The AK47 was designed as an infantry rifle capable of firing in either the semi-automatic or fully-automatic mode. The first AK47s had machined receivers.

   The AK came in two versions: the standard AK-47 with a fixed wooden stock, and another, the AKS, with a folding metal stock issued primarily to parachutist and armor troops.

    Later the Soviets produced the AKM47s (the "M" stands for modern). The Soviets found that stampings were not only more efficient to produce but resulted in longer receiver life and better accuracy than the milled receivers.

    The RPK was designed as a squad automatic weapon. The RPK could also be fired in either semi or fully-automatic modes. Squad automatic weapons, as deployed, are more frequently fired in the fully automatic mode. For this reason, one usually sees the RPK pictured with an ultra-high capacity magazine such as a 75 round drum or 40 round box magazine instead of the standard 30 round magazine typically used with the AK. To handle the sustained automatic fire, the RPK was designed to be much stronger. First, the sheet metal of the receiver of the RPK is 50% thicker than that of the AKM47. Next, the trunion of the RPK is larger and stronger than that of the AK47 or AKM47. The trunion is the part to which the barrel is connected and into which the bolt locks. Because the trunion is larger, the receiver must be bulged out to accept the larger trunion. Hence the above mentioned bulges on the RPK receiver.

   The original design for the Kalashnikov bolt action and the AK rifle were never patented, and many factories around the world started producing them. Copies of the AK47 rifle are not in any way less robust or featured than the original Russian production rifles, they are just NOT Russian manufactured.

   One major manufacturer is the Chinese Norinco/Polytech company. They produced several variants, and all of them are very good rifles. The following is a list of several non-Soviet manufactured AK assault rifles.

• MAK90s, WUMs, Maddis, MISR, etc. are semi-automatic sporting rifles based on the AKM47.

 

 

• Egyptian MADDI AK-47
  
      Egyptian Maadi: supposedly made using surplussed Russian tooling, and thus most similar of all AK-variants to the original Russian AK-47. The stock is generally a "laminate".
  
• Hungarian AMD-64
  
  
• Romanian ROMAK (WASR, SAR-1)
  
     Romanian AKM have slightly better wood, better metal workmanship and bluing but is otherwise unchanged from the basic AKM. Chambered in 7.62x39mm
  
• MISR from Century International Arms: This AK variant is a hybrid of Egyptian and Chinese Parts. There may or may not be proper parts fittings. Could be no worse than the many hybrids in Africa and Asia as rifles wear out. These rifles since they are basically AKMs.
  
• American (Hesse Arms) M47
  
  
• SA-93: Bulgarian. Cast receiver and trigger. 16.5" barrel. Chromed bore. Hardwood stock painted brown. Bolt carrier, receiver, cover, and barrel finished in some sort of black enamel.
  
• Polish wz 88 Tantal
  
      Development of this rifle started in late seventies. The requirements called for a 5.45 mm gas operated rifle with 3-shot burst capability and ability to fire rifle grenades. The designers based their work on the Russian AK-74 although most of the mechanisms are original solutions. First called wz. 81 (model 81) it was accepted by the military in 1990 as "karabinek wz. 89" (carbine model 89). Simultaneously a shortened version was developed and was named wz. 89 (Onyks). Since Poland is to became a NATO member, a 5.56 mm NATO version was developed (wz.90), but was not accepted by the Polish military
  
• Chinese (Polytech) Legend
  
      AK47 Legend series made in China are true AK47's in which the receiver is forged/milled. The barrel lengths remain 16" in standard barrel weights. The rifle is chambered in 7.62x39mm and 5.56x45mm. The 5.56x45mm variant is extremely rare.
  
• Yugolsav: Yugoslavian AKM and RPK. Most versions fire the 7.62x51 NATO (.308 NATO) round. Longer barrel than MAK-90. The wood and workmanship of these rifles are almost the same as the Romanian but the most important variance is the metal thickness of the stamping. Other countries use the 1mm thickness the Yugoslavs used a 1.5mm thickness. This added thickness allows for more rigidity in the receiver while still allowing some flexing. Chamberings available for this rifle are in 7.62x51mm, 8mm mauser, 7.62x54mmR, 7.62x39mm, 5.56x45mm and 5.45x39mm.
  
• Valmet from Finland. Forged/milled receivers and barrels between 16" and 20" in lengths with varying barrel weights. The main difference between Valmet's and other AK variants is the movement of the sights and stock configuration. The sight placement on AK's are with the rear sights on the distal end of the receiver and the front sight is on the barrel. The Valmet's places the rear sight on the proximal sight of the receiver cover and the front sight on the distal end of the gas tube. This gives a longer sight radius and aids in accuracy. The workmanship is good to very good. This rifle is chambered in 7.62x51mm, 5.56x45mm and 7.62x39mm.
  
• Galil from Israel. AK variants based off of the Valmet series. Forged/milled receiver and the Valmet's sight arrangement. The other changes include a sand scrapper addition to the gas piston, ambidextrous safety and an upturned bolt handle. The upturn bolt handle allows for increase ease in cocking the rifle with the left hand thus leaving the right hand in a firing position. The ambidextrous safety allows to user to bring his rifle into and out of safe action without removing his hand from the firing position. The sand scrapper, which is part of the gas piston, dislodges any obstruction in the gas piston and aids in reliability. I must admit I am not sure how well this works since a AK is very reliable as is. Available are in 5.56x45mm and 7.62x51m
  
• R4 made in South Africa. This is a direct descendant of the Galil with better finishing and workmanship. The stock is larger and fits better to the average American shooter than other AK's or AK variants.
  
• AK-74 uses the same operating principles, and looks similar, but fires the 5.45x39 round, and was adopted in 1974
  
• Sporters are basically the same as the semi automatic versions of "assault" rifles. The differences are generally cosmetic with the sporter having a "thumbhole" sporter stock taking the place of the more conventional buttstock