1947 Base model for all AK's
entered service.
This submachine gun have been manufactured up to 1959. In several
countries it is being manufactured modernized to some extent nowadays.
In 1959 there was
a modernization of the submachine gun aimed to increase its technical and
operating characteristics. At the same time there were developed the light
machine guns with a fixed and folding butt on the basis of the submachine
gun "RPK-47".
In 1961 the complex of Kalashnikov machine guns was addopted in Army:
PKS - a heavy machine gun
PKB - an armoured carrier machine gun
PKT - a tank machine gun.
At the end of 60th - beginning of 70th years
the works on creation of
the submachine guns for cartriges of reduced calibre began.
It was aimed to increase the battle efficiency and operational
characteristics of the weapon. After a number of experiments
the cartrige 5.45x39 with a steel bullet slug was chosen.
In 1974 the complex of submachine guns
and light machine guns for
such type of cartrige was developed and addopted in armament.
In 1990
the Army was equipped with the modernized Kalashnikov submachine
gun AK-74M,
having folding plastic butt with the accessory placed in it
and a plate for mounting optical and night sights.
In 1991
the same modernization was carried out with a light machine gun.
And so the modernized Kalashnikov light machine guns RPK-74M (5.45 mm)
was addopted in armament. It replaced four modification of light machine guns.
Nowadays Kalashnikov
submachine guns, the series 100, are developed with
the purpose of expansion of their nomenclature for various types
of cartriges and export.
AK101 - the 5,56 mm Kalashnikov submachine gun for cartrige 5,56x45 NATO
AK102 - the same but with a short barrel
AK103 - the 7,62 mm Kalashnikov submachine gun for cartrige 7,62x39
AK104 - the same but with a short barrel
AK105 - 5,45 mm Kalashnikov submachine gun with a short barrel for
cartrige 5,45x39.
In 1993 within the framework of conversion of a defensive industry of
"IZHMASH" Open Joint Stock Company developed the self-loading hunting
carbine "Saiga"
on the basis of the Kalashnikov submachine guns.
