AK47/AKM/AK74 Handbook. Erik Lawrence

      Specifications

      •Mode: Select Fire (Semi and Full Automatic)

      •Operation: Gas operated, rotating bolt with 2 lugs

      •Cartridge: 5.45x39mm M74

      •Weight (magazine without ammunition):

      •AK74M - 3.4 kg/7.5 lbs.

      •Overall length: 94 cm/37 inches

      •Cyclic rate of fire: 600-650 rpm

      •Combat effective range: 500m

      Feed

      •Ammunition magazine capacity: 30-, 40-, and 45-round magazines in plastic and Bakelite construction

      •Magazine lock up is a hook-front-and-rock-back-to-lock type

      Barrel

      •Barrel Length: 41.5 cm/16.3 inches

      •Muzzle velocity: 910 m/s/2950 fps

      Sights

      •Front - protected cylindrical post

      •Rear - rectangular notch, tangent ramp

      •Rear sight graduation – 1000m in 100m increments Battle setting is approximately 250 meters.

      •Adjustment - front sight for zero only (short-range windage and elevation) and rear sight for long-range elevation.

      Action

      •Locking feature is a rotating bolt

      •Select fire from the closed bolt

      •Safety type is a lever selector with safe, semi-automatic, and automatic-fire settings.

      •Safety location is on the right side of the receiver above the trigger guard. Up is safe, first notch down is automatic, and second notch down is semi-automatic.

      CHAPTER 2

      DISASSEMBLY, ASSEMBLY, AND FUNCTION CHECK

      DISASSEMBLY

      1.Clear the weapon as per the above description, depending on the weapon’s condition.

      2.Place the weapon on a flat, clean surface with the muzzle oriented in a safe direction.

      3.Grasp the weapon by the butt-stock, and with your free hand, depress the receiver cover latch button.

      4.Lift off the receiver cover and set it aside with room to continue the disassembly progressively.

      5.Depress the carrier spring by pushing it towards the muzzle and lift it out.

      6.Place the safety selector on one of the lower positions and pull back the bolt to the rear and lift the bolt carrier/gas piston assembly out of the receiver.

      7.Remove bolt by turning it until the locking lug is clear and you can slide it forward and out of the carrier. With the dust cover removed, lift the locking lever on the right side of the gas block by rotating up towards the muzzle; do not force this. The gas tube/upper hand guard assembly will be loose now, and you can move it upward and off the gun

      8.The rifle is now ready for cleaning and inspection.

      REASSEMBLY

      Execute the above steps in the reverse order.

      FUNCTION CHECK PROCEDURES

      This procedure is designed to replicate the firing sequence of the weapon minus the introduction of ammunition, to ensure the firing mechanism is in proper working order.

      1.Place the weapon on fire, pull the charging handle to the rear, and return it to its forward position.

      2.Place the weapon on SAFE.

      3.Pull the trigger; nothing should happen.

      4.Place the weapon on the semi-automatic selector position (all the way down).

      5.Pull the trigger, and hold it to the rear. The hammer should fall.

      NOTE

      Continue to hold the trigger back.

      1.Pull the charging handle to the rear and release; let up on the trigger and listen for the metallic click of the disconnector.

      2.Pull the trigger, and the hammer should fall.

      3.Pull the charging handle to the rear and release, and place the weapon on the automatic-selector position.

      4.Pull the trigger, (hold the trigger back) and the hammer should fall.

      5.Pull the charging handle back several times while holding the trigger to the rear. Release the bolt; then release the trigger and pull again. You should hear nothing because the hammer has followed the bolt in the automatic fire mode.

      6.Place the weapon on SAFE.