47 (or Avtomat Kalashnikova) is a selective fire, gas operated 7.62mm assault rifle. Design work on the AK began in 1944. In 1946 a version of the rifle, the AK-46, was presented for official military trials, and a year later the fixed stock version was introduced into service with select units of the Red Army. The AK-47 was officially accepted by the Soviet Armed Forces in 1949. The Kalashnikov quickly became prized for its sturdy reliability in difficult field conditions.
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