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AKM

The AKM is a Soviet-designed assault rifle and a modernized version of the AK-47.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The AKM is a Soviet-designed assault rifle and a modernized version of the AK-47. It is chambered in 7.62×39mm and is known for its stamped-sheet-metal receiver, selective-fire operation, and wide international production and use.

Development

The AKM was developed in the Soviet Union as an improved, more economical version of the AK-47. Its stamped metal receiver was intended to simplify manufacturing and reduce weight.

Design

The rifle is gas-operated and uses a rotating bolt. It is a selective-fire weapon chambered for 7.62×39mm ammunition and commonly described as having a cyclic rate of about 600 rounds per minute.

Service and use

The AKM entered service in 1959 and was widely adopted across the Soviet sphere and beyond. It remained common internationally even after the AK-74 replaced it in Soviet frontline service.

Variants and production

The AKM became one of the most widely produced members of the Kalashnikov family. Its design also inspired numerous close derivatives and unlicensed copies in different countries.

Key facts

  • The AKM is a modernized variant of the AK-47.
  • It entered Soviet service in 1959.
  • Its stamped receiver reduced production cost and weight compared with earlier AK-47 variants.
  • It uses the 7.62×39mm intermediate cartridge.
  • The rifle was widely exported, licensed, and copied internationally.
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Canadian context

The AKM is relevant to Canadian readers mainly as a historically important firearm design studied in military history, arms technology, and international security contexts. Canada does not field the AKM as a standard service rifle.

Frequently asked questions

What does AKM stand for?
AKM is commonly expanded from Russian as "Avtomat Kalashnikova Modernizirovanniy," meaning "Kalashnikov modernized automatic rifle."
When did the AKM enter service?
The AKM entered service in 1959.
What cartridge does the AKM use?
The AKM uses the 7.62×39mm intermediate cartridge.
How is the AKM different from the AK-47?
The AKM is a modernized AK-47 variant with a stamped receiver, making it lighter and cheaper to produce than earlier milled-receiver versions.
Is the AKM still used today?
Yes. Although it was replaced in Soviet frontline service by the AK-74 in the late 1970s, the AKM remains in use in many countries.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AKM
    Supports: Basic description of the AKM, cartridge, action, and cyclic rate.
  2. Small Arms Survey — https://www.smallarmssurvey.org/sites/default/files/SAS-weapons-assault-rifles-Kalashnikov-AKM.pdf
    Supports: AKM type, development from the AK-47, and service entry in 1959.
  3. WeaponSystems.net — https://weaponsystems.net/system/606-Kalashnikov+AKM
    Supports: Stamped receiver, gas operation, rotating bolt, 7.62×39mm chambering, and wide production.
  4. Strzelnica Bojowa — https://strzelnicabojowa.pl/en/Guns/Long-guns/AKM-assault-rifle
    Supports: Expanded name, designer, service history, and broad international use.