The following extract comes from US Army
Field Manual 100-2-3
The Soviet Army; Troops Organisation and Equipment published in June 1991.
The publication was
approved for public release with unlimited distribution
(ie may be freely used). The entry provided covered the
AK-74 and the
AKS-74 military assault rifles.
Description:
The
Ak-74 is basically an
AKM rechamebered and rebored to fire a
5.45-mm cartridge. Externally, it has the same general appearance as the
AKM, with two noticable
differences. It has a distinctive, two-port
muzzle brake, giving it a slightly greater overall length than the
AKM. It also has a smooth plastic magazine which is slightly shorter
and is curved to a lesser extent than the grooved metal AKM magazine. It uses the same type of
bayonet as the AK-series weapons.
There is also a folding stock version, designated
AKS-74, which has a Y-shaped tubular stock. The stock has an extremely narrow buttplate, as opposed to the T-shaped,
stamped-metal buttstock of the AKMS.
Capabilities:
The AK-74 fires
5.45 x 39-mm ball, ball-tracer, and incendiary-tracer rounds. The 5.45-mm round of the AK-74 has a considerably higher muzzle velocity than the
7.62-mm
round of the AKM; this eliminates the range-limiting drawback of it predecessor. Like the AKM, the AK-74 has a maximum sight setting of 1,000 meters, but the effective range
is 500 meters (versus 300 meters for the AKM).
The
muzzle brake of the AK-74 a fluidic device to minimize recoil and muzzle climb. Although the AK-74 is somewhat heavier than the AKM when empty, its loaded weight is
slightly less than that of the AKM; this is due primarily to the plastic magazine and its smaller-caliber ammunition. Like the AK and the AKM, the AK-74 can mount a grenade
launcher and a passive image intensifier night sight.
Limitations:
The
gas cylinder, like the cylinders on the AK and AKM, is in a valunerable position; if dented, it may cause weapon mulfunction. The reddish-brown or orange color of the
plastic magazine does not lend itself to camouflage.
Remarks:
The Soviets fielded the AK-74 in 1974, as indicated by the weapon's designation. The folding-stock AKS-74 was first seen with Soviet airborne troops in November 1977. The
Ak-74 is also the basis for other 5.45-mm small arms, including the
AKSU-74 submachine gun and the
RPK-74 light machine gun.
The following data comes from
Janes Infantry Weapons 1995 - 1996.
Cartridge: 5.45 x 39 mm
Operation:
gas, selective fire
Locking:
rotating bolt
Feed:
30-round plastic box magazine
Weight:
3.3 kg unloaded; 3.9 kg loaded
Length:
943 mm
Barrel:
415 mm
Rifling:
4 grooves, rh, 1 turn in 196 mm
Sights:
fore, post; rear, U-notch
Muzzle velocity:
900 m/s
Rate of fire:
cyclic, 600-650 rds/min