AKS-74U
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The AKS-74U (also referred as AKSU-74 or AK-74SU ) was introduced in the 1970s. The AKS-74U short assault rifle (the "U" suffix means Укороченный, "Ukorochennyj" in Russian = "Shortened" in English) has been developed in the late 1970s from the AKS-74 assault rifle. It is basically the shortened version of the AK-74 assault rifle and combines the small size of a submachine gun and relatively powerful ammunition (which is the same as used in the classic AK-74 rifle). A notable distinguishing feature is its conical flash suppressor. The AKS-74U has the size and effective range of a typical submachine gun, but has advantage of the general issue, assault rifle ammunition and magazines, as well as the parts interchangeability with the general issue assault rifle, the AK-74.
It was intended for use by vehicle crews, artillery teams and Special Forces, which needed a small and lightweight weapon. A special version of the AKS-74U had been developed for Spetsnaz, which could be fitted with quickly detachable silencer and a special 30mm silenced grenade launcher model BS-1 "Tishina" ("silence"). The launcher uses special HE-DP grenades, which are launched using special blank cartridges, stored in the box magazine, contained in the launcher pistol grip. The rear sight is a flip-type U-notch, while the front sight is a cylindrical post and can be fitted with night sights.
Non-Russian Users
The weapon was popular in many of the countries of the Warsaw Pact so it has also been produced in some of these countries. In particular, Yugoslavia manufactured the weapon as the Zastava M85 and it saw service with the various countries that resulted from the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s. Semi-automatic versions of the AKSU are known as "Krinkov" on the American market. Indonesian Army's Combat Recon Platoon uses a variant of AKS-74U chambered in 5,56mm cartridge. The guns were made in Bulgaria, China and Russia. Osama bin Laden has also been photographed with and videotaped with an AK-74SU.Differences with AKS-74
The AKS-74U has only a few differences from the basic AKS-74 assault rifle.The AKS-74U has a severely shortened barrel, with the gas chamber moved back and appropriately cut down gas piston rod. Since the portion of the barrel after the gas port is very short, a special muzzle device was designed, which is used as a flash hider and the gas expansion chamber (to achieve reliable gas operated action). The front sight base is lowered, and the standard adjustable rear sight is replaced by the flip-up rear (marked for 200 and 400 meters distance), mounted on the receiver cover. The receiver cover is hinged to the receiver at the front and flips up when opened (original AK-74 receiver cover is detachable). Otherwise the AKS-74U is similar to the AKS-74, it has similar controls, folding buttstock, and uses same magazines. AKS-74U cannot be fitted with bayonet. Some versions had a standard side-mounted rail for the night or red-dot scopes, and are known as AKS-74U-N.
Features
- Caliber: 5.45×39 mm (the same ammunition for the AK-74)
- Length: 735 mm with stock opened
- Magazine: 30 rounds
- Range: 300 m
- Rate of fire: 730 rounds per minute (It should also be noted that the rate of fire is higher than the AK-74, due to its purpose as a close quarters weapon. The weapon also cycles faster because the length of the gas system is shorter. This is due to the relatively short distance the gasses have to travel.)
See also
External links
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