There's no such thing as an AK-47? With firearms and weapon expert Jonathan Ferguson
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- Опубліковано 7 чер 2024
- The 'AK-47' is the ubiquitous label for the most recognisable group of firearms on the planet, but would you be correct in calling all AK-type rifles AK-47s? Is there indeed any such thing as an 'AK-47'?
Join Jonathan Ferguson as he examines the lineage of the most produced firearm family of all time to see what, if indeed anything can truly call itself an AK-47.
This video is a part of the 'History Matters' Collaboration! A massive collab between ourselves and a host of other amazing channels where we explore common misconceptions in history, and talk about why they matter. Find the whole playlist here: • Because History Matters!
Chapters
00:00- On the range
01:14 The AK-55
05:53 The 'Type 1'
07:51 The 'Type 2'
09:24 AKM
11:32 AK-74
13:15 - AKS-47
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Thanks to Jip for pointing out the goof in the AK Types graphic. I sent the team a link to our online collection and didn't make clear it was a photo of two rifles - a Type 2 AK on top, and an AKM on the bottom - the wrong one got included in the video.
Judging by how quickly people spotted it, and how many comments mentioned it, it seems like you've managed to get the message across quite successfully, so congratulations!
Two questions, if I may: what was the ammo used for the shooting, and does the Hungarian AK have chrome lining in the barrel?
Also, seeing as the comments on the matter are still pouring in, how about pinning Jonathan's comment, @RoyalArmouries
@@F1ghteR41 I believe our current batch is Chinese-made - steel case, copper wash, laser marked, single numeric headstamp, steel core bullet. The barrel is indeed chrome-lined.
@@jonathanferguson1211 I see, thanks for the detailed answer.
If this is the Jip I'm thinking of (and I imagine it is) then I am not at all surprised he spotted that so quickly
Jonathan Ferguson, a man who can look infinitely cooler than most of the tacticool gun-tubers out there while dressed in his traditional curator's garb. No pretence at military nonsense, just a brit dressed for after-work pints and armed with an AK.
What he said
Hope one day we'll see him doing the same with an EM-2.
I'm getting very big Hoxton vibes from Payday here.
He's a beast
Super hans, but guns instead of crack...
Hi, your friendly Russian here!)
For those who are still confused in all those markings - here is a bit more AK variant names and what they actually mean:
Basically we take the base model and add various "attachments" onto it.
AK - the OG guy.
(АКС) AKS - "Skladnoy" or "Foldable" - same thing but with foldable stock.
AKM - "Modernized".
(АКМС) AKMS - same as AKS but for M-variant.
(АКМН) AKMN - "Nochnoy" or "Night-variant" - AKM with a "Lastochkin Khvost" mount for 1PN34 NSPU scope. Can also be used with any other soviet scopes such as PSO-1.
(АКМСН) AKMSN - "Skladnoy & Nochnoy" - the ultimate AKM combining previous two variants in one.
AK-74 - same story, but 5.45
(АКС-74) AKS-74 - you get the idea.
(АКС-74у) AKS-74u - "ukorochenniy" or "shortened" or "the smol boi" - very short variant of AKS-74 made for police and vehicle crews.
Also has few variants: AKS-74UN - same as other "N"-variants. Now obsolete because later scope mount became standart for base AKS-74u.
(6S1 "Canary") AKS-74UB - "besshumniy" or "silent" - standart muzzle device replaced with a thread-mount for PBS-4 silencer. Also has mounts for BS-1M silent grenade launcher.
(АК-74Н) AK-74N - same as AKMN.
(АКС-74Н) AKS-74N - same as AKMSN.
AK-74M - more modern variant of AKS-74N with black polymer furniture.
AK-100 series - made mostly for export.
AK-101 - AK chambered in 5.56 NATO.
AK-102 - short-barrel variant of AK-101.
AK-103 - 7.62 variant.
AK-104 - short AK 103.
AK-105 - short-barrel AK-74M (5.45) made also for MVD (police) and anti-terrorist units. Still bigger than AKS-74u.
AK-107 - AK-74M with "balanced recoil system" somewhat similar to AEK-971 (5.45).
AK-108 - same but for AK-101 (5.56).
AK-109 - same but for AK-103 (7.62).
That's a super neat little guide, thanks! I always wondered what the u in the AKS 74u I saw in games was, now I know!
@@mileskosik472 yea, russian military is often pretty straightforward
Take AKS-74, make shorter - call it AKS-74 shortened - profit)
With vehicles they sometimes just take russian alphabet. That is why there are T-72, T-72A, T-72B etc. But they also love 2 words - "Modernezirovanniy" and "Uluchshenniy" ("Modernized" and "Upgraded") So there are also BTR-82M, T-80U or T-72AM
Also bonus for you: notice how there is no "u"-variant of AK or AKM - that is because there was none, at least from the Kalashnikov factory. Only Ugo M-92 or other non-russian guns. So if you see something like AKMSu or AKMu - it's fake)
No one:
Absolutely no one:
Russian: )
@@antennastoheaven 🤣
you misspelled on the ak-105. in the parentheses you wrote 5.54.
I love how he REALLY follow proper safety protocols at around 1:00. He removes (what is at this point thought to be) the empty magazine, he then shows an empty chamber, looks for confirmation from what I surmise is a renge safety person, and STILL points the weapon down range for a last "click" to be sure it's safe. If only everyone could keep it that safe on the range...
Agreed! Pretty normal for ranges in the UK when not shooting from a bench. I could hear the RO's prompts in my head!!!
Yep. I see the occasional comments in this and the Gamespot channel's videos, from what I assume are CoD players and Americans, who seem to assume that because Jonathan is a curator, and a British one at that, that he has no range time, when in fact I'd say he's probably MORE knowledgeable and experienced than most purely because of those things.
@@peterclarke7240 I mean, you can't be the keeper of firearms and artillery without having shot a rifle or two. If I was in his position I'd probably make it my duty to test fire every new gun in the collection if possible.
That is is standard practice. Basic Stuff.
SOP's for any Range.
It's only called an AK-47 if it's made autumn 1948 to summer 1949, otherwise it's just sparkling Kalashnikov
"Sparkling Kalashnikov" oh like the one Saddam had?
@@johnn8223Saddam's was more like a 3L bottle of Mountain Pew, thing was pimped
Oh Benjamin.
I call 1949 ak ak49
@@thomasb282 mostly at least
Kinda weird that we do not see people calling an SKS a "SKS-45" or "RPD-44" or whatever, truly an intriguing fact that it only stuck with the AK for some reason
Same deal there is only sks and it's many copies variations and knockoffs
Gotta love Chinese innovation
I think I saw SKS called that a couple of times. There might be a similar story there: I believe there was a rifle grenade launcher for SKS called VG-45.
As it turns out, Mikhail Kalashnikov just kinda called it an AK-47 in public and everybody in the entire world colloquially ran with it this entire time.
SKS-45 is sometimes used.
I'm afraid the graphic at 11:16 is messed up, with an AKM image in place of the type 2 AK.
I can confirm that the type 2 is wrongly represented by the AKM image.
Being born in Leeds, I'm proud of how much the RA has grown in the recent decades and how much work people (Such as Jonathan) have placed into such a brilliant museum. Keep it up!.
Where is Jonathan from exactly? He sounds vaguely Northern to my non-English ears.
Always a good day when we see Jonathan get to shoot.
The Brit’s don’t get to shoot much, but when they do they go for the top shelf 😂
I can not watch this right now so take this fun fact: the Russian Wikipedia page for Kalashnikov Rifles (there are not individual pages for the variants in Russian) accurately calls the AK-47 a prototype. The English Wikipedia page however calls the AK-47 the gun that is used.
One of the best lines in film: "This is the AK-47 assault rifle, the preferred weapon of your enemy; and it makes a distinctive sound when fired at you, so remember it."
Johnathan Ferguson is one of very few people who can use modern lingo effectively and without any cringe despite not growing up with it.
I love the videos where we get to see him firing some of these iconic weapons! There is also something funny about them being used in a location that, from the angles provided, looks like the basement of an office instead of at a traditional shooting range.
Ak47s were hard to find by late 1960s. They stopped production shortly after the AKM was introduced. Neither media not the general public have realized this as of yet. Another giveaway for spotting early model AKs is the magazine. Later magazines had three to four grooves along the sides to improve grip while wearing gloves. The AKM is far more ubiquitous than all previous AK variants combined.
yes, but since the Magazine is exchangeable, i wouldnt tell people to count on that.
@@petervonfroster8i Production of early magazines ended in the mid-fifties. Not many people own type 1 and 2 magazines.
Ak47 was made in the thousands... AKMs and it's variants are in the 10 million range.
AK-47 production stopped in 1949. The AKM was introduced a decade after. Don't forget that most AKs were not 47s.
@@ArchOfficial I've had an Ak47 type 2 dated 1952 in my hands. Maybe type 1s stopped being produced in 1949, but there were 3 iterations of the AK47 as they switched from milled to stamped receivers. Also, the Soviets never stopped production of anything until its replacement entered production itself. 1949 es the year of full adoption by the Soviet military. It's hardly likely they stopped making AK47s that same year. Industrial production in the Soviet Union wasn't based on actual needs but on scale economy. That's why they made nearly 100,000 T-55s only to store, sell or give away most of them. They made AKMs by the tens of millions, 90% of them ended outside the USSR.
one more note of the difference between the AK-55 and the Type III AK-47 is that the Russian guns use a laminated wood furniture with a shellac finish while the Ak-55 used a hardwood furniture with an oil finish.
I really loved the immediate cuts to the next model of weapon. Let us look at it before you tell us everything. Very well edited and one of my favorite videos on the Kalashnikov I've seen in a long while.
11:16 Isn't that "Type 2" an AKM? The absence of lightening cut on the receiver, the angled muzzle device, the straight buttstock, the bakelite grip, and the ribbed top cover
I was following along nicely until that pic came up. I think there's an error in listing the Type 2 and 3 and AKM. Very confusing.
Very nuanced summary as always, great job Jonathan!
2:53 Type 3 was sometimes distinguished in the nomenclature as 'lightened' (облегчённый).
3:53 Namely, АВ (AV - automatic) & ОД (OD - single, i.e. semi-auto). I believe the markings would be somewhat different with Bulgarian AKs.
11:08 More importantly, firing mechanism was modified to reduce the rate of fire, and bolt carrier was slightly improved, probably for better accuracy.
15:15 I was just about to mention it! Apparently no less than 14 thousand exemplars were printed with such cover.
16:09 It seems that some either still are or until very recently were in service in Mongolia.
AKM has "hammer retarder" thats made to combat bolt bounce in full auto. Hammer is hitting the pin just a little later, as the bolt settles. As i understand it almost doesnt slow down rate of fire.
@@tiortedrootsky It does, I can hear the difference in this video. Moreover, as trials had shown, it played a significant part in improving the accuracy of the rifle.
It does slow the rate of fire, but the purpose of it was to prevent bolt bounce and hammer following bolt as well as out of battery firing, which was the problem with the early AKs
Theres a video with full auto shooting of the same gun with and without hammer retarder - "Full Automatic AKM without rate reducer"
I've *routhly* measured the ROF:
with hammer retarder - 619 rpm
without - 676 rpm
Difference is ~57 rpm, thats 8,4%.
@@williamk1060 While it might very well be so, the 1957-58 test report indicates that improved firing mechanism played a significant role in improving accuracy.
Love this series and channel in general. WIll say it is one of the quietest channels I subscribe to, always need to crank the volume to hear your guys
I don't know what to say... My volume isn't even at 30%, and I'm only using one earbud and the volume isn't all the way up on that either. I heard him perfectly fine!
@@KickyFut good for you
@@ArnoldsKtm thanks!😁
In all seriousness, there are far quieter channels. He's just not a shouter.
@@KickyFut bro compare it to their other videos. this one is genuinely quiet.
Isn't the "type 2" at 11:15 a AKM?
Looks like even the video editor got confused
Hahahahaha Noooooo the confusion will be here forever
Nope.
AK Type 1 - stamped receiver. Very very rare.
AK Type 2 - milled receiver. Doe to manufacturing problems with stamping in high volumes.
AK Type 3 - a final varian with milled receiver.
AKM - modernized AK with stamped receiver. When manufacturing problems with a high volume stamping were finally resolved. The most produced variant, before AK-74(M). If you see something called AK-47 there's 99.5% chance it's in fact the AKM. (or a Chinese knock off)
@@RustedCroaker In the diagram there is an AKM where there should have been a picture of a Type 2
@@RustedCroakerYou are correct in your info, but the image shows an AKM not a type 2 AK
Been to the militaire museum in Delft years ago after Mikhail Kalashnikov opended in 2010, incredible collection that they had, learned so much that day. There so many variants from so many countries.
I remember reading that true AK-47 are very rare as only a small number of them were made and run though their service life before they were replaced with later models.
Yes, that's true, that genuine AK-47 are quite rear things to find and most of "AK-47" available are actually AKMs. There were 3pcs of real demilitarised AK47s at out school back in 80's. They had deliberately made protrusion in a barrel from a gas chamber housing up to the front sight and a ground off firing pin. Those rifles were used at initial military training classes which were compulsory to attend for both boys and girls. Unlike the other AKs the AK47 were supplied with real sword bladed bayonets whereas the others were equipped with ugly multi purpose knife bayonets.
Good video. Thank you. I have been aware of the ‘AK47’ naming controversy for some time. Nice to hear/see the extra information, courtesy of Mr Onokoy.
Absolutely amazing video. Thank you for the continuing education of firearms, For future reference, any chance of moving the mic closer to you or perhaps checking the outbound volume before uploading? My speakers are maxed to hear you a lot of the time. Best Regards and thanks again for your work and for the Museum. Never forget our history regardless of what it might be.
I hate it when people call every AK variant an AK 47 despite that it is not. I know that the average person does not know the differences between these variants but still grinds my gears.
As far as I understand, they didn't start using numbers until the AK-74. The "47" part was more of a NATO nomenclature thing.
Edit: I guess they did use the 47 year designation for a very short time, and NATO just latched onto it after that.
Yeah, I rather just say AK or AK pattern, so that can cover non Russian origin AKs, like the Chinese Norincos which is one of the most common AKs out in the field.
nerd moment (dont worry im one too)
@@1lovesoni I have always found it a somewhat amusing coincidence that the AK-74 is basically 47 with the numbers switched around.
This is why I go with the more generic Kalashnikov name for these pattern of rifles because there's always differences between multiples.
At 11:17 the "type 2" is actually an AKM
I also spotted the dimple on the receiver and thought the exact same thing
@@Ferrarilover108 You need to look at the whole thing. The dimple is a feature which remained on all AKs since AKM and thus isn't a distinguishing feature for any of them. AK-74, AK-12, the 100 series, etc. all have the dimple.
You do so many great videos that are very informative and I love how enthusiastic about firearms you are
I assumed the nomenclature of AK-47 was used by much of the world as a continuation of the nomenclature used for many other Soviet WW2 era small arms incorporating the weapon designer and year of adoption ie PPSh-41, SVT40, PPS43 etc. From an opponent’s point of view the only significant change is the change of calibre to 5.45X39 as the differences in external and terminal ballistics are significantly different. Of course as a subject expert (or a nerdish amateur) the nuances of nomenclature are important. This channel is biased toward the gun knowledgeable so I’ll likely get push back but I do think that if one is communicating to the general population the term AK47 is sufficiently precise to allow people to create the mental image of the ubiquitous Soviet designed select fire rifle that much of the world uses.
Touch grass
I don’t see the problem with calling AKs made between 1947 and 1959 AK-47s, because even the other variants made later were based on the same design that was presented to the Russian military in the year 1947.
They then made various rifles based on that design and the few tweaks they made didn’t make it a different firearm fundamentally, until the AKM, as Jonathon says.
One thing I definitely have to laud Johnathan and his crew for is how he'd mentioned having contacted Mr. Onokoy for some information on the AK.
Mr. Onokoy has worked with Kalashnikov Group for quite a while now, and has also handled a considerable amount of AK variants around the world. As such, he's very familiar with them.
Yeah, if there's one expert who I'd really recommend consulting, with regards to the AK and it's derivatives, it'd be him.
Brandon Herrera is another guy who I'd definitely recommend consulting.
He's more of an enthusiast than an expert, but he's also got a really good understanding on the AK and it's history.
Well explained/described! It always bothered me how many People seem to be uneducatable about the Kalashnikov Family, even if you tell them, they still refuse to stop calling every Firearm that has wood on it "AK 47"...
or any black colored rifle an M16
Ok time traveller its not 90's anymore, unless you are pissed at extremely old ladies for some reason then nobody is really doing that and you are not the Wunderkind you imagine being.
Real life actschually guy, put your fedora away.
It looks like the three rifles shown together at 11:23 hase a typo. The one that is shown to be the type 2 is actually the AKM.
yes correct (comment for visibility)
@17:20 - "Just call it an AK" - And here comes the Chinese Type 56, Yugoslavian M70, Hungarian AMD-65, and Iraqi Tabuk
Chinese AK, Yugoslavian AK, Hungarian AK, Iraqi AK
@@TheSundayShooter اشعر بالفخر لاجل ذلك...من العراق
I am a huge fan of the "nerd specs" type of videos. Thank you for the videos and please keep them coming.
I’m into AK topic for over 7 years and I learn something new every day. Neverending story.
Thank you. Very informative and well structured video
Encyclopaedic, ultra-informative, fascinating, and myth-busting.
I wasn’t aware that the magazine changed geometry simply to accommodate the combined shape of stacked smaller rounds.
For me, there’s also so much more credibility and authenticity to seeing and hearing somebody humbly conveying detailed knowledge about their passion…and not just trying to be a guy with guns, attempting to look cool.
I learn so much from these videos, and I love it when common misconceptions are called out. Top video!
Thank you for this presentation. Would you ever consider covering the AK-100 family of rifles?
I like them in Escape from Tarkov. Ak 101 and 102 are fricking nice because you can use AK mods on the 5.56 caliber and install a better nato supressor, AK 103 this is a bit like AKM but slightly more modern but some of the good AKM mods dont fit into it, I prefer this one over AKM - AK 104-105 - they have pretty short barrels so they arent as good in this game
Gotta love this shooting range/office/supplies storage
That AKS-47 stock looking a lot like the MP-40 stock...
Also isn't that "Type 2" at 11:17 actually an AKM? With the straighter mag, different handguard and buttstock?
Indeed - the shown "Type 2" is an AKM.
Maybe the video editor got it wrong.
An MP40 stock wouldn't fit the weapon, it'd be too short
@@thebigpig4632 Yea i know
AKS and AKMS have different folding stocks, the AKS one might aswell be deyigned after the MP40's but the AKMS one is waaaayy better
Nice and informative always been alot of confusion ,I went shooting in Prague a few years ago was told I was shooting an ak47 after checking photos years later I realised it was actually a yugoslav rpk (Zastava M72)
The power stance in the beginning, I love it!!! Amazing video btw.
Very informative, thank you.
I used the RK-95 in the Finnish defence forces. Similar, but also different. Made in Finland. It had a plastic folding stock. Really enjoyed target practise with it, it felt quite accurate though I have no other comparison.
They're definitely regarded as being some of the best quality AK type rifles, good machining and the benefit of a few good ideas in the design changes.
I imagine the plastic coated buttstock is nicer on your cheek than bare metal would be in the Finnish winter.
I'd say the RK-95 is a very accurate AK variant right up there with the VZ-58.
Hey, I really appreciate your work! I did already know this things because of my Kalashnikov autism😂 but hopefully, a few people know will learn the differences. Only oopsi I saw was the picture with the type 1-3 rifles, on the type 2 there isn't a type 2 its an AKM!
Greetings from Germany!
Thank you for this rather informative video.
Wow, that was really good video - I would like to see similar style of video with versions of m16s
Had to turn my headset right up to hear Jonathan this time
I didn't change my level from what I was previously watching. Not low for me.
AK-47 is the name of a trial batch that was tested in the military. He was not in service. After testing and improvements, it was adopted in 1949 under the name AK.
Exactly! AK-47 is the prototype and trial batch for large scale military tests (i heard about 20k pcs were produced). And in 1949 it was accepted as AK for service with some minor improvements.
Glad this misconception get addressed.
Very informative lesson. Impressive. Thank You.
Another variation is the “under-barrel” bayonet. The bayonet, when fitted, varied by date, region and particular factory, from bladed to triangular to stainless steel to nickel plated.
wasn´t that the Chinese Norinco Type 56?
Nice shooting and very nice weapon handling!
I’ve noticed from talking with people from around the world, most people from countries other than the US just refer to any AK style rifle as a “Kalashnikov”
Jonathan absolutely has the best job in the world.
Volume is quite low on this one, other than that good video!
I didn't change my level from what I was previously watching.
Very interesting and simple
Just as well there are subtitles. If I hadn't turned them on, I would have missed most of Jonathan's presentation. Surely the Royal Armouries could arrange audible sound?
Thanks! Very informative video!!! In 1979, at the training station, I had an AK type 1 of 1949. I shot it well and only with a burst of two rounds, no one ever had any delays when shooting. We were given 20 rounds, several of them tracers. Two targets moving at a distance of 250 meters, and then one target machine gun 350 meters. The shooting was carried out from a prone position and the targets appeared for about 10 - 15 seconds. Then I didn't think that I was holding a military rarity in my hands. Border troops of the KGB of the USSR.
Я за всю срочку отстрелял патронов 30 и то у наших Калашей были уже кривые стволы из-за дикого настрела. А по мишеням мы даже нормально не стреляли, обычно просто в их сторону.
@@_b_x_b_1063 Кривые стволы? Охотно НЕ верю!
I’d love to see Jonathan, Ian from forgotten weapons and Brandon Herrera talk about and shoot AKs
Great video Johnathan!!
the sound quality in the start of this video is fantastic
Haven't you got the pictures the wrong way round on the image at 11:18? Isn't the AKM, which is labelled "type 2" in the middle actually the type 3?
Quite a specialist subject that i still don't understand Thanks for the info on these rifles. I must admit though, my eye was drawn with enormously toward the "Bullpups" behind you. "Not every rear magazine weapon is a Bullpup, sounds like the AK47 story above. However, i know you wrote the book on British Bullpups so you are the man as they would say. I defer to your vast knowledge on this subject.
That is a fantastic brief breakdown.
Finally, someone reputable made a video about it. I had way too many arguments with people thinking that the AK-47 designation was used for the adopted weapon.
A weapon anyone can use but no one can remember the model number of. 🤣
That's because if you've got one, and are using it in anger, it no longer matters what it is called.
I swear this man has the best job in the world... Especially when based in the UK!
Beautiful examples, especially the 74 with its immaculate wood condition. 😲
thank you for the video
Thanks for making this explanation video possible, Jonathan.
Games, movies, and non AK people will always point them as "AK-47", regardless of what design it is. It always tick me off when I hear someone call them that.
calm down its not a huge deal. though i agree it should just be an AK
I call semiautomatic only ones "AK Pattern rifle", it lacks select fire completely.
And people will still call it that because some 7 billion people haven't watched this video. Just accept it and let it be. You're losing your hair over nothing.
Brilliant video, however the sound is very quiet on this one!
Nice Kalashnikov Rifles breakdown, Jonathan !!
5:21 I can be wrong but was the original doctrine not to fire medium burst from the hip wile advancing and switch to shoulder singe fire when single targets could be seen?
Sometimes the need for a number doesn't exist until there are enough different variants to require some differentiation.
I've also noticed a change in stock design over the years. Some early type 1 stocks are really short and angled up like a Thompson whereas all the 74 style stocks seem to be straight.
I think all of them are AR14s, you know the ones that shoot the 50 caliber magazine clips....😂
In half a second, don’t forget they fire the 50 caliber 50 magazine clip in half a second😂
Thank god we have the AFT to legislate a law which they can then enforce, to deal with these AR-14s!
Lol
Yo I heard that thing shoots your lung out of your body, it's scary what the Russian blasters can fo to people 😢
Jonathan's steely visage as he operates the weapon on the range wouldn't be out of place in a gritty 80s action film.
Great job on the Video… as a AKM owner I found it very interesting and informative
He mentioned the AK 74. My brothers, we have not been neglected!
@kellyharbeson18 I got my Jim Fuller 74 10 days before the ammo ban was announced, lol. But I've got enough stocked up until US production can take off.
@@kellyharbeson18 PSA already had a factory that they imported from Eastern Europe before the ban was announced. It is "supposed" to be operational before the end of this year.....which probably means next year at best. It's going to make 5.45, 7.62x39, and I believe 7.62x54R under PSA's Soviet Arms brand.
You cannot but look cool when shooting AK.
GJ Royal Armouries, but mostly Jonathan.
Great video! Unfortunately there is a mistake on the picture with types of AK. Instead of the type 2 AK there is an image of the AKM on it... for some reason.
Damn, been watching you for a long time, can't believe I wasn't subscribed!? Love your work. Thank you Jonathan.
In Poland it was initially adopted as pmK (submachinegun Kalashnikov), then later redesignated to kbk AK (carbine AK), then kbk AKM / kbk AKMS. Polish grenade launcher version was kbkg wz. 1970 / kbkg wz. 1960/72. So no “AK47” in Poland either.
East Germany followed a similar scheme where the early AK was adopted as the MPi-K (MPi just being read like "emm pee"), later AKM as MPi-KM, with some variants of each. When the AK-74 was adopted they changed the naming to MPi-AK-74.
I know enough that I just refer to them as AK pattern rifles until I get more info. Same with using AR pattern rifles for the US equivalents.
In the spirit of pedantry, _AR pattern rifles_ is problematic terminology considering the AR-17, AR-24, AR-7, AR-18, et cetera
@@TheSundayShooter Don't forget the AR-16, a design which approached the concept of multi-calibre modularity way before it became cool.
14:03 Interesting, there are a slot for safety lever on the stock, so safety can be operated with a folded stock (although not as easily).
great to see shooting videos!
Nice shout-out for Vladimir Onokoy. I was very sad when YT removed the Kalashnikov Media channel (for obvious reasons). His videos on the worst 5 AK manufacturers had me rolling on the floor 😊
6:50 the grip isn't made of plastic. Plastic wasn't a commonly used material at the time, it's actually made of "bakelite", which is vulcanized tree resin
Edit: forgot to add, the reason why such a good material was abandoned was soldier comfort (yes, in USSR, imagine). The grip heated up in the sun to incredible temperatures, making the rifle borderline unusable
bakelite is a type of plastic lmao
@@peterscasny2803it's a type of polymer, not the same.
I looked it up and it is a quiet interesting material. And not made from oil as pointed out.
@@mcfeddle Bakelite is the world's first synthetic plastic lmao 😄
Like seriously you have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. The same goes with tr2li3vu6u.
Apart from the fact that you're wrong about Bakelite (it's a PF plastic), the grip most likely isn't even made of Bakelite. Instead it's AG-S4, which is similar to Bakelite but most definitely not the same.
Great stuff Jonathan! This answers my AK questions.
Early Egyptian Maadis seem to fit in an odd place. They have wood furniture, but are otherwise AKMs...I think.
Good to know most of that. Felt like i sort of knew that but i also tend to prefer to differentiate between the 47 type and 74 type until they get further up into the newer ones they've been working on.
Love my AKM-S
It's very common in popular culture to reference entire families of weapons into one generic model name. Take the 1911 for example. The only true "1911" is the original Model of 1911 US Army (or Navy) produced by Colt, Springfield Armory and Remington-UMC for the United States military between 1912 and 1919. Everything we've seen since regardless of appearance or manufacturer is simply a 1911-style pistol.
11:23 did you swap the type 2 & type 3? Type 2 looks like the AKM you just showed.
47 at that point (1949) stood fer the stamped variant. Good video, much appreciated.
Such pedantry. Very wow.
All 47s are AKs, but not all AKs are 47s...
jonathan shooting an ak is something i didn't know i needed in my life. Thanks XD
Have not been this early in a long time. Oddly "Armalite Rifle" by Gang Of Four is playing on my Sirius XM "Dark Wave" replay on demand. lol
Thank you to Jonathan Ferguson and all at The Royal Armouries for the knowledge!
☺
One of the few people in U.K. to have fired an A.K. Type. But in full auto, unique." I haven't bothered to get a AK out to show you". I now hate Jonathan .
The only other UK bloke I know for shooting an AK is Jeremy Clarkson in one of the Top Gear episodes.
@@paleoph6168 It think you would be surprised how many British army instructors fired them as part of firearms familiarisation in the 1970 to 1990 era.
Jeremy & Jonathan are two of a very small number of Brits who have appeared on screen firing an AK of any sort.
Clarkson probably shot his own foot off, was that in UK. I've handled and field stripped one, but never fired one. Yes it was in a familiarisation course. M16,RPK,and pistols of different types. Long time ago. If balloon had gone up in BAOR, doing the job I was doing, I would have been carrying one. Two man detachments need firepower, not SMG/SLR.
@@18robsmith You can own a straight pull version here in the UK on a firearms certificate (Iv'e used a pic of my own one as my channel wallpaper) but of course it isn't really the same.