The legality of the AK-47 depends on what country you're reading this in. The country made so much money from exporting the weapon that Kalashnikov received special treatment in the USSR and later Russia for the rest of his life. His creation was so simple and dependable that the Soviet Union began exporting the weapon en masse.
If a round is chambered in an AK-47, chances are good that weapon is going to fire. It was designed for all-around ease of use: easy to repair, easy to unjam (if it ever does), easy to maintain. The AK-47 was designed to do the same.īut the true brilliance of Kalashnikov's invention was in its simplicity. It didn't shoot a heavy round but could still lay down heavy fire. Called StG-44 for short, the Sturmgewehr was the first real mid-range infantry rifle. It was based on a number of other designs floating around at the time, mostly Germany's Sturmgewehr-44. Looking for something in the AK family that’s a bit more collectible? Check out the Collector’s Corner for something unique or our Classic Military Firearms for a little piece of military history.AK-47 designer and Red Army soldier Mikhail Kalashnikov in 1949.Īfter five years of engineering, the former agricultural engineer made his famous weapon. They are built with the same innovative spirit as the original AK-47s, mixed with a little modern technology and American pride. Kalashnikov USA produces robust, reliable, and authentic Russian heritage rifles made right here in the USA. Like all of their products, the Zastava AK-47 variants won’t break the bank but are ready to go up against the competition. Forged tough and made in the USA, Riley Defense offers classic-styled AKs, as well as modernized versions and pistol variants.Īnother great contender in the AK market, Serbia-based Zastava has made high-quality firearms for several decades. Well-known for their place in the AR-15 market, Palmetto State Armory has become a top contender in the AK market as well, manufacturing American-made AK-47s with a price so nice you can click “buy” twice. Made in the USA, Century Arms offers high-quality AK-47s at an attractive price. Though a bit higher priced than some other AK-47s, Arsenal repeatedly gets great consumer reviews. When it comes to buying a new or used AK-47, there are plenty of options from which to choose.Īrsenal is a solid company that produces solid rifles. Pistol versions are also available for even greater versatility. There are a plethora of variants available on the market today, with dozens of countries now manufacturing their own version of the AK as well. However, over seven decades, gunmakers have added their own twists and upgrades to the AK-47, sometimes keeping these two features, sometimes not. Many AKs retain two of their most iconic features - the wood furniture and curved “banana clip.” While the original AKs, made for military service, were full-auto, they are manufactured today primarily as gas-operated, long-stroke piston, semi-automatic rifles.
However, numerous variants are available in different calibers. The vast majority of AK-47s use the 7.62×39mm cartridge, which also has a Soviet origin and is powerful enough to take down deer and similar sized game. Rain, snow, sleet, shine, desert, or doomsday, the AK-47 will continue to perform, even in the most unforgiving environments. Its success can be summed up with a few key features - inexpensive to produce, easy to use, and dependable. An iconic rifle if ever there was one and quite possibly the most widely used rifle in the world, the AK-47 is referred to as the “Weapon of the Century.” It has Soviet lineage, as indicated by the name.įor more than 70 years, the AK-47 has seen a place in military conflict worldwide.