This article's lead section may be too short to adequately summarize the key points. (September 2018) |
AKM | |
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![]() Both sides of the AKM | |
Type | Assault rifle |
Place of origin | Soviet Union |
Service history | |
In service | 1959–1974 |
Used by | See Users |
Wars | See Conflicts |
Production history | |
Designer | Mikhail Kalashnikov |
Designed | 1950s |
Manufacturer | |
Produced | 1959–1977[1] |
No. built | 10,278,300[2] |
Variants | See Variants |
Specifications | |
Mass |
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Length |
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Barrel length | 415 mm (16.3 in)[3] |
Cartridge | 7.62×39mm |
Action | Gas-operated, long-stroke piston, closed rotating bolt |
Rate of fire | |
Muzzle velocity | 715 m/s (2,346 ft/s)[3] |
Effective firing range | 350 m (383 yd)[3] |
Feed system | 10-, 20-, or 30-round detachable box magazines. Also compatible with 40-round box magazines and 75-round drum magazines from the RPK |
Sights |
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The AKM (Russian: Автомат Калашникова модернизированный, romanized: Avtomat Kalashnikova modernizirovanny, lit. 'Kalashnikov's Automatic Rifle Modernised') is an assault rifle designed by Soviet small arms designer Mikhail Kalashnikov in 1959. It was developed as the successor to the AK-47 adopted by the Soviet Union a decade prior.
Introduced into service with the Soviet Army in 1959, the AKM was the most prevalent variant of the Kalashnikov rifles in the Warsaw Pact. The rifle was produced at the Tula Arms Plant and Izhmash factories in Russia. It was eventually replaced by the AK-74 in 1974.
The AKM maintains the AK-47's wood stock, but has simpler individual parts that are favorable for mass production. Like the AK-47, many variants of the AKM exist such as the AKMS, AKML, and AKMP.