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AK-74

The AK-74 is a Soviet-designed assault rifle introduced in the 1970s and chambered for the 5.45×39mm cartridge.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The AK-74 is a Soviet-designed assault rifle introduced in the 1970s and chambered for the 5.45×39mm cartridge. It was developed by Mikhail Kalashnikov as a modernized successor to the AKM and became a standard service rifle in Soviet and later Russian forces. The AK-74 is relevant to Canadian readers mainly through its role in global military history, firearm policy, and studies of Soviet and Russian small arms.

Development

The AK-74 was designed in the early 1970s as a successor to the AKM. Sources describe it as a modernization of the Kalashnikov pattern adapted to a new small-calibre cartridge.

Design

The rifle is chambered for 5.45×39mm ammunition and uses a gas-operated, rotating-bolt mechanism. It typically feeds from a 30-round detachable box magazine and has a rate of fire of about 600 rounds per minute.

Service history

The AK-74 entered Soviet service in 1974 and later remained in service with Russian forces. It became one of the best-known rifles associated with late Soviet and post-Soviet infantry armament.

Variants

The AK-74 platform includes several variants, notably the folding-stock AKS-74 and the modernized AK-74M. These versions share the same basic operating system and cartridge.

Key facts

  • The AK-74 is a later development of the Kalashnikov rifle family and replaced the AKM in Soviet service.
  • It was adopted in 1974 and built around the smaller 5.45×39mm cartridge.
  • The design is associated with lower recoil and improved controllability compared with earlier 7.62×39mm Kalashnikov rifles.
  • It has been used by Soviet, Russian, and other military forces since the late Cold War period.
  • The AK-74 family includes variants such as the AKS-74 and AK-74M.
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Canadian context

The AK-74 is relevant to Canadian readers mainly through its role in global military history, firearm policy, and studies of Soviet and Russian small arms.

Frequently asked questions

What does AK-74 mean?
It stands for a Kalashnikov assault rifle model introduced in 1974.
Who designed the AK-74?
It was designed by Mikhail Kalashnikov and developed in the Soviet Union.
What cartridge does the AK-74 use?
It uses the 5.45×39mm cartridge.
When was the AK-74 adopted?
It was adopted by the Soviet Union in 1974.
What is the AK-74's main difference from the AKM?
The AK-74 was adapted to a smaller-calibre 5.45×39mm round rather than the AKM's 7.62×39mm cartridge.

References

  1. Small Arms Survey — https://www.smallarmssurvey.org/sites/default/files/SAS-weapons-assault-rifles-Kalashnikov-AK-74.pdf
    Supports: Identifies the AK-74 as an assault rifle designed in the early 1970s.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AK-74
    Supports: Provides the AK-74's designation, cartridge, service details, and technical characteristics.
  3. Russian Wikipedia — https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%90%D0%9A-74
    Supports: States that the AK-74 was developed by Mikhail Kalashnikov and adopted by Soviet forces in 1974.