Buffalo Nitro Express Elephant Express Punt Varmint Nitro Express Elephant Express Rifling Polygonal General purpose Automatic shotgun Double-barreled Sawed-off Boomstick 20-gauge shotgun Breaching round Dragon's breath Shotgun shell .410 bore Antique firearms Winchester rifle Browning machine gun Colt Peacemaker Barrel Barrel shroud Feed ramp Slug Threads Trunnion Blank-firing adapter Bolt Rotating Telescoping Flapper Roller Tilting Hammer Half-cock Linear Striker Lock Flintlock Wheellock Magazine Bottom metal Clip Drum Speedloader Stripper clip Muzzle Flash suppressor Muzzle brake Muzzle shroud Silencer Flash suppressor Synchronization gear Push/Controlled feed Recoil-operated Ballistics Ballistic coefficient External Terminal Transitional Ballistic coefficient Physics of firearms Rangefinding/keeping Mathematics Stadiametric Circular error probable Effective range Gun chronograph Gun harmonisation Mean time between failures Minute of Angle (MOA) Muzzle Energy Rise Velocity Precision-guided Stock measurements Stopping power Handgun effectiveness Handgun effectiveness Firing (Shooting) Maintenance Field strip Fouling Malfunction Cooking off Hang fire Squib load Primer Gunpowder Percussion cap Rimfire Tubes and Primers Tubes and Primers Propellant Ball propellant Cordite Improved Military Rifle Ramrod Smokeless powder Ball propellant Improved Military Rifle Smokeless powder Dummy round Snap cap Overpressure ammunition Armour piercing Full metal jacket Supercavitating Total metal jacket Rifle cartridge Fully powered Intermediate list Celebratory gunfire Civilian gun ownership Household ownership rates Household ownership rates Exhibition shooting United States Gun shows State firearms Pistol duelling Shooting sports Civilian Marksmanship Program Civilian Marksmanship Program in the United States 3D printed firearm list Firearms by country Improvised firearm Small arms trade Arms and Gun control Disarmament Campaign Against Arms Trade Campaign Against Arms Trade Featureless rifles Assault weapons Concealed carry in the U.S. Right to bear arms Small Arms & Light Weapons (SALW) Laws ( by U.S. state ) Federal Assault Weapons Ban Kalashnikov derivatives Assault rifles of the Soviet Union Infantry weapons of the Cold War Rifles of the Cold War Soviet inventions Articles with short description Short description matches Wikidata Articles containing Russian-language text CS1 uses Russian-language script (ru) CS1 Russian-language sources (ru) Articles containing Polish-language text Articles needing additional references from March 2024 All articles needing additional references Pages with login required references or sources All articles with dead external links Articles with dead external links from December 2023 Articles with permanently dead external links Commons category link is on Wikidata