Fun and Interesting Facts about the AK-47

Interesting Facts and Tidbits about the Kalashnikov AK-47
1. Incorrect Naming

The term AK-47 is the incorrect nomenclature.  It is actually called the “AK” for Avtomat Kalashnikov (Automatic Kalashnikov) or simply “Kalashnikov” named after its designer Mikhail Kalashnikov.  The number “47” refers to the year the original design was introduced, but was never part of the actual designations.  The “AK” designation refers to the original Type 1 (original stamped receiver), Type 2 (original milled receiver), and Type 3 (milled receiver) designs.  All others to follow are simply called AKM, for AK Modernized.

Facts about the AK-47

2. Production

30 countries were officially licensed to produce variants of the AK pattern of rifles.   As you can imagine, there are many more that produce them without proper licensing.  #khyberpass

3. Availability

It is estimated that there are over 100 million AK’s in the world.  That equates to approximately 1 AK for every 70 people on Earth.  By comparison to its counterpart, the M-16 family of rifles, which is estimated at about 11 million.

4. Prices

AK prices are vastly different around the world, ranging from as low as $10 to $5000 (and over $10k for full auto in the US market).  The global average is $100-$300.

5. Types & Variants

There are over 200 types and variants of rifles in the AK family.

6. Service

The AK has been in the service of the standing armies of over 106 recognized nations as well as numerous international piracy groups, insurgents, warlords, drug operations, and terrorist groups around the world.

 7. Monuments

The AK has left its mark on Egypt and North Korea as well, so much so that they constructed a monument in Ismailia Egypt in its honor.  The giant tribute depicts the barrel end of the AK standing erect out of the ground with bayonet affixed.  The concrete monument which stands on the South side of the city along the West bank of the Suez Canal was a gift from North Korea to commemorate the casualties of the Battle of Ismailia for which they were allied against the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) in the later stages of the Yom Kippur War.